the Laban for Animators™ program

In my 22 years as an animation professor at Emily Carr University of Art + Design, I find my students always wanting to know:

“How can I animate a character who shows their thoughts, feelings, and emotions? How can I feel confident and creative while animating expressive characters?

The Principles of Animation teach you how to move characters. What most people don’t realize is that they don’t teach you what movement expresses.

Once you know the links between character movement, expression and acting, everything changes!

This gives you the path to:

• Understand what movement expresses, and how to animate it.

• Take the guesswork out of creating the best acting for a scene.

• Create authentic and memorable character performances.

I’ve seen:

• monotonous and formulaic character animation,

• over acting,

• incomplete actions,

• lack of coordination and connectivity,

• dialogue without supporting body action,

• characters whose weight just doesn’t feel “right,”

• …and pantomimed action that just looks fake! 

Having a framework for understanding movement expression solves all these problems!

It all comes down to learning a robust set of movement concepts that animators will find both practical and intuitive.

Laban for Animators™ teaches you about how we express our inner intentions outwardly through movement. Animators can use this to help them make acting choices and design authentic character animation performances. Laban for Animators is the glue between animating and acting!

• Enhance character performance and animate believable characters.

• Go deeper with animating weight and body coordination while taking movement and acting to the next level.

• Act out your own reference footage with confidence.

• Lead your team with clear feedback and guidance.

• Find new creative inspiration to help you grow as an artist.

the laban for animators™ program

This is the inaugural program that teaches you Laban Movement Analysis (LMA) specifically for animation. LMA was developed by Rudolph Laban (1879-1958), and used today in dance and theatre training, psychology, sports, ergonomics, and a wide array of somatic practices.

You will learn about the categories of movement: Body (Physicality), Effort (Dynamics), Shape (Form, Relationship), Space (Geometry) and Phrasing (Rhythm, Narrative). The program is structured around Phrasing and Effort, as these two categories are unique and different from Principles of Animation and will give you the foundation for understanding and creating expressive movement.

The program is delivered as a series of weekly live calls, videos and assignments. The live calls include coaching on work-in-progress and group feedback.

FALL 2023 PROGRAM DETAILS
LFA™ BETA!

This BETA version of the LFA™ Program will bring together a small, focused group of animators to learn with me and be part of building the program. My goal is to work closely with you and respond to how everyone is learning, to make sure that you really get it! 

I'm offering this at introductory pricing, with the option to pay in full or spread your payments out. Prices are going up after this beta launch - don't miss this great deal!

October 9th - December 9th: 10 weeks

Every Saturday, from 10am-12pm Pacific Time

LIVE on Zoom, all calls will be recorded

$750 USD paid in full

or 3 payments of $275

Refer a friend and you both save 10%

Questions? Let's jump on a call so I can get to know you and learn more about your interests.

Terms and Conditions - October 4, 2023