Animation Field Notes

Find Your Inner Mad Hatter

What we can learn from Ward Kimball

5 hrs ago • Todd Shaffer

1

The Art of Economic Motion

Combat "over-gesticulation"

Mar 9 • Todd Shaffer

February 2026

Emotional Memory

Make your performances personal

Feb 26 • Todd Shaffer

Emotional Contrast

Shifting emotions keep a performance engaging

Feb 24 • Todd Shaffer

1

1

To Play the Joke or Not Play the Joke?

That is the Question

Feb 4 • Todd Shaffer

1

Fully Commit to Your Performance

Vacillating creates a shaky foundation

Feb 2 • Todd Shaffer

2

January 2026

Blinks are Not Bird Seed

Lazy eye choices expose weak performances

Jan 7 • Todd Shaffer

2

The Coil Beneath the Performance

Desire is the Engine Beneath Every Performance

Jan 5 • Todd Shaffer

3

1

December 2025

Listening is the Most Active Thing a Character Can Do

Don't let them go dead when they're quiet

Dec 29, 2025 • Todd Shaffer

1

1

Drawing From a Full Bin of Flour

The Quiet Work That Makes Performances Unforgettable

Dec 26, 2025 • Todd Shaffer

1

Truth before Technique

Technique impresses, but truth is what stays

Dec 22, 2025 • Todd Shaffer

1

The Art of Subtlety

Subtle animation isn’t about incremental movement. It’s about choosing well.

Dec 18, 2025 • Todd Shaffer

3

1