Friday, November 19, 2021

10 TIPS on how to ANIMATE FAST in MAYA!

Done with scene prep and ready to animate in Maya? Looking for ways to speed up your scene and workflow? Then buckle up, this clip is for you!

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Saturday, November 6, 2021

How to be a FASTER ANIMATOR! 8 TIPS for you!

There are many factors that can slow you down as an animator and put the speed brakes on your animation workflow. Today's upload walks you through my top 8 Tips on how to be a faster animator!

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Thursday, October 21, 2021

Spright Fright - Animation Analysis and Tips for Animators

Today I'm looking at a shot from Blender Studio's "Spright Fright" project. It's super cute & there's a lot to learn from it! I'm covering shot intros, body mechanics, setup & interrupted payoff and more! Need help with your animation? Sign up for my workshop!

Thursday, October 14, 2021

ROBIN Test Footage Scene - Acting Analysis and Tips for Animators

Today's Acting for Animators takes a look at the "ROBIN Test Footage Scene" clip and covers facial anticipation, character reveals through props, tension editing and much more!


Thursday, October 7, 2021

Only Murders in the Building (Hulu) - Acting Analysis and Tips for Animators

Today's Acting for Animators takes a look at the Hulu show "Only Murders in the Building" and covers facial anticipation, pose mirroring, character reveals through props and much more! 

Need help with your animation? Sign up for my workshop!

Wacom Cintiq 16 vs Wacom Intuos Pro - (plus Unboxing)

Today's product review is a face off between the Wacom Cintiq 16 and the Intuos Pro, their pros and cons, how I use them, what I like about them plus the obligatory unboxing goodness!

 

Friday, October 1, 2021

2 GUARANTEED Tips for Filming BETTER Animation Reference

How do you keep your acting fresh and not rehearsed when filming animation reference? Is there a trick to avoid this problem? Well, since you're asking, I have 2 guaranteed tips that will help you with that!

 

Thursday, September 30, 2021

Mare of Easttown (HBO Max) - Acting Analysis and Tips for Animators - s1ep7

Today's Acting for Animators takes a look at the final episode of the HBO Max series "Mare of Easttown" and covers character interaction, space awareness, secondary action and more!

Friday, September 24, 2021

Star Wars: Visions (Disney+) - Animation Analysis, Commentary and Reaction

Just like with Star Trek, I love Star Wars and was anticipating the release of Star Wars: Visions! Today's clip is a smorgasbord of analysis, commentary and reaction covering all 9 episodes! 

Need help with your animation? Sign up for my workshop!

Thursday, September 23, 2021

Star Trek - The Original Series: A Celebration - Review (Book Flip Through)

As a Trek fan I had to check out the "Star Trek - The Original Series: A Celebration" book and just like the Voyager version it's a great summary of all the classic elements of that specific show!

Thursday, September 16, 2021

The Morning Show (Apple+) - Acting Analysis and Tips for Animators (ep1)

Today's Acting for Animators takes a look at season 1 of the Apple+ show "The Morning Show" (episode 1) and covers subtext, interaction, composition, props and much more!

 

Castlevania: The Art of the Animated Series (Netflix) - Review (Book Flip Through)

The art-of book I'm looking at today is for Castlevania: The Animated Series! It's a great show on Netflix and a recommended art-of book. Wish it had a deeper exploration in terms of inspiration, reference and rough sketches but all in all still really cool! 

 You can get the book here: https://amzn.to/3kdziV5 (Affiliate Link) 

 Here's the playlist of all of my reviews.

Friday, September 10, 2021

Mare of Easttown (HBO Max) - Acting Analysis and Tips for Animators - s1ep6

Today's Acting for Animators takes a look at the HBO Max series "Mare of Easttown" (episode 6, season 1) and covers character body language, emotional anticipation, set driven body mechanics and much more!

 

Friday, August 27, 2021

Mare of Easttown (HBO Max) - Acting Analysis and Tips for Animators - s1ep5

Today's Acting for Animators takes a look at the HBO Max series "Mare of Easttown" (episode 5, season 1) and covers character motivation, character staging, pantomime and more!

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

Maya and the Three (Netflix) - Animation Analysis and Reaction

Let's take a look at the "Maya and the Three" trailer for Netflix! It's PACKED with beautiful designs and imagery and just a pleasure to go through frame by frame!

Thursday, August 12, 2021

Killing Eve (s2) - Acting Analysis and Tips for Animators

Today's Acting Analysis and Tips for Animators takes a look at the first episode of season 2 of the FANTASTIC show "Killing Eve". I'm covering different body mechanics examples, subtext, pantomime and more! 

If you want me to work with you on your animation implementing these ideas check out my workshop

 

Monday, August 9, 2021

Animation Q&A - ANSWERS - part 7 (2021)

This is part 7 and the last part of the Q&A answers covering a wide range of topics! Thanks for all the submitted questions! Next "Do You Have Questions?" will be coming up in a month or two? Will see how the schedule goes.

 

Animation Workshop Feedback - Nikita Mehta #3 (2021)

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Thursday, August 5, 2021

The Dark Knight - Acting Analysis and Tips for Animators

Today's Acting for Animators takes a look at the movie "The Dark Knight" and covers body mechanics, pantomime, character relationships to sets and props and much more! If you want me to work with you on your animation implementing these ideas check out my workshop!  

Thursday, July 22, 2021

Star Trek Discovery (s2) - Acting Analysis and Tips for Animators

Today's Acting for Animators takes a look at season 2 of Star Trek Discovery and covers emotional changes, lip-sync ideas, environmental influences and more! If you want me to work with you on your animation implementing these ideas check out my workshop

Live long and prosper and set successful keys! 😜

 

Monday, July 19, 2021

Animation Workshop Feedback - Nicholas Steeves #1 (2021)

Need help with your animation? Sign up for my workshop! 

The Animation Minute: News! Jobs! Art! Demo Reels and more! (July 12th - July 18th, 2021)

The Animation Minute covers multiple animation topics, usually starting with job postings and continuing with animation news, animation demo reels or personal animation clips, from 2D to 3D animation, stop-motion and pixel art!

 

Friday, July 9, 2021

You got a job! NOW WHAT? - The 5 Year Plan

You got a job! Nice! Now what? What are your long term goals? Let's talk about a 5 year plan! This clip talks about the things you might have to consider: cost and living, relocation, extra time for extra demo reel, what to do if you want to become an animation lead and animation supervisor etc. I'm covering points if you're switching companies and if you're staying at the same company.

Thursday, July 8, 2021

Encanto (Disney) Teaser - Animation Analysis and Reaction

New Disney Animation teaser trailer for Encanto is out and yes of course I had to go through it frame by frame!! NERD! Loving what I'm seeing already! Teasers and trailers are always a great educational resource in terms of analyzing animation work. I highly recommend you go frame by frame through trailers (and even movies) in order to learn from animation body mechanics, lip sync, creature work, composition, etc. I know it helps me!

 

Wednesday, July 7, 2021

Animation Workshop Feedback - Matias Cifuentes #1 (2021)

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The Animation Minute: News! Jobs! Art! Demo Reels and more! (June 28th - July 4th, 2021)

The Animation Minute covers multiple animation topics, usually starting with job postings and continuing with animation news, animation demo reels or personal animation clips, from 2D to 3D animation, stop-motion and pixel art! Below is your weekly summary of all things animation! Covering June 28th - July 4th, 2021.

Friday, July 2, 2021

Animation Blindness? - 5 PROVEN TIPS on how to fix it

Have you ever worked on an animation for so long that you weren't able to tell anymore what works and what doesn't? Chances are the answer is YES! I got 5 Tips on how to fix that in today's new video!

 

Thursday, July 1, 2021

Barry (s2) - Acting Analysis and Tips for Animators

Today's Acting for Animators takes a look at season 2 of the show "Barry" and covers prop acting and staging, body mechanics, facial anticipation and much more!

If you want me to work with you on your animation implementing these ideas check out my workshop

Friday, June 25, 2021

TECHNICAL vs CREATIVE Notes - Tips on what to focus on

Do you struggle with animation notes you've received? How do you determine which ones are important and which ones are open to discussion? This video focuses on the differences between technical animation notes and creative animation notes and how you can navigate through this maze.

Thursday, June 24, 2021

Mare of Easttown (HBO Max) - Acting Analysis and Tips for Animators - s1ep2

Today's Acting for Animators takes a look at the HBO Max series "Mare of Easttown" (episode 1, season 1) and covers timing based on emotion, physical injuries driving contrast, character composition and much more! If you want me to work with you on your animation implementing these ideas check out my workshop!


 

Wednesday, June 23, 2021

How To Think When You Draw (vol.4) - Review (Book Flip Through)


Checking out the next volume of the "How to Think when you Draw" book series! It's not an animation book per se but still very useful in terms of design, reference, character and creature design, layout and composition and much more! Highly recommended for animators! Check out their Twitter to stay up to date on their Kickstarters and their frequent tweets of tutorials: https://twitter.com/EtheringtonBros Here's my book review of "How to Think When You Draw (vol.1)": https://youtu.be/OL9IRDtVvb0 Here's my book review of "How to Think When You Draw (vol.2)": https://youtu.be/OL9IRDtVvb0 Here's my book review of "How to Think When You Draw (vol.3)": https://youtu.be/iBsRys41zW4 And here's the Etherington Brothers' blog: http://theetheringtonbrothers.blogspot.com/ Plus their page with tutorials: http://theetheringtonbrothers.blogspot.com/p/every-how-to-think-when-you-draw.html Here's the playlist of all of my reviews: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxFjjyAzIHYLvw8Z2Hgj1JPvIJ9xO0Ihv Here's the Zelda skateboard animation: https://twitter.com/teemo181818/status/1393128231528648706

Friday, June 4, 2021

THE BEST audio site for Animators! - GETYARN.IO

Are you trying to find a specific audio line in a movie or TV show? Then check out Yarn! It's a great site for animators who are researching dialogue lines!

Monday, May 31, 2021

The Animation Minute: News! Jobs! Art! Demo Reels and more! (May 24th - May 30th, 2021)

News! Jobs (lots this week!)! Art! And more in the Animation Minute! Your weekly summary of all things animation! Covering May 24th - May 23rdth, 2021.

Monday, May 24, 2021

Animation Workshop Feedback - Majid Haghighatjoo #3 (2021)

Need help with your animation? Sign up for my workshop!

The Animation Minute: News! Jobs! Art! Demo Reels and more! (May 16th - May 23rd, 2021)

The Animation Minute covers multiple animation topics, usually starting with job postings and continuing with animation news, animation demo reels or personal animation clips, from 2D to 3D animation, stop-motion and pixel art! Below is your weekly summary of all things animation! 

Covering May 16th - May 23rd, 2021.

Friday, May 21, 2021

Creature animation is a MUST on your demo reel! (part 2)

Your animation demo reel needs to show variety in your skillset and one of the ways to stand out is to incorporate creature animation. But it doesn't have to be what you think! Creatures can be animated multiple ways, showcasing different styles, personalities and body mechanics, resulting in a reel that will make you stand out from the crowd! 

This is part 2 of the multi-part series! Here is part 1


Thursday, May 20, 2021

100 Frame Animation Topic: SHUT UP - Spring 2021 Contest


Alright! The topic is: SHUT UP! Super excited to announce that the winner of the 100 Frame Animation Contest is going to win a Wacom Cintiq 16 plus a year long membership for the Long Winter Studios rigs! BOOM! https://www.wacom.com/en-us/products/pen-displays/wacom-cintiq https://longwintermembers.com/characters/ For the Cintiq it’s “US and Canada and most countries in Latin America (except Venezuela)”, to clarify shipping options! 2nd spot prize is 1 month membership for the Long Winter rigs PLUS: - $100 or 3 critiques for my animation workshop - $100 or 3 critiques from Agora.community https://agora.community/home BOOM! 3rd spot prize is 1 month membership for the Long Winter rigs. You have 1 week to animate 100 frames! Contest starts May 20th and ends May 27th (end of day San Francisco time). Email me your submissions (either added to the email or a link to a download option) to: contest @ spungella . com Make sure that you include your full name in the email. Any animation technique (3D, 2D, Stop-Motion, Pixel Art, etc.), submit a 1080p resolution clip at 24fps (so we’re all on the same page about the 100 frame total), with or without sound/music, up to you. Be respectful to others with the content of your animation. Here's the playlist with all the previous topics, animation submissions and winners: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxFjjyAzIHYLK7wf2mc4k2JjfBS3P1IUK

Monday, May 17, 2021

The Animation Minute: News! Jobs! Art! Demo Reels and more! (Covering May 10th - May 16th, 2021)

News! Jobs (lots this week!)! Art! And more in the Animation Minute! Your weekly summary of all things animation! Covering May 10th - May 16th, 2021. 

Cover Artist: Ricky Honmong

Thursday, May 13, 2021

100 Frame Animation Contest Spring 2021 - Announcement

Super excited to announce that the winner of the 100 Frame Animation Contest is going to win a Wacom Cintiq 16 plus a year long membership for the Long Winter Studios rigs! BOOM! 

2nd spot prize is 1 month membership for the Long Winter rigs PLUS:
- $100 or 3 critiques for my animation workshop
- $100 or 3 critiques from Agora.community BOOM! 

3rd spot prize is 1 month membership for the Long Winter rigs. 

You have 1 week to animate 100 frames! Contest starts May 20th and ends May 27th (end of day San Francisco time). 
Email me your submissions (either added to the email or a link to a download option) to: 

contest @ spungella . com 

Make sure that you include your full name in the email. Any animation technique (3D, 2D, Stop-Motion, etc.), submit a 1080p resolution clip at 24fps (so we’re all on the same page about the 100 frame total), with or without sound/music, up to you. Be respectful to others with the content of your animation. 

Here's the playlist with all the previous topics, animation submissions and winners: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxFjjyAzIHYLK7wf2mc4k2JjfBS3P1IUK

Sunday, May 2, 2021

Creature animation is a MUST on your demo reel! (part 1)

Your animation demo reel needs to show variety in your skillset and one of the ways to stand out is to incorporate creature animation. But it doesn't have to be what you think! Creatures can be animated multiple ways, showcasing different styles, personalities and body mechanics, resulting in a reel that will make you stand out from the crowd!

Saturday, May 1, 2021

Bad Education - Acting Analysis and Tips for Animators

Today's Acting for Animators takes a look at the fantastic movie "Bad Education" and covers body language, thought process, character staging and much much more!

Tuesday, April 27, 2021

Animation Workshop Feedback - Anonymous #1 (2021)

Need help with your animation? Sign up for my workshop!

Soul (Pixar) - Animation Analysis

This Animation Analysis video takes a look at a few select shots and sequences from Pixar's movie "Soul" covering a wide range of topics and needless to say, the animation is stunning!

 

Saturday, April 24, 2021

Monday, April 19, 2021

Love Death + Robots - Season 2 (Netflix) - Animation Reaction, Vibes and some Analysis

First trailer for @netflix' "Love Death + Robots" season 2 is out and with all of those short scenes in it I had to take a closer look. Is it an animation analysis? HARDLY! But I still had fun combing through everything! 😁

Animation Workshop Feedback - Jessica Castillo #14 (2021)

Need help with your animation? Sign up for my workshop! 

 

Wednesday, April 14, 2021

Obsbot Tiny (AI powered Tracking and Auto-Framing Webcam) - Review

Today's review takes a look at the Obsbot Tiny webcam, which features auto tracking and framing, gesture control, great low light imagery and more really cool features! Definitely a keeper!

 

Friday, April 2, 2021

Motion Capture Process - Rokoko Smartsuit Pro (part 2)

Part 2! This is a full overview of the first time setup and capture process showing you what you get with the Rokoko Smartsuit Pro straight out of the box! Quirks, mistakes and successes included!

Check out all things Rokoko on their site here: https://rokoko.io/31Vms4d

Thursday, April 1, 2021

Rokoko Smartsuit Pro Review (at home Motion Capture) - Unboxing, Overview, Suit up (part 1)

This is part 1 of my Rokoko series which takes a look at the Smartsuit Pro, what you get upon purchase, how to wear the suit, and continuing with tutorials on how to set it up, capture a session, transfer it to Maya, stream it to Maya and much more!

  

Monday, March 15, 2021

The Animation Minute (March 8th - March 14th, 2021)

The Animation Minute! Your weekly summary of all things animation! Covering March 8th - March 14th, 2021.

 

Thursday, March 11, 2021

Jurassic Park 3 - Acting Analysis and Tips for Animators

Today's Acting for Animators takes a look at the movie 'Jurassic Park 3" and covers body mechanics, pantomime, facial acting and more!

Wednesday, March 10, 2021

Raya and the Last Dragon (Disney) - SO GOOD - #AnimationLove

Time to just celebrate awesome animation with a new series simply called SO GOOD, focusing on the awesome work being done out there using a handful of shots I love, starting with "Raya and the Last Dragon!"

Saturday, March 6, 2021

DoubleTake - best app for filming ANIMATION REFERENCE? (FNA/App Review)

"DoubleTake" is a very handy app that let's you film multiple angles/views in one take, which is very convenient when filming your animation reference takes! You can have it all in one movie or separated, plus it gives you frame options from, 24, to 25, to 30fps. It's currently my go to app for filming my animation reference takes!

Thursday, March 4, 2021

Hold the Dark (Netflix) - Acting Analysis and Tips for Animators

Today's Acting for Animators takes a look at the Netflix movie "Hold the Dark" and covers silhouette, audience expectations, character staging and much more!

Friday, February 26, 2021

Pixar's Luca (Teaser) - Animation Analysis and Reaction

The teaser for Disney/Pixar's "Luca" is out and it's super cute!! And you know I had to look at every frame of it!!

Tuesday, February 16, 2021

Animation Workshop Feedback - Benjamin Benet #7 (2021)

Need help with your animation? Sign up for my workshop!

Masterclasses are coming and CUSTOM RIG NEEDED! HIRING!

I'm looking for artists who can help me build a custom rig! Paid job! This will be for Maya first and Blender later. I will go into more details soon but for now I wanted to see who would be interested and able to do this job! Going to be fun!! 

 There's a huge amount of animation material planned (started to animate it already and it's so much fun to animate personal clips again!) and I will be packaging it all up into courses and masterclasses for different levels and at different price points, bundled with workshops and many more options! Super pumped about this!

Tuesday, January 26, 2021

Raya and the Last Dragon (Disney Trailer) - Animation Analysis and Reaction

Full trailer for Disney Animation's "Raya and the Last Dragon" is out and of course I had to comb through it because NERD! 


Friday, January 22, 2021

IK Arms - Most Common Animation Mistakes (part 12)

Part 12 of the Most Common Animation Mistakes series takes a look at the pitfalls of IK arms and how to fix that dreaded look!

Thursday, January 21, 2021

Sinister - Acting Analysis and Tips for Animators

Today's Acting for Animators takes a look at the movie "Sinister" and covers body language, subtext, character familiarity and more!

Wednesday, January 20, 2021

Art of Star Wars: The Mandalorian (Season One) - Review (Book Flip Through)

This clip takes a look at the "Art of Star Wars: The Mandalorian (Season One)". This is definitely the way! Lots of great artwork in it!

 

Animation Workshop Feedback - Christian Wang #5 (2020)

Sorry for the bad audio, but I like the shot a lot so I wanted to post it for people to see despite the audio issues.


Need help with your animation? Sign up for my workshop!     


Friday, January 15, 2021

And the winner is ...? - Animation Contest Fall 2020

Congratulations to the winner and thank you everybody for submitting! Let's do it again in 2021!

 

Thursday, January 14, 2021

Bridgerton (Netflix) - Acting Analysis and Tips for Animators

Today's Acting for Animators takes a look at the Netflix show "Bridgerton" and focuses on eye focus (ha!), head accents, body language, facial anticipation and much more!

 

Monday, January 11, 2021