Think about the most compelling characters in animation- Woody, Simba, even Mr. Incredible - we see the wonder, pain, joy come through on their faces. We connect, relate, and root for them. Good on-camera actors know how to do this. And as we all know, animating IS acting. We want to distill the moment, bring out the personalities, frailties, eccentricities of our characters. Like Frank and Ollie said, we want to create “the illusion of life."
Whether the creature is an animal or a human, single shot or a sequence of shots, having the skills and tools of an on-camera actor is what will bring your animation to "infinity and beyond." Whether you are making your own reference, or animating your scene under deadline, these classes can take your animators from technicians to storytellers.
All workshops or consulting options are customizable. See what workshop fits you or your company's needs.
This session is designed to give the animator a tour around their own face. I’ll supply the tools and show them how to locate, isolate, activate specific facial muscle groups in order to elicit certain feelings. In doing so, the animator can experience, first hand, what emotions feel like in the body, sound like in the voice and look like on their face.
Emotion Building takes the animator through the whole emotion building process. From the onset (trigger) to the response (emotional state) to the recovery and all points in between.
This course isn’t about dredging up or dwelling on past events. it’s about combining science with imagination.
In this session, the animator will gain the tools and information needed to analyze and interpret storyboards, previz, voice tracks, and/or direction to clarify the intent of the shot. These skills can be used to create better reference for the shots and to determine the cadence of the action, facial or otherwise.
This is project-specific. Here I work with small groups or 1 on 1 to build character or develop personality through facial expression. Consultation packages also available.
... creating interesting and unique characters or a useful and inspiring reference, starts with knowing what the emotional muscle groups look and feel like on your own face and how to activate them and then reveal them with the appropriate timing, intensity and duration.
Format: Lecture/Class exercises Venue: In studio or Zoom Class Duration: 1/2 day
Based on Ekman and Friesen's FACS, this session is designed to give the animator a tour around their own face. I’ll supply the tools and show them how to locate, isolate, activate specific facial muscle groups in order to elicit certain feelings. In doing so, the animator can experience, first hand, what emotions feel like in the body, sound like in the voice and look like on their face. We will also touch on how to create a truthful response. This introductory session to emotions and emotional facial expression is the first step the animator takes down the path towards learning how to make the inner emotional connection and express it outwardly, on your face.
Format: Lecture/Class exercises Venue: In studio or Zoom Class Duration: 1/2 day This session can be combined with MEET YOUR FACE for Full Day
Using what we have learned in the Meet Your Face Session, Emotion Building takes the animator through the whole emotion building process. From the onset (trigger) to the response (emotional state) to the recovery and all points in between. This course isn’t about dredging up or dwelling on past events. it’s about combining science with imagination. I will also cover:
Knowing how to analyze and interpret material and/or direction is a vital skill and what often separates technicians from storytellers. It guides the animator in and out of any shot or sequence, gives clarity to what the shot is about and lays a path not only to the big moments, but all the smaller, more intimate moments as well.
Format: Lecture/Class exercises: Full-Day or 2 - 1/2 Days (This is a follow-up to either Finding the Emotion On Your Face or The Emotional Facial Experience workshops.) Note: This class is not film or project-specific.
The life of an emotion- how to evoke an emotion and guide it through the body, voice and face.
How to find all the emotions in a scene and determine which ones are best for telling the story
Click the box below to set up a time to discuss your needs and to determine how we can be of service.
Format: Small groups or 1 on 1 Duration: TBD
Working with animators, animation director, MoCap Director or modeler to build character or develop personality through facial expression. Customizable work can include:
Check out the Acting: Face to Face Series. Both books are now available in digital and paperback. Acting: Face to Face Book 1 is now an audiobook as well!
"These books are worth their weight in gold!"
GO TO BOOK STORE!50% Complete
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