The one question asked in every demo reel review at every animation company is

"Can this artist light a character?"

This is a character driven business and you must demonstrate your ability to light a character well in order to get your first job in this industry.

This course will cover the concepts of character lighting including creating shaping, hero color, rembrandt lighting, getting a character to read off a background, lighting a villian, and everything you will need to light great looking characters for your demo reel!!

What's that you say? You don't have a character to light? We've got you covered! We will also be providing you with a rigged character and background plates for you to pose and light and get on your reel ASAP!

It's time to show the world that you have what it takes to be a lighting artist in the world of animation and visual effects!

Is Academy of Animated Art right for you?

If any of this sounds like you, Academy of Animated Art is right for you.

• Are you someone that has always dreamed of a challenging, rewarding career that pushes you both technically and artistically? We are right for you.
• Have you been trying and trying to make better looking 3D images, but just can’t figure out where to begin?Academy of Animated Art is right for you.
• Do you live where there are no schools are teaching visual effects or computer animation? Academy of Animated Art is right for you.
• Are you looking to change careers but even the thought of paying to go back to a traditional school sounds like torture? Academy of Animated Art is right for you.
• Have you ever dreamed of seeing your name in the credits of the next animated or VFX film? We are right for you.

Course Curriculum

Intro
StartWelcome to the Course! (0:56)
The Essentials of Character Lighting
StartThe 3 Components of Any Great Shot (1:45)
StartLighting For The Character's Shape (2:37)
StartCreating Character/Background Separation (7:08)
StartEmphasizing the Character's Hero Color (2:57)
StartLighting To Heighten Emotion (5:02)
PreviewMake the Eyes Look Amazing! (7:34)
StartAnimal Eye Look From Finding Nemo (0:51)
StartHow to Light Black & White Characters (9:53)
StartUtilize Specularity to Improve Character Shaping (5:01)
StartHero/Villain Lighting (7:00)
StartHistory of Character Lighting (7:27)
Movie Breakdowns
PreviewThere Will Be Blood - Breakdown (7:48)
StartLincoln - Breakdown (5:30)
StartEpic - Breakdown (4:25)
Light That Character!
StartA Simple Approach To Lighting A Character (23:41)
Character Walkthrough #1
StartSetup (3:54)
StartKey Light (13:07)
StartSecondary Light 01 (10:45)
StartSecondary Light 02 (12:51)
StartEye Lighting (13:46)
Character Walkthrough #2 - Mr Bean in Renderman
PreviewThe Entire Walkthrough! (23:19)
Lighting Assets
StartFully Rigged Characters and Backgrounds to Light for Your Demo Reel!
Character - Sir Desmodus Rotundus
Character - Toucan
Character - Mr. Bean
Character - Knitted Bunny
Character - Drogon
Character - Knitted Monster
Character - PhotoReal Louise
Character - Rigged Cartoony Carrot
Closing
Statements (0:15)