2D Animation and Stop Motion MA

Program Overview

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2D Animation and Stop Motion MA

Overview

The MA 2D Animation and Stop Motion course at Teesside University allows students to prepare, write, and make their own short animation ready for festival release. Students learn how to write and pitch their film script to industry professionals and funding bodies, and spend time learning how to deconstruct animation against several theoretical and critical frameworks. The course also covers animation techniques and principles of animation and performance, suitable for those looking to enter the field of animation practice or develop and improve their existing animation skills.

Course Structure

Core Modules

• Anatomy of a Film: Students deconstruct and analyze all aspects of films and animations that make up the visual language used to influence the audience's understanding. They analyze and critically discuss many genres and formats, including short film, feature film, and both live-action and animation.
• Creative Animation: Working as a group, students explore and produce a short animation sequence or set of sequences, either using 2D, stop-motion, or an appropriate animation technique (or combination). They are introduced to the principles of performance for animation, using dialogue, sound creation, and synchronization techniques.
• Final Film: Using the pre-production materials already produced throughout the course, students create their final short film animation or TV pilot.
• Industry Practice: Students develop and demonstrate an understanding of the core broadcast skills, media workflows, studio etiquette, technologies, and production methods as used by a contemporary 2D and/or stop-motion animation studio. They also demonstrate an understanding of intellectual property rights and contracts appropriate to enable career progression.
• Production Design: Students study and develop an original visual style for their animation. They look at case studies of contemporary directors and gain an understanding of the art department's role within the production process.
• Script and Pitch: Students write and develop a screenplay for a film/animation or TV series pilot. They learn how to write and present a script idea in a competitive environment.

Advanced Practice (2-year full-time MA only)

• Internship: The internship options are:
  • Vocational: Spend one semester working full-time in industry or on placement in the University.
  • Research: Develop research and academic skills by undertaking a research internship within the University.

How You Learn

Animation is an intensive discipline, and students are focused on creating an animated short from the beginning. They are supported by a teaching team with backgrounds in 2D and stop-motion animation as well as fine art installation. The course is also supported by dedicated stop-motion and 2D animation spaces as well as well-equipped workshops with specialist technician support to help students in their model, puppet, and set making.

How You Are Assessed

Students are assessed on their subject-specific knowledge, cognitive and intellectual skills, and transferable skills applicable to the workplace. They are given formative assessment throughout the program, typically given during lectures and tutorials.

Entry Requirements

• At least a UK 2.2 honors degree in animation or equivalent.
• Other first-degree subjects may be accepted when combined with a portfolio of creative work at an acceptable standard.
• Students with a degree awarded outside the UK must also meet the University's minimum English language requirements.

Employability

• Career Opportunities: Students have access to the School Students Future program to develop their graduate employability skills. This involves a series of activities delivered to all students, year groups, subject cohorts, or subject groups, and includes industry speaker talks, extra-curricular industry challenges, and company visits.
• Earnings: The median salary for working-age postgraduates (£45,000) was £6,500 more than for working-age (those aged 16 to 64) graduates (£38,500) in 2022.

Information for International Applicants

• Qualifications: International applicants can find out what qualifications they need by selecting their country.
• Useful Information: Visit the international pages for useful information for non-UK students and applicants.

Fees

• Full-time:
  • UK Applicants: £8,365 a year, £5,417.50 a year with advanced practice.
  • International Applicants: £17,000 a year, £10,000 a year with advanced practice.
• Part-time:
  • UK Applicants: £930 for each 20 credits.

Length and Start Date

• Full-time: Within 1 year (September start), 16 months (January start), or 2 years with advanced practice (September or January start).
• Part-time: 2 years (September start) or 3 years (January start).

Apply Now

• Full-time: Apply online for UK applicants or international applicants.
• Part-time: Apply online.

Program Outline

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Degree Overview

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MA 2D Animation and Stop Motion

This program is designed to give students the skills and knowledge they need to become successful animators or continue their studies in animation research. Students will learn all aspects of creating an animated film, from scripting and storyboarding to animation and editing.

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Objectives:

• Equip students with the technical skills required to produce 2D animation and stop-motion films.
• Develop students' ability to write and create compelling stories for animation.
• Provide students with a critical understanding of the history and theory of animation.
• Prepare students for careers in various sectors of the animation industry.

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Content:

• Core modules focusing on anatomy of film, creative animation production, and final animation film.
• Advanced practice (optional) with internships.
• Electives in specific aspects of animation like scriptwriting, production design etc.

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Modules:

• Anatomy of the Film
• Creative Animation: Performance, Dialogue, & Sound
• Script & Pitch for Films/Animation
• Production Design
• Final Film Production

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Additional notes:

• Ranked 18th in the world in the Animation Career Review International Animation School Rankings 2023.
• 3 routes for completion - full-time, part-time, accelerated.
• 2 Years full-time with advanced practice, 1 or 2 years full-time, 4 years part-time.

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Outline

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Core Modules:

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Anatomy of the Film:

Students will deconstruct film and animation elements to understand the visual language. They will study and analyze genres across formats and apply critical discussion to their work.

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Creative Animation:

Working in groups, students will create a short animation utilizing a 2D, stop-motion, or hybrid approach. The focus is on animation principles, performance with dialogue, sound creation, and synchronization. Experimentation with technical and design aspects of their final project is encouraged.

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Final Film

Students will use pre-developed materials from prior coursework to create the final animation short film or TV show pilot. used by professional studios and gain insight into intellectual property, contracts, and career development.

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Script & Pitch:

Students will write and refine a screenplay for film, animation, or tv series pilot and learn how to pitch the work in a professional setting.

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Advanced Practice Options:

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Internship:

Options include professional internship for one semester with external companies or research-based internship within the University, both designed for skill development and career exploration.

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Assessment

Assessment methods include both formative assessments throughout the semester and summative final assessment in each module. This allows continuous feedback and improvement, while also evaluating final subject knowledge, cognitive skills, and transferable ability.

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Teaching

This program offers a highly intensive approach centered around creating an animated short film from concept to completion. It is delivered by a diverse team of teaching experts with experience in 2D, stop-motion animation, and fine art installation. Dedicated studios for stop-motion and 2D animation are available with exceptional technical support for model-making, puppets, set construction, etc.

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Careers

Upon completion, graduates of MA 2D Animation and Stop Motion have pursued diverse career avenues:

• Directors
• Lead animator
• Animator
• Production Designers
• Compositors
• Visual development artist Storyboard artist

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Other

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Fees:

• Full-time: £7,365 annually, £4,770 for advanced track
• Part-time: Per-module, £820 for each 20 credits
• International fees, please refer to official university website

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Tuition Fees and Payment Information:

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Full-time

2024/25 entry Fee for UK applicants £7,365 a year £4,770 a year with advanced practice Fee for international applicants £17,000 a year £10,000 a year with advanced practice

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Part-time

2024/25 entry Fee for UK applicants £820 for each 20 credits