BMM is Closed
Join the Wait-list for exclusive early access
How To Create Demo Reel Shots That Get You Hired In As Little As 90 Days
Use the RA Mechanics Method To Finally End Your Body Mechanics Struggles, Create Shots That WOW Animation Studios, And Skip The Years of Chaotic Self-Teaching 98% Of Amateurs Drown In
This is the kind of animation
you'll create 90 days from now:
It's no secret appealing body mechanic shots like this lead to animation jobs.
After all, you've seen them in the movies everywhere.
Bad-ass action shots like in Spider-verse:
Rad game cinematics like in God of War:
It's even in hilarious acting shots like you've seen in Klaus:
It's no secret because they are the kinds of impressive shots you've always dreamt about making.
The BIG mystery is how exactly do you get this good with your body mechanics!?
Especially when you've already tried so hard!?
You've already put in years of hard work in school.
Sure, you got the basics. Ball bounces are easy.
But beyond that, things get sketchy.
- Movements often feel soft - almost weightless
- Adding overlap takes many countless hair pulling hours
- The flow of each action doesn't feel fluid either, its clunky or harsh
- And no shot turns out anywhere near as jaw dropping as you hoped it would
You had critiques, you had lectures, just like the prodigy students who already made it - what else could you be missing?!
- Maybe it's just talent
- Maybe you weren't born to do this
- Maybe you're doomed to a normal 9 to 5 job week after week for the rest of your life.
Or maybe -- you weren't taught the best way to learn body mechanics.
- Maybe it's the kind of animations you were told to do
- Maybe it's the kind of quality you were taught was good enough
- Maybe it's the kind of mentoring you had that should have been FAR better.
What if that's true?
What if you could discover the keys to body mechanics in 90 days with a unique approach no other school or course gives you?
Imagine how everything would change
- You'd stop ripping your hair out every time you move a character around in an every animation
- You'd finally make demo reel shots that can get you hired -- instead of if you'll ever be good enough
- And you'd be set free to create the jaw-dropping animations you'll be eternally proud of.
Is this really possible?
Or is this just a bullshit gimmick?
You're probably skeptical.
I probably would be too if I was you.
Well, actually I was you.
I used to be in the same boat.
Hi I'm Rusty Gray.
I've worked as an animator for 5+ years in Movies, Games, and TV. And like you, for the longest time body mechanics was my achilles heel.
In University I was so blind to my mechanic skills that I actually thought they were good - when they were really just complete trash.
Which of course lead to zero job offers - even though I dropped $100,000+ in tuition.
Owww. It still stings a bit.
After mustering the courage to try again, at an online school - I could finally see how bad my mechanics were and leveled up a lot.
Oddly enough though, I was still pretty confused and insecure with body mechanics.
I had great entertaining ideas and solid acting choices - it was just moving characters around believably that continued to hold me back.
I had to still struggle like hell to get halfway decent...
- Balance
- Spine Overlap
- Smooth foot pickups
- Powerful Speed ups and Impacts
- Hip & Chest moves that felt connected, driving the action.
- And a million more movement things (even skipping the technical / rig stuff)
Thankfully, with a combination of cleverness, friends, hustle, and pure luck I managed to put together a halfway decent demo reel.
It wasn't Pixar Prodigy level.
But it did highlight my strengths well enough to at least land my first job in Singapore.
Do you think that meant my body mechanic struggles vanished into thin air?
Hell no.
I was nervously twitchy from day 1 on the job.
Coworkers were breezing along cranking out 1,000 frame quality pantomimes in 2 weeks.
While I was putting in overtime to barely keep up with "meh" shots.
And every day for 6 months I felt like an imposter.
Like any minute they were going to find out I couldn't animate and toss me in the dumpster.
The interesting part is - it wasn't all hell.
There was a silver lining.
All the way up to that 6 month mark I was learning a lot.
Far more than I learned as a student in school.
- Awesome Co-workers looked at my shots and showed me key lessons by hand.
- My supervisor was also an old school 2d pro who would ocassionally 2d animate the answers ontop of my shot
- And out of necessity from the constant deadline pressure - I discovered new body mechanic hacks on my own.
These were permanent upgrades to my animation skills that I still rely on today.
And once I got over the 6 month hill most of my struggles started disappearing.
It only took me about half a decade to get there - haha - but I made it.
Yea, its not as sexy as being a born Pixar Prodigy from day 1. But thats my story.
Does that mean you'll have to spend 5 years learning body mechanics too?
Or that you'll have to get hired before you figure it out?
No.
You're story can be far better than mine.
How?
By finding that critical missing link.
Since 2016 I've been asking animators what they need the most help with:
Body Mechanics has long been at the top of the list.
And I've been searching for the best ways to solve it.
When funnily enough all the answers to learning body mechanics fast were right in front of my face.
All I had to do was look back at my own journey as a student and as a professional.
Break down how I was taught, what I struggled with, how I eventually improved, and if I could reverse engineer a process, a method for reaching a pro level mechanics 10 times faster with a quarter of the effort.
And looking back its all clear.
The system I had for learning body mechanics was terrible.
Many schools and workshops have bad critiques, bad mentors.
This can be hit and miss. But all too often you get critiques or mentors that don't live up to the hype of the multiple $1,000's upon $1,000's you're paying.
They can't breakdown animation because they don't actually have the animation skills, the teaching skill, or they simply don't care.
Obviously that makes a huge difference in your ability to learn mechanics.
Also, very few schools break body mechanics down into simple exercises.
I’ve actually never seen universities do this reasonably. They'll introduce you to animation with a ball bounce. Then toss you right on into a dialogue acting piece often in the same month.
Online schools tend to fare better as they have the basics to start then only body mechanics animations following that.
But the exercises still ramp up in difficult too quickly and aren't simplified enough.
Often you go from animating a personality walk to animating a whole parkour routine. And the frame counts are too high - 200 frames plus.
So its a marathon to finish when your struggling with body mechanics. And you dont get quick wins.
You instead feel like your bashing your head against a wall over and over -- as you repeat the same mistakes again and again in those 200+ frames.
You feel like your never getting the hang of things like spine overlap or weight.
Which does nothing for your confidence.
And if you're trying to learn body mechanics like a pro fast, this puts you at a pretty big disadvantage.
It's best to start with short simple animations.
Simple animations that let you focus on 1 or 2 new skills at a time. Eating one piece of pizza at a time instead of the whole pie.
Then there's a level that no school or workshop even goes to..
No school or workshop shows you how a pro would animate every single frame of those critical body mechanics animations.
Students never get the lead by example approach to learning mechanics from start to finish.
That’s the big missing link.
To put it all in perspective…
...What is the major advantage that Glen Keane (Tarzan, Beast) and Andreas Deja (Scar, Jafar) had before becoming legendary animators?
They got to watch the Nine Old Men animate. They got to learn by example.
To learn body mechanics like a pro fast - we all need:
- Great feedback from a great mentor that really cares.
- Complex skills broken down in simple ways - simple exercises with quick wins.
- And to watch someone else animate first before emulating it. That's how we learn best.
So, now looking back I wonder what it would be like if I had the chance as a student to learn that way - by watching a pro animate everything first.
Seeing how they solved the issues, pushed poses, exaggerated weight, and created fluid movement.
How fast would I have learned body mechanics then?
- Would I have body mechanics down before graduating?
- Would I have had better job offers right away?
- Would I have enjoyed animating more with less stress about making it?
- Would I have Spider verse or Klaus level shots on my student demo reel?
For most of these questions, I believe the answer is a YES.
At the very least it would have kickstarted my career faster - with better options.
Obviously though, what’s done is done for me. I can’t change my story.
But I can make a difference in yours.
This is how I created a new way to learn Body Mechanics.
A way for you to learn body mechanics far faster than and better than I ever did.
This is how I came up with the RA Mechanics Method.
Discover how it compares to the "I'll do it myself" YouTube approach and "the Best" universities:
With the RA Mechanics Method you can:
- Have body mechanics down before your first job in 90 days
- Create jaw dropping shots for your demo reel in 90 days
- And you can be set free to enjoy your career with much less stress.
Does that sound amazing?
If so, all of that is possible for you right now.
Introducing...
If you want to soar past the basics, learn how to create weight and power on demand, and make your first hire-able demo reel shots -- thats exactly what Body Mechanics Mastery will give you.
How?
By doing what no animation school or workshop has ever done - teaching you by example.
You'll be walked through every single frame step by step of 6 key animations that will develop your mechanic skills to a hire-able level fast.
These animations aren't all sexy-amaze-the-world-shots. And they aren't rendered pretty with fancy lighting or super appealing rigs.
All that fluff can be saved for an animator who wants to waste several more years before becoming a pro.
Body Mechanics Mastery is about becoming hire-able fast - so you can start your career and make the shots you've always dreamt of making.
And it follows the exact same strategy shared in this tutorial you might remember:
I just got a job as animator in a VFX studio thanks to BMM!
I just got a job as animator in a VFX studio and I have to say that it was thanks to BMM that I landed that job and I haven't even finished the course! BMM helped so much!
I finished BMM in 3 months and I’m a much more confident animator now
If you haven't animated body mechanics before or you are like me and you had a lot of struggles - I think this course is a really good foundation to get over that with good skills.
There is so much content in it. Hours of watching Rusty animate at a professional level – that you can definitely get a lot of progress out of it in a short period of time.
It took me 3 months to get through the course and I’m a much more confident animator now than when I started.
Inside Body Mechanics Mastery You'll:
- Wave goodbye to your struggles with spine overlap, floaty movements, wall smacks, and pops.
- Discover how to create weight, snap, and fluidity
- Craft your first quality demo reel shot that can get you hired
- And finally be free to focus on all those entertaining acting ideas or epic action scenes.
What You Get In Body Mechanics Mastery
Outstanding Step by Step Video Walkthroughs
There are 5 key animatons you'lll need to develop hireable mechanic skills and I'll walk you through every detail.
I'll be animating each shot all the way from planning to polish. Sharing my insights, workflow, and techniques for getting it done at a high level. (more on these below)
Each Lesson is broken down into bitesize chunks
To keep it easy for you to watch - each stage of the animation processs will be split up in seperate videos
There are 30+ hd videos in total so you can skip overwhelm and level up fast.
Shot Planning Done For You
Video Reference and Sketches are available for download
You don't have spend hours searching for reference or coming up with a plan on how your going to animate each shot in Body Mechanics Mastery.
You'll have access to everything I use and how I prepare. And whats even better - you'll have guidelines and tips for how to plan your own awesome shots when your ready to branch out.
Convenient 24/7 Lifetime Access
You can start / pause your progress any time, any day, no matter what your work/school schedule is.
The biggest excuse is "I dont have time." So in Body Mechanics Mastery it doesn't matter how busy you are right now or how busy you might be in the future. You animate when you can and if things get hectic you can press pause and return whenever you want.
Body Mechanics Mastery is all go at your own pace. And Yes, that even includes the optional video critiques.
Future Updates Free
Advanced Animations are planned to be added in later this year. The next lessons will focus on specific mechanic shots for each industry (games, vfx, feature). And more demo reel shot walkthroughs of different ideas / styles.
Yes, the 5 core animations that you start with is just the beginning. Even after you finish the course you'll be able to return to learn even more!
That includes whatever other awesome upgrades come along with it too like exclusive rigs or lectures.
6 Core Animation Lessons
Body Mechanics Mastery focuses on 6 core animations that are key to developing your skills as quick as possible.
As you progress through each animation the difficulty will increase. So the first animation will be much less challenging than the last.
This allows you to keep things simple at first, learn critical skills like spine overlap without overwhelm, and level up faster. And in the end you'll be animating a cinematic action demo reel shot.
(For years these animations have been proven in Rusty Animator School - to level up students in mechanics fast. In the school we spend the majority of our live class time critiquing too. There's no time to watch me animate everything step by step. Not like your getting in BMM.)
1
Lesson 1: Sit to Stand
The sit to stand animation is fantastic for learning the basics of Spine Overlap and weighty hip movement.
In this lesson you'll be introduced to a 3 step workflow for creating quick and fluid overlap. It will keep your keys minimal. And it will save you countless hours of animating time from now through the rest of your animation career.
You'll see no time is wasted on what doesnt matter (fancy rigs, lighting, rendering, dynamic camera angles). It's all about animating at a higher level - faster.
2
Lesson 2: Jump Forward
The Jump forward is a natural leap (bad dum dum tisch) from the Sit to Stand. It builds upon everything you'll learn without raising the difficulty to high.
You'll be animating movement thats a bit more complex, and adding some new skills like leg overlap with IK/FK swaps.
3
Lesson 3: Simple Dance
With the simple dance you'll tackle a lot of new challengs. For the first time in the course you'll animate from all angles (x,y,z) not just focusing on the side view. And you'll be animating the arms so it will also be the first time your animating a full body character here.
Obviously, this means there will be more to animate and it will take more time to finish. Especially since the movement is more dynamic than a jump.
But in the end this animation will really start to open the door to your new body mechanic skills. Getting you much closer to being able to create those 1st imppressive demo reel shots.
4
Lesson 4: Jump and Climb Up
In the Jump and Climb Up you'll be venturing into more advanced mechanics. Its more dynamic and complex than anything you've done in the course yet.
Which also means it will be less formulaic. Of course, your spine overlap, weight, and your understanding of how the hips/chest work together will still be the same. But how you connect all these pieces in different actions will be more free form.
And like the simple dance, this could be a demo reel shot. Though probably only for Games. Maybe for VFX if you dont have anyhting else to show yet.
5
Lesson 5: Advanced Mechanics Demo Reel Shot
This kind of demo reel shot focuses completely on showing off your ability to create weighty, powerful, and fluid movement.
Its especially what VFX and Games look for. And its also an essential milestone for reaching the acting skills needed for Feature animation.
It can be anything from a dynamic sports action piece, to a martial arts move, an Olympic routine, or a heavy weapon attack. And these shots can definitely lead to you getting hired. (Several students of mine already have with them).
In itself this Dunk shows you how to create a great demo reel shot. But in order to keep you learning fast at this level - the camera isn't animated.
This alone keeps it less appealing because its not as cinematic as it could be.
Which is why there's one final lesson to guarantee you take your demo reel shots over the top:
6
Lesson 6: Cinematic Demo Reel Shot
When you reach the final lesson you'll be a far more capable animator.
Everything from the Sit to Stand to the Basketball Dunk has prepared you to make an impressive demo reel shot.
And the best part is you'll pull this off in 90 days.
In terms of mechanics it won't be harder than the basketball dunk. But it does add a lot of complexity in terms of prop interaction, style, and camera animation.
You'll also discover advanced things like smears, and workflow hacks for figuring out solid timing and spacing while in stepped.
When its finished you're sure to be proud of what you've accomplished and set free to make animations at this level any time you want -- forever.
A permanent level up from amateur to professional.
Level Up 2x As Fast And Never Go Blind To What's Missing In Your Animation With Recorded Video Critiques (Optional)
If you refuse to wait another second longer than you have to - to get hired, if you demand quick answers in frustrating movements of your animations, if you don't only want to rely on yourself to push through --- this is what you're looking for.
Inside BMM your discovering the keys to body mechanics in 90 days with simple exercises that level up rapidly.
And you discover those keys by seeing exactly how I animate it - every single step, every single frame.
Most animators though find they improve 2x as fast if they also have a veteran animator critiquing their animations every step of the way.
So BMM also offers Recorded Critiques - which gives you the best of both worlds.
- You get to see how the animation is done frame by frame.
- Plus you get personalized critiques from me on how your animation is going.
It's as close as you can get to a pro animating the shot for you.
It's also the best way to make sure your not missing something critical. That your not blind or super confused about a key body mechanics skill like spine overlap or weight.
And in BMM there's 2 critique options to choose from:
- 1 detailed and personalized video critique every lesson (6 critiques) that you can request at any time.
- Or Unlimited Personalized Video Critiques on every shot update you have for 3 months straight.
When I landed my first animation job but still had massive body mechanic struggles -- I thankfully had a supervisor with old school 2D skills to draw over my animation.
Every week it taught me far more than I could have every imagined.
And the same kind of critiques have done wonders for my students in Rusty Animator School already.
The way you plan shots and give critiques is very clarifying
I find the way you plan shots and give critiques very clarifying. It is giving me the chance to understand why I have to make these changes, not only for my specific shots in BMM, but also how to improve all of my future 3d animations.
What Students Say About My Mentoring
However, here's a couple testimonials from students who have received critiques from me and vastly improved their body mechanics.
I’ve learned from you more than I have from any other individual instructor...
Rusty is here to see you through it, he honestly cares whether we get better or not, and I think he comes across that way immediately…..
I can’t think of another reason why he wouldn’t be into this, if he weren’t trying to do this for other people, helping them grow, building a better community, and honestly I think that comes across without me even having to say it.
Yeah, that’s how I felt from day one, you know… I’ve learned from you more than I have from any other individual instructor, I’m sure.
I did learn a lot from this class. And the feedback you gave was really good..
I did learn a lot from this class. And the feedback you gave was really good...I like your style, and your feedback really makes me think that you really care about each student. I was a mentor for like Chinese online animation school as well for a little while so I understand it's not easy. Yeah your notes were really good, you really spent time..
You have probably been my biggest inspiration...
You seemed really humble, like really wanting to help everyone out. Really wanting to take on that mentor role. Like let me help guide you on this path.
It was wonderful. You have probably been my biggest inspiration so far in helping me move forward as an animator.
Also A Few Student Animations From My Other Courses:
BMM Student Success Story: Jason B.
BMM Student Success Story: Terri G.
Join Body Mechanics Mastery Today
Option 2
BMM with 6 Recorded
Video Critiques
$174
4 Monthly Installments
SPOTS ARE LIMITED
Option 3
BMM with UNLIMITED
Recorded Video Critiques
$297
4 Monthly Installments
SPOTS ARE LIMITED
If you have any questions or concerns about the course you can email me directly.
I'm happy to help.
Rusty@RustyAnimator.com
Try BMM with my Best Body Mechanics Course Ever Made Guarantee for 90-Days
Give Body Mechanics Mastery a shot for 90 days (3 months of body mechanics level ups) and if you're not feeling it - you get 100% of your money back.
That's actually all the time you need to make your first cinematic demo reel shot.
Why would I offer you this?
Body Mechanics Mastery isn't just about improving your animation skills, its about improving your career, improving your life.
How?
If you solved your body mechanic struggles once and for all - or at the very least became far more capable with creating good mechanics - that would transform your animation career right?
You'd be far less stressed with every animation you create. You'd start making demo reel shots that would get you hired at that studio you've always dreamt of. You'd be free to focus more on those impressive shots you've always wanted to create.
And You'd be set up to win as an animator for the rest of your career.
Permanent level ups are permanent.
So I'm confident that if you put in the work you'll be thrilled with your growth.
And if you don't feel like your improving - your protected with the 90 day 100% best body mechanics course ever made guarantee. Simply send me a message and your covered. No questions asked. I'll even eat the credit card fees.
BMM Student Success Story: Cameron C.
A few more students share their experience
learning from me in other courses:
As I've already mentored tons of students live with body mechanics struggles (and they didnt even get step by step video walkthroughs like in this course) I thought their feedback could offer you good insights into what results you'll have with BMM.
I’m definitely more confident animating action shots now.
I’m definitely more confident animating action shots now. I learned a lot more than expected in this class. So I believe as long as you try, you give this a shot, you’ll be happy with what you get.
I've definitely tripled my skills
I've definitely tripled my skills just from having this experience.
I would never have done it alone.
I am so much happier now that I feel like I’m constantly progressing
If [animation] is what you want to do – just go for it. There’s no time like the present. And your not actually going to get any closer unless you start walking towards that.
That took me a LONG time to deal with. And I am so much happier now that I feel like I’m constantly progressing.
I think it was Neil Gaiman who said, “your goal should be like a mountain off in the distance and anytime your walking to closer to that mountain is a good sign.” And this class definitely helped me walk closer to that mountain.
Got a Question? Heres the FAQ
Every school, workshop, or course focuses on teaching animation only with critiques and recommended exercises.
For a few animators this can get them hired. But for the vast majority it doesnt. A lot of animators also need to learn by example. They need to see how a pro animates all kinds of different body mechanic shots step by step to put all the pieces together.
No other school, workshop, or course does that. Sure, they may offer some live or recorded demos of some random shots.
But they dont walk you through beginner body mechanics to advanced body mechanics frame by frame.
Body Mechanics is the 1st course to ever do this. With 5 core animation lessons you'll level up fast as your walkthrough through every single frame of each animation.
Plus, each of the 5 lessons are ordered and kept simple so you can focus on a few new body mechanic skills at a time without being overwhelmed.
Body Mechanics Mastery lessons are all done in Maya. The 3d software used the most by animators in studios.
That said, if all you had was pencil and paper, the animation skills you'll learn will still apply.
Yes, you wont have all the technical hurdles or graph editor - you'll have to draw instead - but how you create overlap, weight, power, balance, and so on will all be the same. The art is the art regardless of medium.
I don't care if your a 65 year old with blue hair thats attended 3 online schools and still dont have a job. Body Mechanics Mastery will set you up to win with body mechanics.
You'll get the answers to fluid, weighty, powerful, and believeable movement by example. And you'll be set free to focus on acting or create epic fight sequences if thats your goal.
So, If you still think your a special snowflake who will always have it harder than 1,000s of other animators ask yourself -- are you just looking for an excuse not to join? An excuse to prove you can't succeed?
The animation lessons here are built off my 5+ years of working experience in VFX, Games, and TV. At studios BIG and small. The animation exercises are also battle tested by tons of students I've mentored the past 3 years in my live mentoring program.
In all your schooling have you ever been walked through body mechanic animations frame by frame from start to finish? From basic exercises to advanced? With indepth critiques, clear explanations of how the hips, chest, spine, the whole body functions to move?
If you haven't this Body Mechanics Mastery will not only help you - it was built for you.
Body Mechanics Mastery focuses soley on Body Mechanics with recorded video lessons that show you how I would animate every exercise.You learn at your own pace, as fast or as slow as you want.
Augmented Animator is a custom live mentoring program that adapts to your skill level, struggles, and goals with non stop weekly classes for 3 months. If your an absolute beginner, an advanced animator focusing on acting, or somewhere in the middle you can get the guidance your after.
It's Very adaptable. Very helpful. Though you cant pause the course whenever you want. And you don't get to see how I would animate every single frame.
If join Body Mechanics Mastery makes the difference between you getting your student loans paid or eating – do NOT buy this course.
I repeat you do NOT have my permission to buy this course.
Spend the money on your basic survival first. This won’t bring helpful pressure to the artistic challenges you’ll find inside. I truly want what’s best for you and if money is that tight this course is NOT what’s best for you right now.
Beyond all that, what about all the students who already paid in full?
It wouldn’t be fair to them to discount now or in the future.
What would your reaction be if you bought a TV at full price and then the next day saw it was half off?
This is also a barrier to keep out those who aren’t serious.
If you invest in Body Mechanics Mastery you probably wont let it go to waste. You’ll put extra effort into making the most of it - you’ll be dedicated.
Also, the price of Body Mechanics Mastery won't stay this low. In the near future the price will go up. (no idea when that will be right now).
Yes! I want lifetime access to Body Mechanics Mastery
Option 2
BMM with 6 Recorded
Video Critiques
$174
4 Monthly Installments
Spots are limited
Option 3
BMM with UNLIMITED
Recorded Video Critiques
$297
4 Monthly Installments
SPOTS ARE LIMITED
If you have any questions or concerns about the course you can email me directly.
I'm happy to help.
Rusty@RustyAnimator.com
Body Mechanics Mastery Closes In:
BMM Student Success Story: Tommy W.
Your not gonna find a better course than this one
I found the next level in animation skill that I was looking for. And honestly it happened in the very first lesson. So if your considering BMM just go for it! Your not gonna find a better course than this one.
I learned more in BMM in a short period of time than all of my schooling.
Im more confident that if I start something ill get to the end of it and Ill like what I get. Animating is a lot more fun now. Do this course - it was well worth it. I learned more in BMM in a short period of time than all of my schooling.
Before I was never confident I could actually work in the industry -- but now I am
Even though I did a lot of animating before BMM - I was never confident that I could actually work in the industry.
But now after doing this I confidently feel I will work in VFX. So if anyones thinking about BMM I highly recommend it.
Copyright 2024 Rusty Animator. All Rights Reserved