Character Animation Community - Animation Salvation

Animation Salvation has set out to bring traditional animation studio style training to every character animator everywhere!

You see, it used to be that in order to learn character animation you'd practice on your own and teach yourself as much as you could. If you really had a talent for the craft, you might get hired by an animation studio like Disney. There you would be placed in the cleanup or inbetween department where you would work under the guidance of a master animator. What this system created was the perfect schooling to train new character animators. You'd work for months or maybe even years under guidance of your "Master Animator" until you were ready to finally be handed your own scene. You were guided every step of the way by someone who had been doing animation for years. Someone who'd been animating very well.

This entire animation training process is missing today. With computers and modern studios, you can go from zero to hero in one step. You might teach yourself animation and even do some animation schooling, but when you finally land your dream job at an aniamtion studio, it seems there is nobody with the time to really show you the way. If you're really lucky you can afford a program like Animation Mentor, which is basically a recreation of the old Disney mentor system. But most of us can't afford the time or money required for such an education.

That's why I've developed AnimationSalvation! I was fortunate enough to get into the animation industry when I was only 16. By the time I was 18 I had a personal Animation Mentor, one who has been awarded multiple Emmy's and numerous other awards for his animation. When I was 21, I had landed my dream job as a Disney animator, where I recieved more amazing training and guidance from some of the most talented character animators.

It's been a hard road at times, but I was fortunate to always have someone there who knew more than I did and could show me the way. Now I'd like to share my knowledge with you. Those of you out there who simply don't have access to the kind of training that I had. If knowledge is power, then soon you will all be animation Jedi's! But beware of the dark side. Stick with me, and I'll show you the way to AnimationSalvation.

-DJ

DJ Nicke is a former Dinsey Animator, and now the leading Instructor for Animation Salvation, able to not only teach, but inspire.

He is the creator of the “Guardian Training Program� and author/star of the online video training “Animation Tips�.

He is an Autodesk Certified Instructor and Demo artist for 3DS Max, Maya and Motionbuilder.

In 2005 he co-created the short film "A Bit of Stick" which went on to win many awards including "Best Animated Short" at the New York International Film Festival.

In 2006 DJ progressed into teaching, developing courses and training programs for:

o Life Drawing for Animators

o Acting for Animators

o Digital Cinematography for Animators

“DJ is the very definition of a self-starter. He takes it on himself to make things happen.� – Ed Hooks, author of "Acting for Animators"

“DJ is one of the best and fastest animators I have ever worked with, and his work ethic is astonishing.� – Alan McKay, www.AllanMckay.com

“DJ is constantly in action, searching for ways to improve the atmosphere, both for himself, and for his co-workers.� – Anthony Rose, former director of BDE

“DJ has not limited himself in his mind, and so for him I see no limits.� – Dwayne Labbé, Multi Emmy Award winning Animation Director

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