WWI x IED Masterclass Series – Session 2
Whistling Woods International hosted the second session of its masterclass series in collaboration with the IED – Istituto Europeo di Design, Rome, as part of an ongoing academic exchange between the two institutions supported by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union.
The session, titled “Flight School – Analysing the Dragon’s Cultural Influence in Media,” was conducted by Yuri Perrini, 3D Animation Director and Course Leader for CG Animation at IED Roma. With over fifteen years of experience in the animation industry, Perrini has contributed to several international productions and brought valuable industry insights to the session.
During the masterclass, students from the School of Animation at Whistling Woods International explored how dragons and fantasy creatures have been represented across different cultures in film and entertainment media. The session also delved into the captivating animation mechanics of flight, equipping students with essential insights into locomotion for mythical creatures such as dragons and unicorns. Through a detailed breakdown of wing dynamics, weight shifts, and aerial physics, students gained a deeper understanding of how believable flight can be created in animation, strengthening their ability to craft convincing aerial movement in 3D storytelling.
The interactive session allowed students to engage directly with the speaker, gaining insights into the creative pipeline, animation techniques, and the cultural interpretation of fantasy creatures in contemporary media.
This masterclass forms part of the ongoing WWI–IED academic collaboration, supported by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union, which aims to foster international exposure for students through shared learning experiences, industry-led sessions, and cross-cultural dialogue in creative education.
