Holdframe is a niche platform created by Motionographer editor Joe Donaldson, designed to provide educational resources for animators and motion designers by offering access to project files from established professionals. The platform operates as a community-centered marketplace where creators can buy and sell project files, with a portion of the proceeds going directly to the original artists. In addition to paid packages, Holdframe has historically released free project files, known as "freebies," to support learning and skill development within the creative community. These freebies allow users to deconstruct and analyze how complex animations and effects are built, serving as a valuable tool for both aspiring and experienced professionals.
The concept for Holdframe originated when Donaldson collaborated with designer Stephen Kelleher on a project. Kelleher provided Donaldson with access to his work files to demonstrate how a specific shot was created, sparking the idea for a platform that could offer similar insights to a broader audience. Donaldson noted that in the typical industry model, only the final rendered work is celebrated and shared online, while the underlying project files—often containing valuable techniques and processes—remain unused on hard drives. Holdframe aims to change this by making these resources available for educational purposes, while also creating a new source of passive income for contributors.
The platform features a selection of work from notable animators such as Ariel Costa and Kirsten Lepore, known for her film "Hi Stranger." Users can access project files through either free downloads or paid purchases, depending on the specific project. The majority of the revenue from each transaction goes directly to the creative professional, fostering a symbiotic relationship where learners benefit from real-world examples and creators receive direct financial support. Donaldson has emphasized that Holdframe is built by and for the community, with a focus on sustainability rather than excessive profit. The platform is hosted on Squarespace and continues to evolve based on community feedback and engagement.
One example of a free resource formerly available on Holdframe is a project by an animator who shared their process for creating a 2020-themed animation. The project began with hand-drawn doodles, which were then vectorized using Affinity Designer and animated in Rough Animator on an iPad. The animator then replicated the shapes frame by frame in Blender to achieve rounded strokes, noting the increased difficulty compared to using Cinema 4D. Sound effects for the project were sourced from a Sonniss gaming mega pack, specifically a section of landslide sounds that resembled falling Tic Tacs. Although this freebie has been moved to a personal website, it illustrates the type of detailed, process-oriented content that Holdframe has offered in the past.
To get involved with Holdframe, animators and motion designers can spread awareness of the platform, purchase items from the Market, or contribute by sharing their own work. The creator can be contacted directly via email at [email protected] for inquiries about collaboration, assistance, or submissions. Future plans for the platform include regular releases of new freebies and market products, as well as an expanded focus on designers and illustrators within the animation and motion design industry. The long-term goal is for Holdframe to grow organically as a resource for the creative community, providing ongoing educational value and sustainable income for artists.
Sources
- Working Not Working Magazine: Holdframe Educates with Top Animators' Project Files & Exclusive Interviews
- Andrew's Things: 2020 Holdframe Freebie
- It's Nice That: Holdframe Motionographer Project File Sharing Platform Animation
- Motionographer: Introducing Holdframe
- Teachers Pay Teachers: Floral Frames Freebie (Unrelated Reference)