Classical Animation
Create a demo reel that showcases your animation skills.
Create an attention-grabbing reel of animated work that showcases your classical animation techniques, storytelling skills, and grasp of modern digital tools.
You are inspired by the limitless creative potential of animation. You understand that the technology of animation is constantly evolving, but the principles of crafting unforgettable characters and engaging journeys remain stronger than ever. You have a storyteller's eye and the passion to thrive in today's entertainment industry. You are an animator.
An Education in Classical Animation
Core Skills
Develop core drawing and design skills as a foundation for telling your story and to establish yourself as a creative and versatile artist and designer.
Character Animation
Design characters with originality and 'animate-ability' in mind. Learn techniques for creating various types of model and expression sheets, to create the characters who will help bring an animated story to life.
Digital Tools
Make your traditionally animated production digital,using computer software to create many of the visuals while streamlining the workflow.
Program Breakdown
Delve into the fundamentals of drawing, animation, and basic art direction. Refine your visual art skills by working with live models.
Enhance your drawing skills with storyboard and background design exercises. Interpret storyboards to create character model sheets and layouts.
Explore more complex animation concepts like animating a character's thoughts and emotions through acting principles. Put your growing knowledge to practice in creating production storyboards.
Apply your skills to the production of your final animated film project. Create storyboards, character model sheets, layouts, and final artwork for rendering, with guidance from your mentor.
Progress to the digital ink and paint phase of production on your final project. Focus on art direction and final look development.
Complete post-production on your final project and create a new animated short in Flash. Assemble a traditional animation portfolio in preparation for graduation.
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program length
12 Months
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Time spent with instructors
1000+ Hours
- A Diploma in Classical Animation
- A mastered demo reel of your final project
- A traditional art and animation portfolio
- Access to the VFS Alumni Directory and Job Board
Student Work
Nata Metlukh
Final Film Project
Synopsis: A fearless man arrives to a big city, where every citizen has their own fear. After getting into a dangerous situation, the man realizes, that fears cannot only hinder people's everyday lives, but they can also be helpful and fun friends.
Ahmed Al Hasnawi
Final Film Project
Synopsis: Have you ever imagined what it would be like to live life as a king? This is the story of an unfortunate man who gets that chance.
Maria Jose Castrillon
Final Film Project
Synopsis: Imogen is a little girl who wants to play with her dad. Since he is too busy over the phone, she decides to go flying into her imagination.
Eduardo Casian Gallegos
Final Film Project
Synopsis: A series of unexpected situations happen around our main character who is too focused on his smartphone to realize it.
Morgan Pabst
Final Film Project
Synopsis: A thief steals a beautiful necklace at a private party and is chased through Paris by a man who wants to claim it back.
Andrea Castillo
Final Film Project
Synopsis: A girl and a boy look at each other through a crowd of monsters during train ride.
Elisa Moya
Final Film Project
Synopsis: Mia's date is not going too well for, but she knows exactly what she needs to do.
Silvia Prietov
Final Film Project
Synopsis: Through a sequence of different representative social archetypes and situations we see how selfishness rules these individuals lives so strongly that they communicate with each other using little more than 'me', 'myself', and 'mine'.
Eduardo Casian Gallegos
Final Film Project
Synopsis: A film that shows the relationship between a kid and his grandfather. The film talks about the moments when you are not able to do something and how your family helps you to figure it out.
Sai Uthathammarat
Adobe Flash Film
Synopsis: The monster of a magic wizard has to take care of his master 's child.
Oling Chu
Final Film Project
Synopsis: A little story between two couples. One love letter shows how crazy people are when they fall in love.
Key Faculty
Our Animation instructors come right from the industry, and offer an unparalleled education based on decades of real-world experience, designed to give students the skills, contacts and confidence to kick start their careers.
Vanessa Jacobsen
Head of Department
Over the years, Vanessa has built strong partnerships in the entertainment arts industry to enhance the student experience and to support graduates transitioning into their careers.
Colin Giles
Creative Director
Colin has over 17 years' experience as a Character Animator, Animation Director, and Designer, with credits in traditional and computer animation. His credits include work for Cartoon Network, Disney Interactive, and HBO.
Dieter Mueller
Senior Instructor
Dieter launched his career as a freelance animator at International Rocketship, and over his 20+ years there, he directed numerous commercials and won awards. His short film The Butterfly was nominated for a Palme d'Or at Cannes.
Jim Inkster
Instructor – Digital Ink + Paint
Jim began his career as a cell painter in 1995 on Gary Larson's Tales From the Far Side II. He moved to Mercury Filmworks as Paint Supervisor and Composite Supervisor on a variety of children's series
See more Instructors and staff
Faculty Career Highlights
Campus Life
The new 42,000 square-foot Animation + Visual Effects campus is located in the middle of downtown Vancouver. This facility closely mirrors a real-world professional studio and gives you access to every amenity you will need to create amazing work, from studio space to a custom-built life drawing theatre.
Program Events
Guest Speakers
Gain valuable career insights from industry guest speakers who will give demonstrations or answer questions about their specialties. Recent guests include Paramount Animation's Creative Director, Lino DiSalvo (Frozen), Academy Award-winning animator Leo Baker (Where the Wild Things Are), and Fox Animation's Chris Bailey (The Lion King).
Extra-Curricular Drawing Events
Participate in extra-curricular drawing events held on campus. Some regular events include life drawing sessions (every two weeks) and Draw By Night, a casual bi-monthly gathering of students and local artists.
CAREERS IN 2D ANIMATION
As a VFS Classical Animation graduate, you’ll be trained to perform in a variety of roles in creating a traditionally animated film. Depending on the size and style of the studio you work in, you may specialize in one field or work in many.
Animator
There are several career paths for you as an animator, including hand-drawn characters, 2D and 3D digital art, hand-drawn effects, and digital effects. Generally, animators use their skills to turn still art into moving entertainment. Entry-level positions for traditional animation include assisting and clean-up, and, for 2D digital, include animation, posing, and character builds.
2D Digital Animator
You'll be responsible for creating 2D animation using computer software rather than pencil and paper. As a 2D Digital Animator, you must be fluent in Adobe’s Flash, Toon Boom’s Harmony, and a variety of other programs.
Layout Artist
Layout Artists set up the scene for the animators. You'll create composition and camera moves in preparation for animators.
Explore Your Other Career Options
Production Assistant / Storyboard Artist / Character Designer / Digital Ink and Paint Artist / Animation Director / Background Designer / Production Coordinator / Animator Poser / Character Builder / Compositor / Effects Animator
Alumni Success
Vancouver Film School grads are some of the most successful professionals in the Animation industry. Take a moment to browse some of their accomplishments and achievements. The Alumni Success Stories feature tales of triumph and fame, and will open in another window to take you to the VFS Blog page. Grad Career Highlights offers a glimpse at some of our amazing alumni credits and contributions to the industry.
Alumni Success Stories
Grad Career Highlights
Rick and Morty
Samuel Alkaitis — Lead Build Artist
Sara Franco — Animator
Kristian Lowe — Harmony Animator
My Little Pony: Equestria Girls
Justine Pulles — Clean-up Artist
Sebastian Zegers Risopatron — Layout Artist
Testimonials
Admissions Info
To make sure you have accurate admissions information please select your region based on country of citizenship.
Tuition
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Start Dates
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Requirements
You will be asked to submit one of the following along with your application. Your advisor can help with selecting the best option.
Send samples of your work that include still-life drawings, life drawings, and character sketches (maximum 12 pieces). You'll find information on how to send your work in the application form, or you can ask your Advisor.
When you talk to your Advisor, let them know that you've completed the Foundation program and they will put a copy of your diploma in your file for you.
For more about language requirements and other information for international students, visit the International Students page.
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