School of Motion Podcast

Building a career is like climbing a mountain. There are numerous obstacles ahead, and no guarantees that you're on the right path. But what happens when you reach the peak and discover…there's so much more you want to do? Nocky Dinh moved across the world to pursue her dream career, and she wasn't about to let a limited skillset keep her down. Find out what happens when she added 3D to her portfolio.

If you want to hear what a real VO session sounds like, then you've come to the right place! In this podcast you'll get to be a fly on the wall for a VO session lead by Jake and Joey. Along the way Joey is going to be dropping some golden nuggets of VO directing advice to help you direct VO like a pro the next time you need to.

Think about your career as an artist. Are you really where you want to be? Are you headed toward the top of the right mountain? The Design and Animation industry is constantly changing, which makes it hard to know if your career is headed in the right direction. What does the end of the road look like? Who are the artists you should aim to follow? And how can you, forging your own path in this subjective career, create your own legend? Join Aaron Ray as we discuss where your career can go.

We've had our eye on Chromosphere Studio for some time. They've consistently put out stellar work, with a keen eye toward the future of the industry. From new techniques to bold storytelling, these artists are building up their brand without taking their eyes off the prize. So how do you develop your career without losing focus on a passion project? We spoke with Kevin Dart and Theresa Latzko to find out.

The design and animation industry is rapidly evolving. As the tools of the industry become available to more artists around the world, innovation and growth follow. One of the most exciting developments has been the proliferation of cryptoart, but it is still an area rife with confusion and speculation. What do NFTs really mean for the future of our industry? We have Buck's Justin Cone here to discuss what's coming next.

Doing personal projects is a great way to experiment and flex your creative muscles. Personal projects can also be part of a strategy of beefing up your portfolio or reel, especially if you're just starting out in the industry. Our guest today is Nicolaj Larsson, the founder and creative director of the Copenhagen based studio ccccccc.tv.

If you've been on social media looking at 3D renders, you've probably seen something like this in the description: #octane #octanerender #gpu #gpurender #redshift #redshiftrender Aside from just a hashtag overload, what does that all mean? What exactly are Octane and Redshift? Do you need a third-party renderer? Are you falling behind the curve? Today EJ is going to chat with Chad Ashley from Greyscale Gorilla to help you understand the Render Engine Revolution.

How much money can you make in the creative world? No matter what career you're aiming for, it can be hard to find a direct answer. So how can you find out the real dollar value of your work? That's why we reached out to Carole Neal, the Marketing Director at Aquent. If you've ever been confused about your finances, you need to listen to this one!

Do you ever wonder why you don't hear back when you send a demo reel or a resume for a prospective job? While there isn't a secret sauce for separating from the pack, there are some tried and true methods for putting your work front and center. We're bringing Frank Suarez on today to talk about what he thinks makes for standout work.

Are you still looking for work? If you can't find a job in commercials, film, or with a studio, what else is out there? Our community of artists is incredibly versatile, but often we put on blinders outside of our preferred lanes. There is a world of work out there in the most unlikely of places, and it can be just as satisfying—and lucrative—to take on. Today, we're honored to welcome Leeanne Brennan to talk about the uncharted territory of uncommon design and animation gigs.

You may have listened to our end of the year podcast where we covered the evolving relationship between artists and studios in the age of NFTs, mid-six-figure freelancers, and social media fame. Listening back, we wondered if maybe the picture we painted was a bit bleaker than the actual reality. And we weren't the only ones who felt that way. Jay Grandin—co-founder and creative director of Giant Ant—had some words to say about it, and you're gonna want to hear this!

Have you ever wanted to direct for the biggest name in tech? Is it even possibly to juggle design and animation with a directing career? What is it like to work in After Effects and Cinema 4D in the morning and step onto a set at night? We sat down with Shane Griffin, an artist and director out of New York, about running the Apple live event for the launch of the M1 Max chip. Don't miss this one!

Many artists don't take time to develop their personal projects. They worry they can't find an audience, or that there just isn't enough time in the day. We're joined by the wonderfully talented Sarah Beth Morgan, Taylor Yontz, and Rebekah Hamilton to share their journey in creating Between Lines, a short film that explores the harmful effects of schoolgirl bullying, and the long road to recovery.

All great art starts with design. Understanding the fundamentals of scale, contrast, and other principles allows you to create evocative and inspiring work that dazzles clients and elicits emotion. Once you have confidence in your design, you'll be amazed at how quickly the other pieces fall into place. We talked with The Futur's Greg Gunn to learn how design built the foundations of his art...and his career.

It's time for the annual marathon podcast episode with Joey, EJ, and Ryan Summers where we run down all of the big happenings in the industry that we like to call…Motion Design. After a year of starts, stops, and a few wild innovations, we're going to need a minute to sort through it all. What were the challenges and triumphs of the past year, and what can we expect in 2022? Tune in and find out!

The motion graphics industry is in the middle of a massive talent crunch, but the hidden issue plaguing many studios isn't where to find a Houdini artist or where their next job is coming from—it's what to do with the jobs once the artist is in-house! How did this shortage of talented Producers come to happen? We sat down with veteran industry consultants Joel Pilger and Tim Thompson to find a solution to the producer problem. Don't miss this one!

How can you future-proof yourself as an artist? You've already learned After Effects and Cinema 4D. You read the industry feeds and follow the right people on social media. You're as "up to speed" as you're ever going to get...but new things keep appearing on the horizon. How can you make sure you don't get left behind? Join Jim Geduldick, the Director & SVP at Dimension Studio, as we open your third eye to the future of our industry.

You need to add motion graphics to your video editing tool belt. Even if you are studio-based, there's constantly new tricks to learn and master just to stay competitive. VFX and motion graphics can be your secret weapons, but how do you find the time to do it all? Premiere Gal's Kelsey Brannan is here to show you how to become a Jack(ette) of All Trades. You don't want to miss this one.

Do you need to go to school in order to build a lasting, fulfilling career as an artist? You'll certainly pick up some great techniques and meet a lot of cool people. But does that mean you can't find success as an artist unless you have a piece of paper on your wall? Reece Parker, freelance animation director and illustrator, is here to share the highs and lows of his journey through the industry.

David Jeffers started a music production company and an online record label as a pioneer of digital media. Then, just as his career was taking off, he suffered a tragic accident that left him paralyzed from the neck down. After the accident, David sought to turn this life-changing event into an opportunity. David's story isn't only an inspiration for overcoming hardship, but for the unyielding pursuit of your goals. We can't wait for you to share in his journey and gain some insight into your own.

Imposter Syndrome is one of the more insidious parts of, well, everyone's life. From famous musicians to iconic actors to the first man that walked on the moon, we all experience this sensation from time to time. As artists, we often feel it even stronger since our work is so subjective. How do you overcome the fear that you just aren't good enough? We asked Dr. Dave Landers how we can quiet that voice inside our heads.

When you're starting out as a freelancer, it's a shock to system to learn that your hopes, dreams, and even talent might not be enough to pay the bills. There comes a time when many artists decide to wade into the strange world...of the hustle. Nick Greenawalt—a Philadelphia-based motion designer—knew he needed to outwork the competition to make his career a reality. He's been able to work on projects he loves with clients of all sizes, and he's never stopped hustling.

Have you ever wondered what comes next for 2D animation? It's a style that never goes out of fashion, no matter how the trendy tides ebb and flow. From hit television shows to iconic video games and—of course—the best MoGraph around, the second dimension has a lot to offer. But where is it headed next? Join Danni Fisher-Shin, an Art Director at Scholar, to hear her experiences, her advice, and maybe a recommendation for some expensive coffee.

What's HUD got to do with it? Sitting at the nexus of Visual FX and Motion Design is the strange and wonderful world of Screen Design. Stephen Lawes is the Creative Director and Co-Owner of Cantina Creative, a Los Angeles-based visual effects and design studio. They've worked on enormous films and TV shows, from Furious 7 and Blade Runner 2049 all the way to the films and limited series of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The team has carved out a niche in the Motion Design world and made quite a name for themselves along the way.

If you're a motion designer in these modern times, you've likely thrown one or two videos up on social media. It can often feel like those side projects are just wastes of time, but that's not true. You're learning new skills, inspiring other artists, and—every so often—putting your work in front of the exact right audience to land a life-changing job. Join Peter Quinn as he discusses how he cracked the code on creating a viral video...and how it led to some incredible opportunities.

Have you ever thought of starting your own studio? How do you even begin? There are so many questions that many people don't get past step one, which is why we brought in an expert to share some much-needed wisdom. Mack Garrison is the co-founder and Creative Director of Dash Studios. He's not only an outstanding artist, but he has an intimate understanding of how our industry functions—and how it treats studios big and small. Grab a snack and listen up!

You've worked hard to build a freelance business as a motion designer. It seems like you've got this train firmly on track...until suddenly it's not. What causes a career to derail? How are you burning bridges. And can you rebuild them? Amanda Russell, co-founder and Creative Director of Cream Studios, shares her experiences on both sides of the hiring table. Don't miss this one.

Defining your style is one of the most challenging aspects of any creative career. Emonee LaRussa is the founder and CEO of Pamanama Studios LLC., a studio filled with a diverse set of talented artists from all over the world, collaborating with musicians to produce top of the line lyric videos. Her hard work has earned her two Emmys, as well as high end clients such as Ty Dolla $ign, John Legend, and Kayne West.

Building a career in motion design can sometimes feel like getting started in Cross Fit. There's a ton of new terminology, you have to buy specialized equipment, and you end up spending a bushel of money just to get started. It's hard to know how to take your career by the reins and steer it in the right direction. Our guest Remington Markham is a motion designer at Facebook, and he might just have the blueprint to help expand your career.

Do you have a logo? A set of colors that you use on your site, your social media handle, on – gasp – your business card? Your brand is more than just a collection of assets—it's your reputation, and sometimes it needs a refresh. The question of rebranding was recently brought up by Macaela VanderMost and the team at Newfangled Studios – and we sat them down to talk all about it.

Imagine you've spent the last few years building up a sizable portfolio for 3D work...but 2D is what your heart desires. Is it possible to rebrand this far into your career? Our guest today has DONE IT… and she is sharing her secrets. The multi-talented Monique Wray is here to spill the beans about how she made a fairly drastic change to her personal brand, the type of work she does, and the impact her work is having on the world.

Imagine if you had the chance to work with one of the greatest bands of the modern age. How hard would you work to get there...and what did it take? Bomper Studio's Emlyn Davies and Josh Hicks challenged their team to learn how to produce high-end character-driven work, and that effort directly led to a contract...with the Foo Fighters.

Chris Schmidt is a really good 3D artist. He was one half of the wacky Greyscalegorilla team back in the early days of the site, and quickly gained a reputation for his MacGyver-like ability to rig things up in the most clever ways imaginable. Some of his tutorials were instant classic, and helped many artists learn their way around Cinema 4D. Now, we're talking to him about his new site, Rocket Lasso, and the future of 3D art and design. Check it!

Even if you don't pay close attention to industry news, you've likely heard of NFTs. Crypto art, led by a growing list of pioneering artists, is revolutionizing not only our industry but art as a whole. However, there have been some valid concerns raised over the viability of the market and the environmental impact of cryptocurrency. That's why we gathered to grapple with this topic and share our observations...plus what we've been hearing from artists and studios.

What do you do when you get a great idea? Not just something you enjoy thinking about, but a brain worm that burrows deep and won't let go. Even when we're confident that we have a handle on something great, the road ahead can be so daunting that we just give up. Today we're joined by Max Keane, creator of the new Netflix animated series Trash Truck, to hear about his journey from concept to reality.

Demo reels aren't just a reflection of your past—they're also a signpost to your future. The work you show can directly connect to the jobs you'll land...which adds all sorts of pressure to an already stressful task. We're getting real about reels and talking to Laura Porat, a freelance motion designer with a seriously impressive client list. In this conversation, we cover her most recent (and magnificent) reel, which was hyper-focused on the work she wants to find in her future.

No matter where you are in your career—whether you're just starting out, freelancing like a boss, or running a studio—marketing is a key to your success. It's easy to say, "Have a social media presence," but what does that actually mean? Our dear friends at Motion Hatch have been helping artists and designers find their paths forward, and now they want to share actionable tips on mastering marketing. You don't want to miss this one!

Katie Menzies and Abel Reverter founded Cabeza Patata in Barcelona, Spain in 2018. There, they consider themselves artists first and motion designers second, with a focus on inclusiveness, positivity, and having a hands-on approach to motion design. Cabeza Patata just opened up their new studio where not only do they work for big clients such as Spotify and Google, but their studio is also a gallery—a place they open up to the community, teaching workshops for kids and adults alike, showing them how they can get their hands dirty creating art.

Mike Winkelmann is well known in the digital art world. His work is often provocative, sometimes downright shocking, but always has a style that is uniquely his. Better known as Beeple, Mike has demonstrated an incredible focus on his craft, releasing a brand new piece every day for over 5,000 consecutive days. Now he's revolutionizing the art world as a pioneer of crypto artwork...and we've hogtied him to a chair until he spills the beans on what any of that means.

Our mission at School of Motion is to break down the barriers to the Motion Design industry so that everyone can share their voice. That is a journey more than a destination, and we have a long way to go. Macaela VanderMost is a titanic talent, but she has faced some—unfortunately—all-too-common barriers to entry along the way. Listen to Macaela VanderMost's journey as a driven creative director.

2020 was...well, it was certainly a year. Not just for the MoGraph industry and for School of Motion, but for everyone. We know you don't need a recap of all the challenges and craziness that made this year what it was. Instead, we want to focus on the positive. While 2020 certainly presented a difficult road, we have seen our community emerge stronger and better than ever. On the 2020 End of Year Podcast episode, our founder Joey Korenman is joined by Creative Directors EJ Hassenfratz and Ryan Summers—along with a special guest—to talk about the artists, studios, tools, trends, and events that made MoGraph news in 2020…plus all the exciting plans (and bold predictions) for the coming year. This is a long one—but worth it—so grab a comfy seat and join us.

When we talk about motion graphics, we refer to motion and design. Our guest today, Cartoon Saloon, takes that approach to the next level with their animated feature films. From Secret of Kells to Song of the Sea to their new film, Wolfwalkers, their unique style stands out even in an incredibly saturated market. Join directors Tomm Moore and Ross Stewart as they discuss the new film and the art of motion.

What is the future of advertising agencies? As the world modernizes and the old methods give way to native, targeted, and subversive advertising, how is a studio meant to keep up? Strange as it may seem, the issues facing independent ad agencies are very similar to the evolution of the motion design industry. We're chatting with Creative Director Roger Baldacci of Strange Animal!

We've mentioned it a few times, but one of the most important steps in any project is the storyboard, and specialized artists work tirelessly to bring the story to life. Alex Quintas' career path took a few turns before she wound up creating artwork for some of the biggest animated shows on TV and streaming today, from BoJack Horseman to Paradise PD. Grab a snack and check this out!

Animated movies are a part of the fabric of our creative culture, and as motion designers, we share the same principles and design foundations. Our guest today helped shape the animation industry, creating iconic characters and unique worlds. He is an Academy Award-winning director, and he just released an amazing new animated movie on Netflix, Over the Moon. Strap in tight, because we're blasting off with Glen Keane.

Adobe MAX 2020 is on, and they just announced a slew of improvements to their After Effects 3D Workflow. We had a chance to sit down with Victoria Nece, Senior Product Manager for Motion Graphics and Visual Effects at Adobe, to discuss how this new workflow will affect the Motion Design community. More than that, we had a chance to discuss Adobe MAX, building a MoGraph career, and staying ahead of the competition.

Medical Illustration is a fascinating path for Motion Designers. This challenging work requires a clear understanding of anatomy, and the ability to toe the line between style and accuracy. We talked with Director Emily Holden of Campbell Medical Illustrations on how her studio brings the human body to life.

It is incredibly difficult to know where our industry is headed—almost as challenging as defining "motion design" itself. Where is animation or experiential or VR/AR going over the next five years—or even the next five months? Then there are the tools we use everyday, and the ones on our list to learn. Does anyone have the answers? We asked some industry experts to sit down and think about the future...and the results were inspiring. Check out this sneak peek from our brand new course, Level Up!

In the wild early days of the Internet, Motion Design was a much smaller community. Unless you had proper training, it was easy to feel overwhelmed by the learning curve. With many people struggling to get their careers off the ground, one person decided to be their copilot. Andrew Kramer is synonymous with Motion Design. As an artist, a teacher, and a friendly cohort, Andrew inspired countless people to join this community. For the 100th episode of our podcast, we are incredibly proud to share his story, his wisdom, and his wit. Grab a seat, because your copilot has arrived.

Motion design can be used for a number of purposes. It can be an advertisement, a stunning piece of art, or even a moving message. Kentucky-based studio The Furrow partnered with some of the top artists in the industry to collaborate on a powerful project, providing information and insight into a changed world following COVID-19. We joined Creative Director Seth Eckert to talk about his journey into motion design, what it's like to collaborate with other artists, and tips to succeed in an evolving industry.