Workshop

Crafting visual essays

A Holdframe Workshop by School of Motion

Enroll in this Course

Start date

April 7, 2025

Start date

January 10, 2025

April 7, 2025

Can't make the date? Don't panic! We have other dates you can choose from.

3+ hours

A Holdframe Workshop by School of Motion

Certificate on completion

Receive a SOM verified credential when you complete this course to help you with your career.

Advanced

This is an advanced course, ideal for those looking to go to the next level with their skills.

Course Overview

In this Workshop, award-winning director and founder of Holdframe, Joe Donaldson, talks about the series he created for The New Yorker. We discuss everything from the project’s conceptual development and process, all the way down to the production techniques used in each film. This Workshop offers a unique behind-the-scenes glimpse at what went into creating each of these films on seminal figures: Leonard Cohen, Janelle Monáe, and David Attenborough. Focusing specifically on what decisions were made, why, and what it was like producing 3, nearly 3-minute films, in just 15-weeks.

You Get:

3+ Hours of video content

Exclusive behind the scenes and interviews

Downloadable project files to follow along

Lifetime access to course content

Pay in full

Make the full payment when you register, and you’re off to the races!

Pay in full

3 Payments of

Make one payment when you register, and then 2 more a month apart.

Pay in installments

Teams

Looking to purchase for a team?

Looking to purchase for a team? Get in touch for more information about our special Team Training options and volume discounts.

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Alumni highlights

Course syllabus.

The importance of process

In this chapter we take a look at how important process is to creating long-form animated content, how to organize your thoughts, and how to present work to the client.

Turning words into pictures

In this chapter we explore how to develop mere words into a rich visual narrative. Most importantly, we look at how to start small and systematically build and develop your ideas.

Setting the tone and art direction

What should it look like, and why? In this chapter, we examine these age-old questions and try to better understand Joe’s process for finding the right solution.

Project organization and process

Regardless of style, managing 2+ minutes of animated content is no laughing matter. In this chapter, we take a look at how this project was organized, what worked, and what didn’t.

The art of economic animation

Sometimes animation is fun, sometimes it’s about survival. In this chapter, we discuss the good, the bad, and the ugly. How can you be uncompromising in your ideas, but still make them manageable?

Not making the same mistake twice

Now it's time to go full circle and take a peek at one of Joe’s early “mistakes,” what was learned, how that informed his process, and how this was applied for the last film in the series.

Extended Critique Period

The final weeks of class are Extended Critique. You can use this time to catch up, complete your final project, then turn it in for critique.

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Meet your instructor.

Joe Donaldson

Creative director

Joe Donaldson has worn many hats from intern all the way through internationally represented director. In present day he splits his time between developing Holdframe, working at Buck, and teaching. And of course, running...

Join over 20,000 alumni around the globe.

It really built my confidence.

I took Cinema 4D Basecamp and it really built my confidence. Now, I'm on my fourth 3D product animation for a professional client. I'm also the Director of Motion Graphics at a design firm. I can't say enough good things about it!

Jared Schafer

Director of Motion Graphics

I can't thank School of Motion enough!

I'm more confident, more relevant, more equipped, better connected and close to my goals since School of Motion entered my life.

Leigh Williamson

Illustrator & Animator

I learned a bucket load.

The course was amazing. The teachers were fantastic, always available. The community that I was able to connect with was insane because everyone was helpful and the feedback was great. I learned a bucket load of stuff about animation.

Ross Symons

Founder & Creative Director

It took me from 0 to 1000.

Animation Bootcamp is one of the best classes I've ever taken. It didn't just take me from like 0 to 10 — or even 0 to 100. It took me from 0 to 1000 in terms of getting the animation skills I needed to boost my career. It got me using motion design in all of my projects.

Sherene Strausberg

Motion Designer

I have the position I have because of Animation Bootcamp.

In all honesty, I now have the position I have in the industry because of Animation Bootcamp and because of everything that I got out of School of Motion. Truly, I could not recommend SoM and this course enough.

Alyssa Coburn

Assistant Director of Content Strategy

I recently started my dream job.

I recently started my dream job and I would have 100% never gotten here without taking the School of Motion courses that I did.

Ben-Soto

Motion Designer

The best learning experience I've ever had.

If anyone asks me "What's the best online course on the planet?", I'd say Animation Bootcamp. It's been the best learning experience I've ever had. One thing that really differentiates Animation Bootcamp from other online animation courses is critique...I loved it.

Meng Hsueh Lin

2D Animator

I landed a great job.

I'm a full-time motion graphics artist, in no small part because of Animation Bootcamp by School of Motion. I took the bootcamp in 2018 and landed a great job just months after.

Kate Collazo

Design and Animation Consultant

Incredible experience...

I don't have the right words to explain how valuable School of Motion was for me. I went in skeptical because I took courses on other platforms and felt like I got little to nothing out of them. SOM was completely different. The aspect of community was there, the Teaching Assistant was extremely helpful and a sense of accountability was there, and most importantly the content and quality of the actual teaching was there.

Mike Kittredge

Creative Director, Design Team Lead

You get real critique!

I took Design Bootcamp. My favorite part was the interaction with the Teaching Assistant. That was the best part of the entire program, which is the ability to talk to someone about your work and your ability to get actual critique on your work. I learned so much about designing, specifically for animation.

Olamide Rowland

Motion Designer

Animation bootcamp changed my life.

This is not hyperbole... Animation Bootcamp changed my life. I now understood curves and how the graph and speed editors actually worked. I saw the value of shape layers instead of just using solids with masks. It totally changed the way I approached projects moving forward.

Zach Christy

Designer + Animator

I recommend it more than a traditional art school.

I'm just super thankful that School of Motion was right there to give me jam-packed lessons in a short amount of time with mentors and guides to help me along the way and it really laid the foundation of my career. I highly recommend it as an alternative to a traditional art school.

Antoinie Eugene

Motion Designer

I learned so much, so quickly.

Wow, this really changed things for me. I learned so much, so quickly. In fact, I learned all the things I didn't know that I didn't know. It was really good fun.

Bill Dunsmuir

It completely changed everything for me.

I've been doing motion graphics and video editing for 20+ years. I took this course six years ago and it completely changed everything for me. I'm faster, I'm efficient, and I'm able to teach it to other people. That, and everything looks better!

Seth Hodel

Lead Video Editor

One of the most rewarding, most amazing courses that I've ever experienced.

Let me just tell you, man, Animation Bootcamp is the best. One of the most rewarding, most amazing courses that I've ever experienced. I just loved the one-on-one coaching that you get and the the community aspect of it.

Jeffrey Ordillo

Sr. Motion Graphics Production Artist

I enrolled in the course and my head exploded.

School of Motion's Animation Bootcamp is a game changer. Before that, I learned After Effects through YouTube tutorials, but I noticed that there was something missing from my work (and I didn't know what it was). A friend told me about School of Motion. I enrolled in the course and my head exploded.

Nate Riggs

Creative Content Producer

Reignited my passion for animation

School of Motion courses quickly reignited my passion for animation and helped me launch my career in an exciting new direction.

Deanna Reilly

Animator & Illustrator

School of Motion literally changed my life.

I'm a full time freelancer and I'm having to turn down work because I'm so busy! School of Motion literally changed my life.

Chip Nash

Motion Designer & Animator

Suddenly, my animation had that "wow factor".

It all came together to create an unbeatable learning experience. Animation Bootcamp took me from good to great. The techniques I learned, the principles I mastered...they all massively improved my work. Suddenly, my animation had that "wow factor". Whether you are just beginning or a seasoned pro, School of Motion has something transformative to offer.

Nicolae Ciobota

Editor and Motion Graphics

It completely changed everything for me.

Jason Mileto

Lead Video Editor

I switched from graphic design to motion graphics.

I've tried courses from other providers, but this was one of the most structured when it comes to learning After Effects and animation. It took me to a point where I switched from being a graphic designer to completely going into motion graphics.

Kash Bhatia

Motion Designer

I really got invested and it took me to the next level.

Animation Bootcamp was the beginning of my motion design career. I really got invested and it took me to the next level. A lot of the lessons pushed me in terms of what I was comfortable making in After Effects.

Isaac Sommers

Motion Designer / Animator

Great community support, great teachers and great lessons.

C4D Basecamp, like all School of Motion courses it had great community support, great teachers and great lessons and projects. It goes beyond just learning the tools and goes into 3D, designing, and animating.

Margaret Cumming

Director of Design

Just a few of your career prospects.

So, what makes us different?

Personalized Attention and Feedback

Enroll in a School of Motion course and receive personalized feedback directly from leading, industry-recognized designers and animators. Our classes stand out because you’re not just completing projects; you're getting tailored guidance from the best in the business, ensuring your work isn’t just finished—it’s polished.

Real-World Ready Skills

Each School of Motion course is crafted to mirror actual industry workflows, ensuring the skills you acquire are immediately applicable in professional environments. Dive into your daily creative projects with knowledge that seamlessly translates from the virtual classroom to real-world tasks.

Community and Connections

Dive into the vibrant School of Motion community, where you can interact, showcase your projects, and connect with both peers and top industry professionals. This platform isn't just about learning; it's a place to build relationships that enrich your skills and open up new career opportunities.

So, what makes us different?

Flexible Learning Structure

School of Motion stands out with its lifetime access to course materials, unlike many other platforms that limit your time. Learn at your own pace, revisit lessons as needed, and never feel the rush—your learning journey is entirely in your hands.

In-Depth Resource Access

Dive deep into your creative potential with School of Motion. Our self-guided courses not only provide comprehensive resources but also include exclusive project files and proprietary tools that you won’t find in other platforms’ offerings. Unlock the full spectrum of design and animation techniques at your own pace.

Progressive Skill Building

Each course at School of Motion is carefully designed to build your skills progressively, starting from the fundamentals and advancing to more complex concepts. This structured approach ensures you develop a solid foundation, setting you up for success as you tackle increasingly challenging techniques.

So, what makes us different?

Short-Term Intensive Learning

Dive into focused, high-impact learning with our workshops. These project-based workshops focus on a real-world project from a top artist, and are tailored to hone specific skills and techniques that are not only current but also in high demand. Perfect for professionals looking to quickly elevate their expertise.

In-Depth Resource Access

Workshops don’t just teach you how a project was made, it also lets you peek behind the curtain with exclusive project files and proprietary assets directly from the artist who created them. It’s like having your own world-class mentor.

Industry Tools and Techniques

Our workshops focus on the latest industry-standard tools and techniques, ensuring you stay ahead of the curve with the newest trends and practices. Gear up to master cutting-edge skills that keep you competitive.

So, what makes us different?

Open-Door Learning

Our free courses offer a welcoming introduction to motion design, giving you a taste of our teaching style and the quality of our courses. It's the perfect way for potential students to explore what School of Motion has to offer before diving into our paid options.

Broad Overview

Our free courses span a wide array of topics, offering a comprehensive overview that helps beginners identify their passion within motion design. Discover your niche and decide which areas you’d like to explore in depth.

Community Engagement

Discover the vibrant School of Motion community with our free courses. Learn how you can be a part of our ecosystem, connect with peers, and gain insights from a diverse range of talented artists. We’ve got your back on your creative journey.

Crafting visual essays

Course Overview

You Get:

Alumni highlights

Course syllabus.

Meet your instructor.

Join over 20,000 alumni around the globe.

Video critique

Just a few of your career prospects.

So, what makes us different?

Personalized Attention and Feedback

Real-World Ready Skills

Community and Connections

So, what makes us different?

Flexible Learning Structure

In-Depth Resource Access

Progressive Skill Building

So, what makes us different?

Short-Term Intensive Learning

In-Depth Resource Access

Industry Tools and Techniques

So, what makes us different?

Open-Door Learning

Broad Overview

Community Engagement

FAQ