Animate a walk cycle with "Monty" We've uploaded a new series of video tutorials on how to animate a walk, using the marvellous "Monty" rig, free for download from Creative Crash. There are four video tutorials of just under ten minutes, showing step by step how to animate a walk cycle.  The videos are recorded in Autodesk Maya, and are aimed at animation beginners.  Monty The videos use the marvellous "Monty" rig, free for download, and which you can read about here.  Animate a Walk with "Monty" The tutorial explains how to animate a basic walk cycle. You ..read more

Horse Trot - Edward Muybridge Students at Animation Apprentice must master the art of quadruped locomotion, including how to animate a trot.  A trot is an intermediate gait between a walk and a run, an efficient fast motion that permits speed without using excessive energy.  Below are three tutorial videos showing how to animate a horse trotting. The password is the same as for all our video tutorials. The Trot Trot cycle "Animator's Survival Kit" Unlike a walk or a run, when an animal trots, its shoulders and hind quarters will rise and fall at more or less the ..read more

Above is a short video on animal anatomy, a general introduction to how animals are put together, and how and why anatomy matters for animators.  Animal and creature animation can be technically demanding; the use of live action reference is very important as a starting point for how to bring animals and creatures to life. Creature Animation at Animation Apprentice Gorilla. by Michael Davies We have many resources here at Animation Apprentice for students looking to learn how to animate animals and creatures. To get started, see the blog posts below: Leopard Walk Tutorial ..read more

Artwork by Animation Apprentice Graduate Joe Gamble Our Summer Animation Class begins on Monday 3rd July 2023. 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. Getting started The book we recommend for studying animation Below is a brief list of stuff to get you under way. You don't have to do all of it, but tick off a few of the things on this list and you wi ..read more

Bio Motion Walker All students animators must learn how to animate a walk cycle, creating a successful biped walk and then giving it character and personality. One very useful resource is the Bio Motion Walker from the Bio Motion Lab, located at York University in Toronto, Ontario. The Bio Motion Walker allows animators to move a range of sliders showing how to make a walk cycle feel masculine or feminine, heavy or light, anxious or calm, happy or sad.   Animators study live action, and then incorporate - and exaggerate - real life in their wo ..read more

Westminster Kingsway College  Last week Animation Apprentice visited Westminster Kingsway College to talk to with students and young professionals about careers in animation.  The event was hosted by Film London to provide aspiring artists with guidance on how to break into the creative industries  and, specifically, into the animation industry.   Today the animation industry continues to grow, despite Covid and Brexit, boosted recently by expansion of the UK Govt Tax Credit.     How to Be Job Ready The students and gradu ..read more

  Many congratulations to Animation Apprentice student Mark Masters on his successful entry into the March 11 Second Club - you can watch his animation "Visitor in Nature" above.  Mark's entry was ranked no 3 in this month's 11 Second Club (out of 126 entries) - a very impressive result.  "The 11 Second Club" competition is a monthly contest in which animators compete to animate the most inventive and entertaining take on a piece of dialogue. Mark Masters is currently taking our Masters' Degree in Animation, delivered with our university partner Buckinghamshire New University ..read more

In the Ted Talk above, DNEG Animation's Andrew Schlussel explains why, even though AI can now automate many jobs - such as concept art - we should not fear it.  Andrew explains how changes in animation and vfx technology over the years have increased the size of the industry - not shrunk it.  He suggests that AI will be no different, and that the "net sum" of jobs in the Creative Industries will continue to increase, even though certain processes can be done by machine learning.  What should we do with AI instead? - embrace it, and use it.  More About AI at Animation Ap ..read more

We're liking this article at Linkedin by Pixar animator Aaron McGriff, who talks about what it takes to get hired as an animator straight out of school. Aaron's top tips are to "start with your demo" reel, and make sure you specialise in the kind of animation you want to do most. Your demo reel for Pixar will not be the same as your reel for ILM. Aaron's article is thoughtful and full of great advice, and we highly recommend it. You can find the full article here.  Jobs Resources at Animation Apprentice We have many resources available at Animation Apprentice aimed at helping our stu ..read more

All of our graduating students at Animation Apprentice are encouraged to enter The Rookies Awards, the international competition for young creatives. The competition opens today, Tuesday March 7th 2023 - and the final deadline is 1st June. The Rookies was founded in 2009 to "showcase the most talented student designers, illustrators, film makers, animators, developers, digital artists, and launch them into the career of their dreams." All our graduating students should enter. 12th Annual Rookie Awards The 12th Annual Rookie Awards is a global showcase for talent; it is open to young c ..read more