Then the second session transitions to fantasy creatures and vfx-style animation while adopting the same real world principles from the first session. "We have three new characters in the overall program: a cat, an ogre and a dragon," Beck explains. "We went out into the real world and filmed a bunch of live-action plates and then matchmoved those plates and created environments inside the computer, so we can have our students have their characters fully interacting in those environments. That is what the second class is all about: best practices for the industry."

Meanwhile, in the lectures, leading vfx character animators share their experience by creating original animated scenes using the new Animation Mentor characters, discussing animation theory, and breaking down shots from various features and helping students apply these theories and workflow tips to their own work.

"It's really exciting to see that Animation Mentor is starting this whole new curriculum focused on the creature world of animation," adds Peter Kelly, Animals & Creatures lecturer and mentor, who is also a senior animator at Industrial Light & Magic. "Now students can learn both character animation and can now study animals and effects-based animation."

"I am really excited about this amazing new course," adds Jean-Denis Haas, Animation Mentor campus mentor and senior animator at Industrial Light & Magic. "Animation Mentor is doing a great job of providing what animators really need to grow while keeping it fun and useful in the real world."

Enrollment for Animals & Creatures: Master Class is now open for alumni of Animation Mentor's character animation program. The program will begin accepting new applications from professional animators and non-alumni on April 11, 2011. Register to view a live webcast where you can get a behind-the-scenes look at this course at www.animationmentor.com.

Bill Desowitz is senior editor of AWN & VFXWorld.