Building the Next Pixar

Some of Pixar's most illustrious alums, steeped for decades in Pixar's potent creative culture, reveal how they apply the company's philosophies of success to their own ventures--and you can, too.



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Stylizing Animation By Example-evolution of animation

When people ask you "where do you think animation is going", what do you say? I am always at a loss. What is the next big thing, where can it be taken. Pixar has dominated the story aspect of animated movies, exploring new looks and styles as well. Inside the Mind looks really cool, and looks to push different styles as well.
Check out the rendering techniques being played with over at Pixar. Simply amazing. Paper Man was revolutionary, but this just blows my mind!

WATCH VIDEO

Brittney Lee-Frozen Concept Artist

Amazing work. Not much to say but go check out her Blog! http://britsketch.blogspot.com/

Ryan Woodard

Again, I hit GOLD in Pinterest!I First I found Flooby Nooby-http://floobynooby.blogspot.com/
which led me to Ryan Woodards website and AMAZING 2d animation. I know, I am behind the time on the greats, but his character design is one thing, but his lines of action and flow just blew my mind! I cant stop watching his animation! Simply amazing! And check out his app, Bottom of the Ninth. I haven't downloaded it yet, but will do a write up later.

Ryan Woodards Website

And if you havent seen his viral video, "Thought of You", its a must watch!

Bottom of the Ninth:

Davis/Kahl Disney links on acting

Carlos Baena has some great videos ad insight from Milt Kahl. I can write more, but just go to his sight and check it out!


http://www.carlosbaena.com/2013/07/daviskahl-disney-links-on-acting/

JUSTICE MAGAZINE

Ok, so this is not really a Animation topic, but is still really awesome! Having worked on DC Universe Online, and being a die hard comic collector(over 5k in my back room), gotta love this magazine covers! Enjoy!
http://artgerm.deviantart.com/gallery/?offset=0

Don Bluth Productions-Youtube Gold

Theres days where I feel like I hit the jackpot, just trolling Youtube. I found Don Bluth has his own channel, with numerous tutorials and tidbits. I just let the channel run all day while I was animating. So shut off your damn Pandora or what ever music your listening to, and just take a listen!

Don Bluth Production Youtube Channel

Artist Profile: Genevieve Tsai

Pinterest never ts to amazing me. Today I found the art of Genevieve Tsai. Simply amazing! Her work is amazing. I love her charactures and how she can capture a story in one image. New fan favorite of mine!
Make sure to check out here blog!

GENEVIEVE TSAI

PINTEREST-your best friend!

So jumping back into animation, one of the best tools I found? Pintrest! Anything you need, its there, concepts, sketches, reference, etc. Every morning starts with a cup of coffee and at least 15 mintues on Pintrest for inspiration or reference. 

Here is my Pintrest, but its barley scratches the surface. http://www.pinterest.com/michaeldaubvert/

Also, here is a new artist that I have fallen in love with, amazing work and great advice for character design.

Kelli Bort has an article in FACILITY Magazine that breaks down her creative process.

For the full article, go to the online magazine,
FACILITY MAGAZINE.

Best Maya Plugins for Animation

MAYA PLUGINS

Creative Bloq (http://www.creativebloq.com/) has a great list of plugins for Maya that every animator should know about. I personaly love Blue-Pencil and cant not live without my TweenMachine.

Hope these help!

http://www.thinkboxsoftware.com/krakatoa/

http://mgland.com/MGtools_en.html

http://www.graphite9.com/MayaDownloads.html

http://area.autodesk.com/bonus_tools

http://www.basefount.com/miarmy

http://www.justinanimator.com/mel-tweenMachine.php

http://www.creativecrash.com/maya/script/shotview

https://www.facebook.com/AdvancedSkeleton

http://www.animationrigs.com/register.asp?navaction=tools

http://zurbrigg.com/blue-pencil
http://www.creativecrash.com/maya/script/arc-tracker

[the films of] Pixar Animation Studios

Great little compilation of the best of the best from Pixar. Sure, its a bit outdated, but wow...still gives me goosebumps! Enjoy!

HAPPY NEWYEAR! 

Great way to start 2014 is a nice little find, using the Source Film Maker!

Art Direction: The belly of the beast

One of the hardest part of my past job at Sony was managing multiple art directors over multiple games, all with different personalities, culture, and styles. Not to mention each game was completely different then the others. There was an article on Gamasutra that was passed on to me by a peer that really helped me stay motivated and work through some tough situations I found myself in.Wanted to share and hope it helps!
Art Direction: A Touching Story
Art direction is the communication between an original designer and the executor of the design. It's not the design process, and it's not the final design's execution. This month, we'll peek at the perils and delights of game art direction.

For example, let's say you want a portrait of your pet lizard. Your idea is to put the lizard on a nice branch with a desert scene as a backdrop (that's the design). You hire a professional photographer to actually take the photograph. You spend 15 minutes explaining how you want the shot to look and drawing a simple layout sketch (that's art direction). The photographer sets up the shot, takes some prints, and shows them to you (that's art execution). You provide criticism and ask the photographer to retake the shot (that's art direction).

Now that we have an idea of the scope of art direction, let's look at how it works in the game industry (obviously, this is a fictional story).
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Best of: Behind the Scenes-Animated Films

ITSARTMAG has a great compilation of some of the best "Behind the Scenes" of the best animated films of 2013! Great way to end the year by watching the best of the best! Enjoy!

BEST BEHIND THE SCENE VIDEOS

2013-Best Student Films

Merry Christmas!
Hope 2014 brings you joy, laughter, and as much passion your cup can hold!
Here is 2013 best student films, just to keep the passion going!

Click here for 2013 Student Films

Frozen-Olaf the Snowman gag

Riot Games-JINX music video

Gotta check out the latest video from Riot Games-League of Legends. AMAZING ANIMATION!

The Ultimate Animation Tutorial

Who needs to go to school for animation? These days its all automated, push a couple buttons, IK, FK Instant RIG, etc...its that easy! Watch this video and learn the secrets that would cost you thousands of dollars at Art School... Don't believe me?Animation Tutorial

Animation Intro

Welcome everyone to Animation Blitz, a great place for animation reference, tutorials, and really cool shit!
Lets start this off the right way. Just came back from Despicable Me 2...loved it! There really is no story, and the flow is all over the place. But as an animator, it was just a blast to watch how far they pushed the poses and slap stick comedy. And I LOVE MINIONS! A must see!
Despicable Me