Animation is a major growth area in the creative industries in Northern Ireland and there is a high demand for skills and local talent in animation.
The Foundation Academy is a unique training programme in focusing on 2D animation and stop motion animation skills, providing training and hands-on experience of these key job roles within the animation industry. Participants will be introduced to the animation production process, learn about design, have the opportunity to animate characters using industry standard software and visit the leading animation studios in Northern Ireland.
In this pilot year, the Foundation Academy for Animation will be a partnership between Northern Ireland’s three Creative Learning Centres and animation companies in Northern Ireland, including Sixteen South, Paper Owl, Jam Media and Dog Ears. Award-winning local animators, Joel Simon and John McCloskey will also contribute their talent and expertise to the Academy.
Award-winning film An Béal Bocht featuring animation by John McCloskey
This pilot phase will run from November 2018 to the end of March 2019. The Foundation Academy for Animation is funded by the Department of Communities through Northern Ireland Screen.
Structure of the Animation Academy
To allow for progression, the Northern Ireland Screen Foundation Academy for Animation will have two distinct levels.
Foundation Level 2
We aim to recruit 20 young people who are keen to learn 2D Animation skills and can already demonstrate some basic ability to animate. This level of the Animation Academy will provide creative skills development and technical training in many of the key job roles involved in the animation industry, including 2D drawing, rigging,
lay-out, digital painting, compositing, in-betweening and storyboarding as well as producing, production management and screenwriting.
This group will meet on Saturdays and receiving training and guidance from local animation companies Sixteen South, Paper Owl, and Jam Media. A residential will take place in Derry in late November at the workplace of Dog Ears.
Foundation Level 1
We aim to provide training in Stop Motion animation and 2D animation to at least 30 young people in a more flexible format of one day or half-day workshops across the region. Participants entering the Animation Academy at this level can progress to the second level next year if they show enough enthusiasm and commitment.
Applications
Please see link below to apply online for the Northern Ireland Screen Foundation Academy for Animation. You only need to complete one application form to be considered for both Foundation levels.
https://tinyurl.com/AnimationAcademy2018
Deadline: Saturday October 27
Group Selection
A group selection day will be held on the 30th October at Nerve Belfast Office, Ulidia Resource Centre you will be required to attend this day.
If you have any questions please contact Jennifer McAlorum either by email j.mcalourm@nervecentre.org or by phone 02890 644333.
