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National Film and Television School: Directing Animation
| Institution | National Film and Television School View institution profile |
|---|---|
| Department | Film and Television |
| Web | https://nfts.co.uk/ |
| info@nfts.co.uk | |
| Telephone | 01494 731425 |
| Study type | Taught |
MA
Summary
**This is the only two-year specialist Directing Animation MA.**
The Directing Animation MA at NFTS is a globally acclaimed course that offers an unparalleled creative and dynamic learning experience in animation. If you have a flair for visual storytelling, this course equips you with the necessary skills to bring your creative passions to life on the big screen and enables you to evolve as a filmmaker, achieving your aspirations.
Our program encompasses both the artistic and commercial worlds of animation - our grad films have won some of the most prestigious festival awards or been developed into world-renowned TV series.
All forms of visual storytelling are nurtured across traditional and digital media, including drawn 2D, CGI, stop-motion and life-size pixelation. You will feel empowered to push your creative boundaries and discover your unique voice while exploring new animation techniques and storytelling approaches.
Led by some of the most talented artists from across the animation industry, the course combines art school philosophy with state-of-the-art film school facilities. You'll work on projects within a workshop environment that encourages experimentation and innovation and will give you the skills needed to write, direct, and animate films.
WATCH: Sam Gainsborough explains the creative process of his graduation film Facing It. (YouTube).
During your time at the school, you will collaborate with all the other key departments, including Screenwriting, Editing, Composing, Sound Design, Production Design, Cinematographer and Producing, giving you insight into their practice and how they can take your creative vision to new heights. Upon completing the program, you will have led a complete production team and amassed an impressive portfolio that exemplifies your skills and prepares you for a successful animation career.
WATCH: Micky Wozny explains the collaboration process in his graduation film Something Borrowed. (YouTube).
**Course Facilities**
Creative Space - As an artist, you'll have access to our facilities that help you grow and develop. During your first year, you'll work in our first-year base equipped with all the necessary art materials to explore visual storytelling with your classmates. Each student gets their own desk area complete with a computer, Cintiq, camera rostrum set up, and all the software you need to get started.
In your second year, you'll have your own office to use as a production base to lead your team, as well as the use of the school’s shooting spaces if needed.
| Level | RQF Level 7 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | You should have a strong desire to tell unique stories and can embrace alternative and imaginative approaches to visualisation and narrative construction. The ability to clearly articulate your ideas and work well as part of a team is a must due to the collaborative nature of the course and the animation industry. All applicants must show a passion for visual storytelling through their portfolio of work. While a background in animation is desirable, successful applicants have come from many creative environments such model-making, comic books and dance. While many applicants will have a degree from a British or overseas university, in a relevant subject, we will consider applicants who do not have a degree if they have an impressive portfolio, a creative track record or an alternative qualification. If you have any questions, please email info@nfts.co.uk. |
| Location | National Film and Television School Beaconsfield Studios Beaconsfield HP9 1LG |
Summary
The two-year **NFTS Directing Animation MA** is world-renowned for being one of the most dynamic and creative animation courses. If you have a passion for storytelling, creating characters and the art of animation, the course will give you the skills to bring these passions to life on screen and help you develop into the filmmaker you aspire to be.
Pic of student working in animation studioLed by some of the most talented artists from across the animation industry, the course combines art school philosophy with state-of-the-art film school facilities. Students create their projects within a workshop environment that inspires experimentation and creativity. You will gain the skillset required to write, direct and animate films, graduating with a portfolio of outstanding work that will provide a showcase for the relevant techniques and knowledge required for successful employment.
**"Over the years the NFTS Directing Animation MA has provided us with some of the brightest talent in our company, from skilled and creative directors to savvy producers and talented crew. " Benjamin Lole, Executive Producer, Blinkink**
Films made by students on the Directing Animation MA are consistently selected for film festivals all over the world. They have picked up some of the most celebrated awards in animation, from BAFTAs to Sundance and Annecy.
All NFTS students can attend the School’s masterclasses programme, with animation guests including: Travis Knight (Kubo and the Two Strings, The Boxtrolls), David O’Reilly (The External World, Please Say Something), Glen Keane (The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast) and Michaël Dudok De Wit (Father and Daughter, The Red Turtle).
This course is industry recognised by ScreenSkills, the industry-led skills body for the UK's screen-based industries, and carries the ScreenSkills Select quality-mark which indicates courses best suited to prepare students for a career in the screen industries.
| Level | RQF Level 7 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | All applicants must show a passion for visual storytelling through their portfolio of work. While a background in animation is desirable, successful applicants have come from many creative environments such model-making, comic books and dance. Ideally, you should have either a degree in a relevant subject, such as animation, graphics, illustration or fine arts; taken an intensive short animation course; or worked in the animation industry. Pic of student on set with modelsWe place emphasis on attracting students with a strong desire to tell unique stories and who can embrace alternative and imaginative approaches to visualisation and narrative construction. The ability to clearly articulate your ideas and work well as part of a team is a must due to the collaborative nature of the course and the animation industry. If you are a problem solving, creative thinker with high standards, bundles of enthusiasm and the ability to function well under pressure, a career in animation via studying the Directing Animation MA could be for you. As a part of our admissions selection process, successful applicants are required to attend an online selection workshop for five days. For international students, more information about our entry requirements, including Visa and English language requirements, can be found on our What You Need To Know section of our Students From Abroad page. As a part of our admissions selection process, following a successful interview applicants are required to attend a selection workshop for five days, which has a fee of £150. If you have any questions, please email info@nfts.co.uk. |
| Location | National Film and Television School Beaconsfield Studios Beaconsfield HP9 1LG |
About the National Film and Television School
First established in 1971, the National Film and Television School (NFTS) has evolved to become a leading global institution, developing some of Britain and the world’s top creative talent. In 2018, the NFTS was awarded both the BAFTA for Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema and the Queen's Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education.
As one of the leading film schools in the world, the NFTS operates like a major studio, with state-of-the-art production facilities that are essential for creating outstanding content for film, TV, games, animation, design, and much more. It’s a …
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