Animation Option - Film and Animation BFA | College of Art and Design

Overview

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.

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. 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. This option is part of the Film and Animation BFA program.

What does amazing look like?

Attend our Open House and you’ll get a pretty good idea.

Industries

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

Student Film Wins Award at International Competition

Mackenzie Bates

Mackenzie Bates '18 (Film and Animation) won the Animation category in the 2019 CILECT North America Best Film Award competition for her thesis work, "The Warsaw Robin."

Sizzle Reel

A look at clips from films created by students in the Film and Animation program.

Featured Profiles

Tasteful Art

Ilana Schwartz ’14

The coffee cup art of Ilana Schwartz '14 (Film and Animation) was seen by millions when she "Javadoodled" on Katy Perry's 96-hour live-stream. Schwartz's resume also includes work for HBO, ...

Latest News

September 10, 2019

RIT filmmakers' thesis works honored in international competition

Mackenzie Bates ’18 (Film and Animation) and Annika Servin ’18 (Film and Animation; Photojournalism) each won a category in the CILECT North America Best Film Award competition.
June 4, 2019

Students' VR film leads to 'dream' jobs at local studio

Emily Haldeman and Tim Stringer were hired by Optic Sky shortly after showing the production studio their VR film that merges storytelling and interactivity.
November 20, 2018

MAGIC spells opportunity with new learning laboratory

RIT’s MAGIC Spell Studios opened the doors to its new home this fall, inviting students, faculty and industry professionals to experience a digital media development and publishing learning laboratory never before seen in the Northeast.