Animation Production

COURSE CONTENT

Level 4 (first year)

Level 4 introduces you to the fundamental principles of Animation with a series of workshops, seminars and lectures. In your first year, you’ll learn traditional animation techniques and how to use contemporary software. You’ll work hard on developing your observational drawing.

We’ll teach you the 12 Principles of Animation in theory and practice, using 2D animation exercises that are used by professionals. You’ll learn to use the industry standard software package Maya, and study layout and background design.

We use sketchbooks on the course to explore a variety of media and as a visual resource for you to develop a more subtle understanding of character performance and cinematic storytelling.

Alongside this, you'll study critical theories, concepts and analysis, and develop an understanding of historical and contemporary practice within the specialism.

Level 5 (second year)

At Level 5, you’ll develop an understanding of your specialist role within animation production by working on team-based projects. You’ll learn firsthand how a production is created by individuals each contributing their skills and specialism.

You’ll gain a strong understanding of the steps required to produce animation from conception to post-production. Workshops will cover storyboarding, concept design, advanced animation and fundamentals of post-production.

Specialist workshops will help you to identify an area of the production process that will inform the development of your personal portfolio.

You’ll develop your animation, drawing and painting skills, using more advanced techniques in 2D, Maya and stop-motion, and will learn more advanced techniques in drawing and how to use these techniques to develop character and environment designs.

You’ll also develop your storytelling skills and understand what makes a great story with compelling characters.

You'll research and develop your own personal project as part of a pitching process in line with industry practices, and opportunities for industry experience or overseas study visits will help you to develop skills in personal planning and professional development.

Level 6 (third year)

In your final year, you’ll be able to demonstrate your specialist role and your commitment to the collective responsibility of production and post-production.

You’ll identify your specialist role and develop a portfolio as part of a 2D, CGI or stop-motion film production. A big focus of this will be communication and team-working skills, along with mentorship guidance and its importance.

You’ll develop strategies for personal planning and self-reflection, which will help you consider your career aspirations as you produce a targeted portfolio.

You’ll have the opportunity to pitch your story idea and take part in the process of selecting which films go into full production.

You’ll also develop your skills as an animation practitioner by exploring your area of interest in theory and practice.

COURSE STRUCTURE

All students are registered for the award of BA (Hons). however, exit awards are available if you leave the course early, having successfully completed one or two levels. If you successfully complete a level of the course, yoU'll automatically be entitled to progress to the next level.

For the award of a Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE), you must have achieved a minimum of 120 credits at Level 4. This qualification may be awarded if you leave the University following successful completion of the first year of your course.

For the award of a Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE), you must have achieved a minimum of 240 credits of which a minimum of 120 must be at Level 5. This qualification may be awarded if you leave the University following successful completion of the second year of your course.

For the award of a BA (Hons) you must have achieved a minimum of 360 credits of which a minimum of 240 must be at Level 5 or above, of which a minimum of 120 credits must be at Level 6. This qualification will be awarded upon successful completion of your course.

A BA without Honours may be awarded if you have achieved 300 credits, at least 180 of which are at Level 5 or above, and at least 60 of which are at Level 6.