iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Michael Ruocco @michaeljruocco.bsky.social · 12h

Fantastic work all around, and really lovely tribute to Luis at the end.

Reposted by Michael Ruocco

〚Ẋ〛 @projectendo.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

In time a new animation industry will form, by our hand. But it'll have to be different. The CEOs, Executives, shareholders, AMPTP, tech bros, do have to drown along with our ship they sank. When the chips were down, they showed they weren't capable of doing better. They are ontologically failures.

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Reposted by Michael Ruocco

Zach Giering @zachgiering.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

I wish these men immortal, interminable life through the thousands of artists across thousands of years who will brand them with the villification that makes historical figures into malevolent folk monsters

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Reposted by Michael Ruocco

josh mckenzie @amonns.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

you may have noticed that animation has never been more in-demand & in the zeitgeist and yet, seemingly, never have media conglomerates been less willing to produce it. you may also notice these guys get multimillion dollar severance packages after they gut a studio. there is probably no connection

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Michael Ruocco @michaeljruocco.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Was so busy setting up stuff n doing some chores this morning that I didn’t have time to do my warm up before my workday started at 9am. Feels like an interrupted sneeze. Guess my warm up is being moved to a cool down!

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Michael Ruocco @michaeljruocco.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Wow, a 3 way tie between Scary Godmother, Moundshroud n Snoopy. I guess I’ll have to tiebreak it myself. Thanks for voting all!

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Reposted by Michael Ruocco

Michael Ruocco @michaeljruocco.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

My kingdom for polls, but I'll make due with what we got: Gonna try n do some classic Halloween warmups these next few days, starting with Halloween specials! -WWI Flying Ace Snoopy -Pirate Garfield -Scary Godmother -Mr. Moundshroud from The Halloween Tree Reply with your vote before 7amPST:

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Michael Ruocco @michaeljruocco.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

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Reposted by Michael Ruocco

Peter Ramsey @pramsey342.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Can’t improve on the headline

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Michael Ruocco @michaeljruocco.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

It's not tangible and physical like an heirloom, and not something you cherish or remember like a memory, but it's still a kind of force we feel even if we can't recognize or pinpoint what it's supposed to be, or what causes it, or what it's made of. It just sort of is, and it's recycled over & over

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Michael Ruocco @michaeljruocco.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

I don't know or care what happens after we die, but what I like to believe is that whatever energy we possess, however you want to perceive it, doesn't really die or fade, it disperses. It continues on, carried in the people who were close to us and is spread by them, like pollen on a bee

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Michael Ruocco @michaeljruocco.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

- in a idealized way (though on some days even those thoughts pass my view). It's no longer a question I'm actively looking for answers to, or care to know. I have no reverence for my own husk nor do I care about my legacy or longevity, but I DO care about how I can touch people while I AM here now.

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Michael Ruocco @michaeljruocco.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

I no longer fear death (GETTING dead is very different tho, and is mutually-exclusive to death itself). I've seen it happen right in front of my eyes, and have even been close to it myself and it's an inevitability that doesn't shackle me like it may do for others. I almost welcome it now, and not-

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Michael Ruocco @michaeljruocco.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

I've witnessed and experienced a lot of grief this year, and am also preparing for others that I know are coming, and it's a complex emotion that obviously is painful to feel, but I do think it's something we all need to embrace too, like rage or ecstasy or even terror, to be better developed people

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Michael Ruocco @michaeljruocco.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Grief is a strange thing; it hinders & somehow can also motivate. When trying to process it, being reminded how short n fragile life is, you can either let it suck you in or somehow make you want to go n do everything you can before that time comes. Why not try? Why not fulfill what goals you have?

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Reposted by Michael Ruocco

Owen Dennis: Infinity Train/Among Us Show creator @owendennis.com · 26/06/2026

Very cool to talk to AWN! In this article Maddie and I discussed how we used the character designs, audience expectations, and archetypes as useful storytelling tools. I also talk about how it's actually ok if the audience doesn't immediately understand something. Let them talk to each other!

“We don’t get a lot of time to deep dive into things on this show,” explains Dennis. “So, I work on the assumption that whoever's watching the show is watching the show. If somebody has a question or doesn't understand something, they'll go online, ask the question, and one of those people who was watching the show will answer them. I don't need to talk down to the audience. I don't need to spell everything out

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Michael Ruocco @michaeljruocco.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Adding to the already heaviness of this week, I just learned that a dear friend of mine unexpectedly passed 2 weeks ago and I'm so shocked n gutted by the news I really don't know how to process anything other than to just keep drawing into the night. Always remind your friends you care about them.

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Michael Ruocco @michaeljruocco.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

No, hearing about the possibilities of a Cartoon Network x Nickelodeon crossover or whatever doesn't somehow magically balance out the absolute horror that is this corporate merger you fucking troglodyte.

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Michael Ruocco @michaeljruocco.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Got my LBX tickets! Will be there on Saturday only, hope to see some of you there!

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Reposted by Michael Ruocco

〚Ẋ〛 @projectendo.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

🐈‍⬛🐊🐩

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Michael Ruocco @michaeljruocco.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

- I tend to look for certain things, but it's less about the physical drawings themselves but moreso things like timing and spacing, and seeing how certain animators handle breakdowns, whether they throw them askew, etc. Also just seeing how others play or experiment with the principles.

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Michael Ruocco @michaeljruocco.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

The hand positions are less of a problem for me personally, it's moreso proportion control (I've learned some great tricks n tips from @projectendo.bsky.social tho!). I think the principles are something I have pretty down pat, it's about applying them in the right ways. Also, as for study-

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Reposted by Michael Ruocco

Loish @loish.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Dang yall, thanks so much for the support 😭 Usually I ignore the random AI accusations but I wanted to take the chance to talk about how important it is to do your research in times like these. Didn't expect to get soooo many kind comments though! We gotta stick together, my beloved art community ♥️

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Michael Ruocco @michaeljruocco.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Here's a few of them: - Milt Kahl's Tigger from "Blustery Day" - The Serpent scene from "Invitation to the Dance (Mike Lah, etc.) - Some of Bill Waldman's pencil tests from Looney Tunes - The Golden Bird (1987) - Sorcerer's Apprentice from "Fantasia" and countless compiled animator reels

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Michael Ruocco @michaeljruocco.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Every once in a while, I need little help getting inspired when I struggle animating. Because of this, I keep a few choice .mp4's of animated scenes/sequences in a folder on my desktop to look at when I need that little boost. Not to copy from, but to remind why I love this, why I want to do it too.

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Michael Ruocco @michaeljruocco.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

I admire animators who can convey so much with so little. Mike Lah and Bill Littlejohn come to mind, as does Kaj Pindal. Love their sense of timing and movement in so few drawings. Certain Disney animators like Bill Roberts n Cliff Nordberg had an impact too, mostly with timing. Emery Hawkins too!

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Michael Ruocco @michaeljruocco.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Jeff has a great track record for successful kickstarters, I think if he went the indie route, got people from all over on board (I'm sure a bunch of the folks who were on the Netflix version would want to come back, we do need the work after all) and made it on his terms, it'd do gangbusters.

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Michael Ruocco @michaeljruocco.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Bone. Always Bone. And sadly, STILL Bone. We keep getting teased by these studios hyping us up and then dropping the ball so hard. And what hurts more is knowing Jeff Smith has been put thru the wringer so much over the years. I STILL think, once he gets the rights back, he should fund it himself.

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Michael Ruocco @michaeljruocco.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

I cringe at certain jokes, like farts, but I think it works when you subvert it somehow, and when it's done in a unique way I can't help but give points to it. But for me personally, nothing makes me laugh more than a cut-off scream. Ultimately it's about timing, ie WHEN to cut, that makes it work.

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Michael Ruocco @michaeljruocco.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Ultimately what matters is clarity and contrast. Does the character get lost in the background or is it a nicely arranged stage for the character to inhabit and be showcased? Is it too detailed, or busy? In a way, the background is just as important, if not moreso, than the action in front of it.

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Michael Ruocco @michaeljruocco.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Whenever I see it done in excess and for no real benefit/reason, it means the filmmaker or powers behind/above them on that production are not confident enough in their choices, and it shows. Writers are VERY important, but when one is wishy-washy but in charge, it compromises everyone else's work.

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Michael Ruocco @michaeljruocco.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Oh all the time! I have a sort of new peeve, is when you watch a big budget project do it, like a movie, where they replace a line and the lipsync doesn't match. When it's one off, it's not too bad, but sometimes it's excessive. It happened so much in Space Jam 2, among other things, it baffled me.

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Michael Ruocco @michaeljruocco.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

It's a toss-up. I love elements of each for different reasons (design, animation, characters, the comedy/gags, etc.), but all around, off the top of my head...probably "Feed the Kitty". It's got a simple but fun premise, great acting, etc.

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Michael Ruocco @michaeljruocco.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

I don't get actively excited for many things anymore, especially mainstream stuff, but I'm always happy to see when friends and colleagues are working and take part in making something beautiful. Gives connection to it. But otherwise, I'm excited for a bunch of the "indie" projects coming up!

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Michael Ruocco @michaeljruocco.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

I think the "listen to music while animating" debate is overblown and misconstrued. I think there's merit to either depending on the animator or what might help each animator's process. I feel there's no right or wrong way to approach your process, as long as the work gets done.

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Michael Ruocco @michaeljruocco.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

I think I just get tired of things becoming formulaic, or feels like it's subbed into place like a mad lib just to complete an action or convey a broad emotion, rather than having it come naturally from the performance or the tone/energy of a scene. At that point it just becomes like math to me.

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Michael Ruocco @michaeljruocco.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Let’s have an animation AMA day! Should I share my hot takes? My philosophies? My guilty pleasures, peeves n preferences? Let’s open it up while I catch up on my drawing!

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Reposted by Michael Ruocco

Michael Ruocco @michaeljruocco.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Just got back from seeing “The Forgotten Island”. Might be my favorite film of the year. Fun, beautiful, original, heartfelt.. Definitely worth seeing in a theater. Lotta laughs n tears, and some of the best, most diverse n dynamic CG animation I’ve ever seen in a mainstream animated film.

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Michael Ruocco @michaeljruocco.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Gonna sit down n watch this today! So excited to see it, dude! You and your team are killing it, congrats!!!

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Michael Ruocco @michaeljruocco.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

I'm lightyears from where I wish I was as an animator, BUT there's nothing more validating than getting to the point where, despite your own doubts, you notice gradual improvement in your work. Where things come easy, or you understand things better or the challenge is daunting in the best way.

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Michael Ruocco @michaeljruocco.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

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Reposted by Michael Ruocco

Zeurel @zeurel.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Make stuff. For the love of all that there is, please just keep making stuff! Doesn't matter if it's bad, good etc. Just *keep* making stuff.

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Michael Ruocco @michaeljruocco.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Some things I add “-ulon” at the end of its exotic or intricate like a bug (“bugulon”), or an “-ickle” “-ible” or “-ules” or whatever. Or Maybe my brain is just fucked up post pandemic and these are the things I do to compensate for the fog n early-onset senility that came from it.

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Michael Ruocco @michaeljruocco.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

On a lighter more random note, does anyone else have a vocal tick or inclination to almost purposely give things malapropisms or hypocorisms? For example, for certain animals I love, I call them “-berts”, like I’ll call an owl an “owlbert” or a “hootbert” if I’m being silly, etc.

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Michael Ruocco @michaeljruocco.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Came out so good Jane! Congrats on the book and this promo!

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Reposted by Michael Ruocco

Jane! 🧠🍴 @janegumball.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Doom & Gloom - The Animated Intro 💀🐈‍⬛ HUGE thank you to my team who made this look as gorgeous as it does 💚

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Michael Ruocco @michaeljruocco.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

This week was one of those anhedonia-leaning bouts that visit from time to time, but they eventually pass on through and it's back to business as usual.

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