Anim 15 – Reference Acting Summer 2025
Description
“Make better choices!“
Reference Acting is designed for the animator to dig in to the work of “performance”. This course provides a wonderful curriculum of exercises along with the insight of industry experts, to elevate your work so that it resonates emotionally with the audience. This, in turn, translates to improved performance in your animation workflow; as you learn to make stronger choices, experiment with fewer iterations, get your shots approved more quickly and receive fewer “re-do’s” in your working life.
The purpose of this workshop is to provide the animator with the tools to create reference that adheres to the same values that an actor would bring to the stage or screen; with the goal of presenting the truth of a moment so the audience can come along on the journey.
Students of the Reference Acting workshop will be expected to participate in in-class activities designed to open up the creative spirit of the actor both mentally and physically so that they are prepared to deliver. Homework for the Workshop will consist of recording reference exercises, finding script material, and viewing various clips at home as preparation. Students will be expected to appear on camera as part of their critique.
Curriculum: Reference Acting
- Developing your “eye” for Behavior:
We will learn to recognize what works and why in terms of authenic performance. - The “Who, What and Where”:
We will begin to develop an understanding of character development - The “Why and How”:
We will begin to explore Character motivation. - Scene Analysis:
We will explore the Scene in the same way we explore the character(s) - Character Development:
Fleshing out the motivations of the character in order to craft the appropriate performance based on the goals of the character, the scene, and the film. - Shooting Reference and Critique:
Much of the work in the class will be accomplished through in-class and at-home performance.