"AI can generate movement. It cannot generate experience . Protect your personal voice. The thing only you can draw is the thing you lived."
about what to include in a portfolio for top animation studios?
is an equally impressive figure. A member of both the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences and BAFTA, he worked for over 15 years at Disney. He served as an Animation Supervisor on both Big Hero 6 (winning an Oscar) and Moana (Oscar-nominated), and was the Head of Animation on Olaf's Frozen Adventure and the Emmy-nominated Disney+ series Baymax! . His work includes a staggering list of films: Bolt , Tangled , Wreck-It Ralph , Ralph Breaks the Internet , Frozen 2 , Raya and the Last Dragon , and Strange World . He is an expert in conveying human emotion, particularly adept at crafting subtle, nuanced performances. He now leads projects as an Animation Director at Paper Games.
The first and most extensive part of the class dedicates about to following Zach Parrish over his shoulder as he works. "AI can generate movement
: How to use Maya effectively to maintain a fast-paced production schedule without sacrificing quality.
The masterclass is structured to follow the full production pipeline, split between the two instructors: Core Focus Areas
: Adding the final nuances that separate professional work from amateur efforts. The thing only you can draw is the thing you lived
One student who purchased the class shared, "I still haven't even finished the 17 hours worth of footage but I've already learned so much about their process. I can't wait to put it into practice..." . Another aspiring animator emphasized the unique advantage, noting, "The online school that I chose is Animsquad. Animsquad is run by working animators and supervisors... to work with and learn from their animators will be a fantastic experience" . The class has been praised for its ability to "revamp your workflow" by showcasing the critical difference between what to do—and what to avoid—when animating.
Are you looking to or trying to reverse-engineer their workflows for self-study?
The value of this masterclass lies in the pedigree of its instructors. Both Parrish and Homman have spent over a decade shaping the look of modern animation at Walt Disney Animation Studios . He served as an Animation Supervisor on both
If you’ve ever watched a Disney film and found yourself tearing up at a character’s subtle glance, or laughing at the specific weight of a comedic fall, you’ve witnessed the work of master animators. Last weekend, Animsquad hosted an exclusive master class featuring two of Disney Animation’s heaviest hitters: (Director/Animator known for Zootopia , Big Hero 6 , and the short Us Again ) and Brent Homman (Supervising Animator known for Encanto , Frozen II , and Tangled ).
The "Animation Squad" is a popular YouTube channel and online community run by animator and educator co-founder Robert Kondo (formerly of Pixar) and Pixar/Disney animator colleagues. However, the specific "Master Class" series you are referencing is often associated with the "Animsquad" (run by former Disney Supervising Animator Thaddeus Avecilla or similar educational platforms) or the general trend of "Master Class" style breakdowns hosted by industry professionals on YouTube.