Animation Option - Film and Animation BFA Option


Animation Option
Film and Animation BFA
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School of Film and Animation
Who doesn’t love an animated film? In the film and animation BFA program, you can bring your own stories to life on the big screen.
Overview
The animation option within the film and animation degree program enables students to choose one of three tracks: 2D, 3D, or stop motion animation. Each allows for the exploration of the many facets of the animated form — from films, games, and AR/VR to digital effects, compositing, sound design, and the integration of animation with live-action storytelling. This option is part of the Film and Animation BFA program.
The 2D animation concentrates on traditional forms drawn by hand, a mixture of both traditional and digital, or all digital origination. 3D animation courses focus on advanced 3D modeling, lighting, texturing, and animating in a 3D space. Stop motion focuses on digital technology in support of puppet fundamentals and non-puppet frame-by-frame techniques.Additionally, students can work in experimental forms, animated documentary, and mixed-media storytelling. While students focus on a particular technique, they are encouraged to explore all methods and approaches. The program builds up from foundation drawing and design to full-fledged filmmaking.
Regardless of the medium, students make films from day one, culminating in a thesis film their final year. They learn and create through the entire process, from story, design, and animation to post-production and distribution. They will draw, paint, rig, model, texture, light, build, and animate past the edges of their creativity while learning the art and craft of visual storytelling.
Labs and classrooms are filled with the latest software, technology, sound, and screening options, including TVPaint (2D), Maya (3D), Toon Boom Harmony, Dragonframe (stop-motion), and the entire Adobe Creative Suite.
Graduates of the film degree are qualified to begin careers in the industry (feature films, television, and games) and create their own independent films and content for the global festival circuit or distribution. Students and alumni alike have produced award-winning films and made major contributions to the art, technology, and advancement of animation.
Creative Industry Day
RIT’s Office of Career Services and Cooperative Education hosts Creative Industry Day, which connects students majoring in art, design, film and animation, photography, and select computing majors with companies, organizations, creative agencies, design firms, and more. The 2021 Creative Industry Day will be a week-long virtual event where you’ll be able to network with company representatives and interview directly for open co-op and permanent employment positions.
Accepted Student Virtual Open House
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Industries
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Animation -
Movies, TV, and Music -
Writing and Editing
Typical Job Titles
3D Modeler | Art Director |
Character Animator | Character Designer |
Creative Director | Experimental Film Artist |
Layout Artist | Post Production Supervisor |
Producer | Rigging Artist |
Story Artist | Visual Development Artist |
Visual Effects Compositor | Writer |
Featured Work
Video Game Development
“That Damn Goat!” is a party game where chaos reigns, frustrations mount and everything you think you know about your situation is instantly thrown out of whack by a head-butting goat with magical...
Sizzle Reel
A look at clips from films created by students in the Film and Animation program.
Featured Profiles
Virtual Reality Film
In making a virtual reality film for their thesis, Emily Haldeman and Tim Stringer — 2019 alumni of the Animation option in the Film and Animation BFA — used...
Why You Belong in RIT's College of Art and Design
Todd Jokl, Mari Jaye Blanchard, Melissa Dawson, Clay Patrick McBride
Get an in-depth look at RIT's College of Art and Design from our faculty and students. Let us share with you how our community of artists pushes the boundaries of creativity and innovation. And...
Tigers Making a Tiger
A trio of alumni — Scott Vosbury ’04 (Film and Animation), Rich Enders ’02 (Computer Graphic Animation) and Jen Stratton ’05 (Film and Animation) — were integral to the Oscar-winning team...
Admission Requirements
This option is part of the Film and Animation BFA. Please visit the degree program page for admission requirements.
Learn about admissions, cost, and financial aid
Latest News
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April 12, 2021
RIT video game project wins industry awards
An multidisciplinary team of students creating noir horror game “The Camera That Bleeds” was recognized at the 2021 Massachusetts Digital Games Institute (MassDiGI) Game Challenge.
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March 22, 2021
RIT filmmaking in time of COVID has brought unprecedented challenges, inspiring innovation
For RIT student filmmakers who are storytelling in the midst of a pandemic, grey has become the new black. While it’s impossible for any production to eliminate all risk in front of and behind the camera, they’ve had to constantly consider the additional time and safety procedures necessary to achieve the perfect shot.
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March 12, 2021
Connections: How should we watch and judge documentaries?
WXXI’s “Connections” program features Ambarien Alqadar, assistant professor in the School of Film and Animation.