Collabs Community-Driven Animation Production

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These Blender projects are created by the CG Cookie Community! The COLLAB format combines the power of instructors and members to create BIG projects together.

We lovingly refer to Collabs as our "accidental animation studio". An idea suggested by a member and implemented on a whim, they've become a unique place to apply one's skills in a remote production environment. Whether an animated short film, a video game vertical slice, a web series, a trippy animated music video - who knows what we'll make next!


What is a COLLAB?

"Collabs are great. They're totally a miniverse of making movies."

Teamwork makes the dream work

Our courses primarily empower the individual artist. But the reality is we can make bigger and better projects together. Therefore collabs are a kind of production pipeline filling the gap between learning CG skills and being hired at a studio.

Collab projects are typically directed by a CG Cookie instructor, responsible for guiding the production creatively and administratively. For the duration of the project the director organizes, guides, problem-solves, teaches, and does anything else needed to ensure a successful production.

Contributors are anyone who wants to participate in the project; the ground-level artists. Historically this role has been reserved for CGC members but with collab.04 we're opening this up to non-members.

Projects are organized into departments which are led by one or more Supervisors. Supervisors are collab veterans responsible for keeping each department on track, from disseminating information to delegating tasks to assisting contributors.

"Normally, I work in a one-man bubble, so it was such an awesome experience working with and learning from so many amazingly talented artists. Can't wait for the next one."

"Probably one of the coolest parts of it all, really. We just had each other's back."

Learn by Doing

Collabs are different from courses in that they provide a unique opportunity to apply what you learn from courses. Production environments are an effective threshing floor where "rubber meets the road". It's one thing to follow instruction and output a taught result. It's another thing to work as a team toward a common creative goal. The former plants the seeds and the latter makes those seeds take root.

Collabs are a firm commitment to project completion and quality. Where courses can successfully teach concepts/skills even if student results are substandard, Collab success also depends on a finished high-quality result. While this may sound intimidating to some, we believe it's an important commitment to maximizing the Collab experience.

Collabs are a safe place for learning to apply skills of all levels, beginner to advanced. Projects are designed with every skill level in mind. No one is in danger of "getting fired" from the team. The environment is as much about learning as it is doing. Directors, supervisors, and peers - we're all in it together to inspire and help one another cross the finish line!

"I'm literally getting way more out of your insights and guidance during this collab than I would have gotten during 3 college semesters for it...This experience made me feel like I have a shot at doing this professionally. There's something about crossing that 'line' where you feel like 'Wait, I really worked on something serious.'"

The Reward of Group Projects

Individual Blender projects are great and rewarding and probably what we all do most of the time. But, in my experience, completing a team project is far more rewarding!

When a team grinds on a big project, countless problems solved or worked-around, a collaborative vision takes shape, and you all watch the final result together for the first time...there is nothing like it!

One of the best parts of doing CG in Hollywood having your name attached to iconic films. While Collabs aren't full-length, iconic animated Hollywood films (yet? 😉) we aim high and are proud of the quality our projects achieve. Contributors often express how uniquely rewarding it is to occupy space in the credits. As a bonus, we aim to maximize our projects' credit sequences to highlight contributors far more than traditional scrolling text.

"This might just be the proudest I've ever been - seriously. This team was amazing, in every sense of the word. That feels like some cinema-quality stuff, and WE did that. I feel like we can do anything!"

"Glad to have been a part of this collab. I have learned so much and pushed myself in more ways than I thought possible. The end result was brilliant and I am eagerly awaiting the next collab."


Details about the COLLAB Format

Collabs are a commitment 

Collabs live and die by contributor commitment. Countless CG projects have begun with enthusiasm only to fail in the long run, even the occasional Blender Open Movie. We're very determined to ensure all Collabs are completed and at a high quality.

Therefore it's important that contributors only apply if willing and able to commit to the project. Specifically, commitment to the "Production Period" of the project (more about that below) which usually means 2-3 months at 6-12 hours per week. This weekly amount varies with asset responsibility. So if you only have 6 available hours in your week or 10+, you can contribute accordingly.

Pricing

As the Collab format has evolved from an accidental experiment to a legitimate production pipeline, the collab experience and effort to facilitate have evolved as well. We are very proud and committed to the value that Collabs bring to computer graphics education.

Pricing for the next Collab in 2025 will be new.

We understand this is a significant investment in you, and we appreciate your thoughtful consideration.

Project Timelines

Collab timelines are split into 3 distinct periods. While this organization has traditional titles and is loosely based on real world productions, Collabs are a unique format and don't necessarily conform to traditional definitions of these titles:

  1. PRE-PRODUCTION: This is the planning stage where instructors and supervisors decide project scope, work with concept artists or writers when needed, we'll discuss process, and decide a schedule.

    *Contributors are not involved at this point but can apply to join the project.

  2. PRODUCTION: This is when the vast majority of the project gets built with Blender: asset creation, texturing, materials, lighting, rigging, and animation. This is the "all hands on deck" period where we need commitment the most.

    Historically. 2 months has proven to be a good production period but its subject to change with each Collab.

  3. POST-PRODUCTION: Historically there's always a significant amount of work left to wrap a project completely, which is the responsibility of the instructor / director. However this period is not private and Contributors are welcome to 'hang around" and continue participating where needed. But participation at this point is not required.

The PRODUCTION period is the primary responsibility of Contributors. If you're wondering why Contributors aren't responsible for all three periods - that is the goal! As Collabs continue to evolve and expand skillsets delegated to contributors, more and more will be accomplished during the production period rather than after.

A History

Kent gave a presentation about Collabs at BCONLA in 2024. Watch and learn about the history of the format along with important milestones along the way: