SPECIAL MESSAGE # 1 : FROLLO in Vancouver !
Kathy Zielinski, the legendary supervising animator behind Disney’s villain Frollo, drops in to visit Mark at work and record a special message for her upcoming SPARK ANIMATION 2026 masterclass.
Her session, “Designing and Animating Villains You Love to Hate!”, takes place Friday, Sept. 18th at 9:30 AM in Vancouver, BC and offers a rare look into dark, graphic, personality‑driven character animation.
FROLLO in Vancouver ! Special Message
Show Notes :
Friday – September 18, 9:30 AM
MASTERCLASS DESIGNING AND ANIMATING VILLAINS YOU LOVE TO HATE!
with Kathy Zielinski ·
Moderated by Nadine Westerbarkey
MASTERCLASS OVERVIEW
Bring your evil side with you to this all-day Masterclass where you will spend time with Disney Supervising Villain Animator Kathy Zielinski. Guided by her years of bringing to life spinach monsters (Student Academy Award-winning GUESS WHO’S FOR DINNER), octopus sea-witch Ursula (THE LITTLE MERMAID), all-powerful genie (ALADDIN), and lecherous Judge Claude Frollo (THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME). Learn how to jump into the soul of an animated villain and craft your own sinister character design.
| Date: | Friday, 18 September 2026 | |
| Times: | 9:30 am – 5 pm (followed by a signing) | |
| Venue: | Performance Theatre · Roundhouse 181 Roundhouse Mews · Vancouver · BC |
Session 1
An Overview of Kathy’s Lengthy Career in the Animation Industry
Kathy will show her work from renowned companies such as Disney Feature Animation, DreamWorks, Fox Animation, and more.
- Skills and techniques used to design and animate characters.
- Q&A.
Session 2
The Process Behind Designing an Animated Villain Character
Kathy will be sharing her insights and methods for Character design.
- Finding inspiration.
- Research and the tools needed to mold a villain that is unique.
- Design process on various animated productions creating Frollo, Jafar (as the beggar, snake, genie), Tzkel-Khan, and Hexus.
Session 3
Animating a Villainous Character
Kathy will be sharing her process and stories from working on various Animation features from Disney, DreamWorks, and other studios.
- The research and prep needed to prepare you for your role to perform your villain animation.
- Breaking down successful and not-so-successful animated villains.
- Discussion of my personal experience working on films such as The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, and more.
Session 4
How to Design Your Own Villainous Character.
Kathy will guide in this workshop with tips and methods she uses for character design.
- A demonstration from Kathy designing a character.
- Workshop with guidelines to create your own villainous character.
- Materials needed: laptop/device for research and tools for drawing/writing.
| VENUE: | Roundhouse · Performance Theatre 181 Roundhouse Mews · Vancouver · BC · V6Z 2W3 |
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