Territory Studio’s creative minds behind Dune: Prophecy, Call of Duty Black Ops 6, and Vast Haven-1 spill the beans on designing for Hollywood, gaming, and the ever-evolving world of motion design.  Check out the corresponding blog post here: https://www.schoolofmotion.com/blog/t... Ever wonder how  mind-blowing sci-fi interfaces, cinematic VFX, and hyper-realistic game graphics come to life? In this episode, Joey Korenman sits down with the brains behind Territory Studio—Marti Romances, Luke Kaile, Russ Gautier, and Liam Proniewicz—to talk shop. They’re the artists making blockbuster visuals happen, and trust us, you’ll want to hear what they have to say. If you’re a motion designer, VFX artist, or just someone who geeks out over killer design, this is a must-watch. Hey, listeners! If you want to see the discussed works and fun behind the scenes shots, check out this episode on our YouTube channel! 

Blender artist and motion designer Elijah Sheffield shares how he transitioned into 3D, built a standout demo reel, and turned personal projects into career-defining moments. Check out the corresponding blog post (with episode highlights) here: https://www.schoolofmotion.com/blog/elijah-sheffield-blender 👉 CHAPTERS 👈 00:00 Coming Up 00:22 Elijah Sheffield's Background and Early Career 01:29 Discovering Motion Design 03:32 College and Grad School Experience 13:30 First Job and Career Challenges 18:11 Finding the Motivation to Make Demo Reel Pieces 23:31 Transition to Freelance 26:41 Social Media's Impact on Career 34:52 Having a Freelance Plan 42:00 Pain and Rainbows of Freelance Work 44:18 Challenges and Rewards of Learning Blender 49:35 Finding a Style 55:16 Blender Learning Curve 01:03:28 Integrating Blender into Your 3D Pipeline 01:20:21 The Future of Blender 01:24:12 That's a Wrap! 🗒️ SHOW NOTES Artists: Elijah Sheffield https://www.behance.net/sweetboymotion#  EJ Hassenfratz https://www.youtube.com/@eyedesyn/videos  Myles Bolden https://mylesjbolden.myportfolio.com/ Jonathan Winbush https://www.youtube.com/@JonathanWinbush/  Norm MacDonald https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norm_Macdonald  Chris Smith https://csmithstudios.com/  Joey Korenman https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeykorenman  Andrew Kramer https://www.videocopilot.net/  Studios: School of Motion https://www.schoolofmotion.com/  SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design) https://www.scad.edu/  Pixar https://www.pixar.com/  DreamWorks https://www.dreamworks.com/  Work: Museum of History and Magic https://www.museumhm.org/ Killdozer https://www.instagram.com/sweetboy.motion/p/Cw0os46AIZN/  Spider-Verse https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spider-Man:_Across_the_Spider-Verse  Ninja Turtles Arcane https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arcane_(TV_series)  Resources: Greyscalegorilla https://greyscalegorilla.com/  Maya https://www.autodesk.com/products/maya/overview?term=1-YEAR&tab=subscription  ZBrush https://www.maxon.net/en/zbrush  Cinema 4D https://www.maxon.net/en/cinema-4d  Blender https://www.blender.org/  Unreal Engine Course https://www.schoolofmotion.com/courses/unreal-engine-for-3d-artists  Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/ Demo Reel Dash https://www.schoolofmotion.com/courses/demo-reel-dash Arnold https://www.autodesk.com/products/arnold/overview  Eevee https://docs.blender.org/manual/en/latest/render/eevee/introduction.html  Grease Pencil https://docs.blender.org/manual/en/latest/grease_pencil/index.html  Clay Pencil https://pepeschoolland.gumroad.com/l/ibbls  Donut Tutorial https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0J27sf9N1Y&list=PLjEaoINr3zgEPv5y--4MKpciLaoQYZB1Z  STL files https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/STL_(file_format)  Blender Market https://blendermarket.com/  Freelance Manifesto https://www.amazon.com/Freelance-Manifesto-Modern-Motion-Designer-ebook/dp/B071JRYMSG     

Joel Pilger, an industry veteran and founder of Impossible Pictures, dives deep into thriving in the motion design field. He discusses the evolving industry landscape and the impact of economic shifts, offering strategies for adaptation. Joel emphasizes the importance of authenticity and personal branding for success. With a positive outlook for 2025, he showcases opportunities for innovation and niche exploration. He also highlights the value of community and effective communication in building relationships and navigating the pitching process.

Aharon Rabinowitz, a talented motion designer who joined the School of Motion in 2024, joins industry veterans Joey Korenman and EJ Hassenfratz to discuss the transformative changes in motion design over the past year. They delve into the impact of AI on the industry, the evolution of real-time tools, and the importance of community engagement. The trio also share bold predictions for 2025, emphasizing the need for adaptation and innovation. From software updates to emerging platforms, this conversation is packed with insights on the future of motion design!

Dive into the nostalgia of digital art as industry legends recount their journeys from the Flash era. Discover the evolution of interactive design and how Rive is reshaping the landscape. Hear fascinating stories about the early days of ASCII and the birth of their studio, 2Advanced. Explore the balance between creativity and technology, and learn how small teams can maintain quality amidst growth. Finally, witness their vision for revitalizing the creative community and pushing the boundaries of design.

PJ Richardson, co-founder of Laundry Studio, shares his journey from graffiti artist to motion design innovator. He discusses the emotional challenges artists face in the fast-evolving motion graphics industry and the balance of adapting to new tools like Blender. The importance of community and personal creativity shines through, highlighting how genuine projects can attract clients. He also tackles the influence of AI, emphasizing the need for a human touch amidst technological advancements, ensuring artists stay inspired and thrive.

In this episode of the School of Motion podcast, Joey chats with Yukai Du, a Chinese-born, London-based illustrator and animator, about her journey into art and animation. Yukai’s story is packed with insights for creatives aiming to carve out their own space in the industry—straight from someone who’s done exactly that. See the corresponding blog post here: https://www.schoolofmotion.com/blog/y...

Danny Gonzalez and Jeremy Lasky, co-founders of Perception, a motion design studio famous for their work on Marvel films, share insights into their creative journey. They discuss their transition from traditional broadcast to high-stakes film projects, fueled by their passion for Marvel. The duo highlights the challenges of balancing creativity with client expectations under pressure, showcasing their innovative contributions to iconic visuals like those in Iron Man. They also explore the evolving integration of UI and UX design in storytelling, emphasizing collaboration and adaptability in the fast-paced creative industry.

Chris Hardcastle and Ian Waters, the co-creators of the innovative Cavalry animation software, bring a wealth of experience to the table. They reveal how Cavalry challenges traditional animation tools like After Effects with its node-based system and data-driven automation. The duo discusses the software's groundbreaking features, its potential for high-volume projects, and how it streamlines workflows. They also share insights into the future of motion design, emphasizing its generative capabilities that empower both seasoned animators and newcomers alike.

Hayley Akins, the founder of Motion Hatch, specializes in empowering motion designers with strategic business insights. She dives into the challenges freelancers face in a post-COVID world and the importance of adapting business strategies. Hayley discusses the shift to productized services, smart pricing tactics, and the need for proactive self-promotion on social media. She emphasizes building connections through community engagement and using platforms like LinkedIn, providing invaluable advice for enhancing visibility and securing clients in a competitive landscape.