New Year Class Starts on 7 January 2025

Our New Year Animation Class begins on Monday 7th January 2025.

It's not too late to book a place; all you need to do is visit the main Animation Apprentice site and go through a few simple steps.

If you want to learn 3D animation to a professional level, and start your new career as an animator - your journey starts here.

Merry Christmas from Animation Apprentice

"God Bless Us Every One"

A Very Merry Christmas from all of us at Animation Apprentice - and God Bless Us Every One.  Many years ago, aged four,  I was the voice of Tiny Tim in my Dad's1972 animated version of A Christmas Carol, a TV Special produced by animation legend Chuck Jones. 

A Christmas Carol is just twenty minutes long - you can watch it in HD below.  The film was completed at Dad's London studio at 13 Soho Square - a Grade II* listed building which still stands today.  It's even painted the same dark green colour, and looks just the same as it always did - minus the letters "Richard Williams Animation" above the door.

Why Animators Need to Apply Widely

Landing that first job in the animation industry isn't easy.  But what many graduates forget is just how many opportunities are out there. 

Alongside the world-beating UK animation companies like Aardman Animation, Blue Zoo, Framestore and DNEG are hundreds of small companies that are much less well known. 

There are almost 500 animation companies in the UK with at least one employee (ie not just a one-man-band) and this creates a huge opportunity for an animator with the patience to look beyond the famous names.

Why Animators Should Keep a Sketchbook

Alex Williams sketchbook 1989

Here at Animation Apprentice we recommend that all our students keep a sketchbook.  

For animators, keeping a sketchbook is more than just a pastime—it’s an important tool for growth and creativity. 

Here's why every animator should make drawing and scribbling in a sketchbook part of their daily practice:

Why Animators Choose Quality Over Quantity

Quality over Quantity

One common mistake made by student animators is to take on too much, to try to complete too much animation in too little time.  The golden rule is to choose quality over quantity.  Short films should be short, because long films take too long to execute, and the quality inevitably suffers. 

The same goes for animation: better to focus on a relatively short shot that delivers a great result, than be too ambitious and have to drop the quality.  The 11 Second Cub competition has a maximum of 11 seconds for this reason.  For the same reason, demo reels should be short. A student demo reel should generally be no more than a minute long.

How to Find The UK's Animation Studios

Animation UK's Studio Directory

There are around 2,500 animation studios in the UK, of which a little under 500 have employees - making them worth targeting for an entry-level job.  But how to find them?  

One great resource is Animation UK's Studios Directory, which you can find here.  Click on the link and you can start making lists of UK Animation Studios - and then start applying. 

Why Animators Should Cut on Movement

One of the key principles of cinematography is to cut on movement. What does that mean? It means that if you start an action in one shot, carry it over into the second.  

Let's say you are cutting from a wide shot to a close up, you start the motion in the wide shot, then carry it over to the next shot. This makes the cut feel less abrupt.

Why Animators Need Walks on a Demo Reel

"Monty" Character Walks by Neil Whitman

One common mistake junior animators make when cutting a demo reel is to leave off basic exercises like walks, character walks and runs. 

But walks and runs can and should be on an animation demo reel - not for very long - but for just long enough to show that these are firmly inside the animator's skill set. 

Jinng Hwee Tan Animator at Framestore

Congratulations to Animation Apprentice student Jinng Hwee Tan who has joined Framestore as an animator. 

Jinng Hwee Tan studied animation with us, taking our Online MA in 3D Animation, being awarded a Master's Degree from Buckinghamshire New University. 

Framestore is a leading global animation and VFX house, responsible for multiple hit movies and series.

You can see Jinng Hwee Tan's demo reel here.

Why Animators Need a Great Acting Shot

Acting shot by Mark Masters

Why do animators need a great acting shot on their demo reel?  Because nothing showcases an animator’s talent quite like a strong acting shot.  

A well-executed acting scene shows that an animator can give a performance, and approach a shot like an actor might approach a scene in a movie or a play. 

Acting shots reveal whether an animator can go beyond basic mechanics and deliver an entertaining performance.

Attaches in Maya - The "Cheat Method"

In this short video above we demonstrate how to do Attaches and Parenting in Maya, using "The Cheat Method". It's a very simple approach which involves parenting an object to another - in this case, Monty's hat, using the simple Shift Select P method. Then, rather than un-attach the hat, we simply replace the hat with a new identical hat, which looks exactly the same.  This way, we don't have the bother of un-attaching the original hat - we can just remove it from the scene and replace it with a new one. 

Cartoony Mad Scramble Run and Exit with Monty

Cartoony run and smear frame exit with Monty

In this new animation tutorial we show how to animate a cartoony run and smear frame exit with Monty, the green pea.  

It's a simple tutorial aimed at animation beginners, and covers runs, jumps and smear frames.  We'll also need to do some attaches and parenting (for Monty's hat) basic lighting in Arnold and learn how to add motion blur to the final render.

Render Motion Blur in Maya and Arnold

How to Render Motion Blur in Maya and Arnold:  This very simple and very short tutorial shows how to turn on Motion Blur in the Arnold Renderer in Maya. Why would you want to turn on motion blur? Because when you have very fast action, you almost always want motion blur; this simulates how our eyes actually see things in real life. 

Animate a Sneeze with Monty

Animate a sneeze with Monty

In this beginner animation tutorial, we show how to animate a sneeze with Monty, the green pea.

A sneeze is an explosion of air, so we want a big anticipation, and then a big sneeze. 

If you have time, attach a hat to Monty's head, and animate it flying up in the air, spinning and landing again (you will need the Parentmaster plugin for this).

Animation is Still Box Office Gold

There is a lot of doom and gloom in our industry these days, following strikes by both writers and actors, and the looming threat of AI.  

Despite the pessimism, the animation industry continues to thrive, with 25% of box office success coming from animation productions in 2024 (see infographic left). 

Jobs and opportunities remain - for those with the right skills. 

How To Reset Your Preferences in Maya

This short video shows how to Reset Your Preferences in Maya.  Sometimes when Maya is behaving badly, you need to reset your preferences and start over. This short video shows how to do it. And you can read more about re-setting preferences in Maya here. 

"Under The Sea" Animation Reel

Our latest demo reel above is a selection of some of the best aquatic animation done by students at Animation Apprentice; it features crabs, squid, jellies, dolphins, sharks and fish. Undersea animation poses a range of challenges, not least in how to light the animation to get a realistic underwater effect. You can see some tutorials on undersea animation below.

Winter Class Starts Monday 4 November 2024

"Mrs Claus" by Robin Herrmann

Our Winter Animation Class begins on Monday 4th November 2024.  It's not too late to book a place; all you need to do is visit the main Animation Apprentice site and go through a few simple steps.

If you want to learn 3D animation to a professional level, and start your new career as an animator - your journey starts here.

Aardman Workshop at Cartoon Museum 30 Oct 2024

Feathers McGraw modelling workshop 30th Oct 2024

Aardman animation are coming back to London's Cartoon Museum, bringing a "Feathers McGraw" model making workshop on Wednesday 30th October 2024.

The Cartoon Museum is welcoming Aardman Animation to celebrate the Thirtieth Anniversary of Wallace & Gromit, The Wrong Trousers.

You can make your own "Feathers McGraw" character to take home with you, assisted by Aardman Animation's own modelmakers. 

Dinosaur Animation Reel

Student animators at Animation Apprentice learn how to animate a dinosaur in motion. The tutorial uses the free Dino rig by Harry Geoghegan, available for free download at Creative Crash.  Following the tutorial, novice animators can create a believable dinosaur walk cycle and performance. To see some of the best dino animation by our students, watch the short demo reel above. 

Depth of Field in Maya and the Arnold Renderer

How do we create Depth of Field in Maya and Arnold? Sometimes we don't want the audience to see everything in our shot. Animators are film-makers, and the audience needs to be guided through the scene, shown only what is important - and leaving out what is unimportant.  Focus and Depth of Field can help with this - if something in the shot isn't important, simply blur it out. To see how to create Depth of Field in Maya, watch the short video above.  And to understand the he theory behind it, read this blog post.

Quadruped Runs Demo Reel

 

In this latest compilation of student work we show some of the best quadruped runs completed by our students.  Every animator needs to understand how to animate quadrupeds in motion; these are the basic "scales" of animal and creature animation.  The basic gait for all quadrupeds is more or less the same, allowing for anatomy (herbivores generally have less flexible spines than carnivores). Edit by Miguel Teixeira.  Music by: CreatorMix.com

Focus and Depth of Field For Animators

Focus and Depth of Field are principles of cinematography that animators need to understand, because you don't always want the audience to see everything in your shot. Animators are film-makers, and the audience needs to be guided through scene, shown only what is important - and leaving out what is unimportant. Focus and depth of field can help with this - if something in your shot isn't important, simply blur it out. To see more about what the terms Focus and Depth of Field mean - and how it all works in practice - watch the short video above. 

Bear Walk Tutorial

Bear walk by Joris Van Laar

All animators need to learn how to animate a quadruped walk cycle.  All quadrupeds walk in more or less the same way, allowing for anatomy (herbivores have less flexible spines than do carnivores). 

To the left is a bear walk cycle animated by Animation Apprentice graduate Joris Van Laar, and below are some useful thumbnails showing how to animate a bear walking.

Dog Run Animation Tutorial

Dog run thumbnails - ASK - simplified 

Every animator needs to learn to animate a quadruped running.  All quadrupeds run in the same way, allowing for anatomy (herbivores have stiffer spines), but it's still helpful to use thumbnails of the actual animal you are animating. 

The dog run thumbnails to the left are taken from the Animator's Survival Kit, the book we recommend all animators buy, but they are simplified to make the basic blocking of the dog run easier and quicker. 

Academic Deadlines For Our MA Students 2024-26

2021-2023 deadlines

Below is a list of deadlines for our online MA in 3D Animation for Professionals, delivered in association with Buckinghamshire New University. This is for our new cohort of student animators, those who are joining us in September 2024, and will graduate "Master of Arts" in the summer of 2026.

Note that this list of deadlines is a draft list only, and is subject to change. Students should always check the appropriate Module Guide and Assignment Brief to be certain of the correct submission date. And, of course, check with your tutor.

This list gives our MA students a broad idea of what to expect over the coming 18 months.  But always double-check these dates - if in doubt, email your tutor.

Beyond The Glass: The WDW Animation Building

Directed by Dane T. and free to watch at YouTube, Beyond The Glass: The WDW Animation Building is a new feature length documentary about the Orlando, Florida branch of the Walt Disney Animation Studios - known as Walt Disney Feature Animation at the time.  For me personally it's a trip down memory lane, as I started my own animation career at Disney MGM Studios on "RollerCoaster Rabbit" back in the late 1980s.  

Module COM7025 Starts 7 October 2024

Animation by AA graduate Robin Herrmann

For our MA students studying with our academic partner Buckinghamshire New University, Module COM7025 (Professional Prep) Starts on 7 Oct 2024.  In this module, which aims to get students ready for the animation industry, students put together a professional-level animation demo reel, and also write a report on the animation industry.   

The theoretical Assignment (Animation Industry Report) is due on Friday 13th December 2024, before 2pm. Demo Reel & Portfolio is due on Friday 10th January 2025, before 2pm. 

Avoid Slow-Motion Live Action Reference

Leopard Animation Using Live Action Ref by Daniel Amor

One common mistake made by junior animators using live action reference to plan animation for the first time is to use slow-motion live action reference.  Slow motion reference is very common, because complex actions - especially action shots or animal reference - can be hard to see in real time. 

Animators should avoid slow-motion reference because the vast majority of the time we want our animation will be in real time. If you download slow-motion reference, you will have to re-time your animation, which adds an extra layer of complexity to the shot.

Phil Loeffler MoGraph Supervisor at Discovery

Congratulations to Animation Apprentice graduate Phil Loeffler who has been promoted to Motion Graphics Animation Supervisor at Discovery.

Phil has been successfully working as a freelance animator, illustrator and designer for some time, building on the skills he has learned at Animation Apprentice.

Motion Graphics is a key part of the animation industry, an expanding area of jobs, creativity and new business.

Last Call for Online MA in Animation with BNU

Animation by BNU graduate Neil Whitman

Last chance to book your place on our MA in 3D Animation for Professionals.

The online MA in animation at Buckinghamshire New University was launched in 2015 and was the very first of its kind - the first online MA in animation which could be undertaken by students anywhere in the world.  

We continue to partner with BNU to deliver the Online MA 3D Animation for Professionals, ensuring that all our MA Students graduate with industry-level skills.  Teaching starts on Monday 30 September 2024.

Flight Animation Compilation Reel

Above is a flight compilation of work created by students at Animation Apprentice.  Students at Animation Apprentice master the art of animal and locomotion, including how to animate a bird in flight, how to animate butterflies, and how to animate a dragon in flight.  

Quadruped Trots Compilation Reel

Above is a compilation of quadruped trots completed by students at Animation Apprentice.  Students at Animation Apprentice master the art of quadruped locomotion, including how to animate a quadruped trot.  A trot is an intermediate gait between a walk and a run, an efficient fast motion that permits speed without using excessive energy.   Music Credits: A Beautiful Thing by CreatorMix.com.

"A Moment in Time" at the BFI on 22 Sept 2024

A Moment in Time at the BFI Sunday 22 September 2024

Richard Williams' unfinished masterpiece The Thief and the Cobbler - A Moment in Time - will be screened at the BFI on Sunday 22 September 2024, with a Q&A with producer Imogen Sutton.

To buy tickets to see this rarely-screened (only the 3rd UK screening) unfinished film, follow the link to the BFI website here.

Which Country Has The Most Animation Studios?

UK Animation is thriving

Which Country has the most animation studios? The answer, of course, is the USA, with over 6,000 animation studios, of which around 1,100 have employees (ie not just a sole freelancer working alone).  

You might be surprised however, to learn that the number two spot is taken - not by India, Japan or China - but by...

Pantomime Animation Demo Reel

Above is a collection of some of the best pantomime animation shots completed by students at Animation Apprentice.  Pantomime animation is the art of performance without dialogue, in the tradition of the old silent movie stars such as Chaplin or Keaton - or a modern incarnation such as Mr Bean. Good pantomime animation communicates to the audience what the character is thinking and feeling - without dialogue. 

Weight and Balance Animation Reel

One of the hardest skills for animators to learn is the simulation of weight. Animation that feels floaty or lacks weight is a big red flag for anyone looking at a new demo reel.  Pixels have no intrinsic weight so, to make our animation feel heavy, we have to simulate weight. To see some of the best animation tackling the problem of weight and balance by our students at Animation Apprentice, watch the short demo reel above.  The reel was edited by Miguel Teixeira. Music by CreatorMix.com.

Autumn Class Starts 2nd September 2024

Our Autumn/Fall Animation Class begins on Monday 2nd September 2024.

It's not too late to book a place; all you need to do is visit the main Animation Apprentice site and go through a few simple steps.

If you want to learn 3D animation to a professional level, and start your new career as an animator - your journey starts here.

Who Framed Roger Rabbit "Eye Lines" Memo

Eye Direction Matters

In the 1988 film Who Framed Roger Rabbit one of the biggest problems was getting Roger (and the other cartoon characters) to look directly at Bob Hoskins and the other live action actors. Without clear believable eye direction, the characters didn't seem to be looking at each other, and the illusion failed.

You can see the memo on the left from animation director Richard Williams to the animation crew, reinforcing the importance of eye direction in sustaining the illusion that live action and animation were occupying the same visual space.

Since Who Framed Roger Rabbit I've worked on dozens of animated films.  On every film it was important that the characters look at each other, and that the audience believes that the characters are looking at each other. 

Cartoon Museum "Comics Maestro Competition"

"Young Comics Maestro" Competition

The Alison Brown "Young Comics Maestro" Competition closes in 11 days, on 30 June.  London's Cartoon Museum is looking for the next big "18 or Under" comic artist.

Send in your best comic strip to the Cartoon Museum, three pages max, to enter the competition and get your work in front of judges from The Beano, The Phoenix, and The Cartoon Museum. The deadline is Sunday 30 June at 6pm. 

Free Beginner Tutorials at Animation Apprentice

Animate a Cartoony Vehicle

We have lots of beginner animation tutorials at Animation Apprentice, many of them completely free. 

To get started with animation basics, why not Animate a Telephone Ringing in Maya, Animate a Flag Waving in Maya, or Animate a Submarine Underwater. 

It takes a while to master the art and craft of animation, but these beginner tutorials are a great way to get started.

Quadruped Horse Walk Tutorial

Horse walk by Matt Lawson-Hall

We've uploaded a new series of video tutorials on animating quadrupeds, a "Horse Walk Tutorial" using the "Rhett The Clydesdale" Maya Rig, which is free to download.

All animators need to learn how to animate a quadruped walk cycle.  The horse walk tutorial is password-protected but available to all our current students.

Spiders and Scorpions Animation Demo Reel

Above is a compilation of some of the best arachnid animation by our students completed in recent years. Spiders and scorpions might seem hard to animate - but we break down the technique into a series of simple steps, re-using animation curves to get a quick and effective result. Edited by Miguel Teixeira, Song: New Arcade. Music by: CreatorMix.com. 

Young Animator of the Year Competition Open

Young Animator of the Year 2024

The Young Animator of the Year UK ("Yay!") 2024 Competition is now open for entries. Entries are welcomed from UK-based animators between the ages of 11 and 18 years.  All they have to do is submit their film to http://younganimator.uk by September 16th 2024.

Takes & Reactions Demo Reel

Reaction shots are the bread-and-butter of junior animators. On a feature film, once an animator has graduated from walk cycles and crowd shots, they get given reaction shots.  In the compilation demo reel above we show some of the best takes and reaction shots animated by our students at Animation Apprentice. 

Animate Dialogue with Monty: "I'm Outta Here!"

Monty: "I'm Outta Here!" 

In the simple animation tutorial below we show how to animate a character with no mouth saying a line of dialogue.  

But how can you animate dialogue and lipsync - with no lips?  The answer is - it's all in the performance.  If the body language is working, then the audience will believe that the character is speaking - even if it has no mouth. 

Crab Scuttle Animation Tutorial

Animate a crab scuttle underwater

In this new animation tutorial we demonstrate how to create a locomotion cycle in Maya with a crab rig, showing how to take a complex motion, break it down - and make it simple.

A crab's sideways scuttle looks complex, but is in fact very easy to animate, by following this basic tutorial.

We start by animating a single animation curve, and then copy it across the crab rig. 

Anticipation, Action & Reaction Tutorial

In this very simple tutorial we show how to animate an anticipation, action and reaction in Autodesk Maya, using the Yellow Beetle "AnyCar" rig. Instead of animating the Beetle out of the frame, we add a "smear frame", to get it off screen as fast as possible, in the style of the old Tex Avery or Chuck Jones cartoons.

The reaction at the end is the camera shake, simulating the air pressure as the car whizzes past. 

Animate a Swimming Jelly with Caustics

 Animate a cartoony jelly traveling underwater.

In this super simple tutorial we show how to animate a cartoony jelly traveling underwater. This is a very basic tutorial aimed at beginners in Maya.

The idea is to do some very simple animation of an underwater scene, then add a caustic effect to reproduce the effect of light penetrating water.  The jelly rig can be downloaded for free here. 

SuperHero Pets! A Creativity Exercise

via GIPHY

Welcome to Super Hero Pets! This is a fun exercise designed to help imagine an original TV or web series.  Your goal is to learn the basic building blocks of story, story-telling and character, by imagining a short film based on your first pet, or cuddly toy.  Start by imagining the characters, who they are, and what they do. Then design your four main characters.  

Animate Willy "I'm Outta Here"

Willy: "I'm Outta Here!"

In this three part dialogue tutorial we show how to animate a cartoony character ("Willy") saying a line of dialogue.  The line is "I'm Outta Here!", taken from Iago in Disney's Aladdin. 

In the first part of the tutorial we block out the animation with Willy. In the second part, we add a "Smear Drawing" to simulate motion blur. 

In the third part we animate Willy's hat flying up in the air and landing. 

How Do Animators Get Hired For Games?

Into Games is hosting a free live-streamed talk today Wednesday 22nd May at 1pm UK time for animators seeking a career as an animator in the Games Industry. 

The title of the talk is "Animation: Communicating the fundamentals. How to Prove You've Got The Experience".

Today's talk is for animators who are either "pre-games or very early in their games industry career". 

The talk will be delivered by Hannah Kravets a Gameplay Animator currently working with Climax Studios. 

Animate a "Take" with the Luxo Lamp

Animate a "Take" reaction shot with the Pixo Jr lamp

In this simple free tutorial we show how to animate a "take" (a reaction shot), with the Pixo Jr lamp rig which you can download from highend3d.com. 

The tutorial is a simple one, aimed at animation beginners, but it helps if you are already familiar with the Maya Interface.  Follow the thumbnails below to replicate the tutorial.

Smear Frame Animation Tutorial in Maya

In this brief tutorial we show how to animate a "Smear Frame". Smear Frames simulate motion blur in super-snappy animation, in the style of the old Tex Avery or Chuck Jones cartoons.

But how do you do a Smear Frame in 3D animation, using Maya character rigs? Watch our free tutorial to find out.

Robots, Vehicles & Machinery Demo Reel

Above is a selection of the best Robots, Vehicles & Machinery animation created by our talented students at Animation Apprentice. The cartoony yellow car is one of our weekly exercises, as is the helicopter airship.  Congratulations to all our students on their excellent work.  The reel was cut by Miguel Teixeira. Song: Get Back Music by: CreatorMix.com

Locomotion & Mechanics Demo Reel

Above is a selection of the best locomotion and mechanics animation created by our talented students at Animation Apprentice.  Every animator needs to know how to animate a walk cycle, and then (having mastered the basic mechanics) to give that walk character and personality.  Every person moves differently, and those differences add up to their own unique personality. Congratulations to all our students and recent graduates on their excellent work in locomotion and mechanics.  Song: Ocean Drive Music by: CreatorMix.com

Fish Swim - Free Animation Tutorial

Animate a fish swimming in Maya

In this simple tutorial we show how to animate a fish swimming, and then add some underwater lighting using Maya's software renderer. 

Start with a single side-to-side rotation of the fish; then copy and paste the curves down the fish's body, offsetting each curves by a frame or two. 

The result is the distinctive swish of a fish's tail.  The underwater lighting with caustics can be done with a few clicks. 

Animate a Submarine Underwater with Caustics

Animate a Submarine Underwater

In this super simple tutorial we show how to animate a submarine traveling underwater.  This is a very basic tutorial aimed at beginners in Maya. 

The idea is to do some simple animation of an underwater scene, then add a caustic effect to reproduce the effect of light penetrating water. 

Attach and Un-Attach a Hat in Maya

Attach & Un-attach a Hat in Maya Using the Parent Master

In this short (just under ten minutes) tutorial for animation beginners we show how to attach and un-attach a hat in Maya using the free ZV Parent Master Plugin. 

The ZV Parent Master Plugin is a very useful tool that we recommend for attaching and un-attaching objects in Maya.  To see how to download and install the Parent Master, read this blog post and watch this video.  

RTS Bursary Scheme Now Open

The Royal Television Society (RTS) Bursary Scheme is now open, offering bursaries (scholarships) to students  pursuing careers in television, film or related media.

The application deadline is Monday 24th June 2024. As always, we encourage our students to apply. 

There are many scholarships and bursaries available for education. 

Animate a Camera Shake in Maya

Animate a Camera Shake in Maya with Monty

In this free animation tutorial we show how to animate a camera shake in Maya.  It's a simple tutorial aimed at beginners learning 3d animation in Autodesk Maya. 

To animate the camera shake is simple - it's just a few keyframes on the x rotation on the shot camera, simulating what might happen to a real camera operator if (as in this example) a school bus were to whizz past at high speed. 

Finding Work in the Animation Industry in 2024

The creative industries have hit some headwinds of late, with a "perfect storm" of writers' strikes, actors' strikes, studio cutbacks - and anxiety over the threat from AI. 

But there are jobs and opportunities out there for graduates with strong portfolios and software skills. Below is a list of things to do to maximise your chances of breaking into the industry. Start by making sure that your demo reel is as good as it can possibly be.

Why Animators Should Avoid "CCTV Camera"

One of the most common mistakes junior animators make when staging their shots is to position the camera above the action, looking down on the characters. This can be tempting to do, because it is an easy way to capture everything that is going on.  However "CCTV Camera" is usually a mistake (though you might need to create a particular effect in certain circumstances). A better choice is to position the camera at eye level - where the camera becomes a non-participant observer in the scene. Watch this very short video to see why.

Animate a Vehicle Coming to a Sudden Stop

In this super simple beginner animation tutorial we show how to animate a vehicle coming to a sudden stop. The free tutorial uses the free "AnyCar 3.1.4 for Maya" rig, downloadable here from Creative Crash.  

This is a fun, simple tutorial that is aimed at animation beginners in Autodesk Maya, part of our series of animation basics for students who have never used Maya before.  

Animate a Traffic Cone Being Knocked Over

Animate a Traffic Cone Being Knocked Over

In this beginner's animation tutorial we show how to animate a traffic cone being knocked over by a speeding car.  It's based on the Yellow Beetle animation tutorial - which you can find here.  

You can however use any vehicle, and animate it by simply setting a keyframe at the start and the end of the motion.  The timing of the traffic cone is very simple; with just a few rotation keyframes we can add texture to the scene. 

How to Avoid "Zombie Eyes"

Try to avoid "zombie eyes"

Eye direction is one of the most important things to get right in animation. If your characters aren't looking at each other, or their eyes are wandering around, the effect is to produce "zombie eyed" characters, who don't seem to be looking at anything.  

So how do you avoid "Zombie Eyes"? The answer is, use the Eye Direction Controller, and always add a blink on a head turn. 

Free Rigs and Sets for Animators at Anim-Matt

https://anim-matt.gumroad.com/

We're loving this new source of Free Rigs and Sets for Maya Animators at Animation-Matt https://anim-matt.gumroad.com/.  It's a great resource, packed with free (and low priced) rigs for character animation.  Anim-matt also has plenty of sets for animators to work in, including interior and exterior shots such as street, bars and living rooms, for characters to act and perform in.

Michael Caine Acting Lessons For Animators

 

Animated characters need to look at each other, so their eyes don't wander around screen.  Watch the short video above with acting legend Michael Caine for some tips from the master of screen acting.  The video itself is a little dated (1980s) but the lessons remain just as important today.  According to Caine, the number one lesson for stage actors is to "hold on to each others' eyes".  And, what is true for stage actors is true for animators too.  You can watch Caine's acting advice in the video above - the important part is all in the first 5 minutes.

What is The Rule of Thirds?

What is the Rule of Thirds?  It is a "rule of thumb" for composing visual images.  The Rule of Thirds proposes that an image should be imagined as divided into nine equal parts by two equally spaced horizontal lines and two equally spaced vertical lines, and that important compositional elements should be placed along these lines or their intersections.  In the simplest terms, try to avoid staging your character dead centre in the middle of the screen.

How to Use The Eye Direction Controller

Eye direction matters. If animated characters aren't looking at each other, or if the motion of the eyes feels weird and lifeless, the animation will lack believability.  Fortunately, most character rigs come with a "Look See" or "Eye Direction" controller, which control the character's eye direction, so that the eyes always seem to be focused and alert. To see how to use the "Look See" control with the Kayla rig (one of the rigs we recommend for learning animation), watch the short video above.