Animation

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

Neal Levin
Unreal Engine Cinematics

Are there others on this forum that have started to embrace Unreal Engine for film making, whether animating or integrating love action?

Neal Levin

Personally I've used Reallusion Cartoon Animator for a bunch of my 2d work, but I hadn't used the iclone before. Is it easier to use that to create actor fillins or motion capture targets than the Metahuman Designer that Unreal Engine has?

Neal Levin

Cyrus, I've been using it indirectly, in having other people create what I want. Right now I use a laptop for most things and the video card is not sufficient to run Unreal Engine by itself. I'm planning on using a cloud base virtual PC for working, but I'm not yet at the point of decision.

Laurie Ashbourne

if you simply go to unreal's website they have a tremendous case study guide for animation. Broadly speaking, it takes the lengthy linear pipeline and layers it so that films can be lit, animated, sce...

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Cyrus Sales

Neal Levin Whenever you get your laptop, I'd like to know how you like using Unreal Engine. This thread encouraged me to download, so I'll be able to give more feedback in the upcoming weeks....

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Walter Horsting

Hi Neal, I am working on a path way to unreal for photo realistic images into 3D rigged models via Blender.

Jack Binder
Sony Future Filmmakers Awards - Deadline Dec. 12

Submissions Open for Sony Future Filmmaker Awards, for Animated Shorts. Deadline is December 12.

www.sonyfuturefilmmakerawards.com/

Home | Sony Future Filmmaker Awards
Home | Sony Future Filmmaker Awards
The Sony Future Filmmaker Awards is a major program providing exceptional opportunities for creators and filmmakers. The shortlisted filmmakers are flown to the Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City, C…
Cyrus Sales

Thank you for sharing Jack Binder . Are you planning on entering?

Sam Sokolow
The gloabl movement continues in animation

Of course, at the greatest moment our industry has ever known in terms of globalization, companies are buying in. What do you think about this deal? https://variety.com/2024/film/news/gkids-acquired-toho-animation-1236178......

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Animation Distributor GKIDS Acquired by Japan's Toho
Animation Distributor GKIDS Acquired by Japan's Toho
North American animation distributor GKIDS has been acquired by Japan's Toho International.
Cyrus Sales

Hey Sam Sokolow, thank you for sharing this post. It was an interesting read, sent me on a little bit of a google search hunt but well worth it. I found it interesting that GKIDS, is now wholly-owned...

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Ashley Renee Smith
Next Week's In-Person Stage 32 Meetups!

Hey, Animators!

There are 2 FREE Stage 32 in-person networking meetups coming up next Thursday, October 17th! I'm including links to the meetup pages for you all below. If you live in any of these cities or are nearby, be sure to RSVP and seize this opportunity to meet with other creatives in person...

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Cyrus Sales

Thank you for sharing, I'm in Dallas but wouldn't mind driving out to Austin for the event. Sounds like a good excuse to stop at Buc-ee's lol Anyone from Dallas planning on going out Thursday?

Laurie Ashbourne
A Historic Box Office Weekend: Five Of The Top Ten Films Are Animated Features



https://www.cartoonbrew.com/box-office-report/a-historic-box-office-weekend-five-of-the-top-ten-films-are-animated-features-243321.html

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A Historic Box Office Weekend: Five Of The Top Ten Films Are Animated Features
A Historic Box Office Weekend: Five Of The Top Ten Films Are Animated Features
A diverse group of animated films are in the top 10 this weekend, including a hand-drawn import, a documentary, a stop-motion classic, and multiple cg blockbusters.
Cyrus Sales

Thank you Laurie Ashbourne for sharing this article. I found it interesting to see what the production budget was and what was made in theaters, I like that the article tells exactly how many theaters...

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Ashley Renee Smith
What Was the Hardest Film to Animate?

I just watched this awesome video taking a look at 10 films across all forms of animation that stand out for their incredible detail and effort. These films have done everything from breaking tech barriers to being the first of their kind or taking existing techniques to a new level.

Which are your f...

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Laurie Ashbourne

ugh. There are so many generalizations and inaccuracies in his commentary, not to mention the title would be more accurate if it asked “the hardest animated film to produce”

The answer to the hardest t...

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Cyrus Sales

As someone who took on their first 2D animation this year for a web series, I can confirm with confidence, 2D animation is not for the weak lol. It has it's on set of challenges but we've learned a lot. No favorite for me, I enjoy each animation and their uniqueness.

Ashley Renee Smith
Drawing & Animation Tablet Preferences

Hey, Animators!

I'm curious, what is your go-to tablet for drawing, animating, or 3D design? Do you prefer an iPad, Microsoft Surface, Wacom, XP Pen, Huion, Galaxy Tablet, etc.? Drop your preferences and why in the comments below!

Kuzillion recently made this great YouTube video comparing the new Huio...

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Ashley Renee Smith

Do you think you'd ultimately prefer an all-in-one device with a monitor, Mike Boas? Such as an iPad or Surface? it sounds like the others that you've tried have been more cumbersome....

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Mike Boas

Well if I used an Ipad, I wouldn't have a keyboard at all! I've tried out Procreate Dreams on my wife's iPad, but haven't given it enough use to know how I like it. I need to do a project on it, but a...

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Ashley Renee Smith

I highly suggest the magic keyboard for an iPad. My laptop died on me last year and I replaced it with the new iPad Pro and magic keyboard in May. I've only had it for a few months, but I LOVE it. The adaptability and convenience of it being a tablet or a laptop when I need is awesome.

Laurie Ashbourne

Cintiq is definitely the go to -- although a lot of competitors ship off samples to animators to test (and keep and promote). Most everyone I know uses both Cintiq and iPad, iPad is terrific for quick sketches and Procreate which is the app Photoshop wishes it could be.

Neal Levin

I cheaped out and only got myself a Cintiq 16. If I had the option for a do-over I would have saved more and got a better model.

I had a Surface Pro for years in the past and absolutely hated it. Every...

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Brandy Camille
The Lost Art of Stop Motion Animation

My favorite movie, "The Nightmare Before Christmas," is a well-known stop motion animated film. The animation is one of my favorite things about it because I know the patience and care that stop motion animation takes. But I find that it is something I see less and less in film these days, especiall...

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Charles Caster

Geoff Hall Fortunately not lost, in fact it should be treasured, but maybe only viable/bankable for the very best.

Brandy Camille

I don't disagree at all. And I hope the comeback we're seeing with stop motion gets to bloom. It's a wonderful medium make all the more beautiful by how much patience it takes to create.

Tom Lapke

Brandy Camille if you like stop motion, then I recommend Stopmotion on Shudder. Unless you don't like horror, in which case avoid it at all costs.

Daniel Husbands

I think the digital age has made it unnecessary, while I enjoy the art form the economics of time and money with an indistinguishable result from cheaper and faster 3D animation makes it less and less...

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Neal Levin

There seems to be only a few large studios that have ever been set up to do it. And I mean Laika studios that puts out great works, seems to take about 3 years or so to film a movie. There has been so...

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Ashley Renee Smith
The Legend of Vox Machina Season 3

The Legend of Vox Machina Season 3 releases on Amazon Prime October 3rd and I'm PUMPED! The trailer for the new season dropped last week and it looks awesome. Check it out below! Are there any animated series premiering or returning this Fall that you're excited about?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v...

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Epic Acg

it looks awesome

J.R Meek

I've really enjoyed the first 2 seasons and looking forward to the third!

Ashley Renee Smith

Same, J.R Meek! I can't wait!

Neal Levin

It so a great show.

Neal Levin

I remember joining when they were doing their Kickstarter before they picked up even more funding. I think they might be an example of how a producer works to bring out the best of a show. (Although t...

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Suzanne Bronson
Sydney S

Awesome, thanks for sharing!

Sam Sokolow
DC Comics bringing an animated "The Robin" origin story

I'm impressed that DC is going off the beaten path and finding their stride. This looks like a super cool way to tell this story in a forward thinking animated format. What do you think? https://deadline.com/2024/10/dynamic-duo-movie-robins-dc-1236105077/...

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The Robins' Origin Story 'Dynamic Duo' In The Works With DC Studios, WBPA & 6th & Idaho; Movie To Be Made With Puppetry Animation
The Robins' Origin Story 'Dynamic Duo' In The Works With DC Studios, WBPA & 6th & Idaho; Movie To Be Made With Puppetry Animation
DC Studios and Warner Bros Pictures Animation are making an animated movie about the Robins titled Dynamic Duo with puppetry CGI studio Swaybox.
Kevin Jackson

I've always loved DC animated movies. Their writers are really good. I can't wait to see this. Thanks for sharing.

Ashley Renee Smith

DC animated projects are where it's at!! I'm a Bat Fam fanatic, so I'm thrilled!

Maurice Vaughan

Bat Fam should be an animated show, Ashley Renee Smith.

Ashley Renee Smith

I would watch that in a heartbeat, Maurice Vaughan! Some more recent shows like Titans on Max and even the Harley Quinn Animated Series on Max have done some great Bat Fam storylines. But I'd be glued...

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Maurice Vaughan

I' watched an episode of Titans, Ashley Renee Smith. I was meaning to watch more episodes. I used to watch Teen Titans. I can picture Bat Fam being funny like Teen Titans or serious like Titans. I'd l...

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Cyrus Sales
How Pixar Animation Evolved Over 28 Years

Hey everyone! I thought this was an interesting find and figured I would share. Movies Insider created this YouTube showing some of our favorite animation and the process that went into creating each one over the last 28+ years. I learned a lot and was quite fascinated and amazed at how much they ha...

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Maurice Vaughan

Hey, Cyrus Sales. Wow! Incredible video! I knew it took a lot of work to make animation, but not that much!

Ashley Renee Smith

I love this deep-dive video, Cyrus Sales! Thank you for sharing! I grew up alongside Andy in Toy Story, so I feel like Pixar was such a staple of my childhood. It's been incredible to watch them grow...

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Cyrus Sales

Maurice Vaughan right! I haven't had the opportunity to be on an animation to this magnitude yet but it was cool to see their process and learning the reasoning behind why it takes so long for some an...

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Cyrus Sales

Ashley Renee Smith I grew up on Toy Story too so seeing their breakdown of the original and how they were able to advance with time was cool. I like how they explained which project taught them differ...

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