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
Built for the industry. Built for your trust.
Program designed in consulation with major studios in
the Animation, VFX and Video Game industries.
Introduction Course starts:
Monday, September 28th, 2020
The application deadline for the Fall term has passed, however, you can still apply for the VANAS diploma and introduction programs.
Note: If applying after the application deadline, a late application non-refundable fee of $125 CAD (Canadian Students) $250 CAD (International Students) will be charged on top of the regular application fee.
Live Classes on:
Tuesdays 4:00 pm & Thursdays 5:00 pm
Pacific Time
Need immediate help?
Click to call: +1 833-437-3872
On the picture “ANIMATION: FROM SCRIPT TO SCREEN.” The panel members are (left to right): Jack Enyart - writer/voice actor, Larry Houston - producer/director, MJ Lallo - voice director/voice artist
Certificate Program Description
Writing for Animation
The purpose of this VANAS program is to teach students how to write for animation. Students will learn to create premises, outlines, and final scripts for animation in the proper format; as well as prepare to develop and present original properties of their own. Included will be a study of writing for animated short films, features and TV episodes.
Need immediate help?
Click to call: +1 833-437-3872
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.
Admission Requirements
Age
14+ years of age or older
(If under 19 years of age, parent or guardian consent is required)
Assessment Test
Successfully pass general
assessment test that includes
a computer knowledge assessment,
Internet knowledge assessment,
English reading and writing skills
assessment.
Portfolio
No portfolio requirement, this is a begineers hands-on course open to the general public.
English Proficiency
International students with English as a second language must demonstrate a good oral and written level of English. A telephone, Skype, or in-person interview may be required to verify this.
Need immediate help?
Click to call: +1 833-437-3872
Course Duration
Weeks
per week
hours
Live Classes
Program Outline
Writing for Animation
Term 1
Introduction to Writing for Animation
This course introduces students to the fundamental principles of Writing for Animation. Students will learn what is the Story Structure and how to Generate Ideas for it. During the first month of Writing for Animation course, students will also study the Shot and Story Structure Breakdown.
Duration: 1 month
Term 2
Writers Block and Rewriting
During the second term, VANAS students study Writers Block and Rewriting. The focus of the Writing for Animation course is on learning “Plan of Attack”. Students learn the Progress of the story and work on the 1st Draft of Benchmark.
Duration: 1 month
Term 3
“Plan of Attack” Continuation
During the third term, VANAS students continue working on “Plan of Attack”. The focus of the Writing for Animation course is to complete the final draft of the story. Review of the final story draft. Writing for Animation course recap.
Duration: 1 month
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.
Online
Live Classes
- Small class sizes
- 1 live session per week, one hour per session
- 1 live support classes per week, one hour per session
- Office hours online support
Assignments
Workload
- Weekly assignments comprised by milestones and deadlines
- Online activities
- Assignments workload 10 - 20 hours per week
Times
Schedules
- Class times are listed at the top of this website page
- Class times are also visible on the application form
- Flexible times for you to work and study at the same time
Need immediate help?
Click to call: +1 833-437-3872
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.
The Writing for Animation program does not require approval by the Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB) of the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills & Training. As such, PTIB did not review this program.
Need immediate help?
Click to call: +1 833-437-3872
Meet your next industry teacher
Ralph
Soll
Known For:
Ralph Soll is an American writer, director, screenwriter, and story editor. He wrote television scripts for Disney, National Geographic, Nelvana, Nickelodeon, Sony, and Warner Bros. Ralph worked on such shows as: "The Mask", "Power Rangers", "Casper" and more.
Some of the Studios VANAS alumni work at
Invest in Something Extraordinary: You
Premium Higher Education with all-inclusive industry values.
VANAS welcomes you, works for you and cares for you.
3-month Certificate Course
- Introductory courses have an industry
- focus curriculum and taught by
- industry teachers who are leaders
- in their fields. These courses are
- intended for students to discover
- new learning areas by bringing
- awareness and application
- simultaneously. There are no
- pre-requisites, anyone can attend.
We offer a simple model where the tuition is the same for Canadian and International Students for all our courses and programs.
Tuition fees are in Canadian Dollars (CAD), reviewed annually by the Advisory Board and are subject to change without notice.
When paying with Paypal or a Credit Card a non-refundable convenience fee of 3% of the total amount will apply.
Learning is better together.
Friend tuition discounts to foster collaboration with your friends and family members
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.
Nemanja ColovicCareer Pathway
12 weeks
VANAS Writing for Animation
Certificate
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4 weeks
VANAS Professional Career
Development for Artists
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