RESOURCES
We're here to help keep the creativity flowing and keeping those artistic saws sharp!
Read on for equipment recommendations, resources, and guides to continue the Calibraska fun. We will add on any new items we find!
RECOMMENDED SUPPLIES & LISTS
DOWNSHOOTER ANIMATION
There's a reason we love to teach the basics of animation on downshooters... because they offer so many fun and easy ways to create animation!
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The pandemic saw an explosion of basic table top camera mount systems for teachers who needed to produce demonstrations. These same set ups can also be used to easily set up a downshooter at home!
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We've created a collection of downshooter mounts on amazon. Some we use at Calibraska and others that have come on the market since we purchased ours.
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HAND DRAWN ANIMATION
If you love to draw we highly recommend checking out how to create hand drawn animation!
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Although our materials are more simple than what they had in the studios, this process is more complicated so we recommend it for students who are understand and can easily implement the principles of animation.
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We recommend pairing this process with our downshooter so you can easily capture your drawings. OR you can scan your drawings or use stop moyion software to line up your drawings as you go.
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2D DIGITAL ANIMATION
Learning 2D digital animation is now more accessible than ever before!
With the combination of iPads, the apple pencil, and software like Procreate, artists can not only create Digital animation from the comfort of their own home but have the ease of drawing directly on the screen just like in the studios!
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We have a list of some of our recommended tutorial books and equipment to help animators learn how to take their digital animations to the next level!
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Software and Programs
2D DIGITAL ANIMATION / ART
Krita is a professional, free, and open source painting program. Learn how to animate in it from our pal Tahnee: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pp0DvgZ2k6k
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Draw with your friends online!!! (animation is possible too!) https://youtu.be/z9E_0SinIy4
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A really amazing digital painting program that you can also do animation in! We recommend using this program wihth an apple pencil and a paper texture screen protector to really get the best drawing experience
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This animaiton program takes it to a whole new level! Launched in Fall of 2023, Procreate Dreams is a full animation production software with loads of features and processes that make animating a breeze if you are familiar with the animation pipeline. >> Procreate Beginners Series: https://youtu.be/Vn8bj0YpZg4?si=ZNVXHnsamTUxQ6U0
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3D/2D ANIMATION
Blender is a free and open source 3D creation suite. But if 3D isn't your thing a LOT of 2D animators use it to make 2D animations. Here's some great tutorials: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yc92Hp1MTc
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STOP MOTION ANIMATION
Dragonframe is a stop motion animation software. This program is on the more expensive side, but it's very popular in the industry. Some films that use the program are Coraline, Frankenweenie, The Boxtrolls, and Shaun the Sheep.
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This program is about $13 and has a lot of similar features to dragonframe. Works on mobile devices and laptops!
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FULL PRODUCTION PIPELINE
​$19.99/month for a student subscription. Premiere pro for video editing, After Effects for Compositing and Motion Graphics, and Animate for designing vector graphics and animation.​
Podcasts
**For Mature Audiences
Retake with John Horn
https://www.npr.org/podcasts/1114674317/retake-with-john-horn
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Press Play with Madeleine Brand
https://www.kcrw.com/news/shows/press-play-with-madeleine-brand
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https://www.blacknanimated.com/
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https://www.blankcheckpod.com/podcast
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https://www.earwolf.com/show/the-canon/
How did this get made?**​
Books
HOW TO BOOKS...
Anything by 3dtotal Publishing (they publish incredible books for drawing, animation, design, etc) > Amazon Store Front
The Animation Bible by Maureen Furniss
The Animators Survival Kit by Richard Williams (free pdf)
Cartoon Animation by Preston Blair (free pdf - big file!)
Producing Animation 3e by Catherine Winder and Zahra Dowlatabadi
GETTING INTO THE INDUSTRY OR BEING A CREATIVE PROFESSIONAL...
Your Career in Animation (2nd Edition): How to Survive and Thrive by David B. Levy​
Autism: How to Work in the Animation Industry by Dr. Alisa Shawn​
Manage Your Day-to-Day: Build Your Routine, Find Your Focus, and Sharpen Your Creative Mind (99U) by Jocelyn K. Glei
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HISTORY AND CULTURE OF ANIMATION...
Re-Imaging Animation: The Changing Face of the Moving Image by Paul Wells, Johnny Hardstaff, and Darryl Clifton (Wells writes a whole lot of great books about animation)
​Ink & Paint: The Women of Walk Disney's Animation by Mindy Johnson
​Good Girls and Wicked Witches: Women in Disney's Feature Animation by Amy M. Davis​
The Cultural Politics of Race and Ethnicity in Animation by Walter Santucci and Kelly Madison​
​The Disney Revolt: The Great Labor War of Animation's Golden Age by Jake S. Friedman
Articles
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Articles about inclusivity in the industry...​
The Forgotten Women Who Helped Shape the Look of Disney Animation: https://time.com/5706383/feminist-disney-frozen-history​
3 Examples of Racial Bias in Animation Storytelling:https://medium.com/@galemalio/3-examples-of-racial-bias-in-animation-storytelling-4460863aebf5​
Media Tests for Diversity and Representation: https://www.wideanglemedia.org/blog/media-tests​
‘Mitchells’ Director Mike Rianda Releases His 2015 Manifesto For Making ‘The Greatest Animated Movie Of All Time’: https://www.cartoonbrew.com/how-to/mitchells-director-mike-rianda-releases-his-2015-manifesto-for-making-the-greatest-animated-movie-of-all-time-212506.html