Animations Basics
Master the fundamentals of animation dance with Max Thompson in this comprehensive beginner course. Learn essential techniques including popping, waving, dimestops, fixed points, speed control, tutting, lurking, and the toyman style. This course covers everything you need to build a strong foundation in animation dance, from basic muscle control and isolation to advanced movement mechanics. Perfect for beginners looking to develop their animation skills with professional instruction and step-by-step tutorials.
Course Videos
Popping
Dive into the fundamentals of popping with Max Thompson. Learn the signature muscle contraction technique that creates the explosive, robotic hits that define popping dance. This tutorial covers proper muscle control, timing, rhythm, and how to execute clean pops throughout your body. Discover the foundation of this iconic street dance style and build the skills needed for more advanced popping techniques.
Waving
Master the iconic waving technique with Max Thompson. Learn how to create smooth, flowing wave motions through your body that give the illusion of energy traveling from one point to another. This comprehensive tutorial covers arm waves, body waves, proper isolation technique, and how to connect multiple waves into seamless sequences. Essential for any dancer looking to add fluidity and flow to their movement style.
Toyman
Explore the toyman technique with Max Thompson in this specialized animation tutorial. Learn how to embody the mechanical, puppet-like movements characteristic of the toyman style. This class covers robotic isolation, mechanical timing, and the unique aesthetic that makes toyman animation instantly recognizable. Perfect for dancers looking to add a distinctive mechanical element to their movement vocabulary.
Lurk Animation Class
Master the art of lurk animation in this comprehensive class with Max Thompson. Learn how to create smooth, controlled lurking movements that flow naturally through animation techniques. This tutorial covers essential body mechanics, timing, and stylistic elements that make lurking distinctive in dance and animation.
Dimestops
Learn the precision art of dimestops with Max Thompson. This tutorial focuses on mastering sudden, sharp stops in your movement – stopping on a dime with perfect control and timing. Discover how to build the muscle control, balance, and technique needed to execute clean dimestops that punctuate your choreography with powerful impact and musicality.
Fixed Points
Master the technique of fixed points in dance with Max Thompson. Learn how to create anchored positions in space, maintain stability during movement, and use fixed points as a foundation for complex animations. This tutorial covers body alignment, spatial awareness, and how to transition smoothly between fixed positions while maintaining control and precision in your movements.
Speed Control
Develop precise speed control in your dance movements with Max Thompson. This tutorial teaches you how to manipulate tempo, create dynamic contrasts, and master the art of moving at different speeds within your performance. Learn techniques for smooth acceleration and deceleration, tempo changes, and how to use speed variation to enhance your choreography and musicality.
Tutting in Animation Part 1
Begin your journey into tutting animation with Max Thompson in this foundational tutorial. Learn the basics of creating geometric shapes and angular movements with your arms and hands. This first part covers fundamental hand positions, frame creation, and the essential building blocks of tutting that will prepare you for advanced techniques.