DreamWorks' Simon Otto Interviewed

We're enjoying this excellent video interview with DreamWorks Head of Animation Simon Otto on animating dragons - and on animation in general. It's pretty long; runs about an hour, but if you've got some time, get yourself a cup of tea and some decent headphones and settle in for an hour of animation instruction from one of the masters.  If you want to be a great animator, following in Simon Otto's footsteps is a great place to start.

How Do DreamWorks Animators Train Their Dragons?

How do animators train their dragons? Or, rather, how do they approach the complex and daunting business of creating a beautifully animated flying dragon? All animators start with a blank screen, and as professional artists we need methods that we can rely on to produce work we can be proud of, every time.  In this excellent documentary about the making of How To Train Your Dragon, DreamWorks animators talk about going to Flight School, analysing reference, and making sure that their animation was based on real, credible material that helped to bring their fantasy creatures to life.

DreamWorks Came to Bucks! Now Watch The Video....

On Monday March 9th we hosted an animation industry panel here at Bucks to launch our new online MA in animation.  We welcomed some leading figures in the animation and visual effects industry including Shelley page of DreamWorks Animation SKG, Bob Thompson of Film London, and Adam Lucas of Cinesite.  Our panelists talked about current trends in the animation industry and - most crucially for our students - where the graduate jobs are, and what skills you need to get them.  Anyone who missed the panel discussion can now watch the video above, and find out about the latest in feature animation in the UK and overseas.

DreamWorks is Coming To Bucks On March 9th! Time To Polish Your CV....

DreamWorks Comes to Bucks on 9th March

On Monday March 9th at 11am we're hosting a two-hour industry panel here at Bucks to launch our new online MA in animation.  We're welcoming some leading figures in the animation and visual effects industry including Shelley page of DreamWorks Animation SKG. Shelley will be talking about current trends in the industry and - most crucially for our students - where the graduate jobs are, and what skills you need to get them.  So come along and Tuesday and find out how you can secure your niche in this fast-growing but highly competitive sector.

How To Enter and Win Animated Film Festivals

Laurels of victory - these can be yours! Photo: Wikipedia

There is no better way for a student to launch their career in animation than to enter and win animated film festivals around the world.  However, as the competition gets tougher all the time, how does a student have a decent chance to enter their film, get noticed, and win prizes? We asked veteran DreamWorks storyboard artist Nassos Vakalis, whose short film "Dinner for Few" has been winning festivals all over the world, to explain the secrets of success.

DreamWorks Animation Supremo Rex Grignon reveals the Nine Secrets of Animation Success

Rex Grignon

Rex Grignon is the HOCA at DreamWorks. That is to say, he is the Head Of Character Animation, and therefore holds one of the key leadership positions in the studio. He has worked on some of the biggest DreamWorks hits of the last decade, including ANTZ, Shrek, and all three Madagascar movies. Born in Canada, he came home to give the keynote speech for The Toronto Art of Animation Festival International, aka TAAFI. Rex talked about some of the key lessons he has learned over the past two decades, and most especially from his years at PDI, Pixar and DreamWorks.