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The Shapes in Motion Podcast
005: Character Animation: Stuart Messinger on Performance, Storytelling, and Believability
In this episode, Sarah Perry chats with animator, animation educator and former VFX production manager Stuart Messinger discussing the animator's journey, highlighting education, performance and character movement. Stuart shares his path from storytelling fascination to industry success, emphasising connections, preparation and key skills for animators. They explore believability, collaboration, physicalisation and the role of props, music and backstory in character portrayal. Stuart offers insights into balancing technicality with authenticity and reflects on his creative projects.
Stuart's film credits include: ‘Valiant’, Tim Burton’s ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’, ‘Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire’, Roland Emmerich’s ’10,000BC’, ‘The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian’ and Aardman Animations stop motion feature film 'The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists' directed by the brilliant Peter Lord!
Stuart is currently the course leader for Aardman Academy at Aardman.
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4. 004: ‘Finding your unique style and niche as a movement director’
33:59||Ep. 4In this episode, Sarah Perry and Stephen Moynihan discuss how to get into the movement direction industry. They share their personal journeys and offer advice for emerging movement directors. They emphasise the importance of understanding performers and building a network of relationships. They also discuss the value of ongoing education and the need to find one's own unique style and niche in the industry. The conversation concludes with the recommendation to live life authentically and follow one's passions.
3. 003: ‘The origin and evolution of Shapes in Motion’
23:01||Ep. 3Shapes in Motion is a company that offers workshops and training in movement and performance. It was formally established in 2010, but had been operating informally since 2006. The company is based at Sadler's Wells in London and focuses on movement in the context of performance, catering to actors, movers, dancers, and animators. Shapes in Motion has evolved over time, adapting to the challenges posed by COVID-19 by offering online events and conversations. The company has also fostered a strong sense of community and support among its members. The podcast is a natural extension of this community, providing a platform to share experiences and insights from practitioners in the field.
2. 002: 'Meet your host Sarah Perry'
16:06||Ep. 2Sarah Perry shares her journey in the arts, from being a shy child to finding her confidence through acting and performing. She discusses how she transitioned from being an actor to a movement director, particularly in the field of motion capture. Sarah also talks about the balance between working in TV, film, and live action, and the importance of storytelling through movement. The conversation concludes with the introduction of the Shapes in Motion podcast and the motivation behind it.
1. 001: 'Meet your host Stephen Moynihan'
14:48||Ep. 1In this conversation, Sarah Perry interviews Stephen Moynihan to introduce him to the listeners. They discuss Stephen's background in movement directing and choreography, his passion for dance and movement, and his experiences in theatre, TV, and film. They also talk about the importance of having conversations about movement in the industry and the diversity of voices and experiences within it.