Animation

Discuss, share content and offer advice or tips regarding technique, trends, software, advice, tips and all other pertinent issues related to animation

Kevin Jackson
Character Design Tips

Here are 33 useful character design tips.

https://www.creativebloq.com/character-design/tips-5132643

33 expert character design tips
33 expert character design tips
Leading artists and illustrators share their expert character design tips.
Maurice Vaughan

Thanks for sharing the tips, Kevin Jackson! They're gonna help when I think of and write characters, like the tip "Put yourself in the character's shoes."...

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Dwayne Williams 2

Much Needed! Thanks Kevin Jackson.

Cyrus Sales

Kevin Jackson Thanks for sharing. I like to hold onto articles like this for my team for when we are in that specific stage of production they can go back and refresh and hopefully take away some new...

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Cyrus Sales
Frankenstein" VFX Supervisor Dennis Berardi on Crafting Visual FX, Creating with Guillermo del Toro, & More

I came across an insightful interview with VFX Supervisor Dennis Berardi that breaks down how the team approached the visual world of Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein. What really stood out was the commitment to balancing practical effects with digital work in a way that feels grounded, emotional,...

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"Frankenstein" VFX Supervisor Dennis Berardi on Crafting Visual FX, Creating with Guillermo del Toro, & More
"Frankenstein" VFX Supervisor Dennis Berardi on Crafting Visual FX, Creating with Guillermo del Toro, & More
In this episode, we welcome Dennis Berardi. Dennis is a top VFX Supervisor who has worked on films including Frankenstein, The Shape of Water, Nightmare Alley, Ad Astra, Hellboy, Crimson Peak, Pacific…
Kevin Jackson
Vertical Animation

Vertical Micro-dramas have taken over the internet. So many streaming platforms like DramaBox, NetShort and ReelShort. However, I have not seen any vertical animations on these platforms. I wonder if this is an opportunity for animation distribution and a path to breaking out in the industry. What d...

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'Soap opera on cocaine': how vertical dramas flipped Hollywood
'Soap opera on cocaine': how vertical dramas flipped Hollywood
In a faux castle atop a Los Angeles hill, a small film crew with their cameras flipped sideways squeeze into a bedroom and shoot a raunchy affair scene, under the gaze of their Chinese producer.- 'Tox…
Maurice Vaughan

Thanks for sharing the article, Kevin Jackson. I'm getting ready to write vertical scripts. I watched Stage 32’s "Understanding Vertical Storytelling "Verticals" 101" webinar last week. I plan on watc...

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Kevin Jackson

I wrote a vertical drama from a producer as well, but he suddenly seems to be dragging his feet. I am going to nudge him again, but I as well will be writing vertical animation. I want to test out the platforms.

Leonardo Ramirez 2

Interesting Kevin Jackson - let us know how that goes. I would think a serialized vertical animation would do well since there aren't many at all....

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Cyrus Sales

Kevin Jackson I knew vertical content exist however this is my first time hearing and reading about Vertical Dramas. Honestly fascinated with the idea and I can see how it is a big thing....

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Cyrus Sales
How Do You Handle Client Test Samples for Animation?

Hey fellow creators,

I’ve been thinking about a situation many animators face: a client asks for test samples before committing to a project. How do you usually approach this, especially if you already have animations in your portfolio, but they’re not in the client’s preferred art style?

Do you:

Adapt...

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Patrik Gyltefors

You should definitely get compensated for your time making test samples. And for paid work, adapt to what the client wants in regards to art style. Ideally, the client would have contacted you because...

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Kevin Jackson

It is a common (BAD) practice in the industry. Even though you have a portfolio, studios have been burned in the past hiring people that have talent but just cannot match up to their style of animatio...

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Kevin Jackson

Cyrus Sales it's unfortunately a standard in the industry. I would say limit the test to one character and a 10 second test. Anything more than that is a lot of work.

The other option is to find the r...

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Cyrus Sales

Patrik Gyltefors thank you for your insight. I do feel like the time to sample can be a waste.. most times. Our first animation client did secure us for their project based off the animation we sent h...

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Cyrus Sales

Kevin Jackson beautifully said and maybe somewhere in there I was looking for some sort of glance that I'm headed in the right direct. I feel like at this point standing firm on, we can do a sample ho...

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Neal Jamison
Animation project and award-winning pilot script - need advice

So I developed this concept and wrote a pilot script in 2004/5. The pilot script won the Columbine Award for Television Pilot at the 2005 Moondance International Film Festival. Then nothing. 21 years later, I am bringing it back to life. I'd like some advice.

Marty the Martian Farmer - a retro sci-fi...

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George Ray Rigney

There was a TV show from 1965 to 1971 called "Green Acres" where a wealthy couple from New York City move to the country. Lots of great comedy lines and gags. Your story could be on Earth in the futur...

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Alex Olguin

This is such a cool concept. It has si much potential on crazy things. You've gotta do a killer tomatoe from space episode or something haha!

Neal Jamison

I use Green Acres as a comp when I pitch it. Futurama meets Green Acres on Mars. Thanks for the comments!

Anette Alvik

it’s a nice pilot. I hear a lot of animators are turning to web3 because the animation industry is a bit tricky these days. in my country it might be easier, if you’d be interested to have it on Norwegian television

Cyrus Sales

Neal Jamison absolutely love the line work done on this animation, the overall art style is great. I would agree with George Ray Rigney, there's no problem or conflict. I would also add and something...

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Ashley Renee Smith
Why More Animators Are Turning to Hungary for Co-Production and Service Work

If you’re exploring international partners for your next animation project, this new feature makes a compelling case for looking toward Hungary.

Hungarian animation has a long, award-winning legacy, from Oscar...

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Kevin Jackson

Thank you for this share. You keep finding these amazing articles Ashley Renee Smith

Leonardo Ramirez 2

Very cool stuff Ashley Renee Smith. Some of the snippets from the Hungarian sample reel have such a classic feel to them. I'll have to hop on Hunimation.com and check that out!...

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Debbie Elicksen

Wow, this is awesome Ashley Renee Smith. I love how this community is getting exposed to international markets.

Cyrus Sales

Ashley Renee Smith - to be candid, I honestly had no idea Hungary had this much involvement in the animation industry, let alone 111 years. I personally haven't worked with any Hungarian studios but I...

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James Lagrimas
Design, Animate, Create: Help Guide Next Year’s Animation Programs

If you’re building a career in animation—whether you're an artist, director, storyteller, or producer—learning directly from working professionals can accelerate your growth. These webinars and classes break down real-world workflows used across TV, film, streaming, and games, offering you practical...

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Cyrus Sales

James Lagrimas Thanks for sharing!

Elle Bolan

Oh now, I'm very, very interested in some of these. I know quite a few amazing artists I could refer to this too.

Thanks for sharing, James!

Maurice Vaughan

Hey, James Lagrimas. I'd like to see Stop-motion Education.

Leonardo Ramirez 2

I'd love to see something along the lines of bringing together a team of independent animators, writers, producers, etc. to build your own studio James Lagrimas....

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Kevin Jackson
Warner Bros. Animation & WEBTOON Join Forces to Adapt Hit Series

WEBTOON Entertainment Inc. today announced plans to develop a slate of animated projects with Warner Bros. Animation (WBA). The companies intend to enter into an agreement to co-produce 10 fan-favorite WEBTOON series, for global distribution.

The collaboration is a significant expansion of WEBTOON E...

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Cyrus Sales

This is really exciting news! and a huge step for digital storytelling. I’m looking forward to seeing how these stories evolve with such a strong creative partnership and reach audiences worldwide.

Kevin Jackson

It really is huge. A great pipeline.

Geoff Hall
DC Comics will not use AI Generated storytelling or Art

This is quite a statement from Jim Lee of DC Comics. Is this going to be the first of many similar statements?

Share your thoughts below.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQARvATEvF7/?

Geoff Hall

Mike Boas I love it Mike, when people talk about helping creatives, but really don’t know what it is to be…creative!

Cyrus Sales

Geoff Hall -I stand strong on keeping AI out of this space . Like Maurice Vaughan said early on. Film is a craft. A beautiful craft, the entire process is amazing to watch unfold. The good moments, "j...

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Linda Bradshaw-Rogers

Sounds like robbed creativity, Cyrus, if left up to AI. I've written my first animated script and currently looking for assistance/critique. Home grown...no AI.

Kevin Jackson

My stance on AI in the creative industry is simple that it is very useful, and you have to decide how you want to use it, but I caution you to use it as a tool and not let it do the creative output it...

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Geoff Hall

Cyrus Sales I love this, Cyrus!

“Where's the passion? The love? The late nights learning and practicing. Sure it helps with workflow and process however the process is to learn and master your craft.” Expand comment
Cyrus Sales
New Project Drop

Hey everyone! I wanted to share a recent project I had the opportunity to co-direct, produce, and edit — a rap music video that just dropped on YouTube.

This project contains explicit language (NSFW), so viewer discretion is advised.

From the...

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Bob Harper

Congrats! Looks cool!

Cyrus Sales

Bob Harper Thank you!

Kevin Jackson
The Future of Animation in Nigeria

Let's take a look at animation from another side of the world. A lot of attention has been focusing on African as the new focus for cultural animation. We saw it recently with Kizazimoto on Disney. Here is a video that goes into some of the newest projects to emerge from that region. https://www.you...

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Maurice Vaughan

Thanks for sharing the video, Kevin Jackson. I like the animation style of Vainglorious! It's a unique style!

Daniel Ringenberg
Need Advice - Children's book adaptation for animation

I recently published a children's book called the Secret Sockciety - and its about what happens when our socks go missing. I created and illustrated it - but there is so much more potential, but I have no clue where to start. Is there a way to contact, or anyone who would be open to a short collab o...

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Maurice Vaughan

Congratulations on publishing The Secret Sockciety, Daniel Ringenberg! Fantastic title! It's catchy.

Kevin Jackson

Congratulations on publishing your book. I love the premise. I can even see a great tie in for merchandise. Selling socks that look like the characters.

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