Todd Jacobsen

Meet Todd Jacobsen

Creative Director at Todd Jacobsen, Inc.
Todd Jacobsen

About Todd

About Todd

Mentor of 2D Animation

Todd is a thirty year veteran of the Hollywood 2D animation industry with extensive experience on features, TV, commercials, and theme park installations. He has worked at Disney, DreamWorks, Warner Bros., Netflix, Universal, Nickelodeon and Fox. Todd has also freelanced on a number of projects for smaller studios across North America.

  

Todd's work

Credits include The Simpsons, FernGully: The Last Rainforest, The Ren & Stimpy Show, Cats Don't Dance, The Prince of Egypt, The Road to El Dorado, The Princess and the Frog, and numerous properties featuring the classic Looney Tunes characters.

FernGully
The Ren & Stimpy Show
The Road to El Dorado
The Prince of Egypt

Q&A with Todd

Which city are you currently based in?

Stevenson Ranch, California

What did your pathway into the industry look like?
I taught myself how to animate in 1988-1989 while taking courses in Graphic Design at California State University at Northridge, as they didn't offer animation classes at the time. I made a one minute stop-motion project in my dorm room, and created a portfolio containing my film and my best graphic design assignments. I submitted it to two studios and the second one hired me as a Production Assistant on a show they had just started producing called The Simpsons. I worked on the first two seasons of that series, spent the next two years on the production side of the industry (FernGully, The Ren & Stimpy Show), and then made the transition to drawing full time.
What has been the best experience of your career so far?
Working on FernGully, Cats Don't Dance, The Road to El Dorado, The Princess and the Frog, and the last four years freelancing from home on features, TV, and commercials.
What’s your advice for students?

Be completely open to changes within the industry, learn as many techniques for executing animation as possible and, above all, play nice with others!

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?
The opportunity to share my knowledge and experience with newcomers to the industry.
How do you stay creative outside of work?
I enjoy gardening, cooking, and refinishing furniture. I'm also restoring a 1966 convertible I've had since college.
What excites you most about the future of animation?
The ability to create and distribute finished content in a self-contained setting.

Learn more about Todd's experience on his website or connect with him on LinkedIn.

Your mentor is ready, are you?

New intakes at the beginning of the month, every month. Enquire today to secure your seat.
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