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Tutorials

3 Lessons For Writing Timeless Stories :: “Toy Story” Edition

By Chris Oatley

Buzz Lightyear puffs his chest. Woody is unimpressed.

What makes Toy Story a timeless classic?

In this short video tutorial, I share three lessons to help you create stories that resonate – to infinity and beyond.

[Read more…] about 3 Lessons For Writing Timeless Stories :: “Toy Story” Edition

From Pandora’s Box To The Holy Grail: Why Prop Design Is Essential For A Competitive Visual Development Portfolio

By Chris Oatley

Pandora_Detail_320wPandora’s Box, The Holy Grail, The One Ring, Lightsabers, Reese’s Pieces, The Red Pill, The Ark Of The Covenant, Dorothy’s Ruby Slippers, The Flux Capacitor, Thor’s Hammer…

Props are essential for creating believable worlds.

So why are they often neglected in Visual Development portfolios?

In this article, Ejiwa “Edge” Ebenebe – Editorial Assistant for The Oatley Academy – and I share three creative challenges that will help you fill your portfolio with props that tell a story.

This is the fourth part of an ongoing series…

[Read more…] about From Pandora’s Box To The Holy Grail: Why Prop Design Is Essential For A Competitive Visual Development Portfolio

Tips For A Competitive Visual Development Portfolio (Part 3): Respect Your Characters’ Personal Space

By Chris Oatley

This is the third installment in a series designed to help you understand the responsibilities of a Visual Development Artist and create a portfolio that exceeds expectations.

In parts one and two, you intensified your visual exploration of story and character. I’m also hopeful that you began to think of your portfolio as a storytelling medium in itself…

Today, I’ll share an inspiring character development exercise that I learned from storyboard guru Justin Copeland…

[Read more…] about Tips For A Competitive Visual Development Portfolio (Part 3): Respect Your Characters’ Personal Space

Tips For A Competitive Visual Development Portfolio (Part 2): Be Friends With Your Characters

By Chris Oatley

My good friend Claire Keane gives what is, perhaps, the best advice about Visual Development portfolios that I’ve ever heard.

…and today I’m going to share it with you.

This is part two in a series designed to give you an advantage when pursuing one of the most competitive jobs in animation.

[Read more…] about Tips For A Competitive Visual Development Portfolio (Part 2): Be Friends With Your Characters

Tips For A Competitive Visual Development Portfolio (Part 1): Act Hired Before You Get Hired

By Chris Oatley

This is the first in a series of quick tips that will help you create a competitive Visual Development portfolio.

Today I’ll share three essential steps that are so obvious they’re often ignored.

[Read more…] about Tips For A Competitive Visual Development Portfolio (Part 1): Act Hired Before You Get Hired

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