Laban for Animators

I loved talking with Colleen Wahl and Sarah Donohue on their podcast Embodied People. They are both dance professors and lead faculty for the Integrated Movement Studies program, where I completed my Laban Movement Analysis training. Usually I’m explaining Laban Movement Analysis to animators; this time I explained animation to dancers using the same common language. I hope you’ll listen and get a taste of how we think of, and talk about our experience of movement using this language, plus learn about what animators do and how they do it. I would love to hear how this resonates with you!

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4dhN22CvjYtsJW3nCi1JYi...

Season 7, Episode 3: Movement Analysis and Animation Embodied People · Episode

So grateful for this conversation with Leeanne Brennan in our podcast interview about writing my book Laban for Animators™!! Leeanne’s 100 Epic Days program helped me cultivate a daily intention to write. We could all use this type of gentle support with our creative practice.

Shout out to Ed Hooks and Jason Kennedy who both played a part in getting me to write, and to my sister Diane Allen, the queen of flow!

068. How to Write a Book Amidst the Chaos of Life: 100 Epic Days with Leslie Bishko - The Creative Threshold Leslie had a book on her heart, and decided her day job and busy personal life didn't have to stand in the way of getting it done! In this episode you will hear how 100 Epic Days helped Leslie release the pressure, stabilize a solid daily writing ...

Send a message to learn more

Ballet BC was phenomenal! Joined by Arts Umbrella, 50 dancers, choreographed by Shahar Binyamin, the most powerful choreography and performance I have ever seen.

Premiere in 5 days 🥁 my BOLERO X featuring the talented passionate humans of Ballet BC . BOLERO X : Choreography & direction @shaharbinyamini Dancers @balletbc

If you've been following my posts, you've probably been wondering what that fifth category of movement is!

Phrasing is one of my favourite Laban Movement Analysis tools for animators. Phrases are like sentences of movement, and help animators design both Functional and Expressive action.

Join me TOMORROW, Friday, September 1st, for a FREE Laban for Animators Masterclass! Through observing movement phrases, we'll see how Body, Effort, Shape and Space come together in action. Click the link in the comments to sign up for the masterclass.

Animators: have you ever felt that your character is "stuck" in one plane of action? Does staging for the scene limit how your character can move?

Beyond having volumetric drawing chops (2D animators), or working in the perspective view (3D animators), you need to perceive and consider the three-dimensional space that your character is moving in.

Rudolph Laban's studies in visual arts and architecture gave him a unique perspective when it comes to perceiving how we move in and through the space around us. He viewed movement as creating sculptural "traceforms" through space, like a lingering shadow of the mover's energy. His philosophies relate human experience to the profound spatial harmonies associated with Sacred Geometry.

Animators who understand the Space category of Laban Movement Analysis (LMA) have access to a dynamic, sculptural approach that integrates Body, Effort and Shape in action!

Join me for a FREE Laban for Animators Masterclass! Friday, September 1st, 10:00 AM PT, LIVE on Zoom. Click the link in the comments to attend live, OR receive the recording afterwards.

Animators are very familiar with the concept of Squash and Stretch. It's at the heart of so much cartoon-y action!

Yet, we speak of it in such a generic way! What is Squash and Stretch REALLY all about? When does your animation need Squash and Stretch, and WHY?

The SHAPE category of Laban Movement Analysis (LMA) outlines an expansive vocabulary that describes all the various ways that Squash and Stretch shows up in movement.

Join me for the Laban for Animators FREE Masterclass on Friday September 1st, 10:00 AM PT to see all five categories of LMA in action! Link to sign up is in the comments.

Give me a 👍 if you've heard of Laban's "Effort!"

Effort is one of the most widely known, and possibly the most elusive, category of movement we can look at through the lens of Laban Movement Analysis (LMA).

In my upcoming FREE Masterclass, we'll look at Jane's acting in the movie Tarzan (1999), to see how her dynamic movement qualities of Effort communicate layers of meaning.

Animators: if you've ever wondered how to create great animated performances, this Masterclass will show you what LMA has to offer to help you get there.

Animation + LMA has been my life's work for 30+ years, and I can't wait to share this with you!

Join me LIVE on Zoom on Friday September 1st, 10:00 AM PT - you'll find the link in the comments.