This masterclass serves as an archival masterclass in character mechanics and performance. It pulls back the curtain on how top-tier studio talent navigate Autodesk Maya to deliver characters that feel alive, weighty, and full of appeal. Below, we break down the core components, workflows, and invaluable industry insights unveiled in this deep-dive seminar. The Masters Behind the Class
For the next forty-five minutes, Leo forgot about the pharmaceuticals. He forgot about his bitterness. He drew a scruffy terrier sitting on a porch. The owner, a silhouette, knelt down. Leo animated the dog’s tail. Not a wag—a single, hesitant thump against the wooden floor. Then the dog placed its paw on the owner’s knee.
"Just finished AnimSquad’s master class with Disney’s Zach Parrish & Brent Homman — gold for character animators. Focus on acting-first, strong silhouettes, timing beats, and subtle facial work. Recommending the blocking → rough pass → polish workflow. Must-watch for reel improvements."
Zach Parrish put a hand on his shoulder. "That’s the master class, Leo. Anyone can draw a running wolf. But a dog waiting for an owner who’s already left? That takes a broken heart and the courage to show it." animsquad master class disney s zach parrish brent homman
If you tell me what your primary skill level is (beginner, intermediate, advanced) or what specific character animation challenges you are currently facing (e.g., weight, facial acting), I can recommend which parts of the master class might be most relevant to you. I can also: Tell you more about the individual work of either animator.
Studying under Parrish and Homman provides unique insights that cannot be found in standard textbook tutorials. 1. Animating the Subtext
Homman’s portion focuses on the technical and artistic difficulty of Subtle, Close-up Performance . He specifically tackles the challenge of maintaining "fleshiness" and appeal in female characters, a skill he refined during his work on Frozen and Tangled . His segment is a masterclass in human interaction and the micro-expressions that convey deep relatability to an audience. Career Context: From Student to Master This masterclass serves as an archival masterclass in
AnimSquad has established itself as a premier destination for closing this gap. Through its exclusive Master Class program, led by industry icons Zach Parrish and Brent Homman, students gain unprecedented access to the exact workflows, philosophies, and critique styles that shape modern Disney classics. The Instructors: Disney Pedigree and Vision
The course was originally available for download via Vimeo and YouTube teasers hosted by AnimSquad.
For those unfamiliar, AnimSquad is not a traditional university. It is a boutique, high-intensity online workshop built by professional animators at studios like Pixar, DreamWorks, and Disney. While other online schools focus on software (Maya, Blender, 3ds Max), AnimSquad focuses on . The Masters Behind the Class For the next
The room gasped.
Zach’s 10-hour segment focuses on a high-energy, broad, and deeply expressive cartoony sequence. He verbalizes every single keyframe choice in real-time, breaking his process down into precise stages:
The workflows shown are directly applicable to professional studio environments.
: A master of subtlety, micro-expressions, and fleshiness. Brent served as an Animation Supervisor on Big Hero 6 and brought his specialized expertise to the complex character arcs and performances of globally celebrated features like Tangled and Frozen . Master Class Structure & Curriculum Breakdown