Animation Apprentice Goes to Annecy

Annecy, France

I'm heading over to the Annecy Animation Festival next week, checking out the latest developments in our industry at what has become the world's biggest animation festival.

I'll be on a panel tomorrow, tuesday 12th June, talking about how to animate non-human characters, sitting alongside my fellow panelists Alonso Martinez from Pixar, Joeri Christiaen from Thuristar, and independent animator Nicolas Deveaux.

What's this all about?

Sea Serpent - Voyage of the Dawn Treader

The panel is all about non-human animation. The official title is "Ostriches, robots, mushrooms ... how to animate non-human characters".

I'll be talking about some of my work on various films, such as "Robots", "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" and also "Chronicles of Narnia - Voyage of the Dawn Treader".

Animating non-human characters involves a great deal of research, and also finding ways to apply that research to the character in a way that is entertaining and fun, and doesn't get bogged down in too much technical detail.


You need to use live-action reference, but make sure you're using it right, not as crutch, by literally copying real life, but using reference to make your work feel believable and compelling. Of course, saying it is the easy bit - doing it right is much harder.

Where?

Pixar's Alonso Martinez

The talk is taking place at the Salle De L'Europe, Imperial Hotel, Annecy. That's up at the north end of the lake, where the big MIFA event takes place; the industry showcase full of buyers and sellers in the global animation industry. 

When?
9am to 10.30am on Tuesday 12th June

Who is on the panel?

Alonso Martinez, a Ringling graduate and Pixar Technical Director, who worked on the skeletons on their recent Oscar winning feature film Coco.

Joeri Christiaen and Perrine Gauthier, from Thuristar animation studio in Belgium.

Nicolas Deveaux, Supinfocom graduate and independent animation film-maker.

How to sign up? 
You can sign up here. 

Heading over to Annecy next week? Make sure to read our Annecy Survival Guide - all about how to manage the world's biggest animation festival.

----Alex