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Tutorial: Pushing Your Animation for Stronger Timing and Posing
DreamWorks animator and Animation Mentor alum Nicholas De Lotto explains how to take a shot from floaty blocking to something entertaining and appealing, by pushing timing and posing beyond what reference alone gives you. Using a simple jump over a car as his example, he walks through his process for scaling keys, adjusting spacing, and […] The post Tutorial
Tutorial: Understanding Bouncing Ball Physics and Matching Translation with Rotation
In this tutorial, Animation Mentor mentor and Pixar Animator Anthony Wong explains how to animate a convincing bouncing ball by separating translation from rotation and then correctly linking them. The goal is to make your ball feel physically grounded instead of arbitrary, using motion trails, spacing, and clear decay patterns. Watch the full video above. [
Tutorial: How to Animate Characters Interacting with Animals
In this tutorial, Rant Senior 3D Animator Gleb Sitnichenko walks through a practical workflow for animating a character petting a dog, from idea and reference through blocking and a first spline pass. The focus is on clear planning, strong poses, and believable interaction between a human and an animal stand‑in. Watch the full video above. […] The post Tutor
Free Workshop: Acting Craft for Animators
Deepen your understanding of how actors approach story and character in this free recorded workshop led by acting consultant Allen Simpson. He breaks down key concepts in script analysis, character development, and performance vocabulary. The workshop is designed for anyone in animation, previs, or VFX who wants to bring greater honesty, emotion, and clarity
Work-Life Balance for Animators
What does work-life balance look like in the real world? In this live-recorded webinar, Animation Director Megan Ferguson discusses mental health challenges for animators. Watch the full recording above. Keep an eye on our social media platforms for upcoming workshops, webinars, blog posts, and new courses. Follow us: LinkedIn
Tutorial: How to Animate Character Transformations and Shape‑Shifts
In this tutorial, Supervising Animator and longtime Animation Mentor mentor Jason Martinsen breaks down how to animate character transformations and shape‑shifts, from subtle morphs to wild cartoony changes. He focuses on practical principles you can apply whether you work in 2D, 3D, or with heavy VFX support.​ Meet Jason Martinsen Jason Martinsen has been a
Gameplay or Cinematics? Choosing Your Path in Game Animation
In this talk, senior gameplay animator Luke Madden (The Witcher 4, CD PROJEKT RED) explains the real-world differences between gameplay and cinematic animation roles, how they overlap, and what to consider if you are choosing a path into game development. What Gameplay Animators Actually Do? Gameplay animators are responsible for anything the player directly
Free Workshop: Animating Dialogue with a Disney Legend
Learn how to make your characters truly speak on screen. Mentor Jay Jackson shares timeless dialogue animation principles passed down from Disney’s Nine Old Men and shows how these ideas bring depth and authenticity to both 2D and 3D performances in this recorded session. You’ll see inspiring examples from Jay’s work and other artists he admires while explor
Tutorial: How to Animate Characters in Wind
In this tutorial, game animator and Animation Mentor mentor Natasha Krinsky walks through how to make characters feel like they are truly battling strong wind. She focuses on selling an invisible force through body mechanics, acting choices, and simple secondary elements like flying debris. Meet Natasha Krinsky With experience on major game titles like Life
Tutorial: How to Animate Secondary Motion
Animation Mentor alum Nathaniel Seymour explores how to build convincing secondary motion on a character, focusing on hair, lips, cheeks, and ears to make performances feel more alive. He demonstrates these ideas on a stylized sneeze shot, but the principles apply to any action with overlapping parts, like head turns, jumps, or hits. Meet Nathaniel […] The p
Tutorial: How to Animate Believable Eating Motions
In this tutorial, Rant Senior 3D Animator Gleb Sitnichenko breaks down how to animate a character eating in a way that feels physical, appealing, and full of personality. He covers the full process from first reaction to the food through chewing, swallowing, and post‑bite acting, then shows how he brings it all together in a […] The post Tutorial: How to Ani
Tutorial: Building Appealing Character Poses for Animation
In this tutorial, veteran animator and Animation Mentor instructor Anthony Wong breaks down how to make your character poses more natural, appealing, and readable. He focuses on treating poses like drawings, understanding line of action, managing complexity, and using the right rig tools at the right time. Watch the full video above. Meet Anthony Wong […] Th
Free Workshop: Maya Survival Skills for New Animators
Join Senior Character Animator Nicole Herr for this engaging recorded workshop on simple techniques and tricks to make your Maya workflow simpler and smoother. Learn the basics of layers and constraints to help push your animation skills to the next level. Whether you are just starting out or already have some basic Maya knowledge, Nicole will share […] The
Tutorial: How to Animate Characters Sitting Down Like a Pro
In this lesson, Animation Mentor mentor and Rant Senior 3D Animator Gleb Sitnichenko breaks down how to animate a character sitting down in a way that feels physical and full of personality. He starts from a simple four‑pose structure, then shows how story, mood, and reference can turn a basic action into a clear character […] The post Tutorial: How to Anima
Tutorial: Building a Standout Gameplay Animation Demo Reel
In this tutorial, Animation Mentor Game Animation Program mentor Natasha Krinsky explains how to build a gameplay animation demo reel that actually stands out to studios. She covers what to include (and leave out), how long it should be, how to mix gameplay and cinematics, and a practical way to capture in‑engine footage from Unreal. […] The post Tutorial: B
Tutorial: Overlap and Pendulum Motion in Animation
In this tutorial, veteran animator and Animation Mentor instructor Anthony Wong explains how to understand and animate overlap using pendulum motion, then shows how to apply the same ideas to a more complex figure‑eight motion in Maya. Meet Anthony Wong Anthony Wong has been a professional animator since 1991. Anthony started as a character layout […] The po
Tutorial: How to Animate First Person and POV Shots
In this tutorial, Animation Mentor alum and game animator Marta Perez Garcia breaks down how to plan and animate first person and POV shots that feel immersive, readable, and comfortable to watch. She covers what first person really means, where it shows up in games and film, practical tips for cameras and acting, and a […] The post Tutorial: How to Animate
Free Workshop: Directing 101
Step inside the director’s chair with Megan Ferguson as she walks you through how a real animated episode gets made from pre‑production to final post. In this recorded workshop, she shares her experience directing episodes of the animated series Hilda, highlighting the importance of planning, leadership, problem‑solving, and collaboration across departments.
Tutorial: How to Animate a Character Opening a Door
In this lesson, Animation Mentor mentor and Rant Senior 3D Animator Gleb Sitnichenko walks through how to animate a character opening a door in a way that feels physical, clear, and story‑driven. He focuses on planning with reference, understanding door mechanics, and using a simple blocking pass to capture believable body mechanics and intent. Start […] The
Tutorial: Using Green Screen Reference in Maya
In this lesson, Animation Mentor mentor Zachary Rahman shows how to use a green screen to shoot clear acting reference and then bring that reference into Maya in a way that supports staging, clarity, and efficient blocking. He walks through why green screen helps, how to process the footage in DaVinci Resolve, and how to […] The post Tutorial: Using Green Sc