1. Intro to Stylized Action Animation- Instructor introduction - What defines a great fight scene? - Emphasis on Spider-Verse aesthetics - Overview of the course structure

2. Presentation of Tools & Assets- Introduction to Animbot, character & FX rigs, camera tools, props, and more

3. Drawing Warm Up Routine- Daily routine for warming up - Dynamic PDF references featuring acrobatics, martial arts, and parkour - Draw fight scene poses every 4 frames to train rhythm and clarity, i.e. gesture thumbnails

4. The Soul of a Fight Scene: Story, Stakes & Context- It's not just motion—who is fighting and why? - Backstory ideas: emotional states, motivations, handicaps (e.g. wounded arm), and more - Internal narrative per shot: "What just happened? What’s about to happen?"

5. What Makes Action Work- Visual clarity, emotional rhythm, and escalation - Setup/payoff dynamics: surprise vs. expectation - Contrasts: slow vs. fast, held poses vs. smears

6. Staging & Cinematography- Rule of thirds, leading lines, and silhouette clarity - Camera placement: distance and choice of lens, i.e. wide vs. long for speed perception

7. Using Props to Elevate Choreography- Weapons, debris, and environmental interaction (e.g. walls, ledges) - Use props to show character tactics or personality flaws

8. Character Design & Physical Constraints- Define how each character fights based on their personality and intent - Add individuality through traits like limps, acrobatics, brute strength, or psychological quirks - Explore how injuries affect movement, strategy, and emotional expression

9. Stylization Deep Dive: Timing, Pose & Readability- Prioritize anticipation and reaction over the action - Use on-2s and stepped timing for clarity and emphasis - Employ "held" keyframes with layered motion - Push your poses for heightened impact

10. Finding and Analyzing References- Record your own reference or study scenes from films and anime like Jackie Chan, Daredevil, or Into the Badlands - Identify key elements: rhythm, story beats, and signature moves or attacks

11. Thumbnailing Your Sequence- Sketch 6-12 key beats as simple drawings - Focus on clear gestures, weight shifts, and strong contrast between poses - Highlight crucial moments like impact, reversals, and reactions

12. Line of Action & Squash-and-Stretch- Identify lines of action in your references - Apply squash-and-stretch to convey force, flexibility, and dynamic motion

13. Primitive Animation Pass- Animate your action using a basic box shape - Focus on pacing, spacing, and rhythm

14. Key Poses with Appeal & Weight- Design clear, expressive poses that communicate tension and intent - Emphasize balance, contrapposto, and asymmetry - Ask yourself: "Would this frame work as a standalone poster?"

15. Blocking Pass- Pose-to-pose using stepped tangents - Define clear extremes, anticipations, and overshoots - Ensure every pose communicates something essential to the action or emotion - Avoid unnecessary poses—invest time in making each one count

16. Breakdown: Arcs & Transitions- Smart breakdowns: hip drags, limb follow-throughs, and leading motion - Reinforce a sense of weight through timing and overlap

17. Weight & Gravity- Holds before take-off and squash-and-stretch in landings - Animate push-offs with a clear power buildup - Consider real-life timing—exaggerate intentionally

18. Blocking in 2s with Stylized Holds- Freeze at impact moments - Off-timing in limb movements for stylistic effect

19. Smear Frames & Multiples- How to smear in 3D: rig tricks and frame-by-frame methods - Use multiples or blending with FX rigs like speedlines

20. Speedlines & FX for Punch- Use FX rigs to add stylized bursts and impacts - Show force direction and motion with visual cues

21. Sound Design- Animate to rhythm, beats, and breathing patterns - Work as if you hear a sound, even with no audio - Use audio placeholders like punches and slides to guide timing and tempo

22. Final Polish- Maintain clean splines to minimize visual noise - Focus movement on one major element at a time - Introduce subtle eye darts and secondary motion offsets - Verify silhouette clarity and holds

23. Iterate, Refine, Repeat- Share your shot in your communities - If someone misunderstands it, the animation wasn’t clear—adjust - Revisit timing or posing as needed, then polish again

24. Showcase Your Work- Showcase clear shots that highlight your animation and personal style - Keep your reel concise—emphasize impact, clarity, and uniqueness. - Tailor presentations for studios focused on stylized action

25. Conclusion & Next Level Challenges- Reflect on what worked well and what felt off - Animate a rematch with new stakes (e.g. different prop, injury, environment) - Challenge 1: create a two-character sequence - Challenge 2: try a new stylized genre, such as anime, noir, or game-style