Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Animation Collaborative?
The Animation Collaborative is an online 3D Animation School. We offer workshops in Character Animation, Character Design, Storyboarding, Visual Development, and Gesture Drawing, all led by some of the top artists working in the industry today!
Who teaches at The Animation Collaborative?
The Animation Collaborative strives to find the best artists and the best instructors. We are fortunate to have many artists from Pixar, Industrial Light and Magic, and Tippet Studios as our instructors. Some of our instructors have also worked at Blue Sky Studios, Sony Pictures Animation, Dreamworks Animation, and Walt Disney Studios, to name a few. The Animation Collaborative is owned and co-founded by Michal Makarewicz, Head of Character Animation at Spire Studios. Michal also regularly instructs workshops at AnimC, teaching some of our most popular workshops.
Who should apply to The Animation Collaborative?
We welcome all skill levels. Our student body includes those currently enrolled in universities and recent grads, as well as working professionals and freelance artists looking to expand on, or further develop, their skillsets. We offer workshops in many different areas of the animation industry, so animators and designers alike are encouraged to explore our workshop offerings.
What are the requirements to apply?
Students must be 18 or older, be able to speak and understand the English language, and have a working knowledge of computers (Windows or Mac). Students are required to supply their own computer hardware and software. Above all, The Animation Collaborative requires that students have a passion to learn!
I am an international student? What is the application process for me?
We welcome international students! The application process is the same for international students.
How long are the sessions?
Regular sessions run 10 weeks. Each workshop meets once per week, for 3 hours, usually from 7-10pm pacific time. Workshops with special times are noted on their respective pages.
How much do workshops cost?
The Animation Collaborative online Workshops are $1,600.00 USD. This price includes a $200.00 deposit, which is required at the time of application. Tuition may change based on instructor and type of workshop. The Animation Collaborative sometimes offers special pricing for the “Introduction to” workshops.
When are the terms? And how long are they?
We try our best to work our terms around the schedules of local universities in order to best serve our students. Winter term generally runs from late January to mid-April. Spring session picks up in mid-April and runs through mid-July. Summer session will run from late July to mid-September, and Fall session will run mid-September to mid-December. We try to put at least one break week between each term, but it depends on how the university schedules and holidays fall.
All sessions are 10 weeks.
How are the workshops conducted?
We aim for our workshops to mirror the professional “dailies” experience. In dailies, artists present their work for director review and critique. Each student at The Animation Collaborative will receive individualized feedback on his or her work and will have the opportunity to present his or her work to fellow students for critique. Some of our Design workshops also include time for hands-on work done within the 3-hour meeting time. Animation assignments must be completed before each meeting. Each instructor will also give weekly lectures.
The Animation Collaborative offers assessment-based instruction. We tailor our instruction to the individual, not the group. Whatever your current skill level may be, we offer individualized instruction to help you achieve your creative goals.
Is it just critique?
No, our workshops feature structured coursework, assignments, and critique. In addition to the critiques and lectures, instructors may also open your work files so that we can assess your workflow habits and help to correct problems or technical troubles. During the course of the workshop, guest lectures will be brought in to cover various animation topics or areas of the pipeline.
Does each instructor teach the same thing?
No. Each instructor has a unique perspective and a different background, so all instructor teaching styles differ to some extent. The Animation Collaborative takes pride in the fact that our instructors are not tied to one rigid structure. Assignments may also be tailored to individual students in order to help them solve particular issues.
I am new to animation. Can I take any of the workshops?
Yes! We offer many beginning-level workshops. We think it is VERY important that students learn good habits and build a strong foundation from the very beginning of their education. Animation Demo & Lecture is an excellent workshop for students of all experience levels. The workshop starts with the basic bouncing ball and teaches a solid foundation in animation and Maya.
I am taking classes at another school. Can I show my work from there?
Students are welcome to show any work they want to show, but it is generally not recommended to have multiple instructors giving notes on a particular piece. Students can quickly get overwhelmed if given contradictory feedback. Many of our instructors will guide students through a piece from beginning to end to maintain a consistent workflow and critique. Please talk to your instructor if you prefer to work on specific pieces during the workshop as they may have a curriculum in mind.
Are there video lectures available?
At The Animation Collaborative, all of our workshops are conducted live online. We do not record any workshop material.
How big are the workshops?
Most of our workshops are limited to 8-10 students to ensure that each student receives ample time for individualized feedback. Some of our workshops do not have assignments or critiques and are therefore able to accommodate larger groups.
If the classes fill up before I am able to register, can you put my name on a wait list?
Yes! If a workshop fills up during the registration period, we will begin a wait list. If enough people end up on the wait list, we will do our best to secure a second instructor and open an additional section of the workshop. If a second section is opened, we cannot allow students to switch between them as it becomes difficult to register new applicants. Wait Lists do not carry over between terms.
How often do you offer specific workshops?
The workshops being offered can change from session to session based on student interest and instructor availability. We do our best to offer Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced Animation each term. Additional animation workshops can be made available depending upon interest. We also try to offer Character Design I and II each term.
Can I record my critique?
No recording of any kind is allowed in order to respect our instructors’ rights. However, most instructors will draw over your work, and we will make those draw overs available to you. You are able to take home your notes that night.
What if I miss a session?
We understand that life happens! Many of our students are professionals and sometimes cannot attend do to work commitments. It is the student’s responsibility to get in touch with his or her instructor. If the instructor has time, he or she may be able to critique your work and catch you up on what you missed. In some cases, they will request that a student come early the following week to catch up.
What do I need to bring to my workshop?
We recommend bringing a notebook or sketchbook, and some writing/drawing utensils. Design workshops may require separate supply lists, which will be made available to you when you register.
What software will students need?
For animation workshops, students are required to obtain a student license for Autodesk Maya. Design students frequently use Adobe Photoshop. All classes are held through ZOOM and all work uploads are done through SyncSketch (www.syncsketch.com – utilize their free version).
How many students will be accepted each term?
Each workshop is limited to 8-10 students, unless otherwise stated. The Animation Collaborative offers up to 12 workshops each term, covering a variety of topics within the animation pipeline – storyboarding, character design, visual development, and animation, among other topics.
Is The Animation Collaborative a registered school?
The Animation Collaborative is not an accredited program. As such, we cannot at this time accept student loans or offer assistance with Visas for international students. We can offer a Letter of Participation upon completion of a workshop if a student requests one.
Does The Animation Collaborative offer financial aid?
The Animation Collaborative cannot offer financial aid at this time. All tuition payments must be made in full via credit card, check, or cash prior to the start date of the workshop. Payment plans can be made available upon request.