“The amazing thing to me about MENTORING is that so much learning can be expressed in mere seconds. A mentor has a way of condensing years of knowledge and pouring it into your creative cup. It’s kind of like Super Espresso.
I have a vivid recollection from 40 years ago of standing behind Ollie’s shoulders and watching him draw over my animation of Penny from the Rescuers. Flipping between my drawing and his I was transfixed as I watched this master effortlessly communicate that animation is not so much about drawing as breathing life into the character you draw. I will never forget it. I think about this every time I animate.
There are no better qualifications for mentoring in animation than the genuine skill and sincere desire to help others grow as animators. This is what Matt Williames is all about.”
Glen Keane
Supervising Animator and Director
(Ariel, Beast, Aladdin, Pocahontas, Tarzan, Long John Silver, Tangled, Duet, Dear Basketball, and Over the Moon)
“Although it is no longer the dominant form of animated film production, learning hand-drawn character animation is still the best way to absorb the core techniques that will help any person who aspires to make them.
Matt Williames is a gifted, experienced and knowledgeable animation artist who can illuminate many aspects of the craft and art of character animation.”
Brad Bird
Writer and Director
(Iron Giant, The Incredibles, Ratatouille, Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol, and Ray Gunn)
“Few artists can claim to have mastered hand- drawn animation, and Matt Williames is one of those few. If you have the chance, don't miss out on having him as a mentor.”
Sergio Pablos
Director and Supervising Animator
(Ember, Klaus, Dr. Doppler, and Tantor )
“I’ve known Matt since he was in High School. His goal was to be the best animator there is- and he’s succeeded! Matt breathes life and passion into every animated performance! You couldn’t have a better instructor feeding into you!”
Tom Bancroft
former Disney Supervising Animator and CEO Pencilish Studios
(Mushu, creator of MerMay, and co-director of Light of the World)
“now i know exactly where to point an eager young artist wanting to learn this wonderful craft. with matt you get unrivaled passion, patience, and careful guidance. you get honesty. you get access to his deep knowledge of this artform. but most critically, you get the keen eye of an animator who stands toe-to-toe with the greatest animators of any generation.”
Tony Fucile
Supervising Animator and Character Design
(Mufasa, The Iron Giant, and The Incredibles)
“Matt Williames is a true master! I’ve known Matt for many years and greatly admired his work. He has a deep passion for the craft and an earnest desire to see it flourish. Any student could not find themselves in better hands.”
James Baxter
Supervising Animator
(Belle, Rafiki, Spirit, and Enchanted)
“I worked with Matt when he was new to animation (I hired him for a My Little Pony commercial) and he was terrific then. Years have passed and I have worked with him on recent 2D features and I am amazed at how much he has grown artistically.He’s truly one of the best 2d animators in the world! Go to him and learn!”
Tony Bancroft
Director and Supervising Animator
(Pumba, Kronk, and Mulan)
“Working with Matt will bring out the hidden key to the animation that makes you, YOU. I learned a lot being mentored by Matt: Basics in acting, and general animation techniques to have in my sleeve for later. But the one thing I valued most is how he nurtures you to chase after what you can bring to the screen. Sometimes it’s not a new drawing you need, but a new analysis of what the character believes. Matt is kind, and takes his time to make sure you and your drawings are one.”
Jon Densk
Animator
“learning 2d animation under matt was eye-opening for me. one thing that is apparent right away is how passionate he is about the craft of 2d animation and his enthusiasm as a teacher of it is infectious. he not only helped take my animation skills to the next level, but more importantly he challenged how i approached and thought about animation in a broad sense. with matt you get a mentor who is truly present, who listens and acts as a patient guiding hand to help you learn and get the most out of your work.”
Jack Bird
Animator
about me
Matt Williames began his 29-year career at the age of 14, when he started working professionally as an animator while still in junior high school. At the time, Matt worked on projects ranging from the animated feature Quest for Camelot, to independent shorts, including the Oscar nominated Stubble Trouble.
After high school, Matt attended CalArts’ Character Animation program, and at age 20 went on to be hired by Warner Brothers Feature Animation as an animator on Looney Tunes: Back in Action.
Upon the wrap of that film, Matt was met at a crossroads of career paths: stay doing what he loved in hand drawn animation which seemed to be dying a slow death, or pursue CG, which was booming and employing all of his friends. He chose the former – a career that has taken him to almost every major studio, working across several different capacities, and leaves him as one of the few remaining hand-drawn animators actively working in the industry. Matt has worked on such films as Coraline, Princess and the Frog, Me and My Shadow, Klaus, Ray Gunn and was part of the core team that animated the Oscar-nominated and Annie Award-winning Adam and Dog.
Matt is currently at Skydance Animation where is a lead character designer, character art director, animation director, and sequence director. He lives in Oregon with his family.