Reliable Digital Animation Program Offers Sought-after Skills

There is nothing more powerful than a testimonial from someone who has attended a post-secondary program. Consider then that Bruno Amezcua trained in one of Canada’s digital animation programs at Centennial Colleges and had this to say: "When I decided to come to Centennial, I brought with me the highest expectations. Each and every expectation was exceeded. At Centennial College’s Digital Animation program, I found an amazing top-level educational and training program. My instructors are state-of-the-art professionals working and creating the coolest CG, animated series and video games in Canada. They taught what I'd need to know as a working professional in the industry, and today I'm already part of a great and successful team of digital media producers."

To expand on Bruno's glowing review, Centennial College’s Digital Animation program was established in 1966 and although it has evolved with the time, it focuses on preparing students for work in animating and creating visual effects for feature films, television shows and interactive games. A unique project-based learning experience that is well recognized within the animation and visual effects industry is executed in this offering with students obtaining life drawing, acting for animation and storyboard training. As such, classes do not exceed 15 people and students have ample opportunity to speak with instructors as they work on their projects. Additionally, students in the program have the option of practicing outside of class time thanks to access to a lab that is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Meanwhile, specific courses within the Digital Animation program include: Short Film Concept Development, Rendering and Lighting, Tracking and Roto, 3D Character Animation, Sculpting and Acting for Animation, Modeling and Rigging and many others.

This is all great practice for a Final Project Studio course that sums up everything students have learned in the previous semesters. This is the final step before students head out on their Digital Animation field placement. During the eight-week experience, students apply their knowledge and skills in a professional setting. Students must pass all courses (minimum mark of 60 per cent in each course), before they can qualify for the field placement. As a result of their time in the digital animation program and field placement, students produce a demo reel to showcase their abilities.

Those interested in applying for the Digital Animation program, are required to have finished at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older. They are also required to possess compulsory English 12C or U credit or skills assessment, or equivalent. Lastly, English proficiency, a program admission session and a portfolio review are required. These portfolios may include 10 to 15 pieces such as illustration, photography, video animation, computer generated artwork, music, performance art or publishing.