MA Storyboarding and Previsualisation | Postgraduate | Pearson College London

Online courses

Please note that our courses will be starting in September regardless of the COVID situation- whilst conforming to government guidelines. We will be delivering our courses online and we intend to resume face-to-face teaching as soon as we are able to do so without the need for social distancing measures, and in line with government guidance. For more information, please visit our online courses page or contact our Admissions team.

MA Storyboarding and Previsualisation

Reveal your inner visual organiser

The past decade has seen a rapid expansion in the creation of film, television, interactive entertainment and computer games. Hardly any piece of digital media is produced today that has not at some time been visualised by a Storyboard Artist or Previs Artist using a combination of traditional tools, such as storyboards, and modern digital tools, such as previsualisation software.

The need for well-qualified professionals to take a lead in developing and exploiting traditional skills such as drawing, and combining these with new computer graphics technologies, will continue to grow. That’s where our new MA comes in, by giving you the skills and knowledge to take a leading role in this in-demand field.

You’ll study the ins and outs of traditional and modern storyboarding and previsualisation techniques, from character design and performance to editing techniques, to cinematography and sound design.

The course has been developed with industry professionals and is taught by industry-experienced tutors. Plus, we work with industry professionals on all of our daytime courses so you'll hear directly from someone who's working in the industry and get feedback on your work from a pro.

Location: London Campus or Online
Start date: 25 September 2020
Tuition fees:
London Campus: £17,995
Online: £13,210
Mode of study: Daytime (full-time)
Programme duration: 1 year
Entry requirements: An undergraduate honours degree in the field of animation or related discipline, with a background in Art or Computer Graphics

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Online course requirements

Internet access
Toon Boom Storyboard Pro (student licence provided)
Panel Forge (student licence provided)
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)
Drawing Screen or Wacom graphics tablet
3-button mouse (or optionally a Wacom tablet or similar)
Working computer microphone (and optionally a webcam)
Note-taking materials
Paper and pencils

Why choose this course

Hands-on tuition. For the first 18 weeks of the course you’ll be working on high-spec hardware to master the skills and software needed to start your own project. 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.
Studio project. You’ll then apply these skills to a group project - working like a studio to create incredible assets that can be used as part of your showreel.
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 and studio access for 12 months.
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.

Industry feedback

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.
Industry feedback sessions are a great opportunity for our students to receive industry standard critique form an expert in their field, this personalised feedback allows students to improve their work to guarantee it is studio ready.

Module information

Module 1 (unit 1-7) - Introduction to Storyboarding

The foundations and theories of writing, creativity and storyboarding
Different storyboarding techniques and their application
Cinematography, 3D layout and the use of cameras
Design and character in storyboarding
The video production pipeline from concept to script to final output

Module 2 (unit 8-12) - Advanced Storyboarding

Mime and pantomime
Storyboards, storytelling
Editing techniques
Camera, continuity and cutting

Module 3 (unit 13-18) - Previsualisation

Creating and animating basic 3D assets
3D cinematography
Character and creature performance
Previsualisation editing techniques
Sound design

Module 4 - Studio Project

For this module you will be required to work in a small team working on an industry brief or creating your own brief. This project will allow you to use the tools and techniques you’ve learnt but it will also prepare you for the real-world by working in teams.

Module 5 - Production Project

This is the major project where you will work independently and develop your own brief. You will refine and produce a substantial storyboard/previsualisation project that will showcase your in-depth critical awareness of the area and the highly developed practical skills to deliver a complex project on time.

Assessment information

Formative assessment

The majority of modules contain at least one piece of practice or ‘formative’ assessment for which you receive feedback. Formative assessments are developmental and any feedback you receive for them do not count towards your overall module mark

Summative assessment breakdown:
60% - Practical project
40% - Production logbook
10% - Individual presentation

Teaching and learning

Your overall workload will be divided between teaching sessions and independent learning.

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 up to 12.

For many of your projects, you’ll be working in smaller teams, collaborating to meet a shared brief. This should give you ample opportunity to get the support and assistance that you need. The craft modules will usually have a higher contact time, 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 in the studio with your tutor and studio assistant, following demonstrations and working on set exercises to help you develop your craft.

The project modules will have a lower contact time, with your tutors taking on the roles of supervisors or studio leads. You’ll still meet with them regularly (usually every working day) 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. The majority of the projects will be team-based, and you’ll have the opportunity to take on different roles in a number of teams during your studies. Again, you’ll be expected to attend the course for a significant part of each day, and attendance will be recorded, but outside those times you’ll be free to organise your work as a team 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 that are provided to support your learning. 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 e-books, 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!

Software

Entry requirements

An undergraduate honours degree with a significant component in the field of animation or related discipline, or with a background in art or computer graphics.
We're also happy to consider applicants without a degree if you have significant industry experience in the field of animation, illustration, fine art or a related area.
We'll ask suitable applicants to submit a creative portfolio and attend an interview.

English Language requirements

If your first language is not English you may need to complete an English language test, such as a Pearson English language test (PTE Academic) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test, to demonstrate you have the language skills needed to complete your degree. All our courses are taught in English.

Qualification	Score required
IELTS	6.5 IELTS (with a minimum of 6.0 in Reading and Writing and 5.5 in Speaking and Listening)
PTE	62 including 60 in each subtest
Cambridge English: Advanced & Proficiency	176 (with a minimum of 169 in Reading and Writing and 162 in Speaking and Listening)
Internet-based TOEFL	90 Overall including at least 22 in Reading, 21 in Writing, 21 in Listening and 23 in Speaking

How to apply

To apply, please complete the online application form

MA Storyboarding and Previsualisation | Postgraduate | Pearson College London

To study an Escape Studios postgraduate degree course you must be:

Over 18
Have a good understanding of written and spoken english

If you meet the above entry requirements you can

Complete the Postgraduate Application Form below: One of our admissions team will get in touch to arrange an interview (skype or face-to-face).
Contact us: Alternatively you can call our admissions team on 020 7348 1920 or email admissions@escapestudios.com
Visit us: If you’d prefer to speak to someone face-to-face, you can book a 1-2-1 or attend an Open Evening

If we make you an offer for a place on the programme, it will be subject to our Terms and Conditions.

Where will this get me?

On completion of the course, you will graduate with a postgraduate qualification subject to validation by the University of Kent, the technical skills required by the industry and a portfolio full of your best work, meaning you’re ready to aim for a number of career opportunities.
Storyboard Artist or Previs Artist often start on junior roles but can rise to become mid-level and senior roles or can even go on to work as Animators and switch between the roles and some may even find themselves following the footsteps of their fellow Producers and Directors, further on down the line.

Fees and funding

Are you an EU student, looking to study in the UK? Take a look at our information for EU students

Fees

London Campus: £17,995

Online: £13,210

Includes:

Free online primer course before you start studying - so your foundation skills are up to speed.
Access to Escape's VLE system where you will be able to access additional resources to supplement your training throughout the duration of the course and 12 months of free access after completing the course.
Escapee AfterCare and career support
Help and advice on your CV, showreel and job applications
Free Autodesk Software upon registration to the Autodesk Education Community - full details included with course welcome information.
18 weeks of classroom study followed by 12 weeks of remotely directed learning and a 15 week remotely directed final project

Our postgraduate fees are payable at the beginning of each academic year, or at each stage of your programme.

Please note, we review our fees every year.

Funding for UK students

For the latest information and advice on student funding please contact our Admissions Team on admissions@escapestudios.com or call +44 (0) 207 348 1920.

For postgraduate entry in 2019; for students to be eligible for SLC funding, they must be studying a designated course. Courses at alternative providers, including Pearson College London (Escape Studios), are designated each year by the Department for Education.

We have designation for our validated postgraduate courses for the 2018-19 academic year and have applied for designation for the 2019-20 academic year, from the Department for Education and are waiting for a decision. Until the decision is received we are unable to confirm the availability of student support.

For students to be eligible for funding from Student Finance England, they must be studying on an eligible course at a provider registered with the Office for Students (OfS).The OfS is the new independent regulator for higher education in England and all higher education providers need to register with the OfS for their students to be eligible for student support in the 2019-20 academic year. We have made an application to register and expect a decision by the end of October 2018. No provider will be able to confirm whether student support is available until it has a decision from the OfS. Visit www.officeforstudents.org.uk for more information.

Future Finance Student Loans

Future Finance is a private lender which offers student loans of between £2,000 - £40,000 to cover tuition fees and living costs, subject to credit checks and approval.

About Future Finance loans

Loans are offered to UK, EU and international students with a UK domiciled address
Loans are available to students studying our Escape postgraduate degrees
Repayment of the loan begins during the course but the rate will be reduced during term time and for up to 3 months after graduation.
Interest rates will be determined on an applicant by applicant basis

How to apply

Students can submit an application online up to six months prior to course start. You can get started by submitting an application via the Future Finance website to see if you're eligible.

Escape Studios will be required to verify your attendance on the course before any funding is released; this will be completed after you have attended registration at Escape Studios.

Any loan funds requested for tuition will be released directly to Escape Studios and will be applied towards your tuition and loans for living costs will be paid directly to you.

Further details of eligibility requirements, interest rates and other key terms of the loan are available by visiting the Future Finance website www.futurefinance.com.

Scholarships

At Escape Studios we want to make sure that talented students with creative potential can succeed on our degrees, that's why we offer a range of scholarships. We are offering an £8,000 scholarship to one applicant per discipline for each of the 2020 cohorts of our postgraduate courses, which will significantly reduce your tuition fee. Find more information about the scholarship and how to apply here.

Our MA Game Art course is now also eligible for a BAFTA UK Scholarship Programme. Find out more here.

Payment Plans

We also offer simple, affordable payment plans to help you spread the cost of your tuition fees. To find out more please get in touch with our Admissions Team.

Get in Touch

We can help with any problems or questions you have with course fees and funding. Speak to one of our Applicant Advisors via phone or email today! Call us on +44 (0) 207 348 1920 or email admissions@escapestudios.com.

MA Storyboarding and Previsualisation | Postgraduate | Pearson College London

Next steps

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Try before you buy and get a hands-on feel for what it's like to study with us.

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Our campus

Study in our state-of-the-art studios and get a taste of what it's like to work in industry.

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Meet our tutors

Iliana is our Storyboarding and Previsualisation tutor and also the Art Director at Mediaframe Ltd. With over 30 years in the animation industry, she has worked on various TV shows including “Hungarian Folk Tales”(1992-1996), “Carland Cross” (1996), and some feature film projects including “A Monkey’s Tale” (1999) and “The Princess and the Pea” (2002).

Iliana has a BA in Animation from Krastyo Sarafov National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts and an MPhil in Arts and Media from University for the Creative Arts.

MA Storyboarding and Previsualisation | Postgraduate | Pearson College London

Industry partners

Industry partners and advisors influence everything we do, from the curriculum we teach and how it's delivered to our webinars and special events.

We work alongside an impressive list of VFX, Games and Animation studios including Framestore, Blue Zoo, MPC, Jellyfish Pictures, Creative Assembly and many more across all our courses at Escape Studios.

With exclusive professional feedback, intensive software training and much more, our industry-led courses give you up-to-the-minute, inspirational knowledge and experience, tailored to the work you’re passionate about. Our Escape Studios Alumni (Escapees) can be found in many of the studios including Pixar, MPC, Industrial Light & Magic, DNEG, Rockstar Games and Electric Theatre Collective.

Find out more about our industry partners

Why Escape Studios?

Our tutors have worked in the industry and have been hand-picked from successful studios; they teach real-world tips and tricks learnt from on-the-job experience
You'll work in an industry-style studio from day one, so you'll get a taste of what it's like to work in industry
Our industry partners include Framestore, The Mill, MPC, DNEG, Cinesite, Electric Theatre Collective and Jellyfish Pictures (to name just a few!)
Our industry partners help to design, develop and deliver our courses and they influence everything we do, so you'll benefit from up-to-the-minute knowledge and experience
You'll study at the heart of London's creative scene, so our state of the art facilities are the perfect place to kick-start your career