ANIMATED! Master Class – May 23rd – 24th, 2026

This isn't a conference. It's a First of It's kind, Masterclass!

Two Days. One Stage. A complete, start-to-finish look at how animated films are made — from story, design and animation to sound, post, and distribution.

Our Presenters (So Far)

Award-winning Storytellers. Industry Experts. Real-world Experience.

Lectures, demos, and panels with industry legends and working pros.
Topics covering both independent and major studio production realities.

  • Aaron Blaise

    Animator/Director • Brother Bear,
    The Lion King, Snow Bear

  • Byron Howard

    Director • Zootopia, Encanto, Tangled

  • John Musker

    Director • The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Moana

  • Ron Clements

    Director • Aladdin, Hercules, Moana

  • Pam Coats

    Producer/Executive • Mulan, Scoob!, Brother Bear

  • Maggie Malone

    Studio Executive/Producer • Current:VP Animated Film (Netflix), Previous: Disney

  • Max Howard

    Producer / Executive • Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron, Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, The Lion King

  • Bruce W. Smith

    Animator/Director • Princess & The Frog, The Proud Family, Tarzan

  • Marlon West

    Head of Effects Animation (Disney) • Zootopia 2, Frozen, Encanto

  • Tom Bancroft

    Animator/Director • Light of the World, The Lion King, Beauty & The Beast

  • Peter Ramsey

    Director • Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Rise of the Guardians

  • Tony Bancroft

    Animator/Director • Mulan, The Lion King, Aladdin

  • Rob Minkoff

    Director / Animator • The Lion King, Stuart Little, Mr. Peabody & Sherman 

  • Chuck Williams

    Producer • Brother Bear, Sonic the Hedgehog

  • John Roesch

    Foley Artist • Encanto, Inception, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial

  • Tim Mertens

    Editor • Tangled, Wreck-It Ralph, Big Hero 6

  • Mac Smith

    Sound Designer (Skywalker Sound) • In Your Dreams, Snow Bear, What If...?

  • Dominic Carola

    Director/Indie Studio Owner (Premise Entertainment) • Lilo & Stitch, Curious George, The Princess and the Frog, My Neighbor

  • Shiyoon Kim

      Character Designer (Disney, Sony, Netflix) • K-Pop Demon Hunters, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Big Hero 6

  • Armand Serrano

    Vis Dev/Production Design (Skydance Animation) • Raya and the Last Dragon, Big Hero 6, What If...? 

  • Tab Murphy

    Oscar Nominated Writer • Gorillas in the Mist, Tarzan, Atlantis, Brother Bear 

LINEUP STILL GROWING

More Major Speakers Will Be Announced
The speakers listed below represent the foundation of the event.
Additional award-winning directors, animators, and
studio executives will be revealed as the program is finalized.

More Major Speakers

To Be Announced

Additional award-winning creatives and executives will be revealed soon. (Final Line-up Subject to Change.)

Directors
Animators
Editors
Story Artists
Studio Execs
Sound & Music

Please Join Us for our next "Creature Art Teacher: LIVE" Event!

Aaron Blaise & Guests will be teaching, presenting and animating live in Los Angeles, California for two days.

Join us as we present numerous lectures, demonstrations, shares stories & answers questions.

What?

2-day, Single-stage animation masterclass
Story → production → post → distribution
Indie & major studio pipelines.

Where?

Wilshire Ebell Theatre
Los Angeles, California
Historic, women-run theatre.

When?

May 23–24, 2026
Two full days.
No overlapping sessions.

Ticket Types:

Choose Your Experience

Early Bird pricing ends April 1st.
Creature Art Teacher Members receive an Instant 10% Discount.

VIP Pass Premium

Both days + guaranteed seating in the first 5 rows + VIP eating area + signed event poster featuring artwork by Aaron Blaise.

2-Day Event Ticket

The complete journey. Full access to Day 1 and Day 2 — the entire pipeline, beginning to end.

Single Day Ticket — Day 1

Story, Pre-Production & Production. Development, writing, boards, reels, design, layout/backgrounds, and animation foundations.

Single Day Ticket — Day 2

Production, Post & Distribution. Animation demos, sound & music, finishing, and theatrical + streaming release strategy.

  • Single Stage

    No Overlapping Sessions

    Every attendee shares the same experience. No choosing between rooms. No missing the "big" talks.
  • Real Pipelines

    Indie + Studio Perspectives

    Learn how decisions change between independent and major studio productions... and what stays universal.
  • Practical + Honest

    Creative + Executive Reality

    Hear how vision and constraints collide—and how the best teams turn that tension into great films!
2-Day Ticket
All Access
$399
Get Access to Both Days!
See it All
See All Lectures & Demos and SAVE!
2 Full Days of Learning
Pre-Production thru Distribution
Gourmet Boxed Lunch Included (Daily)
Live Demos, Lectures & Panel Discussions
Animation Demos
Character Design + Storyboarding
Music, Sound Design + Foley
Q & A Sessions Each Day
Get Tickets!Get Tickets!
2-DAY VIP Pass
Premium Access
$499
2-Day Access + VIP Seating + More
Best Value
Our Ultimate Event Experience
Includes Everything from Standard 2-Day Ticket
+ Guaranteed Seating in First 5 rows
+ VIP Lunch Seating!
+ Signed Event Poster Featuring Art by Aaron Blaise
Limited Passes Available
Get Tickets!Get Tickets!
Single Day Tickets
Available
$275
Limited Qty.
Can't Make Both Days?
Limited Number of Single Day Tickets.
Choose Your Day At Checkout
Day 1: Story, Character Design, Pre-Production & Production
Day 2: Poduction, Animation, Post-Production & Distribution
Select OptionSelect Option
Are you a Student or Teacher? If you are a student or teacher CLICK HERE to save $50 Off!
Special Education Only Pricing.

"Early Bird" Price Ends April 1st • Save Upto $200 Now!

Recommended Hotels Near the Venue

We’ve partnered with several nearby West Hollywood hotels to offer attendees of ANIMATED! The Art of Bringing Stories to Life access to a special promotional discount. These options make it easy to stay close to the event and enjoy a more convenient weekend experience.
Please be sure to enter the code “PARTNER” or click one of the booking links below.
You should see the code PARTNER applied at checkout to receive the special discount. Availability may be limited, so we recommend booking early.
Montrose at Beverly Hills

Montrose at Beverly Hills

West Hollywood, California
A stylish nearby option for attendees looking to stay in the heart of West Hollywood with convenient access to the venue and surrounding area.

Book with Partner Rate

Chamberlain West Hollywood

Chamberlain West Hollywood

West Hollywood, California
A comfortable and upscale stay close to the event, ideal for guests who want easy access to the venue while enjoying the West Hollywood area.

Book with Partner Rate

Le Parc at Melrose

Le Parc at Melrose

West Hollywood, California
A polished boutique-style option nearby, offering attendees a convenient place to stay while remaining close to the event and local dining.

Book with Partner Rate

Hotel Ziggy

Hotel Ziggy

West Hollywood, California
A fun and energetic nearby stay for attendees who want a lively hotel option within easy reach of the venue.

Book with Partner Rate

Additional Nearby Accommodations

Looking for another hotel close to the venue? Dunes Inn – Wilshire is also a nearby option for attendees, though it is not part of our current partner discount program.

View on Map

Book Direct

Many attendees will be staying nearby, making these hotels a great option not only for convenience, but also for connecting with fellow artists and animation fans throughout the weekend.

Wilshire Ebell Theatre Interior

The Wilshire Ebell Theatre

This year’s masterclass takes place at the iconic Wilshire Ebell Theatre, one of Los Angeles’ most beautiful and historic performance spaces.

Founded by and still operated as part of a historic women-led organization, the Ebell has played an important role in supporting the arts, education, and creative culture in Los Angeles for over a century.

Known for its grand architecture, ornate interiors, and rich creative legacy, the theatre has hosted generations of artists, filmmakers, and storytellers — making it the perfect setting for a deep dive into the art of animation.

📍 Located in the heart of Los Angeles, just minutes from your hotel options.View on Map →

Travel Notes:


IMPORTANT NOTE TO INTERNATIONAL TRAVELERS:
A valid passport is required for all international travelers to enter the United States.


Depending on your country of origin, a VISA may be required to enter the U.S.

>> CLICK HERE to check your country’s VISA requirements. <<

The information below may also be helpful when planning your trip.

EVENT DATES: May 23–24

Useful Links:

Airport Information:

Primary Airport =
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

Airport Code: (LAX)

TIP: Burbank (BUR) and Long Beach (LGB) can sometimes offer quicker arrivals
and easier ground transportation than LAX, depending on your airline and point of origin.

Common Questions & Answers:

What are the dates & times again?

The event is from May 23rd - 24th, 2025

Tentative Schedule is as Follows:

  • Doors will open at 9:30 AM Each Day. The First presenter will start at 10:00 AM each day.
  • We will have breaks approx. every 2 to 2 ½ hours.
  • Event ends each day at 5:00 PM

NOTE: Final Details/Agenda is Subject to Change. 

What is the Address?

Wilshire Ebell Theatre
4401 West 8th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90005

What is the Cancellation/Refund Policy?

Due to the nature of this event cancellations are subject to 50% non-refundable deposit fee.

If you cancel less than 30 days before the event then the entire payment will considered non-refundable.

In the event Creature Art Teacher cancels the event for any reason then 100% of your payment shall be fully refunded.

In the event you need to cancel for any reason please CONTACT US as soon as possible.  If the event goes to a waitlist we may be able transfer your order to another guest. There is NO GUARANTEE of this. But we will do our best to work with you.