Computer Animation Arts

"Animator vs Cartoonist - Draw Off!" Join the gang of Animators and Cartoonists as they go head-to-head in a series of 'draw off'' challenges and as they attempt to draw cartoon characters from memory. Including, drawing the same characte, different characters, or creating mash-ups, often using their own styles. "Animator Vs. Cartoonist Draw Marvel Characters From Memory - Draw Off!" "Animator Vs. Cartoonist Draw More Famous Cartoons - Draw Off" "Animator Vs. Cartoonist Try Character Mashups - Draw Off" "Animator Vs. Cartoonist  - Draw Off Playlist"

Guru Live London BAFTA's annual festival of talks, workshops and masterclasses The place to be to learn from BAFTA-winners, industry professionals and up-and-coming talent! Take the next step in your career or simply share the passion for all things film, games and TV. 14th and 15th September There is still time to get your tickets for only £6! For full details, see  HERE

Giant wonderful monster puppets!

Recently I have been using LinkedIn to try and reach out to recruiters from different animation studios for some advice about applying for jobs and what their specific studio looks for in applicants and their portfolios. I didn't get many responses, but an individual from recruiting at Sony Pictures Animation replied to me and sent me a link to a YouTube video covering a few tips in regards to Visual Development portfolios. I hope that some others may find this useful as well!

"Over the past months I've been working with Australian photographer Ray Collins to bring his amazing oceanscapes to life in the form of cinemagraphs, a blend between photography and video. Each cinemagraph is created from one of Ray's stills, and sets it in infinite motion, making a unique moment in time last forever. These cinemagraphs inspired André Heuvelman from the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra to get together with pianist Jeroen van Vliet to record a very moving custom soundtrack, which I combined with a selection of the cinemagraphs." You can see the original cinemagraphs at armanddijcks.com/cinemagraphs-waves Ray's images can be found at raycollinsphoto.com The Infinite Now from Armand Dijcks on Vimeo .

Yes, I admit it.  I'm not proud.  This tickled me...

A Portrait of the Puppet Master as a Young Man from Great Big Story on Vimeo .

This has been doing the rounds today - it's very funny - and it's like an animated short in-waiting.  It's super simple and it escalates beautifully.  Enjoy.

'In alchemy, the term chrysopoeia (Greek) means transmutation into gold.' Mesmeric and a bit menacing... and for year one soundscape designers, a must watch! Chrysopoeia from Susi Sie on Vimeo .

"Alan Williams: Creatures of the Deep offers an insight into the mind and work of the immensely talented Brighton sculptor Alan Williams , who turns scrap metal into amazing animal figures. Looking into his dark influences and childhood, this biopic explores Alan's practice, presenting the work of a true artist who holds “great talent, imagination and humility”. Alan Williams Metal Artist | Creatures of the Deep from Ben Cox (Gnarled Apple) on Vimeo .

This is fun! "People don’t want to be made to look interesting or odd or unusual, they want to be sexy, everybody does, and I’m not always the right person to come to for that." Inside the brilliant, beautiful and brutal world of sculptor Wilfrid Wood . Wilfrid sculpts Will from Milkshake Tidalwave on Vimeo .

2016 was the year of the 'horror clown' - watch this documentary for a way back to simpler, less macabre incarnations.  Indeed, there is a sense of childlike wonder at work here, and for animators, character designers and environment people, there is a wealth of visual reference here. Enjoy. Working in the Theatre: Clowning from American Theatre Wing on Vimeo .

Happened by this lovely little profile of artist Paul Spooner today in a moment of procrastination... such charm!

I saw this - and thought of our CAA Year 2 students and their current foray into the wonderful world of postmodern pastiche and meta-fictional japes...

In need of a visual sugar-rush?  Look no further! KINGDOM OF COLOURS from Thomas Blanchard on Vimeo .

um, wow...

tearOffCopyItemCmd outlinerPanel outlinerPanel1; A very useful and easy to use bit of MEL code that allows you to open multiple Outliners at the same time. Absolutely perfect for displaying the inner workings of your character for your Making Of! This also makes it easy to refer back to exactly how you set up past characters, especially useful for when you have to skin & rig a new, yet similar, character. [ code source ] Hydrogen's Outliner(s) Pt 01 Hydrogen's Outliner(s) Pt 02  Hydrogen, a deceptively simple character.

A friend of mine from Industrial Light Magic (Singapore) told me about this and I thought it'd be great to share with a creative community like ours.  Get your work exposed to international audience by entering their competition at  The Rookies. Good luck! :)

Maybe you've seen this already?  I hadn't.  If laughter is the best medicine, I've just had a big dose.  In terms of animation reference alone, this sweetly authentic film is a treasure trove in terms of performance and expression.  You might want to turn the volume down though... just saying.

Hey Everyone, I came across this event and I thought it'd be great to share. The LIAF is here again and it is happening on the 12th of December. Click on the link to find out more information :) LIAF 2015: UK Animator Focus