Foundation – Animation

 

Preparatory Program

 

Explore which kind of Animator you are – in 1 program.

Vancouver Film School, the #1 globally ranked animation school by Animation Career Review, has created a program for aspiring animators to discover which field of animation & VFX is right for them. Foundation – Animation is a four-month preparatory program that introduces students to the fundamentals of drawing, classical and digital animation, 3D modeling, character design, storyboarding, and more.

Students receive hands-on experience with industry-standard software and create a solid portfolio that will advance them into VFS’s 3D Animation & Visual Effects, Animation Concept Art, and Classical Animation programs. 

Register quickly as very limited seats are available! 

Course Details:

Dates: October 27, 2025 – February 27, 2026 

Duration: 16 weeks (full-time), 21 hours per week

Introductory Offer: $6,983 $5,983 CDN (Domestic); $10,333 $8,333 CDN (International)  

Apply Now

 

 

 

Foundation Animation

Program Overview

Term 01

Hone your art skills and style through perspective drawing, life-drawing, and frame-by-frame animation. Explore industry-standard digital tools for 3D modelling, image manipulation, and keyframe animation and learn how to tell stories visually through screenwriting, storyboards, & animatics.

Term 02

Dive deeper into scene construction and composition and explore digital frame-by-frame animation. Apply lighting, texturing, and rigging to 3D assets, and illustrate comic book pages. Present a short reel of finessed projects that showcase your strengths and readiness to continue into one of VFS’s three full-time Animation programs.

More About the Program

Foundation – Animation is designed to give aspiring animators a strong creative and technical base for pursuing an advanced VFS animation program. Over sixteen focused weeks, you’ll develop the essential building blocks of animation through courses in: 

  • Drawing 
  • Classical Animation (hand-drawn & digital) 
  • 3D Modeling & Animation 
  • Image Manipulation & Creation 
  • Storyboarding 
  • Character Design & Concept Art 
  • Motion Graphics Design 

Throughout the program, you’ll build a strong portfolio that will satisfy the prerequisites of VFS’s 1-year Animation programs, while gaining hands-on experience with the same professional tools used across the global animation industry:

houdini programshoudini programs

Admissions Requirements: 

  • 4-6 drawings that show basic line and weight control, shapes, scale, and proportion, shading, and composition. 
  • An additional 2 digital art pieces to showcase your creativity. 

If English is not your first language, you will be required to meet Level 1 of VFS’s ESL Requirements, which includes a variety of eligible ESL tests. Click here for full information on VFS’s Language Requirements.

 

 

 

Testimonials

"When you think of the fact that both the director as well as the VFX executive producer of District 9 are both VFS 3D grads... It made me realize that I probably attended the right school."

Josh Herrig

3D Animation & Visual Effects Alum
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, Iron Man 3

"I put in long, time managed, focused hours of hard work every day of the week for months at a time. As a result, I was blown away by my rapid improvement as an animator and an artist."

Johanna Schread

Classical Animation Alum
Bardel Entertainment

"If you want the best chances of making it deep in the animation industry immediately after graduation, then going to Vancouver Film School could be the best decision of your life."

Animation Career Review

"VFS is the best school in the area. The Animation Concept Art program is filled with incredible teachers, mentors, and support staff. I have gained so much knowledge, and the best part is it’s a 1-year intensive!"

Tiana Kovacevic

Animation Concept Art Alum
Senior Designer, ICON Creative Studios

 

 

Foundation – Animation Preparatory Program FAQs

Foundation – Animation is a four-month preparatory program designed for aspiring animators who want to build a strong creative and technical base for further post-secondary study. Students gain hands-on experience with drawing, classical and digital animation, 3D modeling, storyboarding, and character design, while working with industry-standard software like Photoshop, Maya, After Effects, and Toon Boom Harmony.

This program is ideal for:

  • Aspiring animators who need to build a portfolio before applying to advanced VFS animation programs.
  • Students new to animation who want to gain technical skills and explore different disciplines.
  • Artists who want to strengthen their fundamentals in drawing, design, and storytelling.

Applicants must submit:

  • 4–6 drawings showing basic line and weight control, shapes, scale, proportion, shading, and composition.
  • 2 digital art pieces that showcase creativity.
  • International applicants must also meet English language requirements.
Art submissions must be sent at the time of application. If English is not your first language, you must submit eligible test scores that meet VFS’s minimum language requirements; for applicants who do not yet meet these requirements at the time of application, you may receive conditional acceptance. Once you meet the required English proficiency, you will be given full acceptance and be able to begin the program.
  • Domestic: $6,983 CAD
  • International: $10,333 CAD

Yes. VFS offers structured payment plans, allowing students to pay tuition in installments rather than in one lump sum. Speak with a VFS Admissions Advisor for options.

Successful completion of Foundation – Animation provides the portfolio prerequisites needed for admission into these one-year programs:

International students require a valid study permit (student visa) to study at VFS in Canada. VFS provides guidance on applying for study permits, but it is the student’s responsibility to complete the application through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

VFS does not provide on-campus housing, but our Student Services team can help connect you to a variety of housing options, including student residences, private rentals, or homestays. We recommend arranging accommodations as early as possible, as Vancouver’s rental market is competitive.

How to Apply

Request Info

Refund Policy