John Nguyen
Show Animation Principal
Walt Disney Imagineering
John Nguyen has been a professional animator and modeler since 1998 and is currently a show animation principal at Walt Disney Imagineering. He’s previously worked at many major studios—Digital Domain, Reel FX, and Universal Pictures, to name a few. His passion is bringing characters to life and making people laugh, which is why he pursued animation. John has been a mentor since 2005 and currently teaches many courses, including Animation Basics, Body Mechanics, and Introduction to Acting.
John’s Credits
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian
Alvin and the Chipmunks
Treasure Planet
Recent Films
- Underworld: Awakening
- TRON: Legacy
- Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief
- Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
- Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian
- The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor
- Speed Racer
- Alvin and the Chipmunks
- Evan Almighty
- 300
- X-Men: The Last Stand
- Transformers: Dark of the Moon
- Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian
- The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor
- Evan Almighty
- Curious George
- The Chronicles of Riddick
Other Films
- The Day After Tomorrow
- Looney Tunes: Back in Action
- Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas
- 2 Fast 2 Furious
- Treasure Planet
- Little Nicky
- Bless the Child
- Mission to Mars
- Bicentennial Man
- Godzilla
- Kull the Conqueror
- George of the Jungle
- Batman & Robin
- Mimic
Short Film
- The Very First Noel
What John’s Students are Saying
Very Detailed and Helpful Feedback
John brings a positive atmosphere to the Q&A sessions. Each session is well organized; he is well prepared and explains something new each week in a very clear manner. The animated shorts he shows at the end of each session are very interesting to see. He is very generous with his time, gives very detailed and really helpful feedback, and encourages the asking of questions.
An Excellent Mentor
John gives excellent and sensitive feedback. He has a very experienced eye, and explains (and illustrates) his notes clearly. He often specifies whether a note is creative or technical, and encourages us to explore the brief as creatively as we like. I’ve learned a lot from John, and he’s been an excellent mentor.
Knowledgeable in Industry and Maya
John is great, he is very knowledgeable about the industry and about Maya. He took the time to open student’s projects during Q+As to really explain more about how to do something he referenced in his e-critique. I have learned so many tips and tricks about how to be efficient in Maya, in addition to industry expectations and how to prepare for studio environments.
I'm Always Really Excited
John gets right down to what we need to learn to complete the assignment for the week and demonstrates it (in an easy to understand way) in the hour of class. Critiques are good and always helpful, I like how he draws over our frames. Oh, and the moment of inspiration clips we watch at the end of class really help in finishing class off in a great mood. I’m always really excited about whatever we’re doing for the week.
Ethusiatsic in Passing Knowledge
John is an expert in the field who is extremely enthusiastic in passing down his knowledge to the students. Moreover, he is a kind person checking with everyone on their weekly progress to just simply – how life is going for everyone.
Critiques are Always Encouraging and Detailed
His critiques are always very encouraging and detailed, sometimes showing me things that I didn’t know needed to be fixed. I’m always so excited to get one and see how to improve my shots further. During class, he also checks in with everyone to see how they are doing, which I like. I end up learning from my other classmates, and it also leads me to talk in front of the class as well. I usually wouldn’t talk at all unless I had a question. He’s an amazing mentor!
Very Detailed and Helpful Feedback
John brings a positive atmosphere to the Q&A sessions. Each session is well organized; he is well prepared and explains something new each week in a very clear manner. The animated shorts he shows at the end of each session are very interesting to see. He is very generous with his time, gives very detailed and really helpful feedback, and encourages the asking of questions.
An Excellent Mentor
John gives excellent and sensitive feedback. He has a very experienced eye, and explains (and illustrates) his notes clearly. He often specifies whether a note is creative or technical, and encourages us to explore the brief as creatively as we like. I’ve learned a lot from John, and he’s been an excellent mentor.
Knowledgeable in Industry and Maya
John is great, he is very knowledgeable about the industry and about Maya. He took the time to open student’s projects during Q+As to really explain more about how to do something he referenced in his e-critique. I have learned so many tips and tricks about how to be efficient in Maya, in addition to industry expectations and how to prepare for studio environments.
I'm Always Really Excited
John gets right down to what we need to learn to complete the assignment for the week and demonstrates it (in an easy to understand way) in the hour of class. Critiques are good and always helpful, I like how he draws over our frames. Oh, and the moment of inspiration clips we watch at the end of class really help in finishing class off in a great mood. I’m always really excited about whatever we’re doing for the week.
Ethusiatsic in Passing Knowledge
John is an expert in the field who is extremely enthusiastic in passing down his knowledge to the students. Moreover, he is a kind person checking with everyone on their weekly progress to just simply – how life is going for everyone.
Critiques are Always Encouraging and Detailed
His critiques are always very encouraging and detailed, sometimes showing me things that I didn’t know needed to be fixed. I’m always so excited to get one and see how to improve my shots further. During class, he also checks in with everyone to see how they are doing, which I like. I end up learning from my other classmates, and it also leads me to talk in front of the class as well. I usually wouldn’t talk at all unless I had a question. He’s an amazing mentor!
Courses Taught By John
Courses may vary from term to term.
Animation
Basics
12-Week Course
Begin your character animation journey and master the basics.