University degrees: Postgraduate
Course length: 2 years full-time
Course city: Los Angeles
The UCLA Animation Workshop has been turning out innovative and accomplished artists for more than half a century, never more so than in the past decade, as the popularity and commercial impact of the genre has exploded. Striking a balance between technology and creativity, the program at the Workshop allows students to learn every phase of the filmmaking process, from scriptwriting to editing, allowing them to become masters of a demanding craft while also becoming master storytellers. The tenet that has guided the program since its inception in 1948 is “one person, one film.”
Working in the state-of-the art Walter Lantz Digital Animation Studio, students gain hands-on knowledge about the latest CG innovations that continue to transform the animation field. The studio is a matchless resource for instruction, research and student film production, made possible by generous gifts amounting to nearly $1 million from the Walter Lantz Foundation.
I. M.F.A.: Film and Television, Area: Animation (See sections I to V for all requirements)
II. Summary
Minimum six quarters graduate residence in the Department; maximum 12 quarters residence. Minimum total of 72 units (18 classes) for the degree. At least five Graduate numbered courses (200,400,500 Level). Minimum course load is 12 units per quarter
Maintenance of a B average G.P.A..
III. Courses
Required Courses
FTVDM Required Courses
Two Film and Television Graduate Seminars
Plus choose one below:
** Courses are sometimes taught as a core course for M.A. students and may not be available that particular quarter to M.F.A. students. One Live Action Course
Or another approved course from the Production area (Directing).
Electives
This list is subject to change. Availability of courses is not guaranteed. Do not wait until your last quarter to fulfill requirements
To graduate an animation student will need to have finished:
One traditional film (181C)
One computer film (483ABC or 489ABA)
One interactive project (488A or B)
And one thesis film (596) if needed
IV. Courses by Year:
FIRST YEAR Traditional Animation
FALL
Electives, if you have the time:
If you have completed 181ABC and have finished your first film as an undergraduate you can start as a second year student, but you will need to take the Seminar during the winter quarter.
WINTER
Extra electives if you have the time:
SPRING
Extra electives if you have time:
Note: This undergraduate course, like all animation courses, is open to every student in the university, but in this case pre enrolls it alternates. Every other year, with FT 188J The Disney Feature Then and Now.
SECOND YEAR: Computer Animation
Note: you can automatically take the computer class only if you have finished your 181C film by the end of summer. If not, admission to the computer courses will be on a case by case basis and you may have to wait until your third year (with a finished 181C film) before you can enroll in the computer courses.
There are three options for the computer flight (1) 483ABC Maya, (2) 489ABA or (3) some combination of 483 and 489 but you must have a completed computer film finished to complete the computer animation requirement. All students must take 489A in the Fall Quarter even if they are taking 483A.
The required courses outside of animation (one approved directing course and one approved media studies graduate seminar) can be taken any quarter.
FALL
Extra electives if you have time:
WINTER
Electives
SPRING
Electives:
Note: This undergraduate course, like all animation courses, is open to every student in the university (but in this case pre enrolls) it alternates. Every other year, with FT 188J The Disney Feature Then and Now
THIRD YEAR (Thesis)
FALL
Elective/required course(s)
You can go on a leave of absence if you like.
WINTER
SPRING
Elective/required course(s)
Leave of Absence
REQUIRED NON ANIMATION COURSES
One graduate seminar from the approved list of the Cinema Media Studies area
One approved course from the Production area (Directing)
SUGGESTED ELECTIVE COURSES
Drawing: Character animators should be drawing all the time. The Union and others have classes.
Editing: Especially for those without any film background – the language of film.
Acting: For those into character animation, remember you are the actor or actress.
Sound: Designing, mixing and using sound creatively – sound can make your film.
Camera/Lighting: Especially for the lighting of 3D computer and puppet animation.
And any of these: Design film, Computer programming, Directing, Movement, Painting,
Perspective, Design, Color, Mythology, Life, and Love. We have a library of books, tapes, laser disks, DVDs you will need to read, look, analyze and learn from these to be a good filmmaker of animation. Internships are available and are helpful, especially if you know what you want to do also there is freelance work available. Both take time away from your education, a once in a lifetime opportunity.
