Learn How to Animate a Gorilla Walk Cycle in Maya

Animating a quadruped such as a gorilla is one of the most rewarding challenges in 3D animation. From powerful weight shifts to the rhythm of each stride, creating a lifelike walk cycle requires careful observation of reference and a solid understanding of biomechanics.

Guided by Jonathan Symmonds—Hollywood creature animator and co-founder of Sophoria Academy—you’ll learn how to build a realistic gorilla walk cycle step by step inside Maya. You’ll discover how to analyze references, refine curves, and adjust body mechanics to achieve convincing motion.

Create Portfolio-Ready Quadruped Animations

By completing this course, you’ll produce a studio-quality gorilla walk cycle that demonstrates your ability to animate realistic quadrupeds in Maya. This project is ideal for adding to your demo reel, impressing potential recruiters, or expanding your skillset for careers in VFX, animation, or game development.

Master the Art of Animal Animation

From capturing the massive weight and rhythm of a gorilla’s stride to polishing animation curves for smooth motion, you’ll gain the confidence to tackle any quadruped project. The included gorilla rig, light rig, and final scene setup ensure you have all the tools needed to practice and showcase your work at a professional level.

Course Information

• Course Duration: 3 hours 10 minutes
• This course can be taken at any time
• Category: Animation
• Course Cost: 49 USD
• Prerequisites: None
• Software required: Autodesk Maya 2019+
• Instructor: Jonathan Symmonds

• Animate a Gorilla Walk Cycle in Maya: Build a powerful, grounded quadruped walk with correct pacing and weight.

• Work With Animation Curves: Master techniques for refining curves to achieve lifelike realism.

• Biomechanics for Animators: Understand the anatomy and locomotion that make gorilla movement unique.

• Simple, Proven Workflow: Follow a step-by-step process that saves time while maintaining cinematic quality.

• Peer Review & Feedback: Share your work and gain critique from fellow students and professionals.

• Accessible for All Levels: No prerequisites required—ideal for beginners and advanced animators alike.

• Learn From Industry Experts: Taught by Jonathan Symmonds, lead animator on Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon.

• Enhance Your Demo Reel: Add a polished gorilla walk cycle to showcase your creature animation skills.

• Exclusive Rig & Assets: Includes a custom gorilla rig, cached animation, and light rig setup.

• Flexible Learning: Study at your own pace with pre-recorded lessons you can revisit anytime.