Unreal Engine Animation Studio: The basics of motion in UE 5.8

Marcela Bragagnolo, performer, animator, Unreal Engine Authorized Training Partner and Unreal Animation Fellow, has created Unreal Engine Animation Studio: a 12-week foundational course (with a final showcase) to acquire confidence and method with the animation tools of Unreal Engine 5.8.

The goal is not just to learn the tools, but to connect them to the artistic choices that give intention to the movement: strengthening a pose, refining timing and spacing, giving weight to a gesture, preserving or amplifying a performer's intention.

Three ways to animate, one craft

• 3D Animation (Animation Mode, Control Rig, Sequencer) for skeletal meshes

• Motion Design: graphics, procedural and physics-based

• Hand-Drawn 2D with Odyssey: storyboards and movement boards drawn frame by frame

Every week we start from the principles of animation and explore the tools. Then everyone chooses how to delve deeper: stay in their own way, experiment with the others or apply them to a personal project.

Who is it for

Creators new to 3D, animators from Maya/Blender, motion/After Effects artists, Unreal users who want to delve deeper into hand-crafted animation, 2D animators and mocap artists.
No animation experience required; A basic familiarity with Unreal is all you need (a self-paced intro is included for free if needed).

Format

Two live sessions per week (all recorded), small cohort, personal feedback.
Self-paced practice between lessons. No grades: only constructive criticism and a certificate at the end of the project. Start: October 1, 2026.

What is produced

A short animated piece (20-40 seconds) in the chosen main mode, enriched with elements of a second mode: well-crafted story, camera and lighting, essential set, synchronized sound and final render.
A portfolio-ready piece and a reusable working method.

The course prepares for advanced character animation projects and is a prerequisite for the next Marcela series.
For those who have discovered MetaHuman Animator or Mixamo and want to move from it works to it has weight and intention find the next step here.

For more information, you can find the official LinkedIn post here