School of Motion Podcast Why Motion Designers Are Having a Moment — with Adobe’s Michael Tanzillo
Sep 10, 2025
Michael Tanzillo, Head of 3D Technical Artists at Adobe, shares his intriguing journey from lighting animated films to leading the Substance 3D team. He discusses the rising prominence of motion designers in animation studios and emphasizes that foundational skills like storytelling are timeless. The conversation delves into integrating 3D tools within Adobe, efficiency in motion design, and the transformative power of 3D in various industries. Tanzillo also tackles the role of AI in creativity, highlighting the importance of human artistry and genuine industry connections.
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How He Found 3D
- Michael discovered 3D after working in a darkroom and seeing renders in an art gallery, which hooked him on visual storytelling.
- He learned Cinema 4D, spent months modeling for a robotics book, and fell in love with creating images in 3D.
From Render Wrangler To Lighter
- Michael began at Blue Sky as a Render Wrangler (Lighting Technical Assistant) managing render farms and learning by watching dailies.
- He eventually lit shots on Ice Age 3 and progressed to junior and then senior lighting artist roles over a decade.
Art Beats Software
- Skills like composition, color, and lighting matter more than specific renderer knowledge for success in studios.
- Michael and Jasmine created an online school to teach these artistic fundamentals educational programs miss.