Phase 4 — From Movement to Performance
Acting & Lip Sync Animation Course
Mentored by Filippo Dattola — Lead Animator, 12+ years on major feature productions.
Mentorship Phase 4
The fourth phase in the SquashnStretch.net mentorship path. This acting animation course marks the transition from physical movement to emotional performance.
Through direct 1-on-1 mentorship, you will learn how to make acting choices, deliver emotion through facial animation, synchronize dialogue with intention, and build the storytelling clarity that studios hire for
What This Mentorship Phase 4 Covers
This phase introduces character acting and lip sync. You will work through dialogue shots, emotional beats, facial performance, and the relationship between body language and spoken word. Every shot is built with intentional acting choices — learning to ask not just “how does this character move?” but “what does this character want?”
Who This Phase Is For
Designed for animators who have completed Mentorship Phase 3 or have strong body mechanics. If your physical animation is solid but your acting shots feel flat or unclear, this phase develops the performance skills that transform a demo reel from technically competent to emotionally compelling.
What You Will Achieve
By the end of this phase, you will animate dialogue scenes with clear emotional intent and believable facial performance. Your shots will demonstrate the ability to tell a story through a character — the skill that separates animators who get hired from those who keep applying.
Ready for Phase 5 — Full Body Acting.
Mentorship Phase 4 Details
LIVE Review
Two 1-on-1 live sessions per week with your mentor. All sessions recorded for you to review anytime.
LECTURES
Live and recorded video tutorials and PDF resources, covering character locomotion and physical mechanics
ASSIGNMENT
2 acting shots with detailed mentor feedback on performance choices, emotional clarity, and dialogue sync.
SOFTWARE
Autodesk Maya is the primary software.
Students can also use Blender or other 3D packages
LANGUAGE
All sessions and materials are delivered in English or Italian. Choose your preferred language when you enrol
REQUIREMENTS
Stable internet connection, microphone and webcam. Completion of Phase 3 or equivalent experience.
DURATION
10 weeks of structured training with a clear progression from basic to advanced principles. Two sessions x week, recorded.
Acting Animation Course
Why Choose This Acting & Lip-Sync phase
This acting animation course is where your animation begins to feel alive. Under direct mentorship from a Lead Animator who has directed character performance on major feature productions, you will develop the ability to create shots that tell stories — the skill that studios value above all else.
The feedback you receive is the same standard applied inside real studios — specific, actionable, and focused on developing your ability to create believable character performance.
Students who have completed this acting animation course describe it as the moment their animation stopped being movement and started being storytelling. If you are serious about bringing characters to life through performance and dialogue, this is the phase that transforms your work.
Apply for This Phase
Get in touch to apply for this Acting & Lip-Sync animation phase or to find out which phase is right for your level.