In case you haven’t heard of it before I am going to do another article on AnimationMentor.com
Animation Mentor was founded by Pixar animators Bobby Beck, and Carlos Baena.
AnimationMentor opened its virtual doors in March of 2005, and there is a bit of a buzz about it’s prospects.
The school teaches animation principles and acting for animation online through a video chat forum, including a live video chat with the mentors.
This takes animation schooling global. Students recieve Maya training and a fully rigged models to animate for assignments.
The course consits of six classes, with each class lasting three months for a total of 18 months.
The mentors are all the top of the list of who’s who in animation. Pixar animators Brett Coderre, Doug Dooly, Ike Feldman, Steven Gregory, Nancy Kato, Cameron Miyasaki, Victor Navone, David Earl Smith,Warrent Trezevant have all signed on to be
mentor/instructors.
Lectures include interviews with Pixar artists and animators: Brian Boyd, Dylan Brown, Mariko Hoshi, Sara Mercey, Gini Santos, Mark Walsh
Other mentors include head animators from ILM, Tippit Studios, Blue Sky, Sony, and Walt Disney Features, among others.
“I started at the school in March, and AnimationMentor is amazing. Many of the students have been keeping blogs of the assignments and their animation adventures. AnimationMentor has been a gift from the animation gods for me. Last week we had a bbq at the headquarters and I got to meet a bunch of the mentors there. Bobby and Carlos all know my work and can instantly identify me. This is really something I had been wanting in an animation school for a long time.
Mainly it’s been real important to have a keen sence of observation and most of the students with some drawing skils are a step ahead of the others. I would suggest drawing as soon as you can.
As the school grows, it will work on becoming an ‘official education school’, it takes about three years or more for a new school to become accredited. After that classes will be worth college credit towards a degree. Currently, the school offers a
cirtificate in animation. Truthfully though, the experience and the community and the work on a portfolio are worth their weight in gold.” says Brad Bradbury who is a student at Animation Mentor.
Brads Animation Mentor blog is www.animationbrad.com.
Here is a picture from some of his work.
Thanks to Brad for the tip off to do this story and for his kind help for the information.
Last modified: September 15, 2005