Lon Chaney: A Thousand Faces (2000)

This documentary is just pure gold for animators! Lon Chaney was a genius character actor and make-up artist with an ability to bring out deep emotions in his performances. His theatrical timing, body posturing, and most importantly his facial performances are phenomenal! Chaney understood the balance between caricatured over acting and the power of subtle reserved acting. Also, pay close attention to his eyes and brows and how they ground the facial performances. Amazing!









Watch for the 'hand' performances (6:28)

Thanks Bill Forche for posting the videos!

Motion Study: bird balancing on ball

This is a great vid for motion reference. Funny as well!

Behind the Scenes of VW's Black Beetle commercial

This is a great look behind the making of one of my favorite commercials from last year's Superbowl. The Mill did a fantastic job conceptualizing and executing this spot.

'Loom' by Polynoid

Some amazing texturing and lighting in this piece. The animation and camera work is solid as well. Really nice job by the Polynoid group!

'Cicada Princess' by Mauricio Baiocchi

This project directed by Mauricio Baiocchi is really looking amazing! I'm loving the character and set designs. The fact that they're using puppetry is also super awesome! The production has setup a KickStarter page to raise money to help finish the film by Sept 2011. Check out the behind the scenes vid below as well as their KickStarter page (44 days left to go)!

Project website: Cicada Princess

KickStarter page: Cicada Princess 

“Apache” by Ned Wenlock

This film is one of the very few animated shorts that I have no problem watching over and over again! Ned Wenlock and Rodney Selby did an amazing job! I love the design choices and how the side scrolling paper effect meshes so well with the music. It's really mesmerizing! Love it!

Check out the interview and production pics here: Apache for Danger Beach 
via Motionographer

'Tango for Jansjo' by Carlo Vogele

This is a great short! The story is simple and straight forward but full of character! Check out Carlo's other stop motion films on his vimeo channel.

Carlos Vogele Animation

Michael Caine 'Acting Workshop'

This is a classic acting workshop by Michael Caine. It has tons of useful nuggets of acting wisdom.  Whenever I find that it has been reposted somewhere I try to post it here. It usually gets pulled down fairly quickly. Enjoy!

Glen Keane talks Tangled

Do you know about the 'Animation Archive'?

Check out this informative post about the 'Animation Archive' in Hollywood:
Animation Archive Blog

Art of Caricature by John Kascht

This vid is fantastic! It's interesting how animators and caricature artists share similar creative principles.

Check out John Kascht's website as well: John Kascht



Thanks for the heads up Aaron!