VIRTUAL ANIMATORS announces: CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT - CHARACTER DESIGN and CHARACTER ANIMATION webinars.
http://www.virtualanimators.com/index.php/master-lecture-series/webinar-series

FOUR DIFFERENT WEBINARS OF ONE HOUR PER WEEK DURING 12 WEEKS. DESIGNED TO INSTRUCT AN ENTIRE PROGRAM IN EACH CATEGORY. INSTRUCTION BEGINS, AUGUST 2013, DATE AND TIME TO BE ANNOUNCED.
SPACE IS LIMITED. ENROLL NOW

Concept Development and Environmental Design - Sean Sullivan
http://vimeo.com/69677194
This course will teach you how to establish environmental concepts using perspective rules. The workshop takes you step-by-step to the creation of conceptual designs environments and cityscape sketches and comps.


Character Design - Len Simon
http://lensimon.com/
http://vimeo.com/59364221
This course focuses on techniques to design characters and the creative process to achieve the desired goals. You will understand the concepts of clarity and shape variation, and other important principles and elements of design. As a character designer you are the casting director. You will learn how to design characters with and approach to Feature animated films and animated television productions.

Character Animation 1 - Jeff Schanz
http://vimeo.com/70262650
This course will introduce you to the study of traditional Principles of Animation. These principles were developed in the 1930's at the Walt Disney studios to make animation, especially character animation, more realistic and entertaining. These principles will be applied to the learning of animation as 3D computer animation. The learning plan includes short cuts and techniques on how to animate using 3D models in Maya, which is the software of choice for animation.

Character Animation 2 - with Kathy Zielinski
http://vimeo.com/59988146
http://vimeo.com/69677194
This course is designed for animators with previous animation experience. For those who understand the Principles of Animation but want to advanced their understanding on how to breathe life into the characters with personality, creating the illusion of thought, emotion by depicting actions that are driven by the character's emotions and idiosyncrasies. This course teaches concepts and techniques using 3D models in Maya, which is the software of choice for animation. ** Please submit a reel to demonstrate such proficiency and to receive the approval of the course instructor to be enrolled.

Registration closes tonight at 12AM PST for our Master Lecture with David Block! He is an animator who has worked on many animated features. David has refined his acting skills and will show you how to do your preliminary homework before you start animating a scene!

He has presented this lecture at many established art schools and just recently at Disney Feature Animation!

Learn from the best! Be sure to sign up and register soon!

http://t.co/8Blt4bJJzE

Disney animator, James Lopez, is such a fan of the 1974 Disneyland attraction "America Sings" that he’s taken the soundtrack and has been spending his spare time – over a ten year period – creating a private 2D version of it.

Here’s his work-in-progress. It’s partially in pencil, but well worth a watch!


http://vimeo.com/45136294

June is just around the corner! Virtual Animators is proud to present this next months line up of talented, reputable artists in the business. 

Presenting for your instruction!!

Lead Animator for Disney for 15 years, JAMES LOPEZ, Saturday, June 8th at 6PM PST! Check out his imdb!http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0520084/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
He will present a Master Lecture on how to present the perfect pitch for a film project!

Coming Saturday, June 22nd at 6PM PST, Animation Director and Animator for numerous studios, DAVID BLOCK! His long list of credits can be found here! http://www.davidblockart.com/resume.php
He will present a Master Lecture on how to use Live Action Reference in Animation!

Mark your calendars! Registration will open soon for these online events!

Announcing our next very special guest artist for MAY 11th at 6PM! 

Come and join us for an exciting Master Lecture with Visual Designer and Concept artist, BILL PERKINS! 

He has worked as a concept artist, production designer, layout artist, art director and storyboard artist for companies like Walt Disney Feature Animation, Warner Brothers, Dreamworks, ILM, and 9th Ray Studios. His film credits include The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Fantasia 2000, Space Jam, Shrek, and the upcoming John Carter and the Princess of Mars and The Spiderwick Chronicles. Bill is also an accomplished fine artist who brings to life his figurative and plein air paintings.

Registration opens soon! Spread the word!

Much can be said even with a few storyboard drawings...
Here are some from our guest artist of March--Sean Sullivan!

Artwork (c) Sean Sullivan

The fun and memorable artistic experiences continue as we welcome our featured Master Lecture artist for March!

Save the date: March 9th at 6pm! 

Presenting Concept Artist, Background artist and Illustrator, SEAN SULLIVAN! He has spent 15 years working for animation studios such as Don Bluth Entertainment and Walt Disney Animation! 

His credits include (Don Bluth) Thumbelina, A Troll in Central Park, The Thief and the Cobbler (Disney) Pocahontas, Mulan, Tarzan, Lilo and Stitch, and Brother Bear, as well as some short films and interactive projects.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2845511/

Here is an interesting quote and link from Chris Sanders, Director of the upcoming Dreamworks animated film, “The Croods”. Enjoy!

"In this deleted scene from "The Croods," we learn that Eep is frustrated that she's forced to be a gatherer while her brother, Thunk, is allowed to be a hunter, and we get another glimpse of her impressive strength and skill.”

-Chris Sanders, Director of "The Croods"

http://www.chrissandersart.com/2013/02/01/the-lost-boards-part-7/