Alfredo Cassano

Meet Alfredo Cassano

Storyboard Artist & 2D Animator (The SPA Studios, Cartoon Saloon)
Alfredo Cassano

About Alfredo

About Alfredo

Mentor of 2D Animation

Alfredo is a freelance 2D animator, storyboard artist and pianist. He has worked on feature films like Klaus—as lead animator on Jesper— Song of the Sea, The Secret of Kells, and many TV shows aired internationally such as Tom & Jerry, Gravity Falls, Nella the Princess Knight and many others.

Alfredo has been teaching animation over the last 10 years, both online and in person, and is eager to share his knowledge with CG Spectrum students.

  

Alfredo's films

Credits include Klaus, Song of the Sea, and The Secret of Kells.

klaus-movie-poster
the-secret-of-kells
song-of-the-sea

Q&A with Alfredo

Which city are you currently based in?

Torino, Italy

What did your pathway into the industry look like?
After studying traditional animation at the Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia in Torino, I moved to Ireland where my career started. After that, I went back to freelance from Italy for a few years before working on Klaus.
What has been the best experience of your career so far?
Klaus, indeed. I found myself working like an old school Disney animator with all the time I needed to get to the right acting and performance, and that's something I'd never get tired of.
What’s your advice for animation students?

If you think you know your limits, you don't. Put yourself in an inspiring context, out of your comfort zone, and you'll be surprised.

Learn animation from industry pros 

3D Animation Essentials

3D Animation Essentials

12 weeks - 20hrs weekly

Learn 3D animation basics with this fun short course - perfect for beginners! Using Maya software, you'll start with the fundamentals, including the 12 Principles of Animation, character rigs and posing, then animate your first walk cycle!
2D Animator Specialization

2D Animator Specialization

36 weeks - 20hrs weekly

Get ready for more advanced aspects of 2D: creating appealing characters, solid drawings, expressive acting and FX animation. Increase your technical skills, gain confidence in Toon Boom, and finish the course by polishing your portfolio and exploring career options with your mentor.
3D Animation Foundations

3D Animation Foundations

24 weeks - 20hrs weekly

Build on 3D foundations and gain speed and confidence using Maya. Experiment with force and weight, and create a believable fight scene, while picking up critical job skills.

3D Animator Specialization

3D Animator Specialization

36 weeks - 20hrs weekly

Master more complex creature and character animation techniques and create compelling scenes. In your final term you and your mentor focus on portfolio preparation and career development to ensure your work is polished and you graduate job-ready.
2D Animation Essentials

2D Animation Essentials

12 weeks - 20hrs weekly

Learn 2D animation basics from Disney animators! Focusing on hand-drawn animation style, this online animation course covers the 12 Principles of Animation and classic exercises like the bouncing ball, walk cycle, and character take using industry software Toon Boom Harmony.
2D Animation Foundations

2D Animation Foundations

24 weeks - 20hrs weekly

Further your character animation skills by creating more complex scenes for your portfolio. Learn body mechanics and anatomy, Toon Boom shortcuts, and other job skills to speed up your workflow.

3D Animation Foundations

3D Animation Foundations

24 weeks - 20hrs weekly

Build on 3D foundations and gain speed and confidence using Maya. Experiment with force and weight, and create a believable fight scene, while picking up critical job skills.
2D Animation Foundations

2D Animation Foundations

24 weeks - 20hrs weekly

Further your character animation skills by creating more complex scenes for your portfolio. Learn body mechanics and anatomy, Toon Boom shortcuts, and other job skills to speed up your workflow.

Foundations 2D Animation (Anime Style)

Foundations 2D Animation (Anime Style)

36 weeks - 20hrs weekly

Learn the fundamentals of 2D animation using Toon Boom focusing on anime style. Be mentored by Tokyo-based 2D artist Misu Yamaneko, who has worked on popular anime productions like Pokemon Sun & Moon, Vinland Saga, Overlord II, and Bleach Brave Souls.
Bachelor of Digital Art (2D Animation)

Bachelor of Digital Art (2D Animation)

2 weeks - 40hrs weekly

Master the industry tools and techniques to pursue a successful career in 2D animation. Breathe life and personality into 2D characters using Toon Boom Harmony and delve deep into production pipelines and creative workflows.
Diploma of Animation & VFX (2D Animation)

Diploma of Animation & VFX (2D Animation)

0 weeks - 40hrs weekly

Learn the tools and techniques to start your journey as a 2D animator.
Bachelor of Animation & VFX (3D Animation)

Bachelor of Animation & VFX (3D Animation)

2 weeks - 40hrs weekly

Discover how to inject life into digital characters and creatures for film, TV, virtual production, and games. Develop advanced 3D animation skills using Autodesk Maya and build your knowledge in the VFX pipeline and production processes.

Diploma of Animation & VFX (3D Animation)

Diploma of Animation & VFX (3D Animation)

0 weeks - 40hrs weekly

Learn fundamental 3D animation tools and techniques with training from industry pros. Animate simple props and characters in Autodesk Maya and develop an understanding of essential industry concepts, principles, and workflows.
What do you enjoy most about being a CG Spectrum mentor?
I love the fact that my students can be from anywhere in the world, and that my personal experience can help someone so far away from me.
How do you stay creative outside of work?
I play classical piano and normally do things completely different from animation to recharge my creative batteries.
What excites you most about the future of animation?
The comeback of 2D animation after the hunger for 3D started in the 1990s. I love 3D but the audience needs more variety and choice when it comes to taste, language, and techniques.

Learn more about Alfredo's experience or connect with him on LinkedIn.

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