Animation Cinema

The animation department of GOBELINS, lcole de limage, a school of applied arts, print and digital media affiliated to the Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry, was founded over thirty-five years ago to prepare artists for the growing needs of the French animation film industry in the 1970s. Today GOBELINS graduates from the animation course are present in French studios throughout the country such as Mac Guff and Neomis in Paris, but also in major studios around the world, including DreamWorks, Sony, Disney, Pixar, Framestore, Electronic Arts and many more. Indeed, they are prized for their creative and technical excellence as well as their professional level. That is because the course straddles the spheres of fine drawing and that of professional needs for skilled artists well practiced in the production chain of animation films and series. We are able to do so as nearly 90% of the teaching is done by working professionals taking time out from their busy schedules in the studios and production companies. We also take advantage of visiting animation artists, directors and producers from around the world who are happy to share their experiences and skills in a school that is world renowned. The three year program builds on the traditional curriculum, providing the students the opportunity to work with both traditional (hand-drawn) and digital techniques for animation, while at the same time nurturing their creative edge. We seek to train young artists who will help shape the future of animation in France and around the world. As such, the program takes into account a rapidly evolving industry. It is designed to enable students to work with new methods and technologies while still enhancing their classical animation skills, including those valuable skills for all animators : quality of movement, acting, timing and observation. GOBELINS believes in the importance of world-wide networks and currently has exchange programs with the California Institute of the Arts in the USA, the Filmakademie of Baden-Wrttemberg, Institute for Animation in Germany, and The Communication University of China in Beijing. However, it should be noted that GOBELINS is not a university, and the three year animation program is not a university diploma course, although the French authorities recognize it as having an academic level of a masters degree. Every year, the GOBELINS animation students produce the short films that serve as the openers or curtain-raisers at all the official screenings of the International Animated Film Festival that takes place in Annecy, France. After the festival each year, the general public can view these films on the schools website : www.gobelins.fr. During the three year program, the students produce a wide range of work that remains influenced by a strong tradition of drawing while incorporating the latest digital tools, including 3D software. This three year animation artist program is open to young adults between 18 and 26 years of age who wish to acquire the multiple skills needed in making animation films. Throughout the three year program, the students do internships during the holiday periods in animation studios and production companies. It should be noted that the third year program is composed of classes and exercises devoted entirely to 3D character animation skills (September through November) followed by the making of a short film in teams (December

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GOBELINS, lcole de limage / Animation Cinema

through June) using whatever methods or techniques the project requires (2D, digital, 3D). Each team chooses its production pipeline and techniques among those available at GOBELINS. The department also proposes in partnership with a French university a degree program of a specialised professional training course in animation and film production management. The department also proposes a special one year course given in Annecy, France 3D Animator entirely devoted to acquiring or perfecting 3D character animation skills to be demonstrated on a final showreel. There is no film production during this programme. The GOBELINS adult continuing education department offers short professional training classes (from 3 to 30 days) in 3D software (Maya and 3DS Max) but also specially tailored programmes for in-house training in companies.

Please note that all classes at GOBELINS are taught in French, except in the case of visiting Englishspeaking teachers or lecturers. In order to benefit from the classes, students and trainees must have an adequate knowledge of the French language. For the three year animation programme, it is therefore required that non-native French speakers achieve a level of French equivalent to level 3 of the TEF (Test dEvaluation du Franais www.fda.ccip.fr ) or an equivalent test. The admissions jury might also request optional exams or verifications following the oral exams. However, subjects and exam instructions will be offered in an English version during the written exams.

For direct entry to the third year and for the 3D Animator programme in Annecy, the TEF is not compulsory. However, the candidates level of French will be evaluated during the interview to verify that he or she has a sufficient level of French to understand and communicate with the teachers. Reminder : courses are in French, except for an occasional English-speaking visiting lecturer.

Applicants must have at least a French baccalaurat diploma or its officially recognized equivalent ( for example high school diploma in USA, GCSE/A levels in UK, etc). It is the candidate who must provide official proof of equivalency. If the mandatory diploma for this programme is in the process of being obtained during the GOBELINS selection period, it will be required by September for final admission. For the three year animation course, applications must be submitted by March 12, 2011 before the written st exam scheduled for March 31 2011 (check dates for following years). Incomplete dossiers will not be accepted. Formal notification and information to attend the written exams will only be sent out eight days st before the date. If a foreign applicant has submitted a complete dossier by the deadline of March 31 , it is advisory not to wait until formal notification before purchasing a travel ticket in order to benefit from the lowest prices. If in doubt about the status of your dossier, it is best to request confirmation by email while specifying the wish to organize your trip to Paris without waiting for formal notification. The selection process lasts two months, ending with oral exams for shortlisted admissible applicants in 2011 th from May 16 to May 20th with notification of final results on May 26. The one day written exam consists of several exercises : 1. 2. 3. 4. A drawing study based on two animation characters to be redrawn in various poses and settings. The elaboration of a short storyboard based on a synopsis. An exercise concerning perspective, spatial dimensions, lighting and motion. A written narrative exercise to evaluate storytelling and writing skills.

There is also an evaluation of the art portfolio followed by the oral exams in French for shortlisted applicants th th held in Paris (in 2011 the week of May 16 to May 20 ).

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GOBELINS, lcole de limage / Animation Cinema

For applicants residing in foreign countries other than France, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Holland and the U.K. : although it is in the applicants best interest to take the oral exams in Paris in physical presence of the jury, GOBELINS proposes to organize a special session the same week for oral exams by video conference (using Skype or similar technology ; please consult GOBELINS). It is possible for experienced animators (animation school graduates or professionals) to apply for direct entrance to the third year program (in 2011 applications until March 2nd) if they pass the special entrance exam organised in April. This special entrance exam for direct admission to the third year program consists of an initial evaluation of the applicants dossier including art portfolio and animation work (walk cycles, etc. or films), followed by two days of technical tests (one day for a hand-drawn animation exercise, and the second for software tests: After Effects, Photoshop and Maya). For the school year 2011/2012, tuition fees will be 5 700 for the first year, 5 800 for the second year, and 5 900 for the third year. Foreign students pay the same fees as French students, and can qualify for the same financial assistance, although it should be noted that GOBELINS does not offer formal scholarships. GOBELINS does not provide lodgings for its students nor does it have a housing service for students (the exception is for the two week summer school programme). Please note that GOBELINS organises each year an Open House event in the early spring :11, 12 March in 2011. For more information : info-concours@gobelins.fr. See our web site www.gobelins.fr. Please note that GOBELINS also organises an international summer school in English for character animation. See our special website www.gobelins-projets.fr/summerschool for more information.

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