Fullerton the Squirrel

This five second test took about three hours to animate. I did it for a demonstration lecture for the students at Cal State Fullerton. If you want to see the full three hour demonstration, it's here:

[Kash.mp]

Man having you as a teacher must be so cool

[TheIronArmenianakaGIHaigs]

I just watched your demo reel. I didn't realise just how much of your work I have seen In my life :D
Everything from the the most famous Disney films to TV shows. So much wonderful stuff.

I didn't know you worked on Gravity Falls too.

[thugkermit]

And that’s why the phrase: animate me! Does not end in an interesting night

[kaciekk]

3 hours for 5 seconds really gives you perspective on how hard animation really is. It takes me an hour for 1 second roughly, which means a whole music video took at least 225 hours, I'd estimate more.

[kekkek]

I love watching lectures from animation legends, they are always so edifying.

[mrs.doctor]

Me: wow I can’t wait to be an animator!
“Hi this 5 second clip took me 3 hours to make”
Me, who can’t focus for more than 15 seconds : *gives up on all my hopes an dreams*

[effen_aey_man]

People really don't understand how long a process art is. Some people might sit there and think "3 hours for that short 5 second clip" until they understand that art is a time consuming process, it's a hobby and it's a way for people to express themselves in ways that brings joy to others. Me personally I think this is quite polished for a clip that only took a few hours to make and will more then likely never see much more work go into it. That animation is so smooth

[toasterdoggo]

My favorite part of James Baxter’s work is to go frame by frame analyzing every single frame.

[CVerse]

It was so wonderful having you give us a lecture at CSUF's Pencil Mileage Club! Thank you for taking the time to teach us a little bit about your process!

[zezekingyo]

Even I can't imagine how long he does this small frame

[a.rt.benedictus]

Oh hey, I was at that demo! Thank you so much for speaking with us, it was really amazing to watch you work and I learned so much!

[NatYourAverageNerd]

I see the setup, the initial reaction, secondary reaction, wind-up, anticipation, follow-through, and resolution all in play here. Brings me back to the days I studied under Don Bluth, and it reminds me that I should get back to animating sooner than later. I miss my process, but I need to finish the map I made for my next project before working on the layouts. If the map isn't right, then neither will anything else be, after all! Thank you for more inspiration, sir.

[ConnorDrawss]

I always love how expressive your animations are, even if they are 5 seconds long. So cool.

[AshesOfSpring]

Dear Mr. Baxter,
I know you may not even see this, but I want to tell you how much your work has impacted me. You are the reason I got into animation. Thank you for the incredible work you've done over the years.

[America]

Probably the most amazing thing about James Baxter is that no matter what, no matter how short or rough the animation is, you still get immersed with the character. Its like knowing the entire plot of a book after reading a page.

[AxelPoggers]

The legend returns to shed light during these dark times


Thank you James ❤️

[Pencilmileageclub]

Thanks for adding a link to our channel, we’re getting a lot of exposure because of it! It was such a pleasure to have you speak to our club and answer all of our questions!

[hyperchibiabsol]

“Takes 3 hours to draw a 5 second sketch”

Me: *takes 139 hours to draw a 13 second sketch so roughly 53 hours for a 5 second clip*

the hell do you animate so fast?

[nomanches]

HE'S BACK!!! THANK YOU JAMES!!! ❤✨

[virgonichole]

I just wanna say, you’re my favorite animator ever