Writing for Animation
The Writing for Animation course will provide practical instruction in the entire writing process unique to the animation industry.
Accredited. Trusted. Respected.
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Quick facts
| Online Certificate |
| 12 weeks |
| Portfolio not required |
Student profile
Online Certificate Program Description
Writing for Animation
Step-by-step, students will learn to create premises, outlines, and final scripts for animation in proper format; as well as prepare to develop and present original properties of their own.
Included will be critical study of writing in the best shorts, features and TV episodes.
Who Should
Attend this program
Beginners, aspiring storytellers, people that like to create digital entertainment. Must enjoy using computer writing software.
Artists that are intrigued of the behind the scenes screenwriting work done in the Animation, Visual Effects and Video Games industries.
Our
Target Student
Beginners, aspiring screenwriters who are deeply passionate about telling stories and entertaining audiences. Artists who recognize and understand their strengths of what they can be best at, and can build a rewarding career.
Not Our
Target Student
Artists looking for general education, undecided or unknowledgeable about career paths.
We recommend taking our other short introductory courses to find and recognize their strengths.
Program Outline
Writing for Animation
Animation
Scriptwriting
Week 1:
Introduction of instructor and students; review of syllabus. Brief review of animation genres, past and present. Assignment: premises for TV animation script.
Week 2:
Review of standard writing formats for outlines and scripts. Discussion of children’s TV series. Assignment: proceed to script outline.
Week 3:
Reading and analysis of instructor's own scripts. Discussion of action/superhero genre and prime time TV series. Assignment: proceed to script.
Week 4:
Discussion of current animation features. Review and summary of the course. Assignment: revise script.
Duration: 1 month - Assignment Workload: 15-20 hours
Animation
Pitch Bibles
Week 1:
Review of syllabus. Explanation of the development process: pitch, backstory, characters, settings, story premises. Assignment: create original TV series proposal.
Week 2:
Review of various formats for TV bibles. Discussion of instructors' own work in development. Discussion of characters and backstory. Assignment: proceed to characters and back-story for bible.
Week 3:
Analysis of the current market for animated TV series. Discussion of settings and story premises. Assignment: proceed to settings and story premises for bible.
Week 4:
Discussion of feature film development. Reading and analysis of instructor's own feature proposal. Assignment: complete bible.
Duration: 1 month - Assignment Workload: 15-20 hours
Animation
Pilot Development
Week 1:
Review of syllabus. Discussion of animation genres, past and present. Select premise from bible for pilot script. Assignment: write outline for pilot script.
Week 2:
Discussion of instructors' own work writing pilots. Assignment: begin writing pilot script.
Week 3:
Discussion of representation: agents, lawyers, managers. Assignment: complete pilot script.
Week 4:
Discussion of career planning. Assignment: revise pilot script.
Duration: 1 month - Assignment Workload: 15-20 hours
Students must obtain a minimum grade of a B- to successfully pass.
Course codes: WFA-100, WFA-200, WFA-300
Vancouver Animation School reserves the right to review and change without notice the curriculum design to meet the industry requirements.
100% Online
Live Classes
- Small class sizes
- 1 live session per week, one hour per session
Assignments
Workload
- Weekly assignments comprised by milestones and deadlines
- Online activities
- Assignments workload 20 - 25 hours per week
Times
Schedules
- Schedules are assembled by time zone
- Applicants will provide 3 time preferences in the application form.
- We do our best to match those preferences between students and teachers.
Bonus Live
Mentorship Classes
Every week, students have access to additional live classes of their preference.
Software Requirements
Students are responsible for supplying their own Computer Software.
Academic discounts are available to our students.
Word Processing Software
Free for VANAS Students
Celtx Software
Free for VANAS Students
System Requirements
Students are responsible for supplying their own Computer Hardware.
Windows System
Processor: 3 GHZ or higher
8 GB RAM (12 GB recommended)
Firefox or Chrome internet browsers
Flash Player
Apple Mac OSX
Processor: Core Duo / Intel
8 GB RAM (12 GB recommended)
Firefox or Chrome internet browsers
Flash Player
Internet
Broadband, High Speed connection
10 Mbps Download (Recommended)
1 Mbps Upload (Recommended)
Webcam & Headset
These are essential tools for Online Programs
Recommended Books
Animation Writing and Development: from Script Development to Pitch” by Jean Ann Wright
Canadian Designation
An official transcript is the VANAS' certified statement of your academic record. The official paper transcript is printed on security sensitive paper and contains the Institution seal and signature of the Institution Registrar.
The Education Quality Assurance (EQA) designation is British Columbia’s brand for quality post- secondary education.
The Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB) of the Ministry of Advanced Education administers associated regulations.
A joint initiative of the provinces and territories, through the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC),
Established in 1990 to fulfill Canada’s obligations under the UNESCO Convention on the Recognition of Studies.
What is Accreditation?
Accreditation is meant to protect students, schools, and employers. It ensures that a school is educating its students and meeting quality standards. If you choose a school that isn’t accredited, it may be difficult to use your academic credentials. Few employers will take your education seriously. Additionally, you may not be able to transfer your credit hours or degree to an accredited school.
If you are learning for personal enjoyment, accreditation may not be important to you. However, if you want to use your academic credential in the workplace or plan on furthering your education at a later date, accreditation is essential.
Meet your Teacher
Jack
Enyart
Known For:
Jack Enyart is an American writer, story editor, cartoonist, artist, and voice actor. He has worked for Warner Bros., Hanna-Barbera, Filmation, and Marvel Productions. For Marvel Productions he developed Attack of the Killer Tomatoes.
Some of the Studios VANAS alumni work at
I would recommend this VANAS program to anyone out there who has an idea for animated series sitting in their head. This program will squeeze it out of you and put it on the paper. This is the crucial step that most of the creative folks who are not writers per se don't take. Don't let the fact that you come from a field other than TV/Film discourage you. Moreover, it is our different walks of life and personal experiences that often create unique stories. The animated sitcom I created - OAKSTERDUM, is heavily based on me and my experiences.
Education by real Artists who love helping Artists succeed.
Your Tuition is Protected
The Student Training Completion Fund is established under the Private Training Act
and provides consumer protection to students enrolled in programs at institutions
registered with the Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB).
Career Pathway
VANAS Writing for Animation
Certificate
12 weeks
4 weeks
VANAS Professional Career
Development for Artists
(Optional)