4 days in-person mentoring under the guidance of renowned stop motion animator Tim Allen. A Senior Animator on Oscar winning films Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio & Peter & the Wolf, Tim continues expanding his craft around the world & remains a very active freelance professional. His widely diverse portfolio covers 25 years & includes Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride & Frankenweenie, Wes Anderson’s Fantastic Mr Fox & Isle of Dogs, plus Shaun the Sheep & Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget for Aardman
See Tim’s movie portfolio on his IMDB page or LinkedIn profile
Animating humanoid characters can be a daunting task – especially in stop motion with arms, legs, hips, balance & more all moving at once. Keeping track of this is hard enough even before the performance & acting that the animator is hoping to convey
With over 20 years mentoring stop motion trainees, Tim has developed & refined exercises that maximise the time available for improving an animator’s ability to simulate the human body
Mentoring Week 1 is an in-depth look at creating human movement using a stop motion puppet:
- Exercises are designed to build a ‘muscle memory’ for animating the anatomy in stop motion – making it instinctive to retain & apply the methods used
- Using professional examples throughout to demonstrate each exercise step by step
- Focus is on understanding weight, balance & counter balance
- Deconstructing body parts & their movement from the ground up
- Explore how individual limbs stetch & clench in harmony with each other, forming one unified whole
- An overview for the psychology of our emotions & how we express them through our body
All equipment is provided, using Dragonframe software & you’ll be animating with Stickybones puppets – renowned for their articulation & flexibility. Should you want to purchase your own Stickybones you can get 10% off at this link when you enter discount code TIMALLENANIMATION at the checkout!
Limited to 10 places to ensure one on one mentoring time & facilitate Tim tweaking exercises as best suits each individual
All animation will be High Definition & can be exported to keep as an mp4 video file
Running 9:30-18:00 each day. Arrive 9:15 on Monday to give yourself time to find our venue Island social & settle in for coffee & croissants 
Based at London City Island, surrounded by riverside walks & minutes away from stunning views of the Thames
For student discount, email Tim with a copy of your student ID to receive a promo code for use at checkout – Tim@TimAllenAnimation.com
Mentoring weeks only happen occasionally to fit around Tim’s busy schedule as a freelance animator. Tim is booked around the world on a wide variety of stop motion jobs but loves taking the opportunity to be back home at London City Island & share his ever-expanding knowhow with the next generation of stop motion animators!
Frequently asked questions
Are there ID or minimum age requirements to enter the event?
18 & over only
What are my transportation/parking options for getting to and from the event?
London City Island has limited parking at £15 per day. The D3 bus terminates at Leamouth bus stop just 2 minutes walk from the venue. Canning Town underground runs nonstop on the Jubilee or DLR lines. London’s airports are relatively easy to get from via public transport
What can I bring into the event?
All equipment is provided but it’s recommended to bring a USB stick to save a copy of your work onto. You are welcome to bring your own puppet or laptop & video camera if you have animated before with them & feel more comfortable using your own equipment. However your own puppet may not be suitable for some of the exercises dependent on it’s construction & body shape. The exercises are designed to make full use of a Stickybones puppet to maximise learning anatomy. Please email Tim for advice if you’d like to discuss further
How can I contact the organizer with any questions?
Email Tim@TimAllenAnimation.com
What’s the refund policy?
Refunds up to 14 days before the event begins to give Tim time to find a replacement. In the case of illness, there’s a charge of £150 for a last minute cancellation. It’s unlikely that someone on the waiting list can change their plans with very late notice to fill the place unfortunately. As an alternative, please see the next question…!
Is it ok if the name on my ticket or registration doesn’t match the person who attends?
Yes but please contact Tim to advise in advance
Do I need any animation experience to do these exercises?
Realistically attendees will vary in their knowledge of animation. It’s preferable to have had some practice with stop motion but both beginners & even more experienced animators will find this a fresh & simplified approach for understanding & recreating movement of the human body
Do you offer student discount?
Email Tim with a copy of your student ID to be sent a promo code for use at the checkout when purchasing your ticket – Tim@TimAllenAnimation.com
