Producing Animation is back on 5 June

Ultramarines

Animation Production is coming back to at Escape Studios on 5th June 2018. Our 8 week evening class (plus aftercare) starts at our Shepherd's Bush campus.

The class is led by Ultramarines producer Bob Thompson, an experienced industry veteran with a long and successful track record of producing animated feature films, commercials and VFX projects.

The course is designed to prepare producers to the challenges of pitches, budgets, spreadsheets and all the commercial knowledge that underpins our industry. And, of course, the creative side of the business - because every blockbuster project starts with a great idea.

So, what can students expect from this course?

What is Animation Production about?

Bob Thompson, Ultramarines

Animation Production is a new course, focused on the nuts and bolts of producing animated content, and designed (like all our courses) with practical outcomes in mind.

Students will be led through the process of putting together an investor-ready package for your animated feature film or TV project, learning all the steps needed to make your projects investable and achievable in the real world.

Who is teaching?
This class will be led by producer Bob Thompson who brings his experience of producing independent animated films such as the Bionicle series and Ultramarines, as well as commercials, post-production and VFX.

One student said about the course:

"It was great; I really enjoyed it, I learned a lot from Bob and his personal experience in the industry. It was very inspirational and definitely kept me busy.  Having an opportunity to learn from someone who has been and still is working in the industry was really useful, since if I didn't understand something Bob would explain it by using a real-life example".

Who is the course for?
Anyone who wants to learn how to produce animation, whether for TV, feature animation, commercials, or your own personal projects. You might be a producer trying to get an indie production off the ground, or an employee of a production company looking to broaden your skills and learn some of the nuts and bolts of the animation industry.

What's involved?
The course is divided into two parts, over 8 evenings. We believe strongly that learning involves doing, so every class will involve in-class exercises, completely with speed and spontaneity, to get your creative juices flowing. Then, each week, you'll get a homework assignment to bring in for review the next week.

Below are some of the elements that will be covered in the course:

• The animation pipeline. What does an animation producer do?
• What works? Identify a successful animated project and investigate what made it work 
• How to create a project and pitch it 
• Developing ideas, targeting an audience, creating a pitch, and assembling your team
• Concepts for animation properties - what works? What are the limitations? 
• Pitching an animated project 
• Finance, including Soft money, equity, tax credits, co-productions and gap finance. Cartoon Movie/Cartoon Forum. 
• Budgeting an animated project, including feature films, TV Series and commercials
• Core Team: Who does what on an animated film? 
• Development and Pre-Production: the Producer’s role. Writing, story, scripts, story boards and visual development.
• Scheduling animation 
• The producer’s role, production processes and procedures. CG, 2D, and VFX production. 
• Distribution, Marketing and Licensing 
• Prints and advertising, festivals, marketing, trailers/teasers, Social Media, Online, Promotion partnerships.

What is expected of students?
You'll be expected to attend at Escape Studios in Shepherd's Bush one evening a week from 7:00pm-10:00pm. There will be in-class assignments to do on the night, and also homework to prepare for the following week.

At the end of the course, you will present your final package, ready for investment - and production.

The Escape Studios Animation Blog offers a personal view on the art of animation and visual effects. To find out more about our new BA/MArt, now recruiting for September 2018, follow this link.   To apply, visit the official page here.