Animation Degree Course Foundation Year

Program Overview

The BA (Hons) Animation (Foundation Entry) degree at UCLan is a 4-year program designed to provide students with the necessary skills and expertise in animation. The program emphasizes creative thinking, self-expression, and technical understanding, preparing students for careers in the animation industry. Through a combination of lectures, seminars, and practical experience, students develop their abilities in scriptwriting, character design, storyboarding, animating, editing, and sound design. Graduates have enjoyed successful careers at companies such as Nintendo, The Factory, and the BBC.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This is a 4-year full-time BA (Hons) Animation (Foundation Entry) degree program offered at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) in Preston. It is designed for students who have the ability to study for a degree but lack the necessary grades for direct entry. The program aims to develop students' practical skills and technical expertise in animation, enabling them to create their own films. It emphasizes creative thinking, self-expression, and a strong technical understanding of industry practices, including scriptwriting, character design, storyboarding, animating, editing, and sound design.

Outline:

The program is structured across four years, with a Foundation Entry year (Year 0) followed by three years of undergraduate study (Years 1-3).

Year 0 (Foundation Entry):

• FDE Introduction to Specialisms (AZC017): Introduces students to the diverse ways creative practitioners have shaped society and how society influences creative practice.
Develops foundational skills for various specialist areas and presents the challenges of problem-solving through creative practice, including idea development and experimental work.
• FDE Specialisms (AZC018): Focuses on fundamental skills relevant to the chosen specialism, developing technical skills in using various media.
Students learn critical concepts related to contemporary practice in their chosen specialism and gain a broad understanding of work in that area, preparing them for level 4 study.

Year 1:

• Contextual Studies in Animation (AX1000): Provides a conceptual understanding of animation in films and explores film theory.
Covers the historical development of animation practice and the design profession. Introduces students to research, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation skills.
• Introduction to Animation (AX1001): Encourages students to research and develop animation projects.
Students learn the "design process" by observing, recording, and analyzing different animations. Develops basic conceptual and practical skills necessary for animation, including form, movement, and expression.
• Introduction to Model Making (AX1021): Introduces students to the preparation and creation of basic stop-frame puppetry.
Covers safety procedures within a workshop environment.
• Skill Development & Software Training (AX1101): Encourages the use of drawing and the "design process" through observation, recording, analysis, and organization of visual information.
Students explore various techniques to formulate, express, and develop ideas and concepts in solving production problems.

Year 2:

• Focus Studies (AX2000): Allows students to explore animation through self-initiated or market-oriented project work.
Further develops creative design skills through an exploratory approach to animation, filmmaking, or associated work. Tests the practical application of ideas through practice-based research.
• Animation Practice (AX2021): Builds upon the learning outcomes of the Introduction to Animation and Skill Practise modules.
Develops specialist study with knowledge specifically related to creative 2D or 3D animation. Students understand and discuss the theory behind filmmaking and storytelling, analyzing film text using various methodologies.
• Animation Production and VFX (AX2022): Develops creative design skills through a personalized approach to formal animation, VFX, and filmmaking techniques and processes.
Students develop production techniques and progress the application of ideas from initial concept to finished output.
• Advanced Model Making (AX2023): Further develops puppetry skills and sculpting techniques to help students understand shape and form.
Students learn about 3D space by developing an environment suitable for animation in various forms, such as stop motion, 3D digital, and VFX in film.

Year 3:

• Research and Preproduction (AX3021): Applies knowledge and practice from levels 4 and 5 to industry standards.
Students understand, apply, and expand cultural awareness. Fosters self-critical awareness, personal motivation, initiative, and self-reliance. Students understand and apply research activities based on future design and innovative production methodologies and contexts.
• Honours Project and Promotion (AX3022): Consolidates a distinctive, innovative, and personal approach to areas of interest, such as model making, animation, creative storytelling, and filmmaking.
Students develop knowledge and skills necessary for contemporary animation practice, including understanding clients, markets, users, consumers, business, and finance.
• Animated TV Series (AX3333): Consolidates understanding of and applies cultural awareness.
Fosters self-critical awareness, personal motivation, initiative, and self-reliance. Students understand the process of creating an animated series for TV, streaming platforms, and the web. They undertake research activities based on future design and innovative production methodologies and contexts.

Assessment:

Assessment is 100% coursework, including group work and formative assessment. Modules culminate in a final assessment where all work is presented.

Teaching:

Students learn through a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials, and student-centered practice, taking place within workshops and filming facilities. Staff contact time is 10 hours per week per double module, and students have access to facilities from 8 am to 8 pm daily.

Careers:

Graduates from this program enjoy careers as animators, model makers, editors, directors, scriptwriters, set designers, and sound designers. They have worked at companies such as Nintendo, The Factory, Mackinnon and Saunders, Sony Pictures, TT Games, Soccer Manager, the BBC, and many others. Students have won various awards, including the Royal Television Society and Redbull awards.

Other:

• The program features the latest animation software, including CelAction, a new animation software from Peppa Pig's creators, Mark Baker and Neville Astley.
UCLan is the first university to have 40 licenses.
• Students have the opportunity to showcase their ideas, enthusiasm, skills, and talent at the cJAM careers event, where industry professionals attend and placements are awarded to successful students.
• Students gain employability skills by working on client briefs for the NHS, learning how to work with clients and overcome hurdles faced by professional animators.
• The university's annual Games Design and Animation Virtual Degree Show allows students to showcase their talents in their final year through Degree Show projects.
• The program has close links with Astley Baker Davies, Barrow Models, Mackinnon and Saunders, and Loose Moose.
• The Course Leader, Sarah Kennedy, works on the animated children's program, Peppa Pig.
• The university's animation students have won the best undergraduate animated film 9 times in the North West, as well as claiming a National award over the last 12 years.

| Year | Fees | | ----------- | ----------- | | First year | £9,250 | | Full-time | £9,250 per year | | First year | £16,400 | | Full-time | £16,500 per year |