Student Spotlight - Harper Eskuri

“Taking the time to work on my skills, is the best way I have found to hone my eye and enhance my animation.”

Student Spotlight features Harper Eskuri, a visionary 3D Animator hailing from the vibrant city of Vancouver, Canada. In the dynamic world of animation, Harper's journey has taken a captivating turn as she assumes the role of Lead Face Animator at Waterproof Studios, marking a significant milestone in her career. Her passion for animation goes beyond the technicalities, driven by a profound desire to elevate her storytelling through the art of movement and expression.

Choosing iAnimate as her creative incubator, Harper embarked on a transformative learning experience, immersing herself in the rich tapestry of knowledge woven by seasoned animators. "It was an honor to learn under such talented animators," Harper reflects, "and really appreciate the nuance and artistry of animation!" Harper's narrative is not just about mastering the craft; it's a testament to the pursuit of excellence, where creativity meets expertise in a harmonious dance that brings characters to life with unmatched authenticity and emotion.

Student Animation Journey

Harper Eskuri took the following Feature Animation Workshops at iAnimate:

• Feature Animation 4 with Tal Shwarzman (Pixar Animation)

As she delved into her iAnimate experience, Harper discovered the profound impact of understanding the intention and purpose behind each pose. "Everything should feel like it serves the needs of the shot," she emphasizes. "What does this character feel right now? What decision are they going to make?" Harper learned the art of making the audience feel these emotions through the character, adding an extra layer of depth and resonance to her animation.

In Harper Eskuri's most recent iAnimate course, her creative process unfolded as a deliberate exploration into the intricacies of facial acting. With a keen focus on the subtleties that breathe life into characters, Harper delved deep into the art of animating expressions that resonate with authenticity. Her mission was clear: to make her characters not just move, but to appear truly alive on the screen. This endeavor required a meticulous understanding of the nuances that convey thoughts and emotions through the delicate canvas of facial expressions. Harper's commitment to capturing the essence of introspection and vitality in her assignments reflected her dedication to storytelling at its most intimate level. As she navigated the challenges of crafting characters that felt like they were contemplating, processing, and reacting, Harper honed her skills in the delicate dance of bringing animated personas to a state of compelling believability.

Harper's Student Reel

You can reach Harper via:

Student Spotlight Q&A with Animator Harper Eskuri

iAnimate: What do you think of your Online Animation Instructor(s), and how do they help you?

Harper: The specificity of notes, and the attention to each stage of the process are integral to a good mentor. As well as changing the type and style of notes depending on the skill level of the student and the requirements of the shot.

iAnimate: How did iAnimate help you to evolve your animation skills as a character animator?

Harper: There are few places you will learn as much as a dedicated course. Taking the time to work on my skills, outside of the structure of short deadlines and crunch times is the best way I have found to hone my eye and enhance my animation. Be that in subtilty, style or workflow, I always improve exponentially.

And the most important thing I learned from iAnimate and my instructors is the work process that guides me today.

iAnimate: What kind of animator do you consider after taking your student workshop/s?

Harper: I have been working for a couple of years now, and I have found the skills I learned at iAnimate are a regular part of my professional work.

iAnimate: What kind of project do you want to work on?

Harper: I am currently working in game cinematics and really loving it. I would love to try a little bit of everything, every studio and project is so different. A good team and interesting animation is my main focus when looking for work.