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 Presenter (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

  • Max Howard

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

  • 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

  • Tony Bancroft

    Animator/Director • Mulan, The Lion King, Aladdin

  • 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) • Curious George, The Princess and the Frog, My Neighbor

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 January 31.
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 $25 Off!
Special Education Only Pricing.

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

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.