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So you want to make an animation?

Want to make your own cartoon? Here’s our guide to some of the best online resources for creating animated movies

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You’ve read our list of the 100 best animated movies, and you’re feeling fired up. But where to begin? Luckily, animation is one of the most democratic of all cinematic art forms: You don’t need a cast, a crew or millions of dollars. All you need is a camera or computer, and a heap of ideas. From simple YouTube videos to pricy college courses, here are ten ways to begin your cartoon career.

RECOMMENDED: Explore the 100 best animated movies ever made

1. Buy the book every animator swears by


The Animator’s Survival Kit by legendary filmmaker Richard Williams is the standard textbook for cartoonists the world over. Handily, it’s been made into a set of DVDs as well.

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2. Take a look at a really simple Web page for newcomers


Bloop Animation is a great online resource for all aspects of animation. Their “Animation for Beginners” page is the friendliest, most accessible one we found.

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3. Use YouTube to figure out what kind of computer program suits you


There are loads of videos to help you get started in computer animation. This Adobe After Effects tutorial features a voiceover by the charmingly foulmouthed Ross Plaskow.

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4. Not sold on After Effects? Try Flash.


Here’s a long, in-depth look at making key-frame animated films using Flash. Yes, the voiceover is by a worryingly upbeat Australian who calls himself Jazza, but we’ll let that go.

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5. Still not convinced? How about Photoshop?


This slightly busy tutorial uses Photoshop to illustrate techniques in Japanese-style anime. Yes, the music is awful, but you can always turn it off.

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6. Getting serious? Try an online course.


Animation Mentor offers online study packages and workshops in everything, from narrative fundamentals to lighting, character and creature design.

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7. Learn from a master


Director Don Bluth is the man behind animated classics like The Secret of NIMH and The Land Before Time. He’s since turned his hand to teaching and sells DVDs from his website that cover all aspects of animation.

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8. Get really serious and apply to college


Animation Career Review’s list of the top 100 schools for studying animation in the U.S. is an invaluable resource, covering courses for everyone from beginners to experienced cartoonists.

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9. Join the online community of animators


Animation Blogspot is a hub for animators, enthusiasts and experts. If there’s something you need to know, the odds are you’ll find it here.

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10. Soak up new influences at an animation festival


If you’ve already started to make your own animated work, there are literally hundreds of specialized festivals worldwide—from tiny DIY events to huge international showcases like Annecy and the L.A. Animation Festival. The site Animation Festivals has details and contact information for all of them.

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Discover more from the world of animation...

The 100 best animated movies

We’ve polled over 100 experts in the field of animation—from directors like Fantastic Mr. Fox’s Wes Anderson, Ice Age and Rio’s Carlos Saldanha, and Wallace & Gromit’s Nick Park, to critics and hardcore fans alike—to come up with the 100 best animated movies ever made.

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