2D ANIMATION.
AVAILABLE ONLINE
IDEA Academy offers a modular approach to its study curricula.
Select the course you need for your current skill level and goals.
ART DIRECTOR AND PRODUCTION DESIGNER
Anthony Christov is an internationally renowned art director and production designer for the award-winning Pixar Animation Studios.
He was art director for WALL•E and the blockbuster animated feature film Finding Nemo and was set designer for Cars and The Incredibles. Prior to joining Pixar, Anthony worked on Titan AE for Fox Studios; Land Before Time for Universal Studios; and Rescuers Down Under for Walt Disney Studios.
COURSE DIRECTOR.
INTRODUCTION+
Enroll in one of the most dynamic 2D Animation programs in Europe!
IDEA Academy offers the one and only animation course directed by Anthony Christov, former Art Director and Production Designer at Pixar Animation Studios.
The course by many experienced professionals who have worked for international companies such as SPA studios, Cartoon Network, The Line, Titmouse and Cartoon Saloon, just to name a few.
This one-year program is designed for passionate individuals looking for a career in the entertainment industry. The course is made of 3 modules; each module runs for 12 weeks and will allow students an in-depth study of 2D animation to learn how to convey weight, motion and personality to characters with the most advanced techniques. If you’re an aspiring storyboard artist or 2D animator, join us and learn from a group of amazing internationally renowned professionals!IMPORTANT: Applications should meet the minimum entry requirements to pursue the program.
Courses are taught in English in an online live streaming format
WHAT YOU LEARN+
MODULE 1 - 12 Weeks
INTRODUCTION AND PRESENTATION + SOFTWARE BASICS
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Basic principles of animation, working with simple shapes and humanoid characters...
TIMING AND SPACING + SLOW IN AND SLOW OUT +
CHARTS - the bouncing ball
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Exercise: rough - bouncing ball
ANTICIPATION, OVERSHOOT, SQUASH AND STRETCH - Working on easy movements like a hit, a drop, a knock, breaking the joints
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Exercise: rough, a flick/hitkick/punch on something that reacts
STAGING, POSING, SOLID DRAWINGS and EXAGGERATION
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Exercise: rough - sack of flour acting bit
FACE ACTING, OVERLAP, TAKES - Get the rhythm and don't time all together
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Exercise: rough - mid shot, a character looks around and changes expressions
CENTRE OF GRAVITY, ARCS
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Exercise: rough -wide shot, a simple body action, bowing, sitting, standing up
BASIC WEIGHT, FLEXIBILITY AND TAKES – secondary action
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Exercise: rough -wide shot, little body movement (weight shift/one step/etc) head turn, the character sees something and…
FOLLOW THROUGH AND TIE DOWN - Spice up your animation!
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Exercise: tie-down - add a feather, a belly, a cape, something to your previous animation then tie it down
MORE ON WEIGHT - Lines of Action, change of shape
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Exercise: tie down - animate a push, a pull or a lift
LOOPS
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Exercise: tie-down, animation loop like a flying animal or something more complex like a dance loop
WALKS - A generic walk
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Exercise: tie-down, animate a generic walk
WALKS – A walk with character
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Exercise: tie-down, animate a more personal walk
MODULE 2 - 12 weeks
BODY MECHANICS
PERSONALIZED WALK CYCLE
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Exercise: start, run, jump, stop
WALK CYCLE IN PERSPECTIVE / CHANGE OF DIRECTION
SPORT ACTIONS
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Exercise: sports action (one action to choose between 3 or 4 given actions) with a given character
TIEDOWN ON THE ROUGH MADE BY SOMEONE ELSE
FX - BASES (WATER, FIRE, SMOKE, ETC)
INBETWEENING
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Exercise: astronaut or diver - slow motion exercise
FIGHTING SEQUENCE
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Exercise: ninja training (original character design or one chosen among some designs provided)
DYNAMIC ACTIONS
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Exercises: dance, a character who has to move a heavy object in an established space with acting
MODULE 3 - 12 weeks
ACTING
PANTOMIME 1
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Exercise: unboxing a present + reaction
PANTOMIME 2
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Exercise: character starts to say something but is not sure how
INTRO DIALOGUE ACTING - BODY ONLY (NO FACE/EXPRESSION)
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Exercise: work on a soundtrack - focus on body acting (given sound)
INTRO DIALOGUE ACTING - MOUTH ONLY (HEAD NOT MOVING)
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Exercise: work on a soundtrack - focus on lipsync
ACTING + LIPSYNC - CLOSE UP
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Exercise: start working on subtlety, hidden meaning and subtext (choice among given sounds)
ACTING + LIPSYNC - FULL FIGURE/MEDIUM SHOT - 11 SECONDS
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Exercise: work on a fully animated, tied down acting and lipsync shot (they choose the sound)
TALK ABOUT SHOWREEL
STUDENTS PERKS+
GUEST TEACHER LECTURES
Additional to the classes, IDEA Academy also offers its students the great opportunity to attend exclusive lectures and webinars.
Furthermore, students have access to reserved discounts for workshops organized by IDEA with internationally renowned professionals working for Pixar, Dreamworks, Blizzard, Activision, Cartoon network and much more.
Please note that the availability of discounts reserved for IDEA's students changes depending on the workshop.
CAREER DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT
Being a student at IDEA Academy’s drawing course means that you will be given the chance to enter in a unique school in Italy where there is an important network of international professionals and teachers who are currently working as leading artists in their respective fields.
STUDY MATERIALS+
Materials provided (included in the cost of the course for the duration of the course only):
- Toon Boom Harmony License;
- Syncsketch License;
Required tools:
- Computer + graphic tablet;
- Webcam + microphone;
TUITION+
The cost of the course is the following:
ONLINE
The total cost of each Module (12 weeks) is € 1900
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The sum is to be paid at the enrollment
Notice: Alternative payment solutions can be arranged with the school.
COURSES FEATURES+
ONLINE
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Access to recruitment activities
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Access to post-course assistance
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Student pass (that grants discounted access to some events, like Annecy Fair)
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Free extra lectures with Recruiters and Professional
SCHEDULE+
ENROLLMENT DATES 2024/25
OPEN: March, 2024
ENDS ON: first day of the course or subject to seating availability.
COURSE SCHEDULE
STARTS ON: September 23rd, 2024
ENDS ON: July 7th/8th, 2025 (Including 1 week of pause during the Annecy Animation Fair)
MODULE 1: CLASS A Sept. 23rd, 2024 - December 16th, 2024
CLASS B Sept. 24th, 2024 - December 17th, 2024
MODULE 2: CLASS A Jan. 7th, 2025 - March 31st, 2025
CLASS B Jan. 7th, 2025 - April 1st, 2025
MODULE 3: CLASS A April 7th, 2025 - July 7th, 2025
CLASS B April 8th, 2025 - July 8th, 2025
(Including 1 week of pause during the Annecy Animation Fair)
ONLINE
CLASS A
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Monday: 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM CET/CEST
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Thursday: 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM CET/CEST
CLASS B
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Tuesday: 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM CET/CEST
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Friday: 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM CET/CEST
IMPORTANT: The school reserves the right to change the course's schedule.
Please note that during on-site courses, the lessons of some teachers will take place online but students are still allowed to come to the academy to connect and take lessons with their classmates.