Welcome to Agora.Community. “What exactly is Agora.Community?”, you might ask. In a nutshell, it's a free to join online community for artists in the animation industry of all skill levels, and this website serves as its learning hub. Here at Agora.Community, we believe that to get good at anything you need to follow this basic three step recipe.

Learn, create, iterate. This website will facilitate each step of this recipe. Our free library, for instance, consists of both a curated collection of animation learning material from many different places on the internet, and even some of our very own homegrown content, including conversations with industry pros and Learning Paths.

Meanwhile, on our asset page, you can pick from a growing number of free to use professional level animation rigs and props. Then lastly, the most important. We have a panel of industry professionals, our experts, that are here at your disposal when you're ready to get some feedback on your work.

Learn, create, iterate. Rinse and repeat.

So whether you're just starting out or you're just trying to brush up on your skills, we are happy you found us.
Welcome to the community.

Sincerely,
The Agora Family

Review options

We are offering multiple review options. Here’s all you need to know to choose the review adapted to your specific needs.

Pricing

Login to see the pricing for affordable personal reviews by our veteran Agora.Community team members.

Can I provide suggestions for new content to be included in the library?

Of course! Our goal is to build a vast library of educational content over time and your suggestions are more than welcome. Click on the Contact Us button and let us know which kind of content you would like to watch; interviews, tutorials, workshop... wathever! We will consider each suggestion and establish priorities according to the feedback we receive.

How can I order a review

Simply click on the Order a review button in the menu and follow the instructions. You need to register if you don't have an account already. We support linkedin and email registration.

What kind of work can be reviewed?

We will expand to various art forms and expertise over time, but at the moment we are only providing cg character animation reviews. Any type of animation at various stages of production can be reviewed. We are also open to not only provide reviews, but support and guidance if needed. Make sure to clearly indicate what feedback you are looking for when you submit the material to be reviewed during the ordering process.

Which reviewer should I choose?

We advise to choose the reviewer that has professional experience with the type of animation you are presenting. They are all experienced professional animators and educators, but if you are looking for quadruped locomotion feedback, it is advised to ask feedback from an animator with lots of VFX and professional quadruped experience. This is the reason we have instructors with varied animation background and are showcasing their personal animation showreel.

What's the price for a review?

The pricing of our different review format is indicated during the ordering process. In short, pre-recorded reviews are more affordable than live reviews, public reviews are more affordable then private reviews and normal 15 minutes reviews are more affordable then long 30 minutes reviews. This provides 6 combinations to fit your specific needs and budget.

What's the difference between a normal and long review?

Normal reviews last around 15 minutes. Those are great to get general feedback on your animation and a few precise actionable suggestions to improve the quality of your animation overall. Long reviews are 30 minutes long. This format allows in depth analysis and detailed feedback, while providing the opportunity to explore and discuss various ideas that will benefit your animation.

What's the difference between a private and public review?

Private reviews will only show up in your own private page, no one else will have access to it. Public reviews that are slightly cheaper will be included in our library of content and will be available to all users. Be advised that once you agree to make your review public, it will not be possible to make it private afterwards, although we will consider it for special circumstances.

Can I have the same work reviewed more than once?

Yes, and perhaps this is the best way to benefit from this service. Getting feedback early in your workflow helps with general character performance choices, feedback on your blocking pass ensures strong posing and timing while feedback at the later stage of animation helps to achieve high quality polishing. Getting those multiple feedback from the same reviewer will definitely increase efficiency.

How long until I receive my review?

It depends on the number of reviews each reviewer can provide on a weekly basis and the number of reviews already in their backlog. During the order process, we indicate the time expected before receiving a review from each instructor.

Can I schedule a review in advance before I have the playblast?

We are planning to provide this option eventually, but at the moment, you need to submit the material to be reviewed during the ordering process.

Can I send an updated version of my work if it has not been reviewed yet?

This is another feature that will be implemented eventually, but for now we do not provide the opportunity to update the material provided for review once the order is placed.

How long will I have access to the review after I receive it?

Forever! That review is yours to keep. If you had chosen to make your review public, it will also remain in our library of reviews accessible to all users.

How will I receive my review?

You will receive a notification by email when your review is ready with a direct link to access it.

Agora Community Reviews

Terms and conditions

These terms and conditions are applicable to the review service (the “Service”) offered by Agora VFX Inc. (“Agora”) via the Agora Community.

By purchasing the Service from Agora, the purchaser (“you”) agrees to the following terms and conditions.

1. Purpose. The purpose of the Service is to provide qualitative feedback on the material provided (a “review”). Public reviews may be published by Agora (See section 4).
2. Reviews. Live reviews are provided at an agreed-upon time while pre-recorded reviews are provided within a reasonable period of your order. Live reviews will be performed online, therefore you need an Internet connection, microphone and webcam. Agora will not be responsible in case of a failure to connect to the Agora review platform at an agreed-upon time. If such a situation occurs, the reviewer will perform your review at the scheduled time and submit the recording afterwards. No refund will be provided under such circumstances.
3. Order and Payment. Your order concerning the Service is subject to the availability of the Service, the availability of the reviewers and the appropriateness of your Submitted Materials. Your order may be canceled by Agora at its sole discretion in which case you will be provided a full refund. You authorize Agora and its payment processing contractors to charge your payment card in accordance with your order.
4. Intellectual Property

1. License. You hereby grant Agora a fully paid-up, non-exclusive, transferable, sublicensable license (subject to the restrictions set forth hereafter) to use, modify, copy, adapt, translate, distribute or publish, on any medium in any territory any materials you submit to the Service (your “Submitted Materials”).

1. If you selected a Private Review, the License shall allow Agora to use your Submitted Materials only to the extent necessary to provide you with the Service and Agora shall not be authorized to disclose or publish your Submitted Materials or the result of your review.
2. If you selected a Public Review, you irrevocably authorize Agora to publish your Submitted Materials and the result of your review on any medium or platform without restrictions, including for promotional purposes, you irrevocably waive, in favor of Agora, any moral rights you may hold in your Submitted Materials, you irrevocably waive any rights to oppose the use of your image or likeness to the extent the same is included in your Submitted Materials or in materials created as part of the Service.

2. Warranty. You warrant that (a) your Submitted Materials are original works and that you are authorized to grant Agora the license set forth herein, (b) your Submitted Materials do not contain any harmful code or content that is illegal in Canada.
3. License from Agora. Any material provided to you by Agora pursuant to the Service is subject to intellectual property rights which are reserved by Agora. Agora grants you a license to use such materials for your own personal or professional use. If you selected a Private Review, the results of your review are licensed to you on an exclusive basis.
4. Trademarks. You acknowledge that “Agora”, “Agora VFX”, “Agora Studio” and “Agora Community” are trademarks belonging to Agora and you agree you acquire no right to use such trademarks and you agree not to challenge the registration of such trademarks by Agora.

5. Personal Information. You authorize Agora to use any personal information you submitted to Agora, including in your Submitted Materials or that is created as part of the Service for the purpose of providing you with a review, to collect your payment and to contact you about your Review. You warrant that you are authorized to provide any personal information (about yourself or other people) that is included in your Submitted Materials. You may exercise certain rights about your personal information by contacting Agora at info@agora.studio.
6. No Warranty. Except for warranties provided by operation of law that cannot be excluded by agreement, the Service is provided without any warranty, express or implied. Agora does not warrant or represent that the Service is fit for any purpose or any results that may be achieved through the Service. You may use the Service entirely at your own risk.
7. Limitation of liability. (Not applicable to consumers in Quebec with respect to damages caused by Agora’s acts or omissions.) Except where prohibited by law of public order, you agree (a) that your use of the Service is entirely at your own risk, (b) that neither Agora nor its representatives, employees, directors and officers shall be responsible or liable to you or any other person (under contract, tort, civil liability or any other legal theory) for any damage that may be suffered as a result of your use of the Service, your reliance on the Service or the results or information obtained through the Service  and (c) that you will not introduce any proceedings against Agora, its representatives, employees, directors or officers as a result of your use of the Service.
8. Indemnification. You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Agora, its representatives, employees, directors and officers from any loss (including damages, fines, penalties, and reasonable legal fees) suffered by any of them as a result of (a) your use of the Service, (b) Agora’s permitted use of your Submitted Materials (b) any breach of these terms and conditions by you.
9. Applicable Law. You agree that your agreement with Agora shall be governed by the laws applicable in Canada.
10. Jurisdiction. (Not applicable to consumers in Quebec) You agree that any dispute regarding this agreement or your use of the Review shall be resolved exclusively by the competent courts of the province of Quebec, sitting in the district of Montreal.