MA 3D Animation

• Access to the internet
• 3 button mouse (or optionally a Wacom tablet or similar)
• Wacom tablet/ Microsoft Ink 
• Desktop or laptop meeting the Autodesk requirements for Maya (https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/maya/learn-explore/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/System-requirements-for-Autodesk-Maya-2020.html)
• A microphone
• Webcam (not compulsory)
• Materials to take notes, such as notebook and pen/pencil

We pride ourselves on our industry powered training, that's why all our Escape Studios Postgraduate degrees include industry feedback sessions with some of the world's leading studios and professionals.

Previous partners for our animation courses included Aaron Hartline (Pixar Animation Studios), Blue Zoo Animation, Passion Animation Studios and Framestore. Our industry partners deliver masterclasses or visit a class to give feedback on student work - it’s a great opportunity to receive industry standard critique and meet professionals working in the industry.

• Postgraduate level training. If you are serious about building a career in computer animation, this course will give you the qualification. confidence, skills and connections to start applying for roles in the industry.

• This course is hands-on. You’ll be working on high-spec hardware to master your animation skills. We offer small class sizes so you’ll get plenty of 1-2-1 time with your tutor.

• Experienced tutors. You can’t teach what you don’t know, so that’s why we employ the best. All of our tutors have worked in the industry and you’ll have industry feedback sessions with professionals. 

• AfterCare to help you get hired. Our alumni AfterCare package will help you polish your showreel and find the right job - with access to showreel clinics, studio access for 12 months and use of tons of resources on our virtual learning environment.
• You'll graduate with a globally recognised MA qualification from the University of Kent. Known as the UK’s European University, the University of Kent is ranked 23rd in The Guardian University Guide 2017

Module 1 - Locomotion and Mechanics

Week 1 - General Introduction to Maya

• Basic modelling
• Texturing
• Lighting

Week 2 - General Introduction to Maya

• Lighting
• Texturing
• Rigging

Week 3 - General Principles of Animation and an Introduction to Locomotion

Week 4 - Advanced Locomotion

• Runs
• Hops
• Jumps
• Skips

Week 5 - Introduction to Character Animation

Week 6 - More on Character Animation

• Building and blocking a shot
• Parenting
• Constraints

Module 2 - Character Performance

Week 1 - Weight and flexibility. Cartoon physics - animating a Box Lift creating characters

Week 2 - Animal locomotion, trots walks and runs

Week 3 - Animal locomotion continued

Week 4 - Acting, dialogue and lipsync

Week 5 - Final exercise

Week 6 - Demo reel

Module 3 (unit 13-18) - Animals and Creatures

Week 1 - Advanced character animation: dialogue and lipsync

Week 2 - Advanced character animation: acting and performance

Week 3 - Advanced motion capture and facial performance

Week 4 - Advanced creature animation: creature performance and acting

Week 5 - Advanced character and creature interactions

Week 6 - Demo reel and polish

Module 4 - Studio Project

In this module students work on a group project in which they are entirely responsible for the production of a prototype in which some students may work in-house and others remotely.

Module 5 - Production Project

This involves a self-directed project demonstrating the extent of your knowledge and understanding of the current state-of-the-art and mastery of chosen subject matter.

See full programme specification

How will your work be assessed?

Summative Feedback

This is one of the most important aspects of your work. You will receive feedback constantly from your tutor, studio assistants and peers during your modules. This will often be oral feedback on your work, sometimes on a one-to-one basis, sometimes in a group feedback session or daily.

All of this should help you build on your strengths and develop your skills as you progress through the course.

Summative assessment

This will be specifically designed to measure how well you meet the learning outcomes of the module. They will usually involve a task to meet a brief set by your tutor and will allow you to demonstrate the knowledge and skills that you have learned during the module. You’ll need to decide exactly how to complete the task, choosing particular techniques and approaches, and making decisions on the aesthetics and style to meet the given requirements.

Generally each module will have a practical element (usually a practical project, where you make something) and a written element (usually a journal or blog, where you reflect on what you’ve made). Sometimes there is also a presentation (where you demonstrate your work). All these elements are essential to your development by showing that you can deliver to a required level and also that you understand why you can and how you could improve.

Summative assessment breakdown:

Your modules will be assessed in the following way:

AN7001 Animation 1 – Locomotion & Mechanics

• Coursework (Practical project) – 60%

• Reflective logbook – 30%

• Individual presentation – 10%

AN7002 Animation 2 – Character Performance

• Coursework (Practical project) – 60%

• Reflective logbook – 30%

• Individual presentation – 10%

AN7003 Animation 3 – Animals & Creatures

• Coursework (Practical project) – 60%

• Reflective logbook – 30%

• Individual presentation – 10%

AN7004 Animation 4 - Studio Project

• Coursework (Collaborative Project) – 80%

• Group presentation – 20%

AN7005 Animation 5 - Production Project

• Coursework (Production Project) – 60%

• Written retrospective – 40%

For a more detailed breakdown of the assessments, please visit the module specifications page.

During your course you’ll be able to develop your knowledge and skills in a number of ways. Some of this will be closely directed/supervised by your tutors, at other times you’ll be free to organise your own study with guidance. All your scheduled study time, except for some information sessions and presentations, will be in groups of around 12. For your team project you’ll be working with a smaller team, collaborating to meet a shared brief. This will give you ample opportunity to get the support and assistance that you need.

The first three modules have a high contact time (180 hours for each module), as this is where you will be learning the knowledge and skills associated with your particular subject, directed and informed by your tutors’ expertise and experience. These will normally involve a large part of each day with your tutor and studio assistant, following demonstrations and working on set exercises to help you develop your craft.

The Studio Project and Production Project modules will have a lower contact time (15 hours for the Studio Project and 30 hours for the Production Project), with your tutors taking on the roles of supervisors or studio leads. You’ll meet with them regularly to get feedback and help you stay on the right path, but these modules are much more about you managing the learning experience to meet your objectives. You’ll be free to organise your work either as a team or an individual to best suit your project requirements.

Each module has its own area on the OLE where you will find all the information about the module and the resources. Some of this information will be dedicated to the module, other elements may be shared across different modules and some may be external assets that can help with your further study. There may be links to videos, online journals and ebooks, and you should take advantage of these to enhance your development and take it beyond the studio experience. Tutors may highlight some of these during their sessions, so make sure you listen out and follow up on their advice!

You will also have an access to a variety of materials to aid you in your learning. Our OLE platform offers an online module focused on improving your study and research skills and academic writing. Finally, the online library also offers an extensive range of literature on both study skills and academic writing.

For further details, go to our Learning Resources page. Students with additional needs or disabilities are supported by the Student Services team.


Overall Workload

This programme has flexible start dates which may vary from year to year. It is divided into two stages: stage 1 comprises the first four modules (a total of 120 credits) and Stage 2, comprises a 60 credit Animation Production Project module. The first three modules are taught in intensive blocks of 6 weeks’ each, giving a total of 18 weeks. During each of these modules you will spend around 30 hours per week studying in tutor-led sessions or practice supported by studio assistants. The final two modules are more self-directed. The Studio Project will take around 12 weeks, during which you will have around 15 hours of feedback sessions with your tutor. Finally, you will spend around 18 weeks on the Production Project, including around 30 hours of feedback sessions with your tutor.

One credit corresponds to approximately ten hours of 'learning time' (including all classes and all private study and research). Thus obtaining 180 credits in a year requires 1,800 hours of overall learning time.

See term dates.
 

• Maya

On completion of the course you will graduate with a postgraduate qualification and the technical skills required by the industry, helping you break into the animation world and make an impact.

Animation artists often start out in junior roles, but can rise to become mid-level and senior role such as Lead Animators and Technical Directors. From here the path is open to becoming an Animation Supervisor.

Our alumni, dubbed ‘Escapees’ go on to work in many areas of the industry including 3D animation for films, TV, games, and visual effects. Escapees from our Animation courses are now working at companies including: Pixar, BlueZoo and Framestore. Read more about our successful alumni.