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mike stern Articles

ANIMATION TIPS & TRICKS

Animation Students Share Workflow Tips and Career Advice

Alum and Content Creator Sir Wade Neistadt spoke with 10 Animation Mentor students and alumni who animated shots in our Student Showcase. Lucky for us, they covered everything from practical workflow tips to career advice! We highlighted some of our favorite parts...

7 Things You Should Know About Previsualization

What is previs in animation? Previsualization or “previs” is an important tool that’s essential to the movie making process. It helps directors plan sequences and camera work before principal photography even starts. Did you know that Marvel movies are all previs-ed?...

13 Podcasts Animators Should Listen to In 2021

Looking for some inspiration to jump-start your animation hobby or career? There are so many resources available to learn about animation! If you enjoy self-study you can read books on the topic, take online animation courses, and watch YouTube videos. You can also...

10 Advanced Acting Performance Tips for Animators

We have a very SPECIAL blog post from veteran mentor, Dana Boadway-Masson. She walks you through her secrets on acting and shares performance tips that will help you create believable, living and breathing characters. A must-read for any animator that needs to take it...

The Pros and Cons of Large vs. Small Animation Studios

As a young animator looking for career advice, you must have lots of questions. Some of the most common questions we hear at Animation Mentor are: Should I aim to work in a big studio or a small studio? Which one is better for learning? Which one pays more? Which one...

DEMO REEL ADVICE

Dos and Don’ts For Developing Your Character Animation Reel

The field of animation is becoming more popular with each passing year. As the demand for unique and entertaining content grows, the demand for skilled animators is also on the rise. But there’s a catch: this sector is also remarkably competitive! That’s especially...

Top 3 Reasons You Need Creature Animation on Your Demo Reel

Just a few of the films on Shawn Kelly's IMDb page Shawn Kelly, Lead Animator at Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) and Animation Mentor Co-Founder educates us on why you need more creature animation in your demo reel and reminds us that we are all animators. Sit back,...

Animation Demo Reel Review Etiquette

So, you've secured a demo reel review at a convention, job fair, etc., but it's not just about the work! You want to make a good impression too. There are definitely do's and don'ts to abide by when getting your demo reel reviewed—learn what they are from Image Engine...

5 Things NOT to Do on Your Demo Reel

Image from Francisco Ucke's 2018 Student Showcase Shot!   At Animation Mentor, we know demo reels are the most important asset you have when looking for your dream animation job! In fact, we dedicate an entire class to teaching our students how to build their own...

A Guide to Demo Reel Reviews at Animation Conventions

Heading to CTN—or any other convention—this year with your demo reel in tow? First, read these pro tips on what to bring, how to get your reel reviewed, and more from some of our own mentors and reel reviewers who have seen it al! The annual CTN animation expo in...

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