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Ottawa School of Art - Program Basics for Animation Certificate Program 2004

see also: 2004 FLASH Animation Program (new!)

OTTAWA SCHOOL OF ART
35 George Street in the By Ward Market
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada K1N 8W5

Tel: (613) 241-7471
Fax: (613) 241-4391
E-mail: animation@artottawa.ca
Website: www.artottawa.ca

General Background
The Ottawa School of Art offers a portfolio development program through its specialized Animation Certificate Program. Our instructors are skilled animators who work in the local studio community. Our students are ensured a professional level of education given our low student/instructor ratio.

The curriculum is of particular interest to those who need to develop a portfolio appropriate for application to college animation training programs such as those offered at the accredited Canadian colleges of Seneca, Sheridan, the Vancouver Film School, Capilano, Bell Centennial, NBCC Miramichi, NSCC Truro, Red River and Algonquin. Portfolio applications may also be required for application at the university level, for example: Sheridan's new B.F.A. program (Oakville, Ontario); and the B.F.A. New Media at the University of Lethbridge (Alberta). Course content is practical and focuses on the technical processes, while introducing the student to the art of animation, its formal skills and the animation industry's work ethic standard of "on time, on budget". College animation program representatives are familiar with our worthwhile program curriculum and our reputation for quality instruction.

Our Graduates
Students graduating from our program have gone on to such post-secondary programs as Sheridan College's 3 year Classical Animation program; Sheridan College's 3 year Illustration program; Seneca College's Digital Media Arts (DMA) and Digital Media Certificate (DMC); the Vancouver Film School; Concordia University; Capilano College's 2 year Classical Animation program; and Algonquin College's 2 year Classical Animation program; Algonquin College's Computer Animation Program; and the Ontario College of Art and Design (OCAD).

We are very proud to announce that our OSA animation graduates have gone on to win 'further studies' scholarships for the excellence of their animated film and their animation portfolios. They are also working as classical and computer animators at Canadian studios producing TV series, commercials for TV and computer games. One of our graduates, a student of the Seneca college DMA and DMC programs, taught 3D animation at Seneca College.

The Program
The Animation Certificate Program provides students with the drawing experience required for developing an application portfolio. The course curriculum develops an understanding of the art of animation and relates directly to the working animation studio.

Animation Certificate Program Courses include the following components ---
Planning: storytelling, story writing, storyboarding.
Drawing: foundation, perspective, creative, background layout, character design.
The Form, human and animal: lifedrawing, anatomy, motion studies, posing, character design.
Painting: colour theory, background painting in various media including paint, inks & Photoshop. Animation: timing, hand drawn cycles, animation, acting.
Specialized Portfolio Development: independent projects, resume preparation.

To receive an Animation Certificate from the Ottawa School of Art, students are required to attend the full course of study during which they are graded on assignments and earn credits towards the specialized '42 credit' certificate. The program is just over five months, and starts September 7, 2004. Students attend on a full-time basis only. All 42 credits are required to complete the Animation Certificate Program. This full-time program study provides students a clear understanding of what it takes to train for animation and what the work and skill set expectations are for today's professional animators.

Program Basics for Animation Certificate Program 2003 Fall Program Start
Application Deadline:Thursday, August 26, 2004, 3:30 p.m.

Application Fee: $50.00 (tuition fees are additional)
Tuition Fees Due: September 3, 2004, 3:30 p.m.
Registration Deadline: September 3, 2004, 3:30 p.m.
Withdrawal Deadline: by 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 15, 2004

Program Dates: September 7, 2004
Holiday Dates: No classes October 11, 2004 - Thanksgiving
Christmas Break: No classes December 11, 2004 through January 3, 2005

Student Registration: Min. 10
Student Registration: Max. 16

Tuition Fees: please contact the Ottawa School of Art for details
Extra Costs for students: art supplies and materials; text books

Application
Applicants wishing to commence their studies on September 7, 2004 should submit applications by 3:30 p.m. Thursday, August 26, 2004 at the latest. The Animation Coordinator reviews applications and only those candidates who fulfill the selection criteria will be contacted for interviews. If there are sufficient numbers of eligible applicants a second class group may be organized. Once the application deadline arrives, no new applications will be accepted for the Fall program. Applications received after Thursday, August 26, 2004, or after the beginning of the Fall program, will be considered for the next school year.

Prospective students are screened on the basis of:
· their knowledge of animation
· drawing abilities
· demonstrated level of interest in animation as a career.

The screening criteria and process is similar to those used in established animation schools. Students not accepted by the screening process may be recommended to the Ottawa School of Art Portfolio Development Program or to select General Program drawing courses for basic artistic training and skill development.

Application forms are available from the Ottawa School of Art and must be submitted with a portfolio, requested documents and an essay. Please address applications to the attention of the Animation Coordinator.

Admission Requirements and Application Procedure

1. Candidates must fill in and submit an application form with a $50 interview fee.

2. Prospective students must have a high school diploma or equivalent (mature student). Valid proof of schooling must be submitted within 20 days of application (e.g. Transcript of Grades; graduating Diploma), photocopy of photo ID as well as a 2 original (validated and dated on the reverse) current photographs and copy of permanent resident card or proof of Canadian citizenship. These documents must be on file at the Ottawa School of Art before the formal registration deadline of September 3, 2004. Please see the OSA application form for a full listing and detailing of these documents.

3. Candidates must present a portfolio containing several examples of life drawing, technical drawing and creative ability with their application. Refer to Portfolio Requirements below. As well, applicants are to submit a written essay (one page, word processed) detailing their reasons for applying to the program and pursuing training in animation.

4. Candidates contacted for an interview will meet with the Animation Coordinator who will assess their understanding of and goals related to the animation and studio industry.

5. Applications will be reviewed, portfolios assessed, and interviews conducted on an ongoing basis. Applicants will be notified in writing of the status of their application.

6. A minimum enrolment is required for the program to run. Note** below. Students accepted into the program must be enrolled five (5) days before classes commence. Enrolment deadlines will be enforced to maintain the desired low student-instructor ratio. Since registration is on a "first come, first serve basis", it is recommended to those candidates accepted into the Animation Certificate Program, enrol as soon as possible once they receive written acceptance in the program - this verifies your commitment to a seat in the program.

7. Mature students: please refer to the Full-time Studies Application Requirements for Mature students.

8. International students: please refer to the Full-time Studies Application Requirements for International students.

Note: the Animation Certificate Program falls under the structure of the Ottawa School of Art Full-time Studies Application Requirements and Program Grading Guidelines. Please refer to the Full-time Studies admission, application, grading and marking information for further details and clarification.

Note: The Ottawa School of Art reserves the right to cancel the program due to low enrolment.

'Application Portfolio' Requirements
The ability to draw is the most fundamental skill for anyone wishing to work in the animation industry, particularly the ability to draw the human figure and its surroundings in a realistic and theatrical manner. Applicants are expected to demonstrate through their portfolio submission that they possess an understanding of, and have developed an individual approach to, cartooning. Total number of artwork samples for submission is to be 15 to 20, the majority of which are to be drawings as listed in groups 1. and 2. below. We prefer to see work from group 3. as well. Examples of painting, photography and sculpture may also be submitted. All work is to be the applicant's own original artwork drawn and/or painted from life (not from a book or a photograph, not after another artist's or animator's work).

Portfolios are to include 15 to 20 of the applicant's original works from the following:
1. formal studies (clothed or nude) drawn from real life that demonstrate the student's ability in life drawing.

Examples should include:
- quick gesture studies of the human figure at rest and in motion
- human figure studies
- the human figure in an environment
- animal figure studies depicting proportion, structure, weight and form

It is to the student's advantage to present examples of:
- longer human figure studies showing detailed hand and feet studies as well as portraits
- detailed anatomical studies showing skeletal structure and musculature

2. accurate and carefully structured drawings that demonstrate the student's knowledge of perspective, and sense of proportion:
- landscapes and cityscapes
- rooms interiors
- objects, both realistic and imaginative

3. Work that demonstrate the student's understanding of cartoons are welcome providing they are original designs and not copies of existing characters or other artists' work.
These should include:
- caricatures
- character design
- fantasy art
- comic book or comic strip art
- logo and graphic art design

Students may submit sharp and clear 8 ½" x 11" photocopies of original drawings and/or photographs of paintings and sculpture since portfolio submissions will not be returned. The student's full name must be clearly printed on each item in the submission.

For more program and application details contact the Animation Coordinator at 613 241-7471 ext. 45 or via animation@artottawa.ca .

Animation Certificate Program Courses include:

Intro Courses: Planning Studies
Intro to Computers
Animation Film History

Drawing: Foundation Drawing
Drawing/Painting Studio
Creative; Design
Layout (for backgrounds)

Lifedrawing: The Form: Anatomy, human & animal
The Form: Human Lifedrawing & Sculpture Studies

Backgrounds: Colour Theory
Painting in Photoshop

Animation: Animation I: Theory; Timing, Acting
Animation II: Practical

Acting

The Story: Story writing, Storytelling & Storyboarding

Studio: Specialized Projects

Portfolio Finalization: Presentation, Resume and Essay Preparation
Drawing: Posing / Character Design
Drawing: Perspective / Layout
Drawing: Object
Studio: Portfolio Drawing & Photoshop

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions ---

What is it like to work in animation?
The majority of animators have chosen this filmmaking field because they are thrilled by the world of animation --- they say that they 'love to draw' and, although it is a challenging discipline, they have fun telling great stories with cartoons. Many will say that they love to go to work, sincerely enjoy their peers and can't believe even after 20 or more years in the trade that someone not only pays them to draw, but actually pays them to make cartoons!

An animation studio includes many personalities from the shy and withdrawn, to the extraordinarily gifted, to the extrovert comedian --- and studio people will say that everyone in the studio appreciates and celebrates the personal strengths and differences in every animator's character. They will also tell you it takes time to develop animating skills and that working in an animation studio requires the same work ethics and dedication as any other industry: personal reliability and good work habits, strong teamworking, organization, clear communication, attention to those inflexible network delivery deadlines, understanding of the management's viewpoint, and proven acceptance of good business and accounting practices.

Animators work in both 2D (classical or hand drawn animation) and 3D (computer or digital animation) studios producing any of the following media: TV commercials, TV series, special effects for animation or film, feature film, computer games, web-based animation.

Animators work on a 'piece-work' basic, on contract or as full-time employees, dependant on the size of the studio and/or the studio's current production schedule. Canadian trained animators are welcome around the world --- they are considered to be extremely well trained by our Canadian animation training centres and they have a reputation as generally being well schooled, reliable and having a strong work ethic. Canadian animators strive to gain further experience and responsibility and learn more about their craft, so will travel to other Canadian, U.S., European and overseas production houses to expand their skills and work in different artistic styles and on teams producing challenging animated films telling unique stories.

Canadian animation studios create their own animated productions and take contracts from other Canadian studios and from foreign producers including big name studios like Fox, Warners, Spielberg, Disney and Lucas Arts.

Our school's animation program helps you get started in this wonderful world of cartooning and storytelling.

What do you have to do to qualify for a job in animation?
For the most part, animation studios employ artists who come from a college level training program specific to animation. The studio producers and directors say they make every effort to hire the best. They expect animators to excel in their area of expertise and to have a high level of drawing ability. These days, international animation studios expect animators to be graduates of training programs at the college level. They are looking for formal classical (hand-drawn) training with a preference for those with formal 3D training as well. Their expectation is for animation hopefuls to complete full-time college animation training programs. They will ask for a portfolio demonstrating animation abilities and expect to see a 'reel' (video tape) of your own animation as well as a resume with references.

Sometimes studios hire artists trained in other disciplines like live-action film, illustration, graphic design or industrial design and web design. Expect your portfolio to be your selling feature. Show only your best and most recent work. Do not submit copies of the work of others --- submit only your original animation work. You may be asked to do a test --- always do the test.

Why do you need the Ottawa School of Art animation portfolio development program?
Our program makes you think like an animator, gives you training in how to draw for animation, makes you work hard like an animator and lets you experience an animation studio environment.

The OSA Animation Certificate Program curriculum was designed and initiated by Jan Beath. By 1997, Jan had been recruiting animators for international animation studios for nine years. In 1998, she began teaching drawing in the Ottawa School of Art General Program and etching in the OSA Diploma Program. She discovered a number of her students were anxious to better their portfolios for application specifically to college animation programs. Previously, these students had been turned away by college animation programs because their portfolios did not contain drawings specific to animation, and their portfolios did not demonstrate an absolute and fixed interest in animation or their potential as an animator. Jan saw the need to develop a training and portfolio development program specific to college animation program portfolio application.

What do the colleges and universities expect to see in your application portfolio?
Each post-secondary program has its own portfolio application requirements. Make sure you are well informed about the requirements and expectations for the portfolio and any interview testing. Generally, there are common expectations --- animation program representatives will be looking for originality in your artwork, proof of daily drawing in your journal and sketchbooks, lifedrawing, studies of animals, perspective drawings, cartooning and imaginative works. They are also looking for indicators of your interest level and your ability to train for and work in animation. There may be tests mailed to you and interview drawing tests. There may be specific drawings requested. Always match your portfolio drawings to the portfolio application requirements of the individual animation program.

How do I find out about college and university animation training courses?
Log onto these websites and use their search engines to perform an 'up-to-date' search for accredited animation training programs. Check out the differences between programs. Are the programs offering both classical and 3D animation training? What software is taught? Who is teaching? Note the programs offering work terms or cooperative education placements. Find out where their graduates are working today. Look at the work produced by these students.

Association of Canadian Community Colleges www.accc.ca
Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada www.aucc.ca
Animation World Network www.awn.com

What other courses are recommended?
Follow up at the Ottawa School of Art with non-credit courses to compliment your animation skills and your flexibility as a digital artist:
General Program course offered in Spring, Fall and spring terms: Comic Books.
General Program Computer Lab courses offered year round: Photoshop, Illustrator, Quark Xpress.
General Program Summer adult courses: Human Anatomy for the Artist, Animal Anatomy for the Artist, Digital Photography, Design Principles, Photoshop, Illustrator, Comic Books, The Model (drawing and sculptural modelling), Flash Animation, Web Page Design.
In 2004 we will offer a full-time, 3 month filmmaking program: FLASH Animation Certificate.
Look up information about these courses and the FLASH filmmaking program on our website:
www.artottawa.ca

For more animation program and application details contact the Animation Coordinator at 613 241-7471 ext. 45 or via email at animation@artottawa.ca . For other Ottawa School of Art courses and programs please contact info@artottawa.ca

NOTICE: the information provided above may be subject to change. Please contact the Ottawa School of Art for updated information and verification of any information posted above or in any printed matter.