Animation Skillnet are currently seeking applicants for the second iteration of its successful Animation Studio Lab Programme 2020.
The Animation Studio Lab aims to develop the specialist skill set of graduates by teaming them up with an up-and-coming animation director to produce a short film.
Applicants can nominate one of four specialist areas within Animation production when applying:
- Storyboarding
- Animation
- Art & Backgrounds
- Compositing
Successful participants will receive specialist training in their chosen area and they will be guided through a real world animation production scenario. Participants will work as part of a production team to deliver the short film.
The Animation Studio Lab is not attached to any studio and is designed to deliver specialist training in a real world environment.
Last year’s programme involved 13 participants, many of which moved into employment for their specialist roles within the industry, using the work they produced on ‘Agony Ant’ as key portfolio pieces. The completed short was screened in Ireland and Internationally and continues to do well online.
Schedule:
Storyboarding – Mon 13th Jan to Fri 31st Jan
3 weeks tutored storyboarding programme including workshops and industry practice.
Art & Backgrounds – Mon 20th Jan to Friday 14th Feb
4 weeks tutored art and background programme including workshops and industry practice.
Animation – Mon 27th Jan to Friday 28th Feb
5 weeks tutored 2D animation programme including workshops and industry practice.
Compositing – Mon 17th Feb to Fri 6th Mar
3 weeks tutored compositing programme including workshops and industry practice.
Participant Profile:
The programme is open to graduates and returners aiming to develop specialist skills in the 2D animation pipeline.
Tutor Info:
Cliona Noonan – Director
Cliona Noonan is an Irish animator, filmmaker, and a recent animation graduate of The National Film School at IADT Dun Laoghaire. Her graduation film ‘Tuna’ has screened at festivals in Ireland and internationally.
Sean Cunningham – Mentor Director
Sean Cunningham graduated from BCFE in 2016 with a BA in Animation. He went on to freelance under this name ‘Paperbag Animator’ and direct and animate on several short films and music videos. In 2019 Sean co-founded Studio Meala after directing the first Animation Studio Lab project, Agony Ant.
Stephen Fagan – Producer
Stephen Fagan has been working in the animation and creative sector since 2000. Stephen’s career saw him move from animator and designer to producer and becoming managing director of an animation studio. Now managing director of Studio Meala, Stephen is passionate about the training and development of talent in the creative sector.
India Swift – Animation Mentor
India is a Dublin based animator specializing in 2d hand-drawn animation. She starting off her career working with well known Irish studios such as Boulder and Brown Bag, before branching out into freelancing. Since then she has worked as an animator/director at Knights of the Light Table, most recently directing the hit music video to Starlight Brigade. She has a background in education, having previously taught animation fulltime as well as in masterclasses. Her focus is on storytelling and pushing the look of animation by experimenting with different styles and toolsets.
Fran Johnston – Backgrounds Mentor
Fran Johnston has worked in the animation industry for 15 years. He currently works as a concept designer and background artist on Rescue Bots Academy for Hasbro. He has also worked as a compositor and for the most part of his career, a background artist and background supervisor.
His other credits include Fosters Home For Imaginary Friends and The Amazing World of Gumball for Cartoon Network, Randy Cunningham Ninth Grade Ninja and Wander Over Yonder for Disney and El Tigre for Nickelodeon.
Patrick O’Callaghan – Storyboard Mentor
Patrick O’Callaghan is an animation industry professional with over 10 years experience with over half of those working in storyboarding, he has worked as a Storyboard Artist for studios such Boulder Media, Treehouse Republic, Telegael, Kavaleer, Geronimo, Ink & Light and Geronimo/Monster amongst others. He regularly gives talks regarding animation and visual storytelling.
Oisin Reynolds – Compositing
Oisín Reynolds is a senior compositor with 3 years experience in the animation industry in Dublin. He has worked on shows such as “The Adventures of Young Marco Polo”, Warner brothers “Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz”, Hasbro’s “Littlest Pet Shop World Tour” available on Netflix and “Micronauts” release date TBC. Some of his accolades are “Best Overall Production” and in Fingal Film Festival 2012 he was awarded “Best Animation”. In his spare time he is a keen cyclist and holds the rank of Black Tag in Tae Kwon Do.
Venue:
Dublin, City Centre.
Fee:
There is no fee for this programme.
Dates & Times:
The programme will start on Monday 13th January and will run for between 8 to 12 weeks. The programme will operate Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm.
Participants are required to attend set workshops, tutoring and coaching sessions, with the remaining time set for studio practice.
Applications:
Interested applicants should upload a CV Link or LinkedIn link (which specifies their main area of interest from Storyboarding; Animation; Art and Backgrounds; and Compositing) and showreel/portfolio link by following the instructions on the link below:
Deadline for applications: Friday 20th December 2019 at 5pm
Interviews in early January with Final Selection on Friday 11th January 2019.
*All applications will be evaluated and shortlisted for interview by a panel of industry experts, in consultation with Animation Skillnet. Please note that only those who are shortlisted will be called for interview.
Course Information
Course Instructor
