Animation Programs that Prepare Students to Work on Films

By Sarah Clark
sarah.clark@theanimationschooldirectory.com
Animation School Directory Columnist

If you want to work on movies, make sure you get trained in traditional and modern animation techniques. Production companies like Pixar employ the latest in computer animation technology, while movies like "Corpse Bride" require expertise in stop-motion, a traditional form of animation.

While computers have taken on an increasingly important role in movie animation, techniques in traditional animation are still very important and shouldn't be neglected in an animation training program. Being able to draw storyboards, sketch characters, and illustrate animated movies the old-fashioned way, one frame at a time, are still important cornerstones of any animation training program.

Getting a Strong Foundation in Animation

Before getting into the nitty-gritty of high-tech computer animation, you'll want to learn about the history of animation. You may be able to take such a course as an undergraduate - check your program to see if it's available. It will cover the evolution of animation as a form of art, entertainment, and communication.

Another fundamental component of animation training is character development. Most animation programs will offer a course that explores the creative aspects of crafting a character, as well as the methods of developing characters.

Movie Production Training

If you're set on working in Hollywood, you'll want to take a course or two on the film production process, from storyboarding and set development to script writing, filming, and editing.

Computer Animation Courses

Courses you might take to gain a technical foundation in modern animation techniques may include introduction to computer animation, a course that will likely explore texture mapping; geometric modeling motion specification; and production techniques for computer animation.

You might also learn how new technology is shaping the field of animation. For example, digital technology was used in the film "Corpse Bride", which significantly sped up the production and editing of the film. You'll learn how new technologies like this affect both traditional and modern forms of animation.

Enrolling into a training program in the classic and modern forms of animation is important to today's aspiring film animator. Begin developing a mastery of illustration, texture mapping, and other basic animation techniques, and you'll be one step closer to having the skills needed to break into the film animation business.

About the Author

Sarah Clark is a freelance writer based in Arlington, Virginia.