BA (Hons)

Animation FAQ

1) What do you need to see in my portfolio?

Portfolios should demonstrate life drawing skills, storyboards and observational work in sketchbooks. Actual animation work is not necessary but your work should show a sense of movement, narrative and storytelling. Good writing and drawing skills are required. We recommend that you first undertake a Foundation Diploma course before applying but the portfolios will always be looked at on merit.

2) What does ‘team based’ course mean?

This course looks at animation production in a broad and holistic way, providing a thoroughly intensive and team-based experience in which you will develop comprehensive expertise in the whole production process. The course strives to offer the closest experience possible to that of the professional animator in industry. Second year students work closely with third year mentors in production team work.

3) How many essays will I have to write?

Animation at AUCB sees practice and theory as intimately related – you cannot be an effective animator without a decent grasp of animation history and the critical insights into things like narrative, ideas about representation, and the history of ideas more generally. There are some units where you are expected to reflect in a critical manner on these topics, often in the form of an essay or other piece of written work. However, you should not see these ‘theoretical’ elements as something separate from your animation practice – they are there to strengthen your practice, make you better animators and, ultimately, make you better equipped to face the demands of your chosen career. There are other units where the focus is more specifically on a practical ‘outcome’, but you will still be expected to be able to critically evaluate and defend your choices as a practitioner. Again, this means having knowledge of theory and history as it relates to the field of animation.

4) Can I make an individual film?

In year 2 you will begin to formulate ideas, visual styles and storylines. This is part of the pre-production research for final year work. The ‘pitch’ is key to this process in deciding which ideas will go forward into production. The student body and staff will vote which films are to be made. Working in teams, you may be asked to direct an animation film or take on another key production role.

5) What work experience is available? Is there help obtaining this?

You may apply for placement which involves leaving the studio during Year 2 to work in a professional studio in Europe or the Far East. One of the ways industry finds out about our students is through international animation and film festivals. You are encouraged to consider the Erasmus exchange scheme that provides opportunities for study in Europe. In addition to these study programmes, the course encourages overseas work placements. All placements are applied for by portfolio and the host will chose those most suitable.

6) What are the employment prospects?

Graduates from this course may go on to work in direction, computer CGI modeling, art direction, background art, visualisation or conceptual work. They have been involved with many high profile productions such as the animated feature Tim Burton’s The Corpse Bride. Blue Sky Productions, New York, employed graduate Tori Davis for her skill in Background Art and Design. Cosgrove Hall has employed Richard Haynes director of the film The Typewriter (this film was bought as a teaching aid by two American Universities offering animation as a subject.) Students have also gone on to work with Walt Disney Productions and major video games companies such as Electronic Arts and animation companies such as Aardman Animations. Director Sylvain Chomet has recruited many of our graduates for his latest feature The Illusionist. Graduate, Guillermo Garcia, after working for Cartoon Network, established Zinkia Entertainment, Spain, to make the award winning children’s series Pocoyo, in association with Granada Television.

7) How many students are on the course?

It varies a little but is usually about 45 -50 per year including international students.