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Animation Masterclass from a Disney Legend | Aaron Blaise episode artwork

Apr 11, 2026 1 hr 17 min

Animation Masterclass from a Disney Legend | Aaron Blaise

from Toon'd In! with Jim Cummings Hosted by James Cummings

🎨Follow Everything Aaron Blaise on His Website🎨 Find tutorials, lessons, art, merch and more: 👉https://creatureartteacher.com 🐻‍❄️Check Out Aaron Blaise's Short Film "Snow Bear"🐻‍❄️ A lonely polar bear creates a companion when he can't find friends in his harsh habitat in Aaron's critically acclaimed short film: 👉https://youtu.be/xOXolSQcEb4?si=c0EE2O9ixow4mbiH This week on Toon’d In!, Jim Cummings welcomes legendary animator Aaron Blaise! Known for his influential work on Disney classics like The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, and Aladdin, as well as co-directing Brother Bear, Aaron Blaise has played a major role in shaping modern character animation. With a career spanning the celebrated renaissance of traditional Disney animation and into today’s digital era, he remains a respected artist, storyteller, and educator whose work continues to inspire animators around the world. In this engaging and wide-ranging episode, Aaron shares his journey into the world of animation—from studying animal anatomy and illustration to joining Walt Disney Animation Studios during one of its most transformative creative periods. He reflects on developing memorable characters, collaborating with legendary directors and fellow animators, and the artistic challenges of bringing emotion and personality to hand-drawn performances. Aaron also discusses his experience co-directing Brother Bear, offering insight into story development, visual style, and balancing creative vision with large-scale studio production. Jim and Aaron dive deep into the craft of character animation, exploring the importance of observation, movement, and acting in drawing. They talk about the evolution from traditional hand-drawn animation to digital workflows, the enduring appeal of classic Disney storytelling, and Aaron’s passion for teaching the next generation of artists through workshops and online education. The conversation also highlights behind-the-scenes moments from iconic films and the collaborative spirit that defines animation at its best. 🎙️✨ Ever wondered what it takes to animate unforgettable Disney characters, direct an animated feature, or transition from studio artist to mentor for aspiring creators? Settle in and get Toon’d In! for an inspiring, behind-the-scenes conversation about animation history, artistic technique, and a remarkable career devoted to bringing characters to life. 🎙️ Subscribe to Toon’d In! with Jim Cummings🎙️ Watch and subscribe for more exclusive interviews with legendary voice actors, animators, and entertainment creators: 👉 https://youtube.com/@jimcummingspod?sub_confirmation=1 Stay up to date with new episodes of Toon’d In! with Jim Cummings — the podcast celebrating animation, voice acting, and behind-the-scenes Hollywood stories. 🎟️ Live Appearances & Events with Jim Cummings Meet Jim Cummings and special guests in person! Find upcoming convention appearances, signing events, and live shows here: 👉 https://jimcummingsworld.com/appearances Check back often for new cities and event announcements. 🎧 Listen to Toon’d In! with Jim Cummings on Podcast Platforms Stream the full podcast on your favorite platform: Spotify: 👉 https://open.spotify.com/show/2KcL9s28avVHQVEjFLPfMG Apple Podcasts: 👉 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/toond-in-with-jim-cummings/id1689588131 Search “Toon’d In! with Jim Cummings podcast” on any major streaming platform. 💖 Support the Podcast on Patreon Get early access, bonus episodes, and exclusive content from Toon’d In! with Jim Cummings: 👉 https://patreon.com/jimcummingspodcast Join the community supporting independent voice acting content and animation storytelling. 🎉 Book Jim Cummings on Cameo Order a personalized video message from legendary voice actor Jim Cummings: 👉 https://cameo.com/toondinjimcummings Perfect for birthdays, shoutouts, and animation fans. 📂 Recommended Voice Acting & Animation Clips 🗣️ How to Sound Like a Celebrity (Voice Match Tips) https://www.youtube.com/shorts/MfzqN-ediEA 🍯 The Coolest Thing About Voicing Winnie the Pooh https://youtube.com/shorts/7IIrgHIYIOE 🎙️ Top Voice Swaps & Character Transformations https://youtu.be/1PcJr3WDy5Q https://youtube.com/shorts/DwtLLmV0TPM Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/toon-d-in-with-jim-cummings--5863067/support.

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Animation Masterclass from a Disney Legend | Aaron Blaise

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This episode is 1 hour and 17 minutes long.

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This episode was published on April 11, 2026.

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