Michal Makarewicz (He/Him)

Animator

Michal Makarewicz is a multiple award-winning former Pixar artist with 20+ years of experience. During his time at Pixar, he held various roles, including Fixer, Animator, Directing Animator, Supervising Animator, Director (Disney+), and Intern Training Lead. Michal’s work has earned him multiple accolades, including two Annie Awards (Soul, Ratatouille), as well as nominations for a VES Award (Incredibles 2) and a Reuben Award (Soul). After Pixar, Michal became Head of Studio Animation at SPIRE Animation Studios before joining Skydance Animation as a Supervising Animator. Michal is also the Founder of: -The Animation Collaborative – A school dedicated to teaching high-level feature animation, story, and character design, led by some of the industry's top artists. -ProRigs – A professional-grade 3D rig library with 40+ characters for students and professionals, available for both training and commercial use. -In addition to his studio work, Michal teaches Animation Masterclasses worldwide, partnering with schools and companies. He is available for speaking engagements, training sessions, and consulting In-Studio Training: https://animationcollaborative.com/in-studio-training/

WEBSITE

PARTICIPANT SCHEDULE

Friday 10/23

Demo: The Layered Workflow Method in Animation

Michal Makarewicz

Join veteran animator Michal Makarewicz for a live demonstration of the Layered Workflow Method in character animation. Michal will show how to build a performance in clear, manageable passes—starting with storytelling poses and timing, then layering in body mechanics, facial expressions, and final polish. This practical approach helps animators stay organized, iterate efficiently, and make stronger creative decisions throughout the process. Perfect for students and professionals, this session offers proven techniques for creating more believable, emotionally compelling animation.

Skill Level: General Audience

Saturday 10/24

Lecture: Layered Workflow in Animation

Michal Makarewicz

In this presentation, veteran animator Michal Makarewicz shares his practical approach to building performances through a layered animation workflow. Drawing on decades of experience in feature animation, Michal demonstrates how to break complex shots into manageable passes—starting with core storytelling poses and timing, then progressively adding body mechanics, facial performance, and subtle polish. He will discuss how this method helps animators stay organized, make stronger creative choices, and maintain flexibility throughout production. Ideal for students and professionals alike, this session offers actionable techniques for creating more believable, emotionally engaging character animation.

Skill Level: General Audience

Michal Makarewicz (He/Him)

Demo: The Layered Workflow Method in Animation

Lecture: Layered Workflow in Animation

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