MA in Directing Animation

Overview

This unique two-year course is designed to equip you with the skills to write, direct and animate award-winning films. The first year is packed full of inspiring workshops led by talented filmmakers and industry professionals. These include improving your animation skills, writing better narratives and developing fresh approaches to design and techniques. In the second year, you will direct a full production team to bring your vision to life, using the school's state-of-the-art production facilities. We encourage all forms of visual storytelling; including drawn and stop-motion animation, life-size pixelation, and even puppeteering. Students are inspired to push the boundaries; to find interesting new animated techniques and fresh approaches to storytelling. Learning to work with a team is central to the course. Collaborative workshops with other filmmaking disciplines, help animation directors understand the role of each crew member and the skills they bring to the filmmaking process.

• All production costs covered by the school, making NFTS Animation one of the best value courses in the country.

• Being the only animation course situated in a film studio, we can cater for big ideas.

• Students have their own workspaces and equipment to make their graduation film.

• Films are finished in professional sound stages and post-production facilities.

• Production team members become invaluable colleagues when you leave and work on future projects.

• A Creative Skillset-Accredited Directing Animation MA course.

We welcome EU/EEA Students. Those accepted onto the course starting in 2018 and 2019 will have their fees guaranteed at the UK rate for both years of the course. Postgraduate students can apply for a loan to help with their studies via the Student Loans Company Loans. A £10,609 loan is available to contribute to course and living costs. The Post Graduate Loan is only open to EU/EEA and UK Students who normally live in England. It is not currently available to Scottish, Welsh or Northern Ireland Students. Find out more here.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 21 NOV 2019

Entry Requirements

We are looking for people with a desire to tell stories, who have a strong visual sense and the skills to direct a production team.

Whilst we take applicants from many varied backgrounds, the course is ideal for someone who works in the animation industry and has reached a stage where they want to develop their own work and become a director.

Successful applicants should have either:

• a degree in a relevant subject, such as animation, graphics, illustration or fine arts

• taken an intensive short animation courses

• or has worked in the animation industry

All applicants must show a passion for animation through the work they are developing.

Apply With

Part One: Digital Portfolio Submission

All applications must be accompanied by the following supporting materials:

• A Portfolio of Animation/Moving Image with a maximum running time of 20 minutes. Your submission must include a complete film created by you. It can be either a personal or commissioned project, but it should be more than simple exercises done on a previous course.

• A Portfolio of Still Images. This can include illustrations, sketchbook work, digital artwork, photography of puppets and sets that you have made or anything you think will suitable for your application.

Part Two: Induction Workshop and Interview by invitation only

Because the course focuses on collaboration and teamwork we have a workshop as a part of the interviewing process.

The workshop gives us all the chance to meet in a working environment, and for you to learn about storytelling for short animated films. We provide extensive feedback on your work and candidates find the workshop very useful even if they were unsuccessful in getting on the course.

HOW TO APPLY

You can apply directly to us at the NFTS by clicking on the link below:

• APPLY FOR DIRECTING ANIMATION COURSE

• You can apply online, or download a word document of the application form to submit via email

When selecting your course, please ensure that you have read the entry requirements and details of the supporting materials that should accompany your application.

TIMING YOUR APPLICATION

We are happy to receive applications 24/7 and 365 days a year up until the deadline.

History

The National Film School (as it was first named) opened in 1971, the culmination of a major effort by the Industry and government to create an institution to educate and train talent for the British Film Industry.

In 1970, Colin Young, a Scot then chairing the University of California's Department of Theater Arts, co-founded the NFTS and was appointed as the School's first director. With a loan from Rank, the NFS bought the old Beaconsfield Film Studios in Buckinghamshire - which had been home to organisations as diverse as British Lion Film Corporation, The Crown Film Unit and the North Thames Gas Board - and set about refitting it to professional industry standards. Young established four permanent departments - production, camera, editing and sound - and in 1971 the first intake of 25 students passed through the studio gates. Directors Mike Radford (The Merchant of Venice, Il Postino), Bill Forsyth (Local Hero) and Ben Lewin (Ally McBeal), pioneering documentarist Nick Broomfield (Aileen: Portrait of a Serial Killer), and visual effects specialist Dennis Lowe (Cold Mountain, The English Patient) were among their number.

Production Facilities

The NFTS is the only UK film school with its own industry standard film studio, 4k Television and rehearsal studios. With a recent £20 million investment in the School, we offer cutting-edge dedicated workspaces for all courses, making our student experience unparalleled at any other UK creative institution.

NFTS students are given 24/7 access, 364 days a year to the largest production facilities at any UK film school. Not only do these include our studios, but also our sound and dubbing theatres, over 50 top of the range cameras, the latest editing software in dedicated suites, our Dolby Digital Surround Cinemas, and more. These unique facilities enable our students to create BAFTA, Royal Television Society, CILECT award winning and Oscar-nominated productions.

Curriculum

There is no other film school in the world that offers so many individual specialist practical filmmaking courses. 18 Masters, 14 Diplomas, 4 Certificates and a wide range of short courses.

NFTS Courses are based on learning and applying the crafts and skills of the medium. Students are encouraged to develop a solid understanding of how their specialist role fits into the overall process of project development, production and programme-making. All practical learning is carefully integrated with seminars and other activities that place film, television and games in a historical, cultural and business context.

Alumni Network

Just because you've graduated, doesn't mean it's over!

The NFTS has a very active Alumni Network, with many graduates staying in touch and working together long after they have left the School. There are also an increasing number of recent graduates working on projects with graduates from many years back.

As part of the Alumni Network, you will receive regular emails containing information about jobs, Bridges to Industry projects and news from the school. We also have our Annual NFTS Alumni Party that takes place in Central London every January – be sure to keep an eye out for your invitation!

Don’t forget to keep us up to date with contact details and let us know about any credits or festivals you are involved with!

To contact our NFTS Alumni team, please email alumni@nfts.co.uk

To help you stay connected, reunite with old classmates or meet graduates from other years why not join us online on Facebook and Linked In.

Partners

The NFTS is indebted to the many organisations, companies and individuals who support our work, many of whom have supported the School for the majority of its existence.

PLATINUM PARTNER SPONSOR

KEY PARTNER FUNDERS

KEY PARTNER SPONSORS

KEY PARTNER ACCREDITATIONS

Bridges to Industry

The NFTS works with a range of partners in the Industry to provide opportunities for NFTS students and graduates.

The NFTS Bridge to Industry Schemes are designed to help NFTS students and graduates into the Industry - providing opportunities to create shorts, films and promos with our Industry Partner sponsors, whilst continuing to be supported by the NFTS.