Great Online Resources for Special Effects Animators
There are many great online resources available for special effects animators. A special effects animator designs and creates computer-generated images for a wide range of media including television, film and advertising.
Special effects animators are highly creative and require an extensive range of online resources for both inspiration and technical support. There are a number of excellent online resources available to assist and guide special effects animators and fuel their creative approach. The best way to ideas, career advice and support is to get engaged with virtual online communities. For animators who are seeking inspiration to develop their portfolio, online contacts and connections, and memberships to virtual communities, the following resources may be of use:
Inspiration
Special effects animators create the movements and motions for characters. Animators are given a storyline to work with from writers and artistic inspiration from illustrators; however, it is the special effects animator that must create interesting effects and situations.
CG Explorer
The website offers a multitude of options listed on the menu: architecture, art gallery, art quotes, articles, artists, books, educational resources, events, feature stories, film reviews, films, games, interactive graphics, libraries, links, software and technique.
The CG Explorer Guide includes: illustration, creativity, professional roles, artists, funny things, communities, organizations, publications and movies.
This site can be plumbed to reveal well-rounded resources.
You Tube
Many animators seek inspiration for real life situations and contexts. Youtube is the most popular video file-sharing site in the world. Special effects animators can log on to YouTube and instantly access short clips in an extended spectrum of categories. They can also view video clips and excerpts from movies and cartoons.
Forums
There are thousands of animators active in the virtual space and online forums provide an excellent venue to obtain advice, feedback and support from like-minded professionals. A few examples are www.animationforum.net ; www.forum.awn.com; www.3dmd.net; www.dv-forums.com and www.studentfilmmakers.com. Animators can post their own work, learn about upcoming workshops, enter contests, locate scholarships, follow tutorials, discover educational institutions dedicated to the animation art, read up on the latest technology, research trouble-shooting tips, view job postings, download free textures, plus other interesting graphic information.
Social Media
Another great online resource for special effects animators seeking inspiration is social media sites. Twitter is structured for short, interesting and brief communication and people are limited to 140 characters or less. This microblogging site can provide feedback, an opportunity for discussion and access to projects other animators are working on.
Keyframe
Keyframe is an online animation resource animators can use as a source of inspiration and support. There are shared animations, an excellent forum, reviews and an online community. Animations are divided into categories for ease of reference including: television, short films, feature films, coming soon, web animation and theatrical. There is an excellent news link providing up-to-date information about animation issues and events.
Anim8ed
This UK based animation site was formed as a result of collaboration between the National Media Museum and a range of art galleries. This site is an online animation resource offering ideas, contacts and suggestions. This site is great for young animators in the making.
Pixar Animation Studios Inc.
This is a fantastic site for animators. It includes recent animation news and events, career listings, artist profiles, a tutorial on the stages of creation of an animated scene, RenderMan technology, financial information, white papers, webcasts and endless resources from Disney and Pixar.
Credible online resources are invaluable to the special effects animator who wants to stretch their creative and technological limits to a higher level.
