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Ottawa School of Art - Flash Animation Certificate

create an animated short in the Flash software

see also: 2004 Animation Certificate Program

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 has a new and inspiring animation program. Our School now offers a 12 week animation production program. The first session starts February 23, 2004. The Flash Animation Certificate course curriculum focuses on creating an expressive animated film and relates directly to the working animation studio. Our instructors are FLASH and traditional animators and artists local to Ottawa.

This course offers an opportunity to create a short film using the 2D animation software, FLASH. Students will develop a simple storyline, design the film style, plan the storytelling and create the film in FLASH. There will be a focus on working out production controls, storytelling and storyboarding, identifying a style, designing, learning 'timing for animation' and marrying together the visual film with the sound and music tracks.

The program is three months, running full-time from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., five days per week. There is a low student/instructor ratio: 6 to 8 students per class group. Tuition is $1,850.00 CAD for Canadian citizens; and $1,850.00 US for International Students.

To receive this Flash Animation Certificate from the Ottawa School of Art, registrants attend the full course of study and earn the certificate with completion of their short film by the end of the three month term.

Application
Applicants wishing to enrol for the spring 2004 session starting February 23, 2004 should submit a written application with their portfolio by 3:30 p.m. Friday, January 30, 2004 at the latest.

The Animation Coordinator reviews applications and contacts for interviews only those candidates who fulfill the selection criteria. Registration is on a "first come, first served" basis. Once 8 applicants have been approved for the Flash Animation Certificate Program, no new applications will be accepted for the spring 2004 session. However, applications received after January 30, 2004, or after the beginning of the spring 2004 session, will be considered for the next session (dates to be announced). Note: the enrolment deadline with tuition fees payment is February 17, 2004.

Prospective students are screened on the basis of:
· knowledge of animation
· drawing abilities
· level of interest in animation
· comfort level on a computer.

Application forms are available from the Ottawa School of Art and must be submitted with a resume and a portfolio (see 'Portfolio Samples' section below). Please address your application 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 enrolment deadline of February 17, 2004. Please see the OSA application form for a full listing and detailing of these documents.

3. Candidates must present a resume detailing animation training and/or previous film work and software knowledge and a portfolio containing several examples of drawing and creative ability with their application (see 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 animation as well as competency on the computer.

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. Applicants 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 served basis", it is recommended to those candidates accepted into the FLASH Animation Certificate Program, to enrol as soon as possible once you have received written acceptance in the program - this verifies your commitment to a seat in the program. See Note** below:

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 Ottawa School of Art reserves the right to cancel the course due to low enrolment.

Portfolio Samples
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 should demonstrate through their portfolio submission that they possess an understanding of and have developed an individual approach to cartooning. The total number of artwork samples for submission is to be 10 to 15. Examples of animation, 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).

Portfolios can include the applicant's recent, original artworks based on the following list:
1. formal studies (clothed or nude) drawn from real life that demonstrate the applicant's ability in life drawing.

2. accurate and carefully structured drawings that demonstrate the applicant's knowledge of perspective, and sense of proportion and:

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

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

Program Outline for FLASH Animation Certificate
This full-time program of study provides students with a clear understanding of how to design and produce an animated short film.
The FLASH Animation Certificate Courses include:
Production Planning
Design: film style, character, background
Story writing & Storytelling
Storyboarding
PhotoShop
FLASH intro
Drawing: Layout; PhotoShop
Backgrounds: Colour Theory; Background Painting; PhotoShop
Acting and Staging
Animation: theory; timing practice
Animation: practicum

The Ottawa School of Art also offers a full-time, 20 week portfolio preparation program: Animation Certificate Program. Look up information about the Animation Certificate 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.