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With Illumination Animator Nicolas Joly
Restrained Acting For Animation
What is restrained acting and why is it so important?
When starting out in animation, you need to learn how to, well, animate! This involves studying motion, getting the hang of walk cycles, finding out one more fun way to get your character into the next pose, and so much more. However, something always tends to get overlooked. And that’s how to not move a character.
Without the understanding of animating no motion, there’s nothing to balance out the overwhelming chaos that comes with starting out - all of sudden, your animation is too exaggerated, lacks a believable performance, specificity and detail.
This is what Restrained Acting for Animation is all about. It’s here to help you fill that gap and master the subtleties that come with creating an authentic performance.
Why studios look for great acting reels
Studios don't need you to be able to make great animation. They need you to be able to deliver genuine and captivating performances.
This includes being able to see the character's thinking process, their shift in emotions, and natural rhythm. In order for the viewer to connect with the character and be allowed inside, we're going to need those quiet, restrained moments.
Studios don't want just the punch, they want the motivation and rage that comes right before when they choose to punch.
A Comprehensive Course Covering Everything!
Unlock the full animation process with Restrained Acting for Animation—a complete course that guides you through every step, from planning and reference to polish and post-production. You'll even get bonus material on body mechanics to strengthen your foundation and elevate your acting choices.
The Curriculum
​​Reference Library - 4 Sections
Acting & Reference - 4 Lectures
Shot Planning - 4 Lectures
Mastering Cameras - 4 Lectures
Blocking - 5 Lectures
Common Areas Animators Struggle - 6 Lectures
Spline - 6 Lectures
Lip Sync - 1 Lecture
Polish - 3 Lectures
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Technical Workflow - 2 Lectures
Lessons from Feature Film - 1 Lecture
Post Production - 1 Lecture
Body Mechanics + Cartoony - 11 Lectures
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Sarah Rig Included!
+ Arnold Textures
+ Full Production Picker
Course Instructor
Nicolas Joly
Senior Animator at Illumination
Nicolas loves working in a semi realistic style! He's strong with body acting and performance in general, but his favorite kind of shots focus on facial performance.
BONUS
As part of the Restrained Acting for Animation course, you'll find an additional body mechanic specific shot as part of the course material! It's designed to help you with principles such as path of action, exaggerated timing, and appealing rhythm. This additional material pairs excellently with the restrained acting shot to show you both sides of the coin - how to pull back from a shot and how to push it! This will help you balance the two extremes and use them accordingly in future work.
Future Feature Film Animators!
Created For
Restrained Acting for Animation was designed specifically with aspiring feature film animators in mind. This course mirrors the real-world studio pipeline, taking you through each step in the process - from reference/storyboards to blocking, splining, when to show the team/supervisor, what goes on in post-production, and so much more. You'll get a first hand look at what goes into creating a grounded, believable performance that aligns with the subtlety and nuance expected at the highest level of animation. With bonus material in body mechanics, you'll build the skills needed to thrive in a competitive industry!
Have you got experience animating?
This course is designed for those who already have some animation experience under their belt. Whether that's on small productions, personal projects, a few courses, or even years of professional experience - if you can animate a shot then we're here to help you level up!
You want to be a feature film animator!
If your dream is to animate and add to the magic of feature films while working for a major studio, then this mentorship is for you! We dive into the nitty gritty and focus on the skills, polish, and storytelling that professional studios require from you. Lupin House will bridge that gap between your current work and industry expectations.
Preparing for Industry Standards
From workflows to communication skills to animation quality, this mentorship will provide you with the skills you need to thrive in a production environment. Studios look for animators who can reliably deliver clean, organic, professional work and that is exactly what we'll be training you for!
You struggle with believable performances
If your characters sometimes feel stiff, disconnected, or lacking life, you’re not alone—and you're exactly who we’re here for. Our mentorship dives deep into acting, body mechanics, and emotional nuance, giving you the tools to create performances that truly connect with audience.
