If you enroll, what will you actually do for 8 to 12 weeks?
Week 1-2: The Golden Pose
Week 3-4: Pantomime Acting (Zach Parrish)
Week 5-7: Dialogue & Lip Sync (Brent Homman)
Week 8: Polish & FX Integration
One of Parrish’s signature lectures involves the Overlapping Action in Dialogue. Most animators move the mouth and maybe the head. Parrish teaches the "wave principle"—where an emotion starts in the core, moves to the shoulders, then the arms, and finally the face.
Key Takeaway from Parrish: "If you animate the face first, you get puppets. If you animate the body first, you get actors."
Brent Homman is a proponent of "Pose-to-Pose" blocking with extreme silhouettes. He critiques the golden poses (The A, B, and C poses of the shot).
As the master class wrapped, Homman and Parrish stayed for nearly an hour, sketching in student books and reviewing reels. The energy wasn’t about fame or box office numbers; it was about craft.
For those in attendance, the lesson was clear: Zach Parrish and Brent Homman don’t just animate characters—they animate consequence.
And if you can master that, you don’t need a magic pencil. You just need a deadline and a story worth telling.
AnimSquad will announce its next master class lineup next month. Spots sold out within 48 hours for this session.
Animsquad Master Class: Learning the Craft from Disney’s Zach Parrish and Brent Homman
Animation is an art form that demands a perfect blend of technical precision and soulful performance. For aspiring animators looking to break into the industry or seasoned pros aiming to sharpen their skills, few opportunities rival the Animsquad Master Class led by Disney veterans Zach Parrish and Brent Homman. This intensive program offers a rare glimpse into the workflows and philosophies that power the world’s most successful animation studio. The Pedigree of Excellence
To understand the value of this master class, one must first look at the instructors. Zach Parrish and Brent Homman are not just animators; they are storytellers who have shaped the visual language of modern Disney classics.
Zach Parrish served as the Head of Animation for Big Hero 6 and has contributed his expertise to hits like Wreck-It Ralph, Tangled, and Frozen. His ability to balance high-octane action with quiet, emotional beats is legendary in the industry.
Brent Homman, a veteran Animator and Layout Artist, brings a wealth of experience from projects like Moana, Zootopia, and Bolt. His deep understanding of character mechanics and cinematic staging provides students with a holistic view of the animation process. What Makes the Animsquad Master Class Different?
Unlike generic online tutorials, the Animsquad Master Class is built on the foundation of mentorship and industry-standard feedback. Here is what sets it apart:
Direct Access to Industry GiantsThe hallmark of this program is the personalized feedback. Students don't just watch recorded lectures; they receive frame-by-frame critiques from Parrish and Homman. This mimics the actual dailies process at a major studio, teaching students how to take direction and iterate on their work.
Focus on "The Why," Not Just "The How"While technical proficiency in Maya is expected, the master class prioritizes the thought process behind the movement. Why does a character look away before speaking? How does weight distribution convey a character's internal struggle? Parrish and Homman push students to think like actors.
Advanced Character MechanicsThe curriculum dives deep into the complexities of human and creature movement. Students learn to master arcs, spacing, and squash and stretch in ways that feel organic rather than "cartoony." The goal is to create characters that feel like they have bones, muscles, and a mind of their own. animsquad master class disney s zach parrish brent homman
Appeal and Entertainment ValueIn the world of Disney, every frame must be appealing. The instructors teach the subtle art of "posing for the camera," ensuring that silhouettes are clear and every gesture contributes to the overall entertainment value of the scene. Inside the Curriculum
The Animsquad Master Class is typically structured to challenge students through progressive assignments:
The Foundation: Revisiting the 12 principles of animation through the lens of a feature film animator.The Performance: Moving beyond simple mechanics to complex acting shots involving dialogue and subtext.The Polish: Learning the "secret sauce" of Disney-style polish—fine-tuning finger movements, eye darts, and overlapping action to create a seamless final product. The Impact on Your Portfolio
A demo reel featuring work overseen by Zach Parrish and Brent Homman carries significant weight. Recruiters at top studios recognize the "Animsquad stamp" as a sign that an animator understands weight, timing, and, most importantly, performance. Students emerge from the program not just with better shots, but with a refined eye for detail that will serve them throughout their careers. Conclusion
The Animsquad Master Class with Zach Parrish and Brent Homman is more than just a course; it is an investment in one’s artistic identity. By bridging the gap between student work and professional-grade feature animation, it provides the tools, the critique, and the inspiration necessary to breathe life into digital characters. For those serious about reaching the pinnacle of the animation craft, there is no better roadmap than the one provided by these two Disney masters.
Is this for a personal blog, a news site, or an educational platform?
The AnimSquad Master Class featuring Zach Parrish Brent Homman
is a deep-dive educational series that captures two of Disney’s modern animation titans at the peak of their creative influence. Released around 2013, the course serves as a "recorded mentorship" where these artists share the proprietary workflows they developed while working on era-defining films like Tangled, Wreck-It Ralph, and Big Hero 6. The Core Narrative: Two Disciplines of Motion
The class is built around the contrasting styles of its two instructors, representing the two "poles" of professional Disney animation:
Zach Parrish: The Speed of Cartoony PerformanceParrish is celebrated for his "super fast" workflow and his ability to verbalize complex artistic choices in real-time. His 10-hour segment focuses on Animating a Cartoony Shot, drawing on his experience pushing the boundaries of "squash and stretch" for Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs and Tangled. He demonstrates "golden workflow nuggets"—from setting up Maya files to the final polish—while sharing anecdotes about working directly with animation legend Glen Keane.
Brent Homman: The Nuance of Emotional AppealHomman’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
The "deep story" of these two animators is one of rapid ascent within the industry:
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Animsquad’s Master Class features legendary Disney instructors Zach Parrish and Brent Homman. This high-level program is designed for animators looking to bridge the gap between technical proficiency and feature-film-quality performance. 0;16; 0;92;0;a3; 0;ea;0;79;0;a3; 0;baf;0;63c; 🎓 The Mentors 0;16; 0;52d;0;431;
Zach Parrish: Former Head of Animation at Disney (Big Hero 6); worked on Tangled, Wreck-It Ralph, and Frozen0;948;.
Brent Homman: Longtime Disney veteran and mentor; known for his work on Moana, Zootopia, and Bolt. 0;2a; 0;7a;0;a5; 🚀 Key Learning Pillars 0;16;
Appeal & Design: Learning how to push poses to be "Disney-level" aesthetic while maintaining physical believability.
Acting Choices:0;439; Moving beyond "pantomime" to find deep, subtext-driven performances.
The "Disney Snap": Mastering the specific spacing and timing that gives modern feature animation its energy. If you enroll, what will you actually do for 8 to 12 weeks
Workflow Efficiency:0;61b; Advanced techniques for blocking and splining to meet high-pressure studio deadlines. 0;2a; 0;7a;0;a5; 💡 Why This Class Stands Out0;595; 0;16;
Direct Feedback: Students receive frame-by-frame critiques from the industry's top leads.
Industry Standards:0;820; You learn the exact pipeline and quality expectations used at major studios.
Emotional Range: Focuses on subtle facial acting and eyes, which are the "windows" to a believable character. 0;2a; 0;7a;0;75c;
⭐ Pro Tip: This class is highly competitive and usually requires a strong demo reel for entry. It is considered a "finishing school" for professional-level animators. 0;16; If you are thinking about applying, I can help you: 0;16; Review your current demo reel for weak spots.
Break down specific animation principles Zach Parrish often highlights.0;79d;
Find alternative workshops if the Master Class is currently full. 0;2a;
Which would be most helpful for your animation career right now? 0;16;
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Here’s a professionally worded text you can use for promotion, a course catalog, or social media regarding the Animsquad Master Class with Disney animators Zach Parrish and Brent Homman:
Title: Animsquad Master Class: Disney Animation with Zach Parrish & Brent Homman
Body:
Elevate your animation skills in this exclusive Master Class hosted by Animsquad, featuring two renowned talents from Walt Disney Animation Studios: Zach Parrish (Award-winning animator/director, Zootopia, Big Hero 6, Short Circuit – “Puddles”) and Brent Homman (Veteran animator, Frozen, Moana, Encanto, Wish).
Over this intensive session, Zach and Brent will share insider techniques on character performance, emotional timing, and storytelling through movement—direct from the Disney playbook. Whether you’re a student, professional, or enthusiast, you’ll gain hands-on feedback, industry insights, and the creative principles that bring beloved characters to life.
What You’ll Learn:
Format: Live online / In-person (as applicable)
Duration: [e.g., 2 days / 6 hours total]
Prerequisites: Basic to intermediate animation knowledge recommended
Register now: [Link]
Spaces are limited. Don’t miss your chance to learn from two of Disney’s finest. Week 3-4: Pantomime Acting (Zach Parrish)
Looking to level up your animation game? offers an intensive 17-hour Master Class featuring top-tier industry veterans Zach Parrish Brent Homman
This workshop pulls back the curtain on the high-level workflows used at Walt Disney Animation Studios to create world-class character performances What’s Inside the Master Class?
The course is split into two deep-dive demonstrations covering different ends of the animation spectrum: Zach Parrish: Animating a Cartoony Shot
Zach takes you through his entire process in Maya—from setting up files and blocking to final polish. Experience: Known for his work as the Head of Animation Big Hero 6 Animation Director for Disney's Includes fun anecdotes from working on with Glen Keane and pushing cartoony styles on Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs Brent Homman: Subtle, High-Appeal Performance
Brent tackles the challenge of a subtle, close-up performance, focusing on maintaining "appeal and fleshiness" in a female character. Experience: Animation Supervisor Big Hero 6 , Brent has contributed to hits like Raya and the Last Dragon Strange World Technique:
He shares how to wrangle extremely difficult, nuanced performances into something believable and appealing. Class Details Total Content:
17 hours of HD recording (including 10 hours of over-the-shoulder Maya footage from Zach). Available for download for Who it’s for:
Animators looking to see the "how" and "why" behind every frame, including tricks for speed, weight, and character appeal.
You can check out the official trailer and full course details on the AnimSquad Masterclass page transition to Brent Homman's work on the
Unlocking Disney Magic: Inside the AnimSquad Master Class with Zach Parrish and Brent Homman
Ever wondered how the fluidity of a Disney character’s performance actually comes together on screen? If you’re an aspiring animator, the AnimSquad Master Class featuring Disney veterans Zach Parrish and Brent Homman
is essentially a blueprint for achieving that world-class "cartoony" polish in Maya.
This massive 17-hour intensive course provides a rare, deep dive into the high-end workflow used at Walt Disney Animation Studios. Here’s what makes this session a must-watch for any digital artist. Meet the Mentors
Both instructors brought a wealth of experience from some of the most iconic animated films of the modern era:
Zach Parrish: Former Disney Head of Animation for Big Hero 6 and director of the theatrical short Us Again. His credits include Tangled, Wreck-It Ralph, Frozen, and Zootopia.
Brent Homman: A seasoned Disney Animation Supervisor who also played a pivotal role in the look and feel of Big Hero 6 and other blockbuster features. What the Class Covers
Unlike short tutorials, this master class is a comprehensive recording of a live demo, taking students through the entire life cycle of an animation shot:
The Workflow Blueprint: Zach Parrish demos over 10 hours of pure Maya footage, starting from Maya file setup and moving through blocking, breakdown, and final polish.
"Cartoony" Mastery: The course focuses specifically on the difference between naturalistic movement and the stylized, pushed "cartoony" shots seen in Disney features.
Golden Nuggets: The instructors share their personal "tricks" for speed and efficiency—Parrish is specifically noted for his ability to verbalize complex technical steps while animating at a professional pace. Why It Matters
For many, the jump from "learning the software" to "acting through a character" is the hardest part of animation. By watching these masters work from start to finish, you see the decision-making process behind every keyframe. You aren't just learning how to move a rig; you're learning how to think like a supervising animator.
Whether you're looking to sharpen your blocking or find that elusive "golden workflow," the AnimSquad Master Class is one of the most direct ways to learn the secrets of the Disney house style. Animsquad Zach Parrish & Brent Homman Masterclass Trailer