Agora.Community: Recent Episodes
David Hubert
Agora.Community is a hub for digital artist whose purpose is to entertain, inspire, educate and provide opportunities to be mentored by industry veterans.
Agora Animation Supervisor Alejandra Alvarez was lucky to sit down with Virginie Lavallée, a Producer from The Happy Producers. This is definitely an interview not to miss if you've ever wondered what's going on in the production side of things.
Virginie answers all the questions we have been wanting to ask a producer. She has a team-centric approach to production. She takes us through how to build trust with a client, how to plan for the unplannable and offers solutions on how to stay within the scope of work agreed upon. A breath of fresh air!
If you like to watch this episode, you can do it on the Agora.community website here - https://agora.community/content/virginie-lavallee
We have another fun interview in store for you this month! This time it's with Agora Animator, Valerie Lim. With a decade of experience in the animation industry, Val has worked in both games and feature film, her most recent project being none other than Nimona.
In this chat, Val discusses fighting against "grind" culture, the pride of working in an environment that supports representation, along with topics such as burnout and sexual harassment in the workplace. This is a very open and vulnerable conversation, and not to be missed. Get first access right now on our website.
If you've been around the gaming industry for a while, you should have heard of Richard Lico. Richard is an Annie Award-nominated Animator having worked at Bungie, Polyarc, and teaching online with iAnimate, along with his own set of tutorials through his website Animation Sherpa.
In our latest interview with Agora.studio’s Animation Supervisor, Alejandra Alvarez, Richard discusses the transformative impact of AI in gaming compared to motion capture's early days, strategies for navigating industry volatility, including avoiding layoffs, and the evolving recognition and education of game animation.
Ere Santos is an Animation Supervisor at Walt Disney Animation Studios, ex-Pixar animator, Instructor at Animation Mentor, and TEDx Speaker. He and Alejandra dive into a variety of topics, including what it was like working on Across the Spiderverse, the future of AI in the animation industry, and more!
If you missed our live Q&A with the animation supervisors of Love, Death & Robots Season 3 episode, Jibaro, you can catch up here! Some great questions are asked about the time that went into reference vs animating, was any mocap used and how long did it take to finish the facial animation?
Don't miss our next live stream, and follow us on Twitch. https://www.twitch.tv/agoracommunity/
Also, check out Agora.Community for daily content, free rigs, and assets, and order an animation review from one of our industry experts:
https://www.agora.community
Thanks for listening!
In this conversation, Brent and Jacob catch up with Tomáš Jech, indie game developer and co-founder of Studio Tandemi.
Tomáš is currently developing the spooky, top-down, co-op game, Begone Beast (link below). In this chat the gang discuss Tomáš' rocky beginnings as a pixar intern, through to animating at studios such as Riot and Blizzard, and the current state of being a game developer.
You can learn more about Begone Beast at https//www.begonebeast.com
Also, check out Agora.Community for daily content, free rigs, and assets, and order an animation review from one of our industry experts:
https://www.agora.community
Thanks for listening!
Pierre Perifel, Director of The Bad Guys, joins us again for a deep dive into the making of the fil and talks about creating the style of the film, developing the characters and answer questions from the fans!
Also, check out Agora.Community for daily content, free rigs, and assets, and order an animation review from one of our industry experts:
https://www.agora.community
Thanks for listening!
Get ready to meet video game actor, Shawn Baichoo. Shawn has provided a large amount of work for Assassin's Creed II from motion-capture work to voice acting, as well as starring as Antonio Maffei in Assassin's Creed: Lineage. Other games in
Shawn’s CV include the Watch Dogs series, Outlast, Far Cry. In this conversation we chat about Shawn's career in both film and video games, the differences between the both of them, overcoming doubt and finishing off with a Q&A from the chat!
Also, check out Agora.Community for daily content, free rigs, and assets, and order an animation review from one of our industry experts:
https://www.agora.community
Thanks for listening!
In our conversation with Aaron Gilman, CEO of Steamroller Studios, the gang speak on some great topics like leadership in animation, not taking things to heart as an artist and answer some questions from the chat.
Also, check out Agora.Community for daily content, free rigs, and assets, and order an animation review from one of our industry experts:
https://www.agora.community
Thanks for listening!
In this episode of our ‘A Conversation With’ series, David and Brent catch up with video game actor, Amber Goldfarb. In this chat the gang cover topics such as recognizing predators in positions of power, overcoming self-doubt as an artist and what life is like as an actor in video games!
Also, check out Agora.Community for daily content, free rigs, and assets, and order an animation review from one of our industry experts:
https://www.agora.community
Thanks for listening!
In this 'A Conversation With', we’re catching up with Dony Permedi! Dony is currently Animation Director with Nickelodeon. HOWEVER, you most likely know Dony from the 2006 animated short film KIWI. (Yes, we are shedding a tear as well). Dony was the mastermind behind this touching short film that won Youtube’s ‘Most Adorable Film’ in their first Annual Youtube Video Awards, going on to receive widespread media attention.
In this conversation, we’ll talk to Dony about the short film, how it’s helped him grow his career to where he is today, and how creating personal projects could potentially do the same for you!
Also, check out Agora.Community for daily content, free rigs, and assets, and order an animation review from one of our industry experts:
https://www.agora.community
Thanks for listening!
Our next guest on our ‘A Conversation With’ series is Mary DeMarle. Mary is the Executive Narrative Director of Eidos Montreal. She's recently finished up on the Guardians Of The Galaxy Video Game and helped introduce a new generation of gamers to some of the industry's most amazing franchises.
We’ll be having a chat with Mary about her 20 years of experience working as a writer in video games, how to stay true to an already established franchise, and how to create games with a deep, engaging narrative that keep you playing for hours!
Also, check out Agora.Community for daily content, free rigs, and assets, and order an animation review from one of our industry experts:
https://www.agora.community
Thanks for listening!
If you're considering kickstarting your career in animation and want to know more about animation schools, this is a stream not to miss! We'll be hanging out with industry veteran Wayne Gilbert, current Head Of Animation at VanArts, Vancouver BC. Even if you're in the industry, this is one not to miss! Wayne has worked on some amazing franchises throughout his career such as Star Wars, The Mummy, and Jurassic Park.
Also, check out Agora.Community for daily content, free rigs, and assets, and order an animation review from one of our industry experts:
https://www.agora.community
Thanks for listening!
In this live event, we'll be caught up with Emile Ghorayeb, Animation Director at MPC. Emile is taking time out of his busy schedule on Transformers: Rise Of The Beasts to chat with us about his career spanning over 20 years working on some amazing projects such as the Shrek and Transformers franchises, the epic Avengers: Endgame, and his time in video games working on Halo 3 and Batman: Arkham Origins.
Also, check out Agora.Community for daily content, free rigs, and assets, and order an animation review from one of our industry experts:
https://www.agora.community
Thanks for listening!
In this ‘A Conversation With’ we’re hanging out with Stephanie Desforges, Cinematic Director at Ubisoft, Montreal. Stephanie started her career in games in 2004 working as an animator on trailers and cinematics. Her most recent project is Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla, directing over 16 hours of design content, directing mocap shoots, and establishing pipeline tools and guidelines to ensure a smooth process across the department.
In this conversation, we’ll talk about her progression in the games industry, her learnings when it comes to directing cinematics, and her personal experiences in the gaming industry.
Also, check out Agora.Community for daily content, free rigs, and assets, and order an animation review from one of our industry experts:
https://www.agora.community
Thanks for listening!
Khai Nguyen has been working as a professional artist for pretty much forever! He started his career as a 2D Animator on projects such as All Dogs Go To heaven II and Space Jam. In the early 2000’s he transitioned into Video Games where he has pretty stayed ever since, working as a senior concept artist and now Art Director/Animation Director.
In this conversation, we’ll be discussing his beginnings and moving from animating into a different position in a different industry, moving up the professional ladder in video games, and the current state and the future of video games.
Also, check out Agora.Community for daily content, free rigs, and assets, and order an animation review from one of our industry experts:
https://www.agora.community
Thanks for listening!
Working in games is a huge task and can be quite a stressful environment. Steve doesn't lie in this clip when he talks about his experiences in the stress of making a video game.
Films and Game development can go for a LONG time! It can be hard to keep perspective and motivation. Steve talks about how to keep perspective when working on a project that might not be as well-received as the team would hope!
A lot of the time, we get an idea in our head that has to be the way we want something to be. However, it's important to remain open to other possibilities. Steve shares his experiences on this.
The team talks about what happens when things suck and you're beginning to lack motivation. A topic that often comes up in our conversations. This is the take from an audio director!
Steve gets asked where do you even begin to learn scoring for games and film. Some great tips in here for anyone musically inclined and want to navigate their career in this direction.
In this clip Steve talks about the importance of team chemistry and why getting along with your team helps you get through the day and how it can help you grow!
We have an amazing first on our ‘A Conversation With’ series to kick off the New Year. It’s the first time we’ve had an audio director on the show! Steve Szczepkowski is a Senior/Executive Audio Director with 20 years of experience working in the film and gaming industries. Steve has just finished being Senior Audio Director for Marvel’s recent Guardians Of The Galaxy Video Game. In this stream, we’ll cover Steve’s broad history of creating different styles of music to suit the needs of a project, how to communicate between departments to achieve the best outcome, and the awesome work that went into staying faithful to the 80’s inspired Guardians Of The Galaxy lore.
Also, check out Agora.Community for daily content, free rigs, and assets, and order an animation review from one of our industry experts:
https://www.agora.community
Thanks for listening!
A lot of people get taught to block in stepped, but a question was asked about when do you block in spline? In this clip, Leif talks about when he'll block in stepped vs. when he'll block in spline.
In our Q&A, Leif gets asked if it's difficult to get into Disney...a very tough question to answer indeed, but if this is your dream studio, it might be best to have a listen to this clip!
Once upon a time, if Leif was animating a super cartoony shot, he'd try to capture that in his reference, but he soon discovered that it's better to just find the truth of the motion. He goes into more detail in this clip.
Leif gets asked just how long it would take to animate a 10-second shot. It really depends on the shot, but then he and the gang go over what the animation expectancy is per week on a feature film.
If you want your posing and animation to shine, you have to exaggerate the emotion. But what does this mean? Leif talks about one of the best pieces of advice he ever got when it came to animating.
When in a studio, how exactly should you present your blocking to your director, and do they need to see your reference? Leif covers over when he thinks his blocking is suitable to present and when or if he shows any reference he has shot.
Reference is something that should be in every animator's toolbelt. In our conversation with Leif Jeffers, the team did a deep dive into reference footage. In this clip, Leif talks about analysing reference and getting the most out of it.
Catch up on this week's conversation with Leif Jeffers, Senior Animator at Disney. In this conversation, David, brent and Leif chat about his experiences working across multiple studios, how he handles reference footage and a Q & A from the audience.
Also, check out Agora.Community for daily content, free rigs, and assets, and order an animation review from one of our industry experts:
https://www.agora.community
Thanks for listening!
Mark spoke about how NOT TO pitch your idea to a network, but here are his thoughts on good ways TO pitch!
In this clip from our chat with Mark Thornton, he talks about Total Drama Island and what goes on behind how much it costs for cartoons to get made, the bias of networks, and why shows might not get picked up. Very interesting to listen to!
In this amusing clip, Mark talks about his first opportunity to pitch an idea to Nickelodeon and its epic failure!
It's no doubt that streaming has disrupted the film and television industry. After more than 20 years of working in cartoons, Mark shares his thoughts on the disruption!
If you're interested in pitching your idea to a studio or network, Mark was asked a very good question about when does the topic of money come into it? Should you have costs figured out beforehand and bring it up in the pitch?
In this 'A Conversation With' episode, we are hanging out with Mark Thornton. Mark has over 20 years of experience working in the 2D Episodic format.
He has worked with hit shows and companies such as “Total Drama Island”, DHX Media & Brown Bag Films. From studying classical animation at Sheridan College, Mark has worked his way from being a key clean-up artist to animator, and director, and eventually co-founding Neptoon Studios. as a way to create his own I.P. for greenlighting and getting out into the world.
We've all done it. Now that we are working from home, those pajama bottoms can stay on for a little bit longer as you check your work emails. Wrong! Daniel gives some very important advice that he received about why if you are working from home, you should still get dressed like you're on your way in to the studio.
Did you know once upon a time, close-up edits in a film weren't really a thing? They were discovered by accident. In this clip from our conversation with Daniel Gies, he talks about our brain and what we need to perceive, and how we are starting to achieve that in our media.
Even people who go off on their own to create a studio and make award-winning films get imposter syndrome! This is Daniel's experience!
It's always important to hear where other people find their sources of inspiration. It helps us think of new ways that we can inspire ourselves. This is where award-winning film maker, Daniel Gies finds his inspiration!
The gang feels like we haven't quite found the right place for VR to be a part of our everyday lives. In their conversation with Daniel Gies, they touch on why, and where we are probably missing some opportunities.
Where does Daniel find his motivation to keep plowing through when things get overwhelming? Have a listen and find out!
Daniel and the team share their insights on why a hybrid workplace is most likely the future of the industry. Most specifically why being back in a studio is so important.
In our next "A Conversation With" let's meet Daniel Gies! Daniel is an amazingly talented self-taught artist. He has created tutorials for Pluralsight (Digital Tutors), teaching the techniques in the Adobe Creative Suite that have made him stand out so much amongst other artists. In 2012 Daniel co-founded e.d.films , an animation and film production studio based in Montreal.
Also, check out Agora.Community for daily content, free rigs, and assets, and order an animation review from one of our industry experts:
https://www.agora.community
Thanks for listening!
After his training at Dreamworks, Thomas went straight into crunch time! Davis asks him how he recognised his burnout. This is helpful if you think you might be going through the same thing.
Everyone feels the old Imposter Syndrome, even supervisors. David asks Thomas about his experience of imposter syndrome as a supervisor at Dreamworks.
Physics at school was boring, right? Well, have a listen to David, Brent and Thomas as they discuss why knowing some of these basic principles are super important to know as an animator!
In this clip, Thomas shares one of the things that helped him the most in becoming a better animator.
Thomas gets asked a big question of how do you keep your motivation after a big crunch and you don't get any time off after the project?
Thomas was a supervisor on How To Train Your Dragon 3, and during our Q & A he gets asked how exactly DO you animate a four-winged dragon when there's no real reference?
You might recognize our next guest on 'A Conversation With'. He’s one of our Agora Experts! Thomas Grummt has been working in animation for 15 years, and has been an Animator and Supervising Animator at DreamWorks Animation for the past 10 years. He just completed work on the upcoming adventure "The Croods: A New Age", and recently worked on the critically acclaimed "How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World" as Supervisor of the Light Fury dragon. In this sit-down, we’ll chat about the longevity of staying in a studio, traditional vs. online schools, and honing your craft to be able to teach others.
Also, check out Agora.Community for daily content, free rigs, and assets, and order an animation review from one of our industry experts:
https://www.agora.community
Thanks for listening!
In this clip, J.F. discusses an exhibit he created for the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. If you want some ideas on how to create immersive experiences for groups, have a listen to this!
After watching J.F.'s crowdfunding campaign trailer of an elderly man experiencing a location he wished he'd always visited through VR, J.F. recalls how the gentleman was having a bad day, and how the V.R. experience impacted his few remaining days on earth.
J.F. recounts a very personal experience of when he left Ubisoft to find purpose in his life and career that didn't just revolve around a salary. Such an important thing to consider when things in life might seem off-balance.
Salary isn't the most important thing when it comes to accepting a job offer. Brent gives his thoughts on what you should be really be looking for in a job when considering multiple offers.
J.F.'s career revolves around Virtual Reality and using it to aid in mental health practices for aged care. In our chat, J.F. gets asked where he sees the future of V.R. when it comes to more medical practices.
In this clip, J.F. talks about how he was given a lot of responsibility at an early age and how it had an effect on his life. Have a listen if you find yourself in the same position and what you might need to adjust to make things a lot more manageable as a leader.
JF Malouin, is a digital artist and entrepreneur. He has shown his work (mostly VR) all over the world, including Montreal, New York, Sao Paulo and Seoul. He has also spent 15 years, as an artist and managing creative teams. JF is the founder of Super Splendide, which creates immersive virtual reality to bring nature, beauty, and culture to those who are unable to reach them. In this conversation, we will discuss what created his passion to bring immersive experiences to the masses, the journey starting a company, and where he sees the future of VR heading!
Also, check out Agora.Community for daily content, free rigs, and assets, and order an animation review from one of our industry experts:
https://www.agora.community
Thanks for listening!
Starting a studio from scratch is a very difficult thing to do. It requires a lot of commitment and a lot of hours. Leo discusses his journey in starting a business and David also brings up some of his own discoveries when running a studio.
In this clip from our conversation with Leo, he gets asked if there's any advice he can give to animators to make the life of a character modeller a lot easier!
More insight from another pro about the pros and cons about working in a studio vs. working remotely!
Leo talks about his first project experience of being part of a studio that all of a sudden gets shut down!
When Leo first started his career, he wanted to be an animator. However, his path took a turn into character artist. It isn't that he quit the idea, but he followed his interests, and ended up where he is now. He also gives his advice on what he takes from learning animation that helps him with his character design.
It didn't take Leo long to get promoted within his studio. In this clip, Davis asks how it was possible, and Leo gives his answer...which might not be as complicated as you think!
In this ‘A Conversation With’, we are sitting down with Leo Sanchez. With twenty years of experience in the 3D Animation Industry, Leo Sanchez is a renowned reference in Character Modelling and a name consistently associated with some of the most successful productions of recent years. Having worked across Disney and Dreamworks on films such as Bolt, Tangled, and How To Train Your Dragon 2, Leo formed his own studio in which all disciplines such as Look Dev, Rigging, and Animation would be tightly brought together contributing to a much more solid character development practice. Leo Sanchez Studio has now contributed to productions such as How To Train Your Dragon 3, Croods 2, Larrikins, Angry Birds, and plenty more!
In this chat, we discuss character modeling and development in the industry, Leo’s decision to form his own studio, and the benefits and challenges that came along with it!
Also, check out Agora.Community for daily content, free rigs, and assets, and order an animation review from one of our industry experts:
https://www.agora.community
Thanks for listening!
Ravi was asked about what goes through his mind when he's planning a shot, and one of the first things he said is he thinks not so much about workflow, but mindset. He explains more in this clip!
David asks Ravi if he ever gets unmotivated and what does he do to overcome this feeling? Yes, even dome of the greatest animators get unmotivated!
The planning stage is one of the most important parts of animating. In this clip, Ravi breaks down his planning for animating his shots.
Ever wondered what an Animation Supervisor does? Ravi talks about his experiences of being an Anim Supe with Dreamworks and the different roles it entails.
Have you ever watched the Annies and ever wondered how exactly someone gets their work recognised enough to be nominated? Ravi talks about his experience of being nominated and what it takes.
Ravi is well known for creating for some amazingly cartoony animation. In this clip, Ravi talks about moving forward, breaking rigs, and cheating animation and causing possible issues in the rest of the pipeline, or do you adjust your planning?
In this “A Conversation With” episode, we are catching up with Ravi Kamble, supervising animator at Dreamworks. But, you may have also seen his face around the Agora.community website as Ravi is one of the Agora Experts ready to take on your reviews. Ravi started his professional career in 2007 and has worked in several countries including Spain, UK, India and China. In 2014, Ravi was nominated for an Annie Award for his Lead Character Animator performance on “Penquins Of Madagascar”
In this conversation, we’ll be discussing the importance of having a diverse range of experiences, the journey to an Annie Award nomination and adjusting to life in different countries.
Also, check out Agora.Community for daily content, free rigs, and assets, and order an animation review from one of our industry experts:
https://www.agora.community
Thanks for listening!
Peter gets asked what some of his favorite books on learning Directing and Story Telling are. If you want to learn from where the masters learn, listen to this clip and get these books!
Peter sure hopes that directors can direct their own stories! He's trying to do that at the moment. In this clip, Peter answers a question from the chat and gives insight on what you need to know if you want to tell stories and direct them.
Peter gets asked a question from the chat about how a lot of big-name directors seem to start in their early 20's. But is it possible for someone entering their 40's to do make it big as well?
In this clip from our conversation with Into The Spiderverse director, Peter Ramsey, he talks about the experience of discovering just what exactly was possible when it came to creating the art style of the film.
In this clip, Peter talks about his experiences when it comes to directing animators, and how to create moments that would come naturally if directing live actors.
Peter gets asked a question from the chat about how a lot of big-name directors seem to start in their early 20's. But is it possible for someone entering their 40's to do make it big as well?
Peter Ramsey has worked on many, many movies over his career. In this clip he talks about how to hook an audience to keep them engaged and wanting more.
Are your Spidey-Senses tingling? Ours are! We are sitting down with the Director of Into The Spiderverse and Executive Producer of Across The Spiderverse, Peter Ramsey!
But don't get us wrong, Peter has worked on so many more amazing films and projects across his 30+ year career starting as an illustrator/board artist and working his way through to producing some of the most amazing work of our time!
Also, check out Agora.Community for daily content, free rigs, and assets, and order an animation review from one of our industry experts:
https://www.agora.community
Thanks for listening!
In the Q&A section of our conversation with Justin Rasch, he was asked about the differences between planning for stop motion vs. CGI. He goes on to talk about how he approaches each style of animation.
Working in stop motion can create a very different connection you have with the characters you move. In this clip, Justin talks about such an interesting concept and it could help you stand out among the rest of your peers!
The team talk with Justin Rasch about his ability to capture such physical reference footage and the benefits of maintaining some form of physical activity in your life.
Justin's life changed when he started posting his work across social media. In this clip, he talks about how in this day and age, artists don't need studios to make a living anymore! It may be a tougher road, but listening to Justin's enthusiasm, one can't help but wonder if this is the right path for them as well.
In this clip, Justin Rasch gives some very honest advice for anyone aspiring to become a stop motion animator. This advice can be applied to all sorts of artistic disciplines!
It's not uncommon for artists in the industry to be a lead one moment, and then go back to being an animator the next. If you've ever seen this happen, there's usually a good reason for it!
In this conversation, we are sitting down with Justin Rasch, an animator of many talents. From trying to find any nuggets of information he could in magazines like Cinefex, Starlog, and Fangoria to being completely blown away by the very first Jurassic Park film, Justin has built a career in CG animation and is a stop motion extraordinaire having worked at Laika.
He’s currently residing as a Director and Senior Cinematic Animator at Blizzard, and has a raving social media presence and YouTube Channel. We’ll be chatting about the multiple disciplines of animation and their differences, what you can learn from different styles of animation, and building an online presence.
If you'd like to watch this episode you can find it here.
Also, check out Agora.Community for daily content, free rigs, and assets, and order an animation review from one of our industry experts:
https://www.agora.community
Thanks for listening!
It's important to always be open to new opportunities in your career, especially if what you're currently doing is feeling stagnant. listen to this clip if you need a boost of motivation to take a step in a new direction!
Osama talks about his own experience of learning that his hobby was something that could be a viable career path.
Osama and Brent talk about how important it is to attend conferences and lectures outside of your scope of practice. Even if you learn 10% of something new, it will have a major impact on your career!
There's a lot more bias going on when it comes to hiring than you might think. In this clip, Osama and Brent discuss their thoughts, and Osama tells of a shocking experiment that was held when auditioning Orchestra musicians.
To expand upon expanding your horizons, Osama and Brent discuss how you should learn a little bit of every department so that you can contribute to the greater good of the project. Trust us, it will make you a rockstar!
There is a certain toll, a certain cost, of being an ambassador of diversity. Osama is no stranger to this and discusses his experience in this clip from our conversation with him.
Brent and Osama discuss the way that games can be used as tools for teaching empathy and understanding across different cultures.
In this conversation, we are sitting down with Osama Dorias. Osama is currently the Lead Game Designer at WB Games Montreal. With nearly 15 years of experience within the games industry in Montreal, Osama loves empowering people in expressing themselves through game making. A natural-born leader, a living incarnation of hugs and fueled by tea (his words) Osama has hosted game jams, workshops, and other community-based events which eventually lead to the co-founding of the Montreal Independent Games Festival. In our chat, we’ll discuss such topics as what makes great level design, the culture in the gaming industry, and the importance of creating community.
If you'd like to watch this episode you can find it here.
Also, check out Agora.Community for daily content, free rigs, and assets, and order an animation review from one of our industry experts:
https://www.agora.community
Thanks for listening!
Piggy Backing off the question of juniors needing to know programming, Brent asks Bobby what the minimum technical skill set required would be for game animators.
During this conversation, there was a lot of discussion around specialized knowledge of making games vs being a generalist. It seems in AAA titles, hyper-specialization is key. Bobby is then asked if being a generalist will ever make a comeback.
There's a lot of good that came from everyone being forced to work remotely. In this clip, Bobby discusses the downside of remote work and his personal experience.
We had a question during our conversation with Bobby Anguelov if Junior Game Animators should know how to program. Bobby didn't think so but then goes on to explain what would be helpful for Junior Game Animators to know when entering the industry.
No, We're not talking about parent constraints in Maya. When it comes to animation and video games, giving yourself boundaries to work within can force creativity and imagination, giving you an amazingly artistic finished product. Listen to the team discuss this further.
Bobby and Brent are huge advocates of understanding other departments within the studio. You should listen to this if you want to become a favoured member of your team ;)
Bobby Anguelov is a technical architect/principal programmer working in the video game industry. His core areas of expertise are Animation, AI, gameplay, and core engine tech. He’s spent 10 years in the industry working with some big-name studios such as Ubisoft and WB Games Montreal. Bobby also has a Youtube channel where he teaches animation programming basics and Game Engine Entity Models. In this conversation, we’ll discuss Bobby’s love for animation programming, the future of AI, and the gaming industry!
If you'd like to watch this episode you can find it here.
Also, check out Agora.Community for daily content, free rigs, and assets, and order an animation review from one of our industry experts:
https://www.agora.community
Thanks for listening!
If someone wants to learn game design/game development and make it their career, where's a good place to start? Dan and the gang give their thoughts.
A lot of our guests talk about learning to scrap your animation and start over. Dan talks about his experiences and why it's so important to be able to learn this lesson early on in your career.
In our Q&A with Dan Root, a member in chat wants to know where can they learn 2DFX and where is a good place to get feedback. Dan tells all!
Dan has had great success with his videos, and in this clip he answers a question on how he learned what worked when creating content for YouTube, and also some great free resources to use! Happy Creating!
In this clip, David, Brent, and Dan talk about the importance of being able to "feel" the animation in games. A very good clip to listen to if you want to get into game animation and stand out above the rest!
Dan is a freelancer, teacher, and YouTuber! That's a lot of plates to keep spinning. It's a good thing that each of these things fuels one another. If you want to take on a side project, or if you already have one, this is a good motivational boost to keep you going!
In our next "A Conversation With" episode, we'll be sitting down and having a chat with Dan Root. Dan is a 2D animator based in Norwich, England. Being an avid animator and gamer at heart, Dan draws his inspiration from those good old classic 8 & 16-bit gaming eras. He also runs his own Youtube Channel dedicated to studying the craft of animation in video games called "Video Game Animation Study".
In this conversation, we'll discuss Dan's love of animation and his pool of inspiration, his decision to create a Youtube channel dedicated to helping others learn the craft of game animation, and his process of coming up with video ideas.
If you'd like to watch this episode you can find it here.
Also, check out Agora.Community for daily content, free rigs, and assets, and order an animation review from one of our industry experts:
https://www.agora.community
Thanks for listening!
In this clip, Pierre recounts the time he heard Spielberg talk about his fear every time he starts a new project, and also his own experiences when taking on the task of bringing a film from start to finish!
In this clip, Pierre and the team talk about how to receive feedback on your work, and how it's not a personal attack.
Being a director, or a supervisor...you have a lot going on at one time. It's easy to forget about the people that are getting the work done. Being a good supervisor means recognising people's actions and telling them that you appreciate it.
This is a great clip to listen to if you want to be a lead, but feel your skill level might not quite be there yet. Do you actually need to be a good animator to be a lead?
In this clip with Pierre Perefil, he talks about the transition from 2d to 3d animation, Dreamworks' proprietary software, and how it was quite so easy for a non native English speaker to decipher what the controls were for!
In this clip, the gang talk with Pierre Perifel about becoming a supervisor, and the qualities of being a good one.
Pierre Perifel is our next guest on 'A Conversation With'. A French filmmaker and animator, best known for his work at DreamWorks Animation, he is the director of The Bad Guys (2022) and the award-winning short films Bilby and Le Building. Pierre moved to the United States in 2008 where he began his career with Dreamworks Animation doing character animation for the 2D short film, Secrets of the Furious Five, for which he won an Annie Award.
If you'd like to watch this episode you can find it here.
Also, check out Agora.Community for daily content, free rigs, and assets, and order an animation review from one of our industry experts:
https://www.agora.community
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In this short clip, Olivier talks about his desire of jumping into the unknown and how much it can help your career!
In this conversation, we’ll be catching up with Olivier Staphylas, who has recently finished up working on Wish Dragon as Animation Director. Olivier finished top of his class at Gobelins and the next day found himself in a Parisian restaurant with a job offer from Dreamworks and within the matter of one film was promoted to Supervising Animator.
If you'd like to watch this episode you can find it here.
Also, check out Agora.Community for daily content, free rigs, and assets, and order an animation review from one of our industry experts:
https://www.agora.community
Thanks for listening!
This clip is proof that everyone, even Heads Of Character Animation suffer from the dreaded imposter syndrome. Listen to this clip if you need some re-assurance that you're not alone.
It's hard, we know, but listen to this clip with Olivier to hear about how he got out of his comfort zone and what it means for your career!
It's easy to feel like we're just cogs in the wheel of the animation turnstile of life. But this little anecdote from Olivier could help motivate you to keep putting your best foot forward, make suggestions, and try something new!
In our Q&A, Kirby was asked for advice on how to write a great script. Budding scriptwriters, might be a good one to listen to!
Music is a very, very important piece of the puzzle when it comes to film making. If you want to make your scores more dramatic, listen to this piece of advice from Kirby Atkins.
Kirby Atkins wrote a great film, and has sold multiple scripts himself. If you want to sell your own script, you might get some great advice from this clip.
Creating a film, piece of animation, or any piece of art, there’s going to be a time when you need to stop and put it into the world. Kirby talks about knowing when it’s time to stop.
Kirby had some amazing philosophies in this conversation and one of our watchers asked him, what books do you read? If you want a list of great books to add to your shelf, or movies to be inspired by, this clip has them.
Movies can be very cookie cutter and follow the same formula. But, in order to create something new and great, risks need to be taken!
Building anticipation and then having a great pay off makes the difference between an amazing story and not so amazing. Here the team discuss with Kirby Atkins how he creates anticipation in story.
In this ‘Conversation With’ episode, we sit down to have a chat with Kirby Atkins. Kirby has had a wide range of experiences in the film industry from being an animator to screenwriter, to eventually writing and directing his own film, ‘Mosley’. He is now Head of Development and Director at Brazen Animation. To see more of Kirby's work, check out his website www.kirbyatkins.com. In our chat, we discuss Kirby’s ability to wear so many different hats, the joys and challenges of writing and directing your own film, and the transition into being head of development! Don’t miss this one if you dream of one day directing your own film!
If you'd like to watch this episode you can find it here:
https://youtu.be/YZQhANvizZU
Also, check out Agora.Community for daily content, free rigs, and assets, and order an animation review from one of our industry experts:
https://www.agora.community
Thanks for listening!
There’s a certain chaos that can be involved in living as a creative artist. If you need some motivation, listen to this!
Pitching a story and getting some interest in it from a production house is a huge deal. But what if you don’t think they company will be able to live up to the visual style of the project? Do you walk away and miss out on getting your name out there?
Dave gets asked from the audience what advice he’d give to an aspiring female director. It’s the same advice he’d give to anyone, have a listen and find out!
David repeats a topic that came up in a Q&A, what happens when a director tells an animator that what they wanted was exactly what the animator had before his lead asked him to change it. With Dave’s colorful language, how would he handle the situation…you may be surprised.
Dave might not be the best person to ask this question, but he gives it the best answer he can!
Dave gets askes how does he stay motivated to be creative. He’s simple answer, his mortgage. But he has more to say!
David asks Dave where he thinks the industry is heading in terms of production and distribution. Looking to stay on top of the game, have a listen to this clip to see where Dave thinks the industry is heading.
Creating your own short film can be a nerve-wracking experience, and you may not hold all the strings. In this short clip, Dave Mullins but staying receptive.
Our next conversation is with Dave Mullins. Dave has spent a vast majority of his career at Pixar, growing into the role of Animating Director on films ‘Up’ as well as Supervising Animator on Cars 2 and The Incredibles 2. He was also the brainchild and director behind Pixar’s Academy Award nominated short film, Lou. He is now currently working on Pixar’s upcoming T.V. series ‘Dug Days’. In this conversation, we’ll discuss his move into one of the most influential animation studios of all time, the journey of having a short film greenlit through to its release day, the Pixar culture, and how the rise of streaming services has impacted the animation industry.
If you'd like to watch this episode you can find it here:
https://youtu.be/UPRS2KI9ZBc
Also, check out Agora.Community for daily content, free rigs, and assets, and order an animation review from one of our industry experts:
https://www.agora.community
Thanks for listening!
When Dave Mullins started in the industry…he had some growing up to do! The gang talk about his experiences in self improvement.
How does Dave Mullins develop his stories? Does he start to develop characters first and then figure out the story, or does he have story idea in mind that he uses to start filling in the blanks?
Dave talks about how he felt when it came to creating pitches for his Short Film Lou, and what made him feel motivated, and what didn’t!
A question we like to ask our guests from time to time! This question stumps Dave, because he’s answered it before, but forgot what he said!
With so many awesome free rigs getting released, would studios ever get sick of seeing the same rig used in the same way?
Similar to “Do Studios Get Sick Of Seeing The Same Rigs”, is it recommended to use rigs from well know movies or will your animation just be compared to the real thing? David & Brent give their thoughts.
A new member to our chat asked the question, is there a recommended “must include” list for demo reels. David and Brent give their advice on what should definitely appear on your reel.
We’ve seen it happen so many times! An animator creates a fantastic piece of animation and it just gets covered by FX. Is this a common occurrence in the industry?
Something that David has never heard done before! Can an artist ask a studio to take an animation test? Although it does take David and Brent to figure out what this question meant…it’s pretty funny!
There was a hot topic on Twitter that in one hour, the CEO of a company made as much as an artist had done in unpaid overtime. Pretty ridiculous! David and Brent discuss this hot topic.
Are you someone that can’t take a compliment? This will be a good clip to listen to, as someone in our chat deals with the same issue. David and Brent give their thoughts.
You’ve finished an amazing shot, it’s definitely one for the demo reel, but…it gets cut from the final movie. Can you still put it on your demo reel?
If you’re working in a different country, or even if you’re in your own country but on a team where your native language isn’t what your team members speak naturally, how do you communicate effectively?
It’s often said, whatever you want to be in the industry, just focus on that. But should you at least know some rigging, or modelling?
David & Brent answer questions such as, should you use well know characters in your demo reel, can you put unreleased footage on your reel, how do you communicate effectively across different languages and more!
You can also check out our Agora Bites clips if you want to listen to a specific question from this episode!
Subscribe to our channel on whatever platform you listen on to receive updates when new episodes are posted and don't forget to head on over to agora.community and sign up for access to more free resources, animation reviews, and content. Thanks for listening!
One of our community members is pushing 40 and is wanting to get into the industry. Is it possible? Or is animation a young person’s game? It’s not as uncommon as you may think.
A member of the chat mentioned that having a degree is helpful to get a work visa. If you’re currently looking to move countries and deciding if you should just study online or get a degree, this is a good one to help you decide.
Lana speaks about her experience as being a woman in the gaming industry. And how being a player gave her certain misconceptions about being animator in the industry.
In this clip, the topic comes up about positive workplaces and how it’s going to take everyone to band together to make sure it happens. It’s up to us as team members to step up if someone says something inappropriate and let them know they’ve crossed a line.
For all of our aspiring game animators out there. This tip will definitely get you looked at! Have a listen!
Senior Animator at Riot Games and the co-founder of Tea Time Animation, Lana is a self-described 'Canadian-born creature and character animator' with a natural aptitude for community building. In this episode, we discuss culture in the animation and video game industry, network building, and starting initiatives that contribute to the animation community.
If you'd like to watch this episode you can find it here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7D5lTL8bPU
Also, check out Agora.Community for daily content, free rigs, and assets, and order an animation review from one of our industry experts:
https://www.agora.community
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Lana gets asked what her three tips would be for fresh grads looking to get into the industry. If this is you, have a listen!
In this conversation, the team talk about diversity on a team. What diversity means, and why it’s so important.
It’s time to hear it from another animator at a gaming studio. How do you break into games?
In this clip, one of our chat members likes gathering people’s thoughts on what appeal in animation means to them. This is what lana Bachynski, senior animator at Riot Games thinks!
It's not often we talk about TV Studios. But this question came up - Do studios use animation libraries for inbetweens or just lip-sync? If you're curious about the fast-paced world of TV, check out this clip.
You've finally landed a job in the animation industry, but people at your studio still take classes outside of work. Should you be doing the same?
You've been asked to perform an animation test for a studio, but you have a full-time job. Do you ask for time off? Call in sick? What should you do, and should you jeopardize your paying job for just a test?
Can having an online degree be seen that you are ready to a professional animator, or do you need to go to a brick and mortar school? David and Brent talk about studying animation and what you really need to get into the industry.
We haven't had this question quite asked like this before. Why should someone learn sketching, when we can use reference footage? The answer is still pretty much the same, just answered in a different way ;)
What happens if you're a freelancer on one side of the world and for the studio you're working for on the other side of the world, it's a public holiday. Do you get the day off, but still get paid? This is a great clip if you're considering freelancing and want to know how vacation time works!
It's the first Q&A for 2022. Everyone is refreshed, relaxed and the backlog of question replenished for a new year!
David & Brent answer questions such as, do freelancers get paid public holidays, how do you know when you're a competent animator, should I risk my job to finish an animation test, and more!
You can also check out our Agora Bites clips if you want to listen to a specific question from this episode!
Subscribe to our channel on whatever platform you listen on to receive updates when new episodes are posted and don't forget to head on over to agora.community and sign up for access to more free resources, animation reviews, and content. Thanks for listening!
A great question came our way about how do you know when you've leveled up in your ability as an animator? David and brent give their best answers of what you should look out for.
Mike Jungbluth puts out a “State Of The Industry” survey to get people's opinions on the industry and what could be improved. In this clip, Mike gives a brief overview of the results he’s found and what a survey like this can do for the industry.
Collaborating and creating instead of competing. Sounds like a dream, doesn’t it? Imagine how far the industry could grow if information was free for all to access. The team has a very in-depth chat about this topic if it’s something you’ve ever thought about yourself.
Dealing with Anxiety and Depression is something that should be talked about freely. There are a lot of people that ask, however, is it something that should be brought up during an interview at a studio, or do you deal with it once you’ve been hired?
The pandemic has changed a lot of things in the industry. The team talk about why it’s time for studios to be a bit more flexible with where their employees may choose to work.
This is the first time we’ve ever had a question like this. And it’s a very good one. Are studios accommodating for people with disabilities and how has Covid helped this?
Currently Animation Director at Bioware, Mike is also deeply invested in the larger game animation community, having started the Animation Exchange and GDC Animation Summit, working to foster more open sharing of the best approaches and processes across the industry.
We will discuss his experience in the video game industry, the animation community as a whole, the rise of Animation Exchange and GDC Animation Summit, his experience launching both initiative and his view of the futur of our industry.
If you'd like to watch this episode you can find it here:
https://youtu.be/vBl6YyxB3MI
Also, check out Agora.Community for daily content, free rigs, and assets, and order an animation review from one of our industry experts:
https://www.agora.community
Thanks for listening!
We all can find ourselves in a creative rut from time to time. David and Brent give their best advice for how you can get yourself out of this creative rut.
We had a question from a new member asking what is the future of being an animator. They had just started studying animation and was concerned that keyframe animators will eventually be phased out. It’s a question we get quite often. So, are we facing the animator apocalypse? Listen and find out!
A Q&A regular had this very interesting question to which Brent had a very short answer. With the increase in VR, should we cater our study for First-Person animation?
Have you ever met an artist who is super talented, but might be kind of a jerk, or not share the same political views as you? Is it possible to separate this person’s personality from the amazing work they create?
It's the final Q&A for the year! David and Brent discuss their New Year Resolutions and tackle a hot topic of 'Are streaming services killing the art in cinema?"
They also answer questions such as will the rise of VR should we focus on FPS animation, how do you separate an artist's personality from their amazing work, and how do you get out of a creative rut?
You can also check out our Agora Bites clips if you want to listen to a specific question from this episode!
Subscribe to our channel on whatever platform you listen on to receive updates when new episodes are posted and don't forget to head on over to agora.community and sign up for access to more free resources, animation reviews, and content. Thanks for listening!
Have a routine is key to success! In this clip, Ilse and the gang talk about their experiences with having a routine and how it’s helped them in their day to day lives.
If you need to hustle, stay up late and create what you want to create then you need to know your why, and you can find out why in this clip!
What’s one way to stand out amongst everyone else? Shine through your art. But what exactly does that mean? Ilse explains!
Procrastination holds so many people back from starting and finishing amazing projects, or achieving goals. Ilse talks about how you can kill this little gremlin and get on with being great!
The pandemic wasn’t easy on a lot of people. For some, they thought it would be a great way to get motivated and achieve a tonne of stuff with the extra time they saved on commuting, but then…after a while, the slump began to set in, and it wasn’t as great as they thought it would be. Get some tips on how to break the pandemic slump!
Speaking up is not always easy, especially when you don’t want to tread on anyone’s toes. But there is a way to do this without being put in your place, and this clip will tell you how to do it!
Another round of demo reel tips from another guest! Listen to what Ilse thinks are some important things for you to have on your demo reel to help you land that dream job!
Ilse describes a good social networking strategy like have the power of the Infinity Gauntlet. A good one to listen to if you want to get out there and get your work seen and have people knocking on your door…uh, inbox!
As animators, we are all about bringing characters to life. How can know acting help your animating? Here’s Ilse’s opinion!
Ilse once had a horrible experience that taught her a lot about the industry. Have a listen to this clip to hear all about the pecking order and knowing your place within it.
Ilse is an actress, professional character animator, and YouTuber. Her love for acting has been fuelling her passion for character performance, a passion she shares on her youtube channel through tips and tricks, analysis, interviews, and general advice for professional artists based on her own experience.
We discuss a couple of topics she has covered on her own channel in the past, including how to land a job in the industry, productivity, how to kill procrastination, and how to efficiently and respectfully speak your mind in a professional environment.
If you'd like to watch this episode you can find it here:
https://youtu.be/YBB4XkWFwgw
Also, check out Agora.Community for daily content, free rigs, and assets, and order an animation review from one of our industry experts:
https://www.agora.community
Thanks for listening!
David and Brent get asked what challenges them the most when it comes to animating. This is a great clip if you’d like to hear how even industry pros still get challenged!
Brent gives a quickfire response to the question of what should go on a cinematics demo reel? A decent question. It’s acting, but also requires games engine knowledge! Listen in if you want to move in this direction yourself!
A question that gets asked so many times, but honestly, the answer can’t be said enough! And we’ll keep answering this question in as many different ways as we can to help as many different people!
In this episode, David and Brent begin by watching the new Unreal Engine Matrix trailer and try to figure out if any of it is real. This leads to a discussion about aged VFX from the 90's and what it's like now. Towards the end of the episode, they answer questions from chat such as what do they find the most challenging about animation, game cinematic reel tips and advice for industry newbies!
You can also check out our Agora Bites clips if you want to listen to a specific question from this episode!
Subscribe to our channel on whatever platform you listen on to receive updates when new episodes are posted and don't forget to head on over to agora.community and sign up for access to more free resources, animation reviews, and content. Thanks for listening!
In this clip, John talks about audience screenings and gives his opinion on if he thinks they benefit a movie, or not.
There are certain hallmarks in a story that need to stay. John talks about his experiences on Luca and how important it is to at times protect your story at all costs!
John tells a story on how story ideas were pitched on when making Luca, with a story about how an artist didn't do what he was told to do, but created his own story idea to great success!
In this clip, John talks about why you should start recognizing people who could one day become a very valuable mentor.
John had such a diverse career that has lead him to this amazing piece of advice. Listen to this little nugget of motivation if you are feeling like your career is coming to a stand still.
John answers a question on how big studios deal with any clash between departments to get everyone on the same path.
In this clip, John talks about what it can take to stay motivated and make it through the long process of making a film.
John talks about his personal experience of how much he hated receiving notes on his work, and the mindset that helped him start to overcome it.
Seen Luca yet? Our next conversation is with John Hoffmann, he's just finished working as story supervisor on the film. He has also put in some of his career working with Fox and with the legendary Don Bluth! In this conversation, David and Brent sit down and have a chat with John about the transition from Fox to Pixar, working with Don Bluth, and also his views about the future of the industry.
If you'd like to watch this episode you can find it here:
https://youtu.be/6wW-6J8afHQ
Also, check out Agora.Community for daily content, free rigs, and assets, and order an animation review from one of our industry experts:
https://www.agora.community
Thanks for listening!
We all want to have the most polished, professional-looking demo reel to present to studios. But is it really that necessary? You may be a lot closer to starting your career in animation than you think!
David gives Brent 2 minutes to answer this question about valuable skills you should have if you want to get into game animation! If you want to know the quick answer, listen to this!
In this episode of our Q & A sessions, David and Brent answer a question about studios lying on their websites to attract potential employees, valuable skills for a gaming animator, should you wait until your reel is ready to get out there and more.
You can also check out our Agora Bites clips if you want to listen to a specific question from this episode!
Subscribe to our channel on whatever platform you listen on to receive updates when new episodes are posted and don't forget to head on over to agora.community and sign up for access to more free resources, animation reviews, and content. Thanks for listening!
One of our community members had been applying to a company that said they allowed part time work and ability to study during work hours, yet weren’t interested in giving this member a job due to their study schedule. Is the studio lying? David and Brent give their best advice.
We had a question from a member about how do you explain that a career in animation is a viable career path to people, like parents for example, who might not think that it is?
Troy didn’t start as a great board artist, in fact his very first pitch could have gotten him fired. In this clip, he talks about what you need to pitch your ideas as a board artist.
In our conversation, Troy talked about the job of a board artist, and in this clip, he talks about what makes a good board artist.
Troy talks about the role of the director. A great clip to listen to if you are an aspiring director yourself!
If you’ve been thinking of becoming a board artist, Troy Quane gets into what it means to be a storyboard artist.
Sometimes the shot or sequence that you love so much could be what’s holding the film back. When talking to Troy, he talks about his own experiences which may help you deal with letting go of something for the greater good.
Our next guest on our ‘A Conversation With’ series is Troy Quane. Troy’s career has spanned over 25 years starting as a 2D animator at Disney Canada through to spending a majority of his career as a story artist from television to hit films such as Hotel Transylvania and Arthur Christmas until his most recent role as co-director on Blue Sky’s ‘Spies In Disguise’.
If you'd like to watch this episode you can find it here:
https://agora.community/content/a-conversation-with-troy-quane
Also, check out Agora.Community for daily content, free rigs, and assets, and order an animation review from one of our industry experts:
https://www.agora.community
Thanks for listening!
Troy gets asked what he looks for on a junior’s reel, and how can a junior raise the bar and rise above the rest.
Troy Quane has directed some great films and has picked up some tips along the way to impart with animators on how what they should do to contrinute to the vision of the film.
One of our members in chat had a big question about being super excited about starting a new shot, but never does because when they start thinking about all the work that needs to go into it, the critiques and feedback, they just can’t get motivated to start! Some good advice in this clip if this happens to you!
We’ve heard the rumors that studios will blacklist artists, but should this happen the other way around? Should artists blacklist studios that may not have the best working conditions, or feel as though they have done them wrong?
In this clip from our Q&A David and Brent were asked how to get rid of the pose to pose feeling in your animation. Some nice little tips for anyone looking to make their animation feel more natural and less mechanical.
Studios try and create a friendly, family like atmosphere. But when you’re on a contract and it doesn’t get renewed, can a studio every really be considered “family”? A great question from one of our viewers!
We had a huge question in this Q&A where a studio still owed an artist money for the work they performed. And while they are by no means lawyers, David and Brent try and give their best advice.
In this episode of our Q & A sessions, David and Brent answer if you should blacklist a studio, the different styles of animation and can work ever be considered a "family".
You can also check out our Agora Bites clips if you want to listen to a specific question from this episode!
Subscribe to our channel on whatever platform you listen on to receive updates when new episodes are posted and don't forget to head on over to agora.community and sign up for access to more free resources, animation reviews, and content. Thanks for listening!
David has read an article that the co-founders of Fortiche are all artists themselves and how that has an impact. Alexis gives his thoughts about the differences between studios that want to create something awesome vs. will this make money?
In this short clip, Davis asks Alexis if he ever had to take a shot from one artist and give it to someone else to finish. This is a great clip to listen to for how Alexis thinks a supervisor should help their team.
In this clip, Alexis talks about stylistic whiplash from having to change animation styles so quickly and his own personal journey.
During our chat with Alexis so many people wanted to know if Fortiche was hiring for season 2 of Arcane. This lead to the question of do you have any tips for when it’s time to get interviewed?
Surely we've all seen Arcane by now? No? Ok, go watch it and then come back. This week we had on the show Alexis Wanneroy, Lead Animator for the series.
Alexis spoke about his experience in creating one of the most talked-about animated shows of our time, and answered questions from the live chat!
If you'd like to watch this episode you can find it here:
https://agora.community/content/a-conversation-with-richard-lico
Also, check out Agora.Community for daily content, free rigs, and assets, and order an animation review from one of our industry experts:
https://www.agora.community
Thanks for listening!
Alexis shares his advice on what would make a good demo reel for anyone wanting to get into the industry, and what he would look for if he was going to hire you for one of his shows.
Alexis has worked in two completely different cultures. In this clip, he talks about the differences he found between working in France and the States.
One of our chat participants was in the middle of working on an 8 second shot, and only had a day and a half to complete it. Is this possible? And how much quality would they need to sacrifice? David and Brent give their best tips on getting through such a fast-paced quota.
It’s so easy to get caught up in work mode. Especially if you’re passionate about what you do. But, how do you allocate time to relax and enjoy life? David and Brent are no strangers to the grind and share what they do to carve out time for enjoying life.
One of our followers has been learning animation for 4 years, and still feels they aren’t good enough to get a job. They ask us if anyone can learn animation, or is it just for talented people. Davis and Brent give their best advice.
It’s super important to grab the attention of someone in the first few seconds of your demo reel. Find out how some studios watch your reel so that you may be able to cater it to what they’re going to see.
In this episode of our Q & A sessions, David and Brent discuss one of our follower's success stories using the advice of Manny Fragelus and answer questions such as how to animate a big shot in a short amount of time while maintaining quality, how to allocate time to make sure you're enjoying life, how recruiters watch demo reels, and more!
You can also check out our Agora Bites clips if you want to listen to a specific question from this episode!
Subscribe to our channel on whatever platform you listen on to receive updates when new episodes are posted and don't forget to head on over to agora.community and sign up for access to more free resources, animation reviews, and content. Thanks for listening!
Is creating something while inside VR a thing? It sure is and Brent and Richard discuss what happening with creating content in VR.
We’ve only just scratched the surface on creating VR experiences and there’s still so much potential. Listen to this clip and it may just inspire you to create a VR experience that is truly immersive like no other experience has been!
We get asked the question a lot if Game Animators should be gamers, and in this clip you’ll find out just exactly why we always say “YES!”
Two-time Annie nominated, and DICE nominated Director, Animator, and Game Developer for his work on Moss. Richard Lico has 20 Years of experience directing & animating over 12 shipped titles. From Halo: Reach, to Destiny 2, to Moss. If you've played games recently, you've likely encountered his work. His core strength lies in his ability to mix emotionally resonant characters with fluid gameplay.
Richard helped create two of gaming's most influential IPs, Moss and Destiny. As the original animator for both franchises, it was Richard who defined the animation style, animation tone, animation tech, and characters. He has a proven track record for creating new worlds and filling them with fluid, appealing, interactive life.
Richard's signature animation style is well known. His unique animation workflow concepts and approach to character direction have been the subjects of his highly rated lectures at venues such as the Game Developers Conference, Siggraph, Montreal International Game Summit, and more. This workflow is also the subject of his online school, Animation Sherpa.
During this talk, we'll go over his prolific career as a gameplay animator, how personal circumstances influenced his workflow, the technique he developed and taught to his students over time, the creation of Animation Sherpa, and his ambitions for the future.
If you'd like to watch this episode you can find it here:
https://agora.community/content/a-conversation-with-richard-lico
Also, check out Agora.Community for daily content, free rigs, and assets, and order an animation review from one of our industry experts:
https://www.agora.community
Thanks for listening!
Animating in games should be more about the feeling and not focussing on if it looks pretty in the graph editor. You’ll have a better understanding of why after this clip.
If you know Richard Lico, you’ll know about his out of the box workflow that he uses. You know, the one that leaves most people scratching their heads! Listen to the origin story of how Richard discovered his method.
Ok, now that you how Richard found his method, listen to a quick rundown on what exactly it is. If you’d like to learn it for yourself, you can head on over to animationsherpa.net to sign up to Richard’s course.
Richard gives an example of solving technical problems elegantly. If you can do this, you’ll be the studios favourite new artist!
Creating detailed, amazing game animation can cause a lot of heartaches. Want to know why? Listen to this clip!
It is recommended to update your reel so recruiters don’t just see the same thing over and over again. But just how often should you be doing this?
Pixar, Dreamworks, Ubisoft…you know, that studio that you’ve always dreamed of being a part of. Just how do you prepare for the that moment when it’s time to send them your demo reel?
In this episode of our Q & A sessions, David and Brent answer questions such as how to add excitement back into your career if you're bored, common flight animation mistakes, the best ways to market your work and more!
You can also check out our Agora Bites clips if you want to listen to a specific question from this episode!
Subscribe to our channel on whatever platform you listen on to receive updates when new episodes are posted and don't forget to head on over to agora.community and sign up for access to more free resources, animation reviews, and content. Thanks for listening!
One of our followers was starting to get tired of the same animation routine. They loved the industry, but just felt they needed a change or wanted to take on more responsibility. If you are in this situation, it’s a good one to listen to!
This was a great question we got asked, because it helps to know just how a professional animator does their job. That way you might not feel in over your head when you start working at your first studio!
Social media is an amazing tool to promote yourself and your work. What are some smart ways to market your reel across these platforms. Some good little tips in here to start getting you noticed!
Flight animation is a tricky beast. It’s not easy to get the mechanics of flight correct. Take a listen to this so you know at least what NOT to do!
There are people out there that decided to get into the industry when they were pushing 40…is it even possible for this to happen? If this is you, listen to this!
While working remotely has been great for some artists, it could have a detrimental effect on artists just graduating and getting their first jobs in the industry.
You’re in your interview after taking some time off in between jobs and the studio asks you to explain the large gap in your reel…what do you say? Have a listen and find out!
How has the pandemic changed the way studios recruit in the new world? An interesting insight into this one.
A studio is intereste din hiring you. How likely is it that they’ll check your social media accounts, and quite possibly pull the plug? Is it time to start deleting those drunken weekend photos…?
A studio has asked you to do a test…but you’ve had years of experience…do you really need to? Probably, but it’s a good reason to know why. It will benefit both the studio and you.
When dealing through a recruiter they may just say they have a really awesome job in a great company. Why won’t they tell you anything more? There’s a spicy sotry in here as to why studios may choose anonymity!
Getting ready to start applying for jobs in the business? Get some first-hand tips from a professional recruiter and you can’t go wrong!
Different provinces in Canada have different Tax profiles. If you work in one province, and move to another mid year, you may end up getting taxed more. Lance gives the laydown on what the situation is.
The blacklist…we’ve all heard about it. Mess up at one studio, and you’ll have a hard time getting into another one. In our Q & A David and Brent said one doesn’t exist. Does Lance our guest recruiter have a different opinion?
Yes, unfortunately, it happens. Your amazing work may be stolen and put on another artist’s reel. But, don’t worry…studios talk. Take a listen to this to either ease your worries, or make you think twice before swiping someone else’s hard work!
If you’re someone who experiences anxiety or other mental health issues, do you bring these up in an interview? Lance Lefort gives some great advice.
They said they’d draw up a contract and get back to me, but I haven’t heard anything yet. What’s the deal? This is probably why you haven’t heard back yet!
Just what exactly is expected of a new artist in the industry, and how getting promoted may not take as long as you think!
The question that doesn’t die! This time, get the answer from a man whose job it is to make sure reels are good enough to get passed on to a studio!
In this episode of 'A Conversation With'. we chatted with Lance LeFort, President of the LeFort Talent Group, a company dedicated to providing talent acquisition, succession planning, organization design, and workforce planning. If you want to hear it straight from the recruiter's mouth on how to get promoted, interview tips, and what he looks for in a demo reel, definitely give this one a listen!
If you'd like to watch this episode you can find it here:
https://agora.community/content/a-conversation-with-lance-lefort
Also, check out Agora.Community for daily content, free rigs, and assets, and order an animation review from one of our industry experts:
https://www.agora.community
Thanks for listening!
You’ve gone from junior, to mid level…maybe you’re a lead now but, the real aim is to get up to a supervisory role! Get a recruiter’s thoughts on what it takes to get there.
Just exactly how do you show off your Mocap skills on a demo reel? Jacob isn't able to answer this one, so Brent steps in and gives some great advice to create a killer reel if you want to get into games or VFX.
How do you make facial animation a lot less overwhelming? Jacob has some advice on how to tackle facial animation so that you're able to make it a more enjoyable experience!
What's the best way to adapt to a project's style? This is especially something to know if you're going from a super realistic VFX project onto a super cartoony one or vice-versa!
The question came up about what do a lot of junior animator reels lack when applying for jobs? You may think you need a highly polished demo reel, but maybe you don't. Take a listen to what Jacob wants to see more of in a junior animator's reel.
Where is the most pressure? Big budget or low budget projects? A very interesting question to consider. Jacob and Brent give their thoughts.
Super cartoony shots are amazing to watch! There's no way you could get reference for some of those extreme poses. So just how do you plan for crazy body mechanics. in this clip Jacob shows a clip from a test on The Croods, if you'd like to see the footage you can watch the Q&A here - https://agora.community/content/qa-with-jacob-and-brent-14
Of course they are! Aren't they? Listen to how Jacob's animation style evolved over time to a point where he stopped pulling out key poses from his reference!
Have you ever had a bad project that was one of the toughest experiences of your life? It's important to know how to survive these things to make your life not such so much while going through it. This is a good one to listen to if you're in this situation, have been through it, or just starting out in your career!
In this episode of our Q & A sessions, Jacob Gardner joins Brent to answer questions such as adapting to a project's style, surviving a bad project, improving your facial animation, and more!
You can also check out our Agora Bites clips if you want to listen to a specific question from this episode!
Subscribe to our channel on whatever platform you listen on to receive updates when new episodes are posted and don't forget to head on over to agora.community and sign up for access to more free resources, animation reviews, and content. Thanks for listening!
Our conversation with Jorge Vigara revolved a lot around mental health and burnout. Talking about it is something that comes up a lot in our streams. It’s amazing how much it can help, and it will not only help you, but will forge a path for others to do the same. Listen to this clip for some encouragement.
Jorge and the team talk about how you should make your art YOU. Meaning, put some of your personality and quirks into your artwork to make it stand out. He’s not the only one to have given this advice during our live streams.
Jorge talks about his experience of pouring his heart and soul into his animation and art, only to find that he wasn’t really enjoying it. He’s not the only one to experience this!
In our conversation with Jorge Vigara, he was asked if he ever felt guilty about taking a break after being burnt out. A very good question! We want to give the project our all, but at times there’s a limit to what we can give before needing some time out – and if you care about the project and your team, this could lead to some guilt. Listen to this one if you’re going through the same thing, or want to know what to do if that day ever approaches.
Jorge has done some amazing cartoony animation. In this clip, he talks about his process in planning his crazy shots.
The pandemic has caused a huge disruption in the way studios operate. In this clip, our team discusses this disruption and what it means moving forward.
Sometimes the things and people we love the most could be what’s holding us back from achieving our full potential. If you think this is you right now, please listen to this clip. You’re not alone.
The title may have already put a lot of people off, but hear us out! Meditation is a very important tool, especially if you are in crunch time or a time of uncertainty.And if you want to get to a place where you’re running a studio, or leading a team one day – meditation could make all the difference.
Burnout. We shudder at the word. If you’re going through burnout, or been through burnout, you’re not the only one. The team talk about their experience with burn out. Listen to this one, because you are not alone.
Founder & Director at Animawarriors.com, Jorge has more than 15 years of experience in the industry as an animator, animation director, teacher, and entrepreneur.
We'll discuss his passion for animation, his experience with professional exhaustion, the creation of AnimaWarriors, and his view on the future of our industry, aspiring for a better work/life balance that remains challenging for most professional artists.
With remote work now an option, it could be easier to get a job in the animation industry. However, if it’s your first job…is it better to be in a studio, or would remote work still be the best way to get in?
Is it likely that a studio is going to spend money to bring a mid-level animator into the country to work on their latest film? Here are David and Brent’s opinions, and how has the situation changed in the latest years.
How do you distinguish between the different titles in the industry? What makes a junior, and what makes a senior? Especially if the junior seems to have more refined skills than the senior!
The team got asked the question, “Is it ok to put a boss fight animation on your demo reel?” A question that comes up a lot, just how much do you cater your reel to the job you want. Especially for artists just starting out. Some great advice in this one!
Just what exactly makes a shot worthy of your demo reel and what studios will want to see? Sometimes you might not be the best judge of your own work!
Animating in games is very different to animating in film or television. Here are some things to keep in mind when on the path to becoming a games animator.
In this episode of our Q & A sessions, David and Brent answer some great questions about just how much does an entry-level artist make, will a studio get a visa for a mid-level animator, and what should you be putting on your demo reels?
You can also check out our Agora Bites clips if you want to listen to a specific question from this episode!
Subscribe to our channel on whatever platform you listen on to receive updates when new episodes are posted and don't forget to head on over to agora.community and sign up for access to more free resources, animation reviews, and content. Thanks for listening!
“What are your salary expectations?” A phrase many of us have heard when starting a new job in the animation industry. But how does someone new to the industry answer this when they have no idea how much they should be making? A good one to listen to if you’re just starting out on your animation journey.
You’ve pushed your shot to the limit, had multiple reviews, and just don’t know how much further you can push it. When is it ok to stop and say that your shot is ready to go out into the world?
Big growth in a short amount of time can be a tricky situation. Jalil gives some insight into how as a CEO, he’s handled large growth in a short amount of time.
It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day life of being an artist, or running a business. In this clip, three dads talk about the importance of family, and making sure there is always time in the day to connect with them.
David asks Jalil his thoughts on where the industry may be headed. Jalil talks about how it’s somewhat scary, and yet it’s an exciting time in the industry. Have a listen to what Jalil thinks the shift in the industry is.
You might not see these people around the studio very often and may think that they aren’t doing much. But there’s more that goes on behind the scenes of your studio than you get to see. Jalil talks about the stresses of being a CEO.
Can you imagine? You run a massive studio with a break-away hit of a film or game. Time to hit an island and drink some cocktails on the beach, right? Jalil might have a different opinion on that idea!
Jalil Sadool gives a glimpse at a week in the life of being a CEO. The answer might not be as straightforward as you think!
Jalil is the co-founder and CEO of Steamroller Studios. Prior to the creation of Steamroller, he was an Animation Lead at Weta Digital Ltd where he worked on such films as Avatar, and Rise of the Planet of the Apes. At DreamWorks, he was Animation Lead on the mighty Bewilderbeast for How to Train your Dragon 2. He was also part of the animation team that brought Jack Frost to life in Rise of the Guardians. His previous films include Narnia, Tintin, The Water Horse, and more.
We'll discuss his passion for animation, the creation of Steamroller, the daily challenge of running a successful animation studio, how they manage the transition to remote work during the pandemic and his view on the future of our industry.
This clip from our Q & A session gives you an insight into what the supervisors and directors are looking for when they sit down to interview you.
It happens! You have been working on a shot for AGES, and little by little you find it harder to push through to making it just right. What can you do to find the extra push you need?
In this clip, David and Brent answer the questions about what is the most overlooked part of animating, and what animators should focus on more. A great clip if you are wondering how you can push yourself to the next level.
One of our community members had heard that studios use remote tracking software to keep an eye on how productive you are being. Is this true? A good clip to listen to if you’ve heard the same thing!
This was a very juicy question from one of the people in the chat for this Q & A session. A lead gave one of their animators feedback to change their shot, only to have the animation director give critique to make it more like the animator had originally had. Was the lead wrong? And how do you approach this situation?
In this episode of our Q & A sessions, David and Brent answer some great questions about just how much can a studio track your movements, how to deal with a lead you feel isn't good at their job, and why at times artists don't get credited.
You can also check out our Agora Bites clips if you want to listen to a specific question from this episode!
Subscribe to our channel on whatever platform you listen on to receive updates when new episodes are posted and don't forget to head on over to agora.community and sign up for access to more free resources, animation reviews, and content. Thanks for listening!
When are studios allowed to track your movements on the computer? Believe it or not, studios can do this! This is a great clip to know when your rights are being breached and when it’s 100% ok for the studio to do this.
This question relates more to not being credited in video games, but there’s also some information in there that might help you understand why you weren’t credited on a project that you spent a majority of your time on, and does it even matter?
This is quite possibly some of the best career advice you’ll ever get as an artist. Even David and Brent didn’t think of this one. Manny Fragelus gives a little tip on how to build relationships with recruiters that could mean the world for your career!
When it comes to entrepreneurship, it’s not just about burning the boats, quitting your job and going all in. This is a really great clip to listen to if you’re embarking on some kind of entrepreneurial endeavour. Manny Fragelus, CEO if CGMA shares what it took for him to start one of the best CGI learning platforms on the internet!
If you’ve listened to our conversation with Manny Fragelus podcast and all of these clips from the episode, you’ll know that personal branding has been brought up a LOT! We’re going to drive it home again, the importance of a personal brand, why you should have one, and how it’s going to help your career as an artist.
When’s the best time to start developing your own personal brand? The answer is right now! Yesterday, even! This is a great clip if you need some inspiration in kickstarting your own personal brand and why you should start asap!
A question was asked during our stream with Manny Fragelus about how to brand as a freelancer. The team get into a pretty lengthy discussion about the different types of branding and how you can use it to its fullest potential when freelancing.
When people think of branding, they usually think of a brand logo. But, that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Branding goes so much deeper than a pair of golden arches. Some great things to consider in this clip from our conversation with Manny Fragelus.
Do you think you need to be a creative genius in order to build a career on YouTube? The answer might not be what you think. In this clip, Manny Fragelus gives an example of someone he knows and how they have built a solid living off of producing videos on Youtube.
Manny is the founder and CEO of CG Master Academy, a leading online digital arts school that provides students from all over the world access to top-quality professionals that work at major studios such as Pixar, Disney, and Dreamworks Animation.
In this discussion, we'll discuss the rise of online education, the creation and operation of one of the most successful online schools in our industry, his view on the future of education in a post-pandemic world, and the evolution of the animation industry.
If you'd like to watch this episode you can find it here:
https://agora.community/content/a-conversation-with-manny-fragelus
Also, check out Agora.Community for daily content, free rigs, and assets, and order an animation review from one of our industry experts:
https://www.agora.community
Thanks for listening!
Do you see yourself sitting in the chair animating, modeling, rigging, compositing or whatever you do for the rest of your life? Even when you’re 60 years old? For a lot people the answer is no. If this is you, you should have an exit strategy. You should also listen to this clip to get some insight into how you can develop one.
When you finish your study, you may think you’re ready to get your first job in the industry. A lot of us know, that’s not always the case. There’s a simple mistake that a lot of grads make, and this is what it usually is!
Does your animation need to look good from all angles? Interesting question…it depends! Listen to this clip to know when it’s ok to break your rig and achieve a great pose to the camera, and when it’s not ok.
Background characters are an important part if any animated film or game. They bring life to every scene. But, how do you animate background characters without them overshadowing the main character in the scene?
In this clip from our Q&A session, David and brent answer the question, what exactly should go on a demo reel catered to Creature animation? If you’re considering a career in VFX, this is definitely one for you!
The standard walk cycle is a staple in your education as an animator. But once you’ve mastered the vanilla walk cycle, how do you punch it up with some personality? Listen in to hear David and Brent’s thoughts!
The age-old question! Do I block my animation in stepped or in spline? In this clip from our Q&A session, David and Brent give their personal experiences and advice on which method you should use, when you should use it and why!
In this episode of our Q & A sessions, David and Brent answer some great questions about what should your curves be when blocking, a personal question about if what they're doing now is what they envisioned for their lives, and how to animate walks with personality.
You can also check out our Agora Bites clips if you want to listen to a specific question from this episode!
Subscribe to our channel on whatever platform you listen on to receive updates when new episodes are posted and don't forget to head on over to agora.community and sign up for access to more free resources, animation reviews, and content. Thanks for listening!
Marc-Olivier runs Keos Masons, a company dedicated to providing high-end models for video games and more. If you’re interested in modeling, or an animator that wants to get more of an idea of what makes a good model, this Agora.Bite is for you!
Really going after your goals can mean a lot of sacrifices. You might need to put down the remote, or controller. Marc-Olivier has first-hand experience in this. However, you don’t have to sacrifice these things, but this is when you have to listen to and trust your gut.
Two key ingredients that make up the equation of getting employed. Some great thoughts in this clip. Listen and be inspired!
The greater the risk, the greater the reward. Marc gives his thoughts of risk vs. reward when starting a studio.
The craze has hit us, everyone should know what an NFT is by now, but if you don’t, have a listen to this clip and get listen to what our gang and Marc-Olivier think of this new phenomenon.
Crunch time, a thousand different projects going at once, or agreeing to a crazy amount of work for little pay. All of these things can push us to our absolute limits. Doesn’t sound like fun, does it? In this clip Marc-Olivier and the gang discuss that while it may not be recommended, there can be some valuable reasons to do this at least once in your life.
It’s no doubt that having a mentor, someone that has succeded in doing what you want to do, can be an absolute game changer. But, where do you find mentors? And when you find someone you’d like to mentor you, how do you approach them? There are some great insights in this clip from our conversation with Marc-Olivier Plouffe!
Marc-Olivier is a veteran character artist and co-founder of Keos Masons, an outsourcing company that provides character modeling and concept design services for the video game, movie, and collectible industries. With contributions to franchises such as Fortnite, Borderlands, the Elder Scroll, Rainbow 6, and Batman Arkham City to name a few, their rapid rise to success is undeniable.If you'd like to watch this episode you can find it here:
https://agora.community/content/a-conversation-with-marc-olivier-plouffe
Also, check out Agora.Community for daily content, free rigs, and assets, and order an animation review from one of our industry experts:
https://www.agora.community
Thanks for listening!
This is a double-headed question! David thinks it means an artist is unhappy on their current team and wants to switch. Do they contact HR? Brent takes it to mean the artist wants to join a particular studio. Listen to both of their answers!
A question was asked in our Q & A about what are the studios with the best working conditions? Have a listen to this clip to get an idea of what some good studios are and what to look out for when it comes to the best working conditions.
Games cinematics are pretty awesome, right? But how is the best way to get into cinematic animation? What are studios looking for in your reels? David and Brent give their best answers.
Body mechanics can be a tough one to come to grips with. If they are incorrect, anyone watching your animation will spot it. Here are some great ideas on what you can learn to help improve your body mechanic animation.
Imagine you are working on a project and it’s just broken. There are things happening in your scene that make it 10 times harder to animate. Do you start from scratch with a cleaner setup, or do you continue to fight with the issue until the work is done? David and Brent discuss their thoughts, because it can be a tricky one if you’re working in a large studio!
In this episode of our Q & A sessions, David and Brent answer some great questions about when is a good time to contact HR when considering changing teams, how do you improve your body mechanics and their thoughts on the best studio working conditions.
You can also check out our Agora Bites clips if you want to listen to a specific question from this episode!
Subscribe to our channel on whatever platform you listen on to receive updates when new episodes are posted and don't forget to head on over to agora.community and sign up for access to more free resources, animation reviews, and content. Thanks for listening!
If you are considering becoming a content creator, you may get some backlash from people you love. The key is, you have to trust yourself and that if it feels right, you should trust that. In this clip, Sir Wade discusses his own personal experience.
Sir Wade talks about starting his journey with little views to eventually building the following that he now has, and the surprising video that made all the difference.
Is it possible to be an introvert, but still start a Youtube channel? Believe it or not, Sir Wade considers himself a huge introvert, even though he has a great on-screen presence. Here he gives an insight on how he separates his on-screen self to his personal life.
It’s something that every content creator dreams of. Going viral! Having a video that gets shared amongst hundreds of thousands, even millions of people. But what is the key strategy? Or is there even a key strategy?
Did you know it’s estimated that most Americans are exposed to 4,000 to 10,000 ads PER DAY? When you’re building a brand, how do you keep yourself from falling into the dark side of social media and becoming click-baitey and annoying?
You’re constantly producing content, and not getting the responses you’d hoped for yet. How do you stay motivated to keep pushing through? Sir Wade gives his thoughts and opinions on how to keep your motivation going strong.
The life of a content creator, must glamourous! No one that you have to answer to immediately, you can schedule your own hours. Who wouldn’t want that? But have you ever considered the flip side to living this lifestyle? Sir Wade tells all!
Daniel Floyd is a professional animator and creator of the YouTube channel New Frame Plus, a series about the animation in video games, designed to help people better understand how game animation is created and what makes a game's animation great. It dives into fundamental animation principles, explain how individual games' animations were created and seek to better appreciate the technical and artistic skill involved in their creation.
During our discussion with Daniel, we will explore the mysteries of gameplay animation, his passion for it, what motivates him to share his passion knowledge on YouTube and how he sees the industry evolve in the next few years.
If you'd like to watch this episode you can find it here:
https://agora.community/content/a-conversation-with-sir-wade
Also, check out Agora.Community for daily content, free rigs, and assets, and order an animation review from one of our industry experts:
https://www.agora.community
Thanks for listening!
A career in any artistic industry can be fraught with moments of feeling uninsured and unmotivated. In this clip, the team gives their thoughts and experiences in staying motivated when pursuing a dream career in the arts.
Making your shots stand out can mean adding a little more than meets the eye to your animation. Subtext is what’s going on behind what your character is saying or doing. But how do you even start planning to add subtext into your shot?
David gives a brief overview of different places you can go when looking for work and reiterates some advice from previous “A Conversation With” episodes.
Just how many frames should a good animator be doing in a day? The answer might not be as straight forward as you had hoped!
Do you have multiple interests that you’d love to dive in and learn but only few hours in the day to do so? You’re not alone! Here’s some thoughts when it comes to multitasking pursuing multiple interests.
It’s all well and good to say “Make your animation shots memorable!” But how exactly do you do that? In this excerpt from our Q&A series, David and Brent give their opinions.
Recruiters have seen it all! Walk cycles, parkour shots, acting shots…how do you stand out among the sea of demo reels that land on recruiters’ desks every day?
Your instructor has told you that you need to start challenging yourself more with your animation. But how do you do that without biting off more than you can handle? David and Brent give their advice on how to challenge yourself with balance.
Brent gives some more advice for students that are getting ready to start their career in the animation industry.
If you’ve just graduated or are in your final year at an art school, here are some tips for you to consider when planning your entry into the animation industry!
In this Q & A episode, David and Brent tackle the evergrowing backlog of questions and also answer a few from the chat. Topics covered in this episode are
- How To Make Your Shots More Memorable
- Tips For Fresh Grads
- Adding subtext to your animation
and more!
You can also check out our Agora Bites clips if you want to listen to a specific question from this episode!
Subscribe to our channel on whatever platform you listen on to receive updates when new episodes are posted and don't forget to head on over to agora.community and sign up for access to more free resources, animation reviews, and content. Thanks for listening!
Daniel Floyd is a professional animator and creator of the YouTube channel New Frame Plus, a series about the animation in video games, designed to help people better understand how game animation is created and what makes a game's animation great. It dives into fundamental animation principles, explain how individual games' animations were created and seek to better appreciate the technical and artistic skill involved in their creation.
During our discussion with Daniel, we will explore the mysteries of gameplay animation, his passion for it, what motivates him to share his passion knowledge on YouTube and how he sees the industry evolve in the next few years.
If you'd like to watch this episode you can find it here:
https://agora.community/content/a-conversation-with-daniel-floyd
Also, check out Agora.Community for daily content, free rigs, and assets, and order an animation review from one of our industry experts:
https://www.agora.community
Thanks for listening!
We’re not talking about hammers and wrenches, but the artist's toolbelt! What do you have in there that will make you more attractive to potential employers? A super important thing to consider!
Where do you even begin when you decide that you’re going to start your own Youtube channel? What should your content be about? In this clip, Daniel Floyd gives his thoughts!
Wouldn’t it be great to get paid to create content about the things you love the most in life? Daniel Floyd gives his insight into being a professional YouTuber!
Ever wanted to know what really goes on when working in the gaming industry? Let’s take a little peek behind the curtain.
When reading contracts from a studio that has offered you a job, you might notice a clause in there that the studio has rights to anything you may create whilst in their employment. What does this mean and how do navigate this to keep your intellectual property?
Where does one even begin to learn animation on their own? In this answer from our Q&A, David and Brent talk about where they think the best place for a budding animator to start is.
A question was asked in our Q&A about how available someone should be for their studio. Is it ok to answer calls on the weekend or holidays?
Crunch time. It’s bound to happen. You’re going to be asked to put in some extra hours to get a project over the finish line. But what if you have other responsibilities? Have a listen to this clip to learn about setting boundaries when it comes to overtime.
When you interview for a position or even get accepted for a position, you’re most likely going to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement. This is what they are, and this is what you should know!
Studio politics. If you’ve been in the industry long enough, surely, you’ve heard of them…perhaps even been part of them. This is a good one to listen to learn how studio politics could affect your day-to-day work environment.
It keeps coming up in a lot of conversations and Q & A’s, but here it is again to reinforce just how important the fundamentals are if you want to become a great animator!
In our 7th Q&A session some very interesting topics came up such as, is it ok for a studio to contact you after hours, setting boundaries when it comes to overtime, and is it possible for studio politics to affect your work. Plus more!
You can also check out our Agora Bites clips if you want to listen to a specific question from this episode!
Don't forget to head on over to agora.community and sign up for access to more free resources, animation reviews and content. Thanks for listening!
Maya 2022 has a package that will allow you to draw in VR, BUT, will we ever get to a stage where we’ll manipulate characters and animate in a 3D environment while in VR? Listen to the gang’s thoughts!
Do you want to be a game animator, but don’t know what you should put on your demo reel. The Agora team and Harvey Newman have some good insights for you!
Harvey was asked if someone needs to be a gamer in order to get a job as a game animator. A good clip to listen to if you’ve been asking yourself the same thing.
In this bite, Harvey Newman talks about the gaming industry and why, even with all of its advancements in the last 60 odd years, it’s still young.
Currently an Animation Director at Build A Rocket Boy, Harvey is an experience Game Developer with 18 years experience and numerous AAA shipped titles such as Battlefront, Horizon Zero Dawn, Battlefield, Warhammer and more. His YouTube channel is a great resource for Animation Tips and Tricks, Interviews, Live Streams and the occasional tech review.
In this discussion, we'll discuss video games and the gaming industry in general, gameplay animation, his passion for content creation, what drove him to create a YouTube channel 2 years ago, personal branding and much more.
.If you'd like to watch this episode you can find it here:
https://agora.community/content/a-conversation-with-harvey-newman
Also, check out Agora.Community for daily content, free rigs, and assets, and order an animation review from one of our industry experts:
https://www.agora.community
Thanks for listening!
In this bite, Harvey Newman answers a question from a chat member on whether or not they should start their games industry career in cinematics.
In this clip, Harvey talks about being a content creator, and why it needs to be done for the fun of it.
During our conversation with Harvey Newman, he was asked is VR the future of gaming. His response may shock you!
It can happen after a long period of time, that things can start to feel stagnant, and you start to question if what you are currently doing is right. Some great pieces of life advice from Brent and Scott in this clip from our Q & A.
Working isn’t usually where most people aspire to being. The schedules are tight and conditions sometimes not that great. Not all most cases, but some. However, there are certain things we can learn from working in television that shouldn’t be underestimated.
Being skilled in multiple areas of the animation industry is definitely a bonus. But should you include these in your demo reel? Have a listen Brent and Scott’s advice to see if you should or you shouldn’t.
Are studios no longer talking to you? Did you make a really bad impression? You could be on the dreaded blacklist. What is it? Does it exist? And how do you get off of it?
Should you present your work in a way that will draw the attention of recruiters and people in the departments that will make the decision on if you get hired? Yes…and no. Listen to this clip from our Q & A to find out if you should or shouldn’t?
It’s our job to make things move on screen, but how do you actually make characters feel ALIVE? Some really good little gems in this clip from our Q & A with Brent and Scott.
In this Q & A we have special guest star, Scott the Agora.community social media manager. Some amazing questions and topics popped up in this Q & A session and well worth its run time.
You can also check out our Agora Bites clips if you want to listen to a specific question from this episode!
Don't forget to head on over to agora.community and sign up for access to more free resources, animation reviews and content. Thanks for listening!
Most of us have experienced this at one stage in our lives, and if you haven’t, count yourself lucky. You’ve been working away for hours on something only to have the power go out and you lose all of that work. In this clip Brent and Scott discuss the best ways to back up your work to save hours of your life from going down the drain.
In this Q & A, a question came up on is there a formula to finding the line of action. Interesting question. Brent has some great information on what the line of action is, the different types and when they are typically used. Also a couple of resources for you to check out to learn more.
When you start a new shot and perhaps it’s not working, how do you know when to stop and change direction?
As an artist, it's hard not to let anxiety creep into our minds. In this clip, Ted Ty talks about the different types of anxiety he's noticed in the industry and how to help combat them within yourself, and your peers.
It can happen that things get overwhelming for an artist on a project. Sometimes a shot may get taken away from you. In this clip from our conversation with Ted Ty he explains why it's ok, and what you need to keep in mind if this has happened to you!
Ted Ty and the team discuss the all too commonly known burnout and where the industry fails in keeping it at bay. Brent also raises a good point about the difference between working hard for the greater good and just getting the project done.
In our conversation with Ted Ty, he's asked what advice he'd go back and give to his younger self. After a long pause, he says 'Relax'. He then goes on to break down what his definition of relaxing is...it's not what most people would think!
In our Conversation With Ted Ty we discuss how your attitude at work can affect your career. Nobody wants to work with a jerk, so try not to be one! Ted shares his process on hiring artists and the background checks he does when considering a new team member.
Ted has over 30 years of experience at the feature animation level. He has animated on 20 feature films and is now Global Head of Character Animation, Feature Animation at DNEG. His CG credits include "How to Train your Dragon 2 ", "Rise of the Guardians" and "Kung Fu Panda" among others. Before arriving at Dreamworks, he spent over 10 years at Walt Disney Feature Animation Florida doing traditional animation and worked on films such as "Mulan", "The Lion King" and "Lilo and Stitch" where he served as a Lead Animator.
He is a graduate of the CalArts Character Animation program where he was the senior animation instructor for 5 consecutive years. He has spoken around the world about animation and is also a Master Teacher and National Panelist at YoungArts Foundation as well as a regular lecturer at renowned CTN Expo.
We will discuss about his experience in the industry, how it evolved over time, teaching to the new generation of animators, how mentor and to be a source of inspiration for your team, how to deal with anxiety as a professional artist and if we have time.... we might also talk about his passion for ice hockey and martial arts.
.If you'd like to watch this episode you can find it here:
https://agora.community/content/a-conversation-with-ted-ty
Also, check out Agora.Community for daily content, free rigs, and assets, and order an animation review from one of our industry experts:
https://www.agora.community
Thanks for listening!
We’re going through a huge change in the industry thanks to the global pandemic. It’s been proven that artists are capable of working remotely, and for some, they find it more beneficial to their workflow. Listen to David and Brent’s thoughts on why studios should adapt to a hybrid work environment.
In this Q & A session, David and Brent answer some great questions to help you in your career. Topics such as negotiating salary, how to approach recruiters and is it worth taking a lower pay for the experience you'll gain?
You can also check out our Agora Bites clips if you want to listen to a specific question from this episode!
Don't forget to head on over to agora.community and sign up for access to more free resources, animation reviews and content. Thanks for listening!
What is the best way to approach recruiters without coming off too pushy or needy? Remember, recruiters are super busy and have a lot of positions to fill. David and Brent give the best advice on how to handle these situations.
A question that’s asked way too often! How do I gain experience if studios are only looking for experienced artists?
You’ve been talking to a recruiter or you’ve applied for a position and then you wait for the email to appear in your inbox offering you the job. How long should you wait for that email before you reach out again? Listen here to David and Brent’s advice.
Self-Doubt, anxiety, imposter syndrome. It’s hard not to experience this at least one time in our lives as artists. This is a good one to listen to if you currently find yourself in this kind of situation.
A good question! How do you negotiate your salary when applying to a studio in another country? David and Brent give their best answers.
Should you take a pay cut if the project your applying for will give you good experience, or a project you dream of working on? David recounts his own personal experience when answering this question!
In this bite-size piece of gold from our conversation with Simon Otto, he discusses his process of finding creativity within his scenes.
Simon Otto is a Swiss film director and animator. He is best known for working as the Head of Character Animation of the Oscar-nominated How to Train Your Dragon film trilogy for DreamWorks Animation.
In this episode, we chat about his background as a traditional animator, the transition from 2D to 3D, the decade long period of his career dedicated to How to Train your Dragon trilogy as animation director, character behaviors, animation workflow, design, leadership, and his current aspirations.If you'd like to watch this episode you can find it here:
https://agora.community/content/a-conversation-with-simon-otto
Also, check out Agora.Community for daily content, free rigs and assets, and order an animation review from one of our industry experts:
https://www.agora.community
Thanks for listening!
A question was asked to Simon Otto about “How do I stand out as an artist when there is so much talent coming through the ranks?”. Simon gives a very positive and uplifting answer to help anyone stand out among the crowd.
In the industry, it’s hard not to get pulled under by demanding deadlines, constant feedback and even your shot getting removed from the final product. In this clip, Simon Otto talks about negativity and why you should try to avoid it at all costs.
A lot of us have that dream studio. The dream project that we want to work more than anything. Simon Otto talks about his journey and while it’s ok to have that one goal, don’t let it blind you to other opportunities that may come your way.
What’s the deal when a studio says they’ll get back to you by a certain time, and yet they don’t? It’s ok, just relax and have a listen to this clip from our Q & A session to find out why!
Ugh…office politics…something we can definitely all do without. Have a listen to David and Brent’s thoughts on Politics in a studio environment.
In this Q & A session, someone from the chat has a question about how they can fix their destructive workflow.
A question that will continue to be asked for the rest of time! Are 2D Skills necessary. David and Brent give their opinions on how 2D skills can help you grow as a 3D artist.
In this Q & A session, David and Brent cover topics such as how to fix a destructive workflow, what happens when a studio doesn't get back to when they say they will, politics in the studio, and whether or not 2D skills are needed to be a 3D Arist.
You can also check out our Agora Bites clips if you want to listen to a specific question from this episode!
Don't forget to head on over to agora.community and sign up for access to more free resources, animation reviews and content. Thanks for listening!
Being a leader means you’ll be working with animators of different levels in their animation journey. David Gibson gives some great advice for what should happen when someone on your team is struggling, and why you shouldn’t be upset if this is you.
Management and leadership sound like the same thing, but there are definitely some differences between them when it comes to a production. David Gibson gives his thoughts on both.
Leaders are expected to lead a team over the finish line with great success…but what happens when a leader doesn’t have all of the answers? Listen to why sometimes being vulnerable is one of the best assets a leader can have.
During the Q & A with David Gibson, a question was asked “How well do you know your character before animating”. Have a listen to his answer!
David Gibson has worked over a variety of disciplines from film to games. In this clip from our conversation, he talks about the differences between each.
David has been animating professionally for 16 years. Previous to his Lead Animator position at Riot Games, he was part of Overwatch animation team at Blizzard and shipped Evolve as Supervising Animator. Prior to working in games, David animated on Feature and VFX films such as Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs, Enchanted, Charlotte's Web, Arthur Christmas, Spider Wick Chronicles, oh...and Beverly Hills Chihuahua!
We will discuss his unique professional experience in both games and animated feature, the challenges of working in big studios and some of his own personal projects, like mentoring animators online and making video games.
If you'd like to watch this episode you can find it here:
https://agora.community/content/a-conversation-with-david-gibson
Also, check out Agora.Community for daily content, free rigs and assets, and order an animation review from one of our industry experts:
https://www.agora.community
Thanks for listening!
A very spicy question got thrown David and Brent’s way on their thoughts of office romances. They are bound to happen, some studios studios don’t allow it for some very obvious reasons that they could go south and disrupt the production. An interesting clip to listen to!
Some days on the job can be a drag. We’ve all faced times when we just don’t feel motivated to perform. What are some ways to overcome this? Some good advice in this clip!
Anyone that is a lead, thinking of becoming a lead, or in a higher position should take a listen to this clip about how David and Brent run their teams. It’s always good to hear other people’s approaches to leadership.
We all want to get promoted at some point in our careers, but how? In this clip David and Brent give their best advice, but also throw back the question of “Why do you want to become a lead?” Interesting….
Have you ever come across an entry level artist that just seems to have a little bit too much of a high ego? David and Brent discuss how to handle these personalities with their own thoughts and also a little anecdote from Brent.
In the third episode of our Q&A series with David and Brent, the dynamic duo answers the following questions:
- How do I become a lead?
- What's your opinion about office romances?
- How do you lead your team?
- How do you handle entry-level animators with a high level of ego?
- Do you ever feel unmotivated when working and if so how do you keep motivated?
You can also check out our Agora Bites clips if you want to listen to a specific question from this episode!
Don't forget to head on over to agora.community and sign up for access to more free resources, animation reviews and content. Thanks for listening!
Enjoy!
A question that was posed in our previous conversation with J. D. Haas is asked again to a different industry pro. In this clip, see if their advice is the same!
Andrew was asked a question, “As a junior, what advice do you have for demo reels?” Here is some great advice from someone who's spent 25 years of their career working at one of the biggest animation studios there is.. Plus some other little nuggets of gold to consider when getting into the animation industry!
Andrew Gordon talks about the Pixar Brain Trust and his thoughts on how beneficial they can be to the creative process.
One of the followers from our social accounts posed Andrew the question of “How do I create a more collaborative culture within the workplace?” A great question. Hear what Andrew’s thoughts are about this in this clip.
Andrew Gordon spent a majority of his career at Pixar, and deciding to leave was an exciting and scary experience. In this clip, Andrew gives his advice on the mental and emotional journey of exploring different career paths.
Take a little trip back in time to hear about how Pixar was in its infancy of becoming one of the greatest animation studios in the world! A fun little history lesson from Andrew Gordon.
In this clip from our conversation with Andrew Gordon, he talks about the pain that can be involved with creating an amazing piece of animation.
Andrew has more than 25 years of experience in feature animation at Pixar and additional years at Warner Bros., DNEG, and Cinesite as head of animation. He has an impressive credit list that includes many prestigious animated blockbusters such as ‘Ratatouille’, ‘Monsters University, ‘Toy Story’, ‘Finding Nemo’, ‘Cars’, and ‘The Incredibles 1 & 2’ to name a few.
We’ll discuss Pixar’s early days and how it was to be a CG character animator in the 90s. His experience working with legendary directors such as Brad Bird, Andrew Stanton, Pete Doctor and John Lasseter. Pixar’s culture in general, his departure from the studio and current ambitions for the future.
If you'd like to watch this episode you can find it here:
https://agora.community/content/a-conversation-with-andrew-gordon
Also, check out Agora.Community for daily content, free rigs and assets, and order an animation review from one of our industry experts:
https://www.agora.community
Thanks for listening!
In this clip from our Q & A session, Brent talks heavily about why programmers get tested more than animators and what you should really be mindful of when being interviewed.
You may have heard the term ‘technical animator’, but what exactly is a technical animator and what is the difference from a regular animator? Also, why you'll definitely get a job if you think you're a technical animator!
Animation tests. Are they still around and are they really necessary? Listen to the gang’s thoughts on this topic of why studios may still be asking for you to complete an animation test for them.
Did a studio give you a test and then get asked for an interview? Well, that’s a good sign! How should you prepare for this interview with a studio that seems interested?
Did you party a little too hard on the weekend and have incriminating evidence blasted across Facebook? How mindful should we be of our social media accounts when applying for a job?
We all have access to great learning material in this digital age, so how exactly can an animation artist stand out amongst the crowd of so many other talented artists? Find out in this clip.
In this clip from our Q & A session, the gang talks about what differentiates the two types of programmers that you’ll find in any given studio. Handy to know if you want to be a programmer and what direction to head in!
A question that gets asked all too often. Do you need contacts to get into the industry, and if so, how do you get those contacts?
It’s often asked if motion capture will eventually replace keyframe animation. We discussed this very issue in our conversation with J.D. Haas. In this clip, the team re-enforces how you can use mocap to become a better animator!
We want to make our demo reels as appealing as possible for the studios we are applying to, but how much do we really need to put on them? It is important to include quadruped animation?
In the second episode of our Q&A series with David and Brent, the dynamic duo answers the following questions:
- How important is it to have a quadruped animation on your reel?
- Will learning motion capture acting and creature work help me become a better animator?
- Do you need connections/recommendations to help you get into the industry?
- What differentiates an animation programmer from a gameplay programmer?
- How can I develop unique skills and quality to stand out?
- How mindful should we be about studios doing an in-depth social media search on us when considering you for a job?
- What are some tips or advice to prepare me for an interview after completing a test?
- What do you think about animation tests at the point of getting hired?
- What is the difference between a technical animator and a regular animator?
You can also check out our Agora Bites clips if you want to listen to a specific question from this episode!
Don't forget to head on over to agora.community and sign up for access to more free resources, animation reviews and content. Thanks for listening!
Enjoy!
Revisions. We all get them, and depending on what field of animation you work in, you may get 100 of them. In our conversation with J.D. Haas, the team talk about the right mindset to help you push through another revision.
J.D. was asked if he thought mocap would eventually take over keyframe animation. His answer is a flat out "No". The team then go on to discuss mocap and how it can actually help make you a better animator!
"Surely you just push a button and it moves?" How many times have we heard this and many other misconceptions about what we do in our day to day jobs? In this fun little clip J.D. Haas and the team talk about some of the misconceptions they've heard!
We are definitely living in a new normal. It's been proven that artists can work from home, and some even preferring this, or wanting a hybrid lifestyle. What does J.D. Haas think the future of WFH is going to be? Find out in this clip.
Full-time positions in the animation industry. Do they exist? And if so, how and where do I get this elusive Golden Ticket? Find out in this sound bite from our conversation with J.D. Haas.
J.D. Haas and the gang discuss how animation may not be for everyone. Listen to this bite to find out why!
In this clip from our conversation with J.D. Haas the team ask him if he had any advice to his younger self when getting into the industry, what would it be?
A conversation with Jean-Denis Haas, associate animation supervisor at ILM, a teacher at Animation Mentor, Spungella Animation Workshop, and the Academy of Art University here in San Francisco. We'll get his perspective on the state of the industry, its evolution over time, where it's going, his experience as an animator in VFX for more than 17 years at ILM, his teaching experience at Animation Mentor, and is one of the most prolific content creators of our industry.
Check out his YouTube Channel here:
https://www.youtube.com/c/JeanDenisHaas/featured
And if you'd like to watch this episode you can find it here:
https://agora.community/content/a-conversation-with-jean-denis-haas
ALso check out Agora.Community for daily content, free rigs and assets, and order an animation review from one of our industry experts:
https://www.agora.community
Thanks for listening!
Overtime is a common thing in our industry. In this clip from our first Q & A session, David and Brent discuss if overtime is really worth it, given how our productivity declines the longer we work.
Don't forget to head on over to agora.community to watch the full episode and also sign up for access to more free resources, animation reviews and content. Thanks for listening!
In this clip from our first Q & A session, David and Brent talk about getting into the industry if you don't have good acting or lip sync skills and if they are really that essential.
Don't forget to head on over to agora.community to watch the full episode and also sign up for access to more free resources, animation reviews and content. Thanks for listening!
In this clip from our first Q & A session, David and Brent talk about the learning process of animation and just how long it may take to become good enough to start getting employed.
Don't forget to head on over to agora.community to watch the full episode and also sign up for access to more free resources, animation reviews and content. Thanks for listening!
In this clip from our first Q & A session, David and Brent give some ideas about what it takes to become a good animator.
Don't forget to head on over to agora.community to watch the full episode and also sign up for access to more free resources, animation reviews and content. Thanks for listening!
In this clip from our first Q & A session, Brent talks about video game animation and how to animate characters interacting with each other.
Don't forget to head on over to agora.community to watch the full episode and also sign up for access to more free resources, animation reviews and content. Thanks for listening!
In this clip from our first Q & A session, David and Brent talk about how feedback from your lead, supervisor, or director doesn't necessarily mean you're an incompetent animator!
Don't forget to head on over to agora.community to watch the full episode and also sign up for access to more free resources, animation reviews and content. Thanks for listening!
In this clip from our first Q & A session, David and Brent talk about the red flags that you as an employee should look out for when interviewing for a studio.
Don't forget to head on over to agora.community to watch the full episode and also sign up for access to more free resources, animation reviews and content. Thanks for listening!
In this clip from our first Q & A session, David and Brent give some more ideas about the interview process and any questions they may ask to see if you really know what you're talking about!
Don't forget to head on over to agora.community to watch the full episode and also sign up for access to more free resources, animation reviews and content. Thanks for listening!
In this clip from our first Q & A session, David and Brent give some ideas about the interview process and any questions they may ask to see if you really know what you're talking about!
The first episode in our weekly series of Q & A live streams with David and Brent. In these episodes, the duo answer questions from our chat and backlog of unanswered questions from the 'Conversation With' streams.
This episode contains questions such as
- What does it take to be a good animator?
- Is overtime worth it?
- What are some employer red flags?
You can also check out our Agora Bites clips if you want to listen to a specific question from this episode!
Don't forget to head on over to agora.community and sign up for access to more free resources, animation reviews and content. Thanks for listening!
In this clip from our Meet The Expert chat with Amaru Zeas, he answers a question from chat about will the new processes in technology eventually replace the need for artists?
In this clip from our Meet The Expert chat with Amaru Zeas, he answers a question from the chat about where to start when learning Unreal Engine.
In this clip from our 'Meet The Expert' episode with Amaru Zeas, he and Brent answer a question from the chat about staying out of the rabbit hole of information that is suggested content on streaming services.
In our Meet The Expert episode with Amaru Zeas, he explains to us the vastly growing technology of Megascans and creating assets for Unreal Engine.
In our Conversation With Samantha Youssef, she touches upon how important it is to physically understand your reference. You might not be a pro skateboarder, you're not expected to know how to do a flip, but at least get out of your chair and strike a pose to understand kinetically what is going on behind the shape!
Aka: Why 2D is still so relevant! In our conversation with Samantha Youssef, the gang talked about the fundamentals of 2d animation and classic art skills and why they are still so important in an industry that is predominantly 3D.
In our conversation with Samantha Youssef, she touches upon her experience with feelings of frustration when she saw people in higher positions that she felt she was technically better than and what you need to realize when those feelings crop up.
In this clip from our conversation with Samantha Youssef, she discusses how animation really is a team sport. Samantha relates how she would sometimes get upset with the feedback she'd receive until she realised this very important point when being on a team.
In our conversation with Samantha Youssef, we asked if she had any advice on students who are about to graduate. Watch the video for her response with a little bonus tip at the end!
Amaru Zeas is a prolific Senior Level 3D artist working at Amazon Game Studios (please see below for links to his amazing work!).
Amaru has just finished a beautiful short film "Life Hunter" https://www.artstation.com/artwork/J9qxav and is currently finishing an Agora Learning Path, where he'll be sharing with you his process for producing such high fidelity cinematics inside Unreal Engine 4. The Learning Path will cover topics such as: Look Development, Lighting, Rendering and VFX.
Come hang out with this amazingly talented individual!
https://twitter.com/AmaruZeas3D
https://www.amaruzeas3d.com/
https://www.artstation.com/amaruzeas
https://www.behance.net/amaru3d
Samantha is the founder and Artistic Director of Studio Technique. She is the creator of The Youssef Drawing Syllabus, an elite figurative drawing program for professional artists. She is the author of the book Movement & Form, the first volume of her three part drawing program.
Due to her experience in both the animation and dance industries, Samantha is internationally recognized as a leading authority on functional anatomy, body mechanics, and animation performance in the feature film industry and consults on blockbuster film productions, as well as AAA titles in the gaming industry, across North America and Europe.
She has worked as a character animator for Walt Disney Animation Studios, as well as other feature film productions. She directed cinematic sequences and commercials at Ubisoft Digital Arts, and is an award winner at the Toronto International Film Festival for her animated short film La Fuga Grande Film and gaming animation studios employ her to train their artists, and she has done masterclasses for animation studios and colleges around the world. Samantha has been featured in the media, including Chatelaine Magazine, Musique Plus, and Wired Magazine, among other publications, interviews and documentaries.