Intentional Performance
Full Body Acting Animation
Mentored by Filippo Dattola — Lead Animator, 12+ years on major feature productions.
Mentorship Phase 5
The fifth phase in the SquashnStretch mentorship path. This full body acting animation phase develops complete character performance — where every gesture, weight shift, and pause carries meaning.
Through direct 1-on-1 mentorship, you will learn to build acting shots with narrative subtext, purposeful motion, and the studio-level polish that makes a demo reel unforgettable.
What This Mentorship Phase 5 Covers
This phase pushes acting beyond dialogue into full-body storytelling. You will work through pantomime shots, emotional transitions, internal thought processes expressed through physical choices, and complex performance sequences. Every shot demands intentionality — the character must think, feel, and decide through movement alone.
Who This Phase Is For
Designed for animators who have completed Mentorship Phase 4 or have solid acting fundamentals. If your dialogue shots work but your full-body performances lack depth or feel mechanical, this phase develops the subtlety and narrative awareness that top studios look for.
What You Will Achieve
By the end of this phase, you will create full-body acting performances that carry real emotional weight. Your shots will demonstrate the ability to communicate story through intentional physical choices — producing demo reel pieces that compete at international level.
Ready for Phase 6 — Multiple Characters.
Mentorship Phase 5 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 performance theory, subtext, and physical storytelling.
ASSIGNMENT
1 performance shot with detailed mentor feedback on narrative clarity, emotional depth, and physical intention
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 4 or equivalent experience.
DURATION
10 weeks of structured training with a clear progression from basic to advanced Acting principles. Two sessions x week, recorded.

Why Choose This Full Body Acting Animation Phase
This full body acting animation phase is where your character performances become truly compelling. Under direct mentorship from a Lead Animator who has directed character performance on major feature productions, you will learn the difference between animation that moves and animation that communicates — the distinction that defines a professional career.
The feedback you receive is the same standard applied inside real studios — specific, actionable, and focused on developing your ability to create believable Full body Acting performance.
Students who have completed this full body acting animation phase describe it as the moment their performances gained real emotional weight — when every gesture started carrying meaning and every pause told a story. If you are serious about creating character performances that move audiences, this is the phase that elevates your work.
Apply for This Phase
Get in touch to apply for this Full Body Acting animation phase or to find out which phase is right for your level.
