The AnimSquad Masterclass is a 17-hour intensive animation course led by veteran Disney animators Zach Parrish and Brent Homman
. The class is designed to show the full workflow of professional character animation in Maya, from initial setup to final polish. Instructor Focus & Content
Zach Parrish: His 10-hour segment focuses on "cartoony" animation. He covers the entire pipeline—blocking, breakdowns, and polish—while sharing insights from his work on films like Tangled, Wreck-It Ralph, and Big Hero 6.
Brent Homman: His portion focuses on subtle, close-up acting. He demonstrates how to maintain "appeal and fleshiness" in female characters, drawing on his experience from Frozen and Tangled. Key Details Total Duration: 17 hours of HD recording. Software: Maya.
Historical Pricing: Originally offered as a downloadable recording for approximately $299.
Availability: Trailers and snippets can be found on platforms like Vimeo and YouTube.
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:
Based on the AnimSquad Master Class featuring Disney veterans Zach Parrish (Head of Animation, Big Hero 6) and Brent Homman
(Animation Supervisor, Big Hero 6), here is a structured white paper overview of their 17-hour deep dive into high-end character animation. The "Disney Standard" Workflow: From Block to Polish
This master class bridges the gap between technical execution and the "Disney appeal" found in films like Tangled, Wreck-It Ralph, and Frozen. 1. Mastering the "Cartoony" Shot (Zach Parrish)
Zach Parrish focuses on the "fast and appeal-driven" workflow required for expressive, non-realistic characters. Key pillars include: animsquad master class disney s zach parrish brent homman
Workflow Optimization: Setting up Maya for maximum efficiency to allow for more creative iterations. The Three-Stage Process:
Blocking: Defining strong silhouettes and key storytelling poses.
Breaking Down: Transitions and timing that preserve energy without losing clarity.
Polishing: Refining arcs and spacing to achieve the signature "snappy" Disney feel.
Industry Insights: Lessons learned from working under Glen Keane and transitioning between styles, from the weight-heavy Hulk to the snappy physics of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. 2. Subtle Performance & Appeal (Brent Homman)
Brent Homman shifts the focus to high-stakes, subtle character performance, particularly for heroines where appeal is critical.
Maintaining Appeal: Techniques for keeping female characters "fleshy" and appealing even during complex facial or body movements.
Subtle Animation: A demo of close-up acting where the smallest change in eye-dart or brow-twitch conveys the internal thought process.
Technical Supervisor Lens: How to supervise a shot to ensure it aligns with the director's vision while maintaining technical integrity. Key Takeaways for Animators
Verbalizing the "Why": The course emphasizes why a frame works, not just how to click the buttons in Maya.
Speed vs. Quality: Zach’s "super fast" workflow demonstrates how to hit production deadlines without sacrificing the artistic "golden nuggets" that make a shot stand out.
Universal Principles: While focusing on 3D, the principles are rooted in traditional hand-drawn concepts of weight, timing, and appeal.
For those looking to study these specific workflows, the full 17-hour recording is available for purchase on Vimeo via AnimSquad. Animsquad Zach Parrish & Brent Homman Masterclass Trailer
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 The AnimSquad Masterclass is a 17-hour intensive animation
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
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. Part 4: Why This Duo Works So Well
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.
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?
You might wonder why Animsquad chose to pair Parrish and Homman specifically. On the surface, they are both Disney vets. But pedagogically, they are yin and yang.
When you get a critique from both in the same session—which occasionally happens in these Master Classes—you get a 360-degree view of your shot. Parrish fixes the body, Homman fixes the soul.
Both animators usually walk through a shot from start to finish. This is the "Golden Standard" of Disney workflow:
This is the module students pay for. Homman breaks down the human face into a machine of levers. He discusses the dreaded "uncanny valley" and how to push stylized expressions to read better on screen.
Because this is a high-demand class (slots fill within hours of announcement), you need to be strategic.
Cost: Expect to pay between $799 and $1,200 USD for the full Master Class. While steep, it is roughly 10% of the cost of a single semester at a private art college—and the instructors are actually working at Disney.