Some Links...

Ok, time to put this blog to some use. It's been pretty idle up until now.

First some links...

First of all here's a great site for inspiration and generally keeping up to speed with the global animation / motion graphics scene... http://www.motionographer.com
Check it regularly for the latest sweet clips.

For those wanting to get a grounding in After Effects, Final Cut Pro , 3D Studio Max, Maya and a whole bunch of other programs here is a great PAID resource. There are a bunch of free clips to give you a sense, in each category. I like this site so much I have forked out to become a premium subscriber. I've totally got my money's worth though so I highly recommend it. It's called...
http://www.lynda.com

If you're beyond the basics and wanting to tackle some 'sexier' (geekspeak for high end glossy motion graphics and visual fx) stuff then here are some great specific tutorial resources....

http://library.creativecow.net/tutorials/adobeaftereffects
http://ae.tutsplus.com/
http://maltaannon.com/
http://www.ayatoweb.com/ae_tips_e.html (albeit in broken English)
http://www.videocopilot.net/tutorials/
http://allbetsareoff.com/category/tutorials/
http://www.graymachine.com/category/tutorials/
http://www.flashkit.com/tutorials/ For flash tuts.

For those interested in blocking and staging for live action or even to better inform your narrative animations this site is a must....
http://www.hollywoodcamerawork.us/
check out the free clips to see if it's for you.
Also theres is another title on that site with incredible in depth tips and tricks for shooting greenscreen and preping shoots for CG / live action interaction.

For lots of great insight and wise words from seasoned professional 3D animators check this blog regularly...
http://splinedoctors.com/
and great interviews with the movers and shakers in the animation industry here..
http://animationpodcast.com/

Forums and articles...
http://www.awn.com/ the animation world network.
http://www.cgsociety.org/

To check available funding schemes visit the Irish film boards website at ...

http://www.irishfilmboard.ie/

To just sit back and watch some great films check out the National Film Board of Canada's site (also available as a great iphone app)
http://nfb.ca/
Some of the best student work around..
http://www.gobelins.fr/galerie/animation/

That's all for now....
Please feel free to reply with more suggestions and your own favs.