CURATED QUALITY
Every resource hand-picked by pros
COMMUNITY DRIVEN
Built by animators, for animators
Facial Animation Boot Camp
An 8-part deep dive into appealing, fleshy, connected facial animation. An anatomy-focused approach to how each part of the face moves and why, so you can craft clear, specific performances that land, in any style.
2 students enrolled 8 parts
English
Dozens of demos + exercises
£260 once, lifetime
0.0
Intro
The how and why behind every part of the face
Facial Animation Boot Camp is an 8-part deep dive by 20-year industry veteran and Pixar animator Aaron McGriff into crafting appealing, fleshy, connected and impactful facial animation.
Using an anatomy-focused approach, you learn the how and the why behind the way each part of the face moves, and how that deeper understanding turns into performances that communicate with and move audiences, in any style.
Through detailed lectures, focused analysis and dozens of demos and recommended exercises, you walk away with the tools to craft consistently clear, specific facial performances, no matter your current level.
1.0
Foundations
How the face actually works
The anatomy-focused groundwork the whole boot camp builds on: understanding facial concepts, how the parts of the face connect, and why performances read the way they do.
- 01Part 1: Understanding Facial Concepts
2.0
The Eyes
Where the audience looks first
Two parts on the centre of every performance: the eye mask and how it shapes expression, then building eye expressions that are specific, alive and connected to thought.
- 01Part 2: The Eye Mask
- 02Part 3: Eye Expressions
3.0
The Mouth
Posing, the muzzle and lip sync
The deep middle of the boot camp: posing the mouth, understanding the muzzle as connected fleshy anatomy rather than a shape library, and the approaches that make lip sync feel effortless.
- 01Part 4: Posing the Mouth
- 02Part 5: Understanding the Muzzle
- 03Part 6: Lip Sync Approaches
4.0
The Finish
Detail and polish that land
The closing parts: adding the facial detail that gives performances life, then the polish pass that makes them consistently clear, specific and impactful.
- 01Part 7: Adding Detail to the Face
- 02Part 8: Polish
What you’ll walk away with
01Confidently craft feature-ready facial performances in any style
02Drastically reduce revision cycles due to misunderstanding anatomy
03Increase your speed by removing the "Guess Work"
04Read and solve facial acting problems like a senior lead
05Improve lip sync clarity and emotional impact shot to shot
06Give keen eyed high level facial notes
07Know exactly why a pose reads or fails on screen
In the box
Every asset used on screen ships with the course. Nothing else to buy.
| The approachMethod | Anatomy-focused: the how and why behind each part of the face, applicable to performances in any style. |
|---|---|
| Demos + exercisesPractice | Detailed lectures, focused analysis, and dozens of demos with recommended exercises. |
| The 8 partsCurriculum | From facial concepts through the eyes, mouth and muzzle to lip sync, detail and polish. |
| RequirementsSoftware | No specific package required: the anatomy and craft apply in any animation software. |
| AccessDelivery | Stream anytime, learn at your own pace. Lifetime access with all future updates included. |
A note from the instructor
I am a professional animator at Pixar Animation Studios with nearly 20 years in the industry, on projects ranging from Soul, Luca and Elemental to Inside Out 2 and Avengers: Infinity War. Since 2010, one of my passions has been helping aspiring animators build the skills to reach their career goals.
This boot camp is my anatomy-focused approach to the face: the how and why behind the way every part of it moves. Through the lectures, analysis and dozens of demos inside, my goal is that you walk away crafting clear, specific facial performances that genuinely communicate with an audience, whatever your current level and whatever style you work in.
Aaron McGriff
Animator, Pixar Animation Studios
Pixar · Inside Out 2 · Elemental · Lightyear · Luca · Soul · Avengers: Infinity War
P.S. If you want live feedback on your facial shots, any mentor in The Animation Collective can review them 1-on-1.
Enrollment
One-time payment. Lifetime access, free updates.
The Full Boot Camp
All 8 parts, the lectures, analysis, demos and recommended exercises, lifetime updates.
Studios and Teams
Multi-seat licensing, private team workshops, invoiced billing.
Keep exploring on Animworks
More courses from The Animation Collective.
Common questions
What level is the boot camp for?
It is built to elevate your facial animation no matter your current level. The anatomy-focused approach gives newer animators the why, and experienced animators a deeper framework for specificity and appeal.
What do I need to follow along?
No specific software: the anatomy and craft apply in any animation package with a face rig.
How long do I keep access?
For life. You pay once, keep the boot camp forever, and all future updates are included free of charge.
What is the refund policy?
We offer a 14 day refund if the course is faulty or significantly not as described, alongside your consumer cancellation rights. Full details are in our Terms of Service.
Can I get feedback on my facial animation?
Yes. Any mentor in The Animation Collective can review your shots in a 1-on-1 session, and you can ask any mentor a question free from their profile first.
Pay once. Keep it forever.
Enroll for £260£260 · lifetime access · free updates · 2 students enrolled