SKILLS BOOTCAMP IN 3D CHARACTER ANIMATION

Are you ready to embark on a creative journey into the world of 3D Character Animation?

NextGen is proud to introduce a transformative free 10-week Skills Bootcamp for the West England Combined Authority region, delivered in partnership with A Productions!

Our Skills Bootcamp focuses on 3D Character animation, where learners will develop a deep understanding of technical and artistic principles, and the skills animators need for high quality 3D character animation.

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PROGRAMME

Industry-backed & expert-guided

This Skills Bootcamp isn't just about learning technical skills; it's about diving into the world of 3D Character Animation with industry support. It has been created in partnership with renowned local studio A-Productions, to bring you industry-approved content and your learning experience will be enriched by dedicated tutors and animation professionals.

What You'll Learn

Our curriculum equips aspiring animators with enhanced 3D character animation skills. Over ten weeks, you will explore the 12 principles of animation, character design, rigging, facial animation, body mechanics, and advanced character interactions. Each week includes hands-on assignments and projects to apply their knowledge effectively. Scroll down or click here for the full week-by-week schedule.

Participants will master essential techniques and create portfolio pieces that showcase their animation skills. By the end of the Skills Bootcamp, learners will be proficient in 3D character animation, ready to excel in the animation industry.

Is this for you?

This opportunity is designed for individuals aged 19+ who already have intermediate 3D character animation skills and who want to enter the animation industry. Eligible participants will already live in the West England Combined Authority region, or have serious intent to live and work here.

Previous experience using Blender or Maya to create 3D character animation will be an advantage, but if you have transferrable skills and experience using another programme then you're still encouraged to apply.

This Skills Bootcamp is a perfect fit for recent animation graduates and those with self-taught skills who are ready to take their passion to the professional level. Read more about eligibility and the West England Combined Authority region here.

Read on for more information, or if you're ready to take the next step you can Apply here! (Applications close on Sunday 15th September 2024).

What are Skills Bootcamps?

Skills Bootcamps are free, flexible courses of up to 16 weeks, giving people the opportunity to build up sector-specific skills and an offer of an interview with an employer upon completion.

This Skills Bootcamp in 3D Character Animation is part of the Skills Bootcamps Programme funded and managed by the West of England Combined Authority, led by Metro Mayor Dan Norris, and delivered by NextGen Skills Academy.

Skills Bootcamp Schedule

Week 1

Introduction to 3D Animation

Overview of 3D animation including the 12 Principles of Animation
How to apply these principles to 3D animation
Introduction to the 3D animation pipeline and industry standards

Overview of 3D animation including the 12 Principles of Animation
How to apply these principles to 3D animation
Introduction to the 3D animation pipeline and industry standards

Week 3

Basics of Character Design

Fundamentals of character design and anatomy
Creating character concept art and turnarounds
Modelling characters from concept art

Overview of 3D animation including the 12 Principles of Animation
How to apply these principles to 3D animation
Introduction to the 3D animation pipeline and industry standards

Week 5

Pose-to-Pose Animation

Creating key poses and breakdowns
Understanding and using in-betweens

Overview of 3D animation including the 12 Principles of Animation
How to apply these principles to 3D animation
Introduction to the 3D animation pipeline and industry standards

Week 7

Advanced Character Animation

Complex animations involving interactions between characters
Subtle movements and acting for storytelling

Overview of 3D animation including the 12 Principles of Animation
How to apply these principles to 3D animation
Introduction to the 3D animation pipeline and industry standards

Week 9

Sound, Music, Rendering and Lighting

Basics of lighting and rendering
Setting up scenes for final output
Importance of sound design and music in animation

Week 2

Introduction to employer set brief

Creative overview of the employer set brief
Introduction to priority skills and job roles associated with the employer set brief

Week 4

Character Rigging and Skinning

Working with a supplied character rig
Introduction to the basics of rigging a character skeleton
Skinning techniques

Week 6

Body Mechanics

Animating realistic movements and body mechanics
Overview of Bipeds, Quadrupeds, fish, snakes, birds
Walking, running, jumping, and other basic actions

Week 8

Facial Animation and Lip Sync

Techniques for facial rigging and animation
Synchronizing mouth movements with dialogue

Week 10

Final Review

Final feedback from the employer
Group and individual reflection

Skills Bootcamp Delivery

Your learning experience

The Skills Bootcamp spans ten weeks, with three hours of guided learning each week. Additionally, participants are expected to dedicate three hours to independent work.

There will also be some in-person working days and events (dates TBC), ensuring that you get to connect with fellow participants.

Your guides

Dedicated animation tutor: Under the guidance of our experienced tutor, you'll master the art of 3D character animation and bring your visions to life.

Career Coach: You’ll join a leading coach for essential employability lessons and one-to-one support. Helping you develop the skills to kickstart your career in the animation industry.

The Platform: NextGen RISE

You'll learn on the NextGen RISE platform. Created by Tom Box, Co-Founder of Blue Zoo Animation Studio, RISE simulates the animation studio pipeline, all within one platform.

Effective team communication will be facilitated through dedicated Discord servers.

Masterclasses and studio insights!

Get a behind-the-scenes look into the industry with studio insights and masterclasses hosted by experienced animators.

Professionals from A-Productions will provide invaluable feedback on your work, helping you grow as an animator.

ELIGIBILITY

You must be 19 years or older
You must have existing skills in 3D Character Animation (you will be required to evidence these as part of the application process)
You need to live in, or intend to work in, the West of England Combined Authority area, which includes Bath and North East Somerset, North Somerset, Bristol, and South Gloucestershire. Scroll down for a map of the West England Combined Authority region, you can also find your local authority by entering your postcode here.

Inclusivity

We're committed to inclusivity. Our goal is to provide training opportunities for everyone, making our industries more representative of our society. We encourage applications from those underrepresented in the creative industries.

Right to Work

To join any NextGen Futures Skills Bootcamp, you must have the right to work and stay in the UK at the time of application.

Time Commitment

You should be able to dedicate 6 hours a week for the 10-week Skills Bootcamp. This includes 3 hours of remote tutor-led lessons and 3 hours of self-study. Group tutor sessions will take place in the evenings to help you fit learning around other commitments.

There will also be some in-person events that will take place over the duration of the Skills Bootcamp. Exact dates will be confirmed after the course starts - these will be informed by participants as we want as many people as possible to attend.

The Skills Bootcamp in 3D Character Animation runs from the week commencing Monday 14th October 2024 for 10 weeks (exact lesson dates to be confirmed).

ELIGIBILITY