Animation Option - Film and Animation BFA Option
Animation Option
Film and Animation BFA
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 BFA in film and animation.
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.
Interested in a Career in Game Arts?
We’ve got you covered. The animation option allows you to explore your creative interests related to video games. You’ll have endless opportunities to collaborate with developers and fellow artists on game and digital media projects. Animation alumni have gone on to establish successful careers as game artists. Learn how you can use the animation option to launch a career in game arts.
Undergraduate Viewbook
The College of Art and Design is RIT’s intersection of technology, the arts and design — where creativity and innovation are boundless.
School of Film and Animation Brochure
Here, students hone storytelling and engineering skills that drive the motion picture industry forward.
Join us for a virtual admissions event
A perfect first-look for high school sophomores, juniors, and their families.
Industries
Careers and Experiential Learning
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 |
Salary and Career Information for Film and Animation BFA
Cooperative Education and Internships
What makes an RIT education exceptional? It’s the ability to complete with real, relevant career experience that sets you apart. Experiential learning in the College of Art and Design includes cooperative education and internships, international experiences, research, and more. Participating in these opportunities is not only possible at RIT, but passionately encouraged.
Students in the animation option are strongly encouraged to participate in cooperative education and internships.
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. You'll be able to network with company representatives and interview directly for open co-op and permanent employment positions.
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 collection of student work from Rochester Institute of Technology's School of Film and Animation, which offers a BFA and MFA in Film and Animation and a BS in Motion Picture Science.
Featured Profiles
Alumni Creatively Contribute to Award-winning Film
School of Film and Animation alumni Angélica Agélviz '19 MFA, Shana Dixon '19 BFA and Chloe Hayes '19 MFA all worked on Nuevo Rico, a 2D animation receiving industry attention and hype as a...
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...
Faculty-student team contributes to acclaimed series
Faculty Amy Adrion, Meghdad Asadilari and Don Casper, along with MFA student Yuting Shao, worked on an episode for the streaming series Storyline Online featuring actor John Lithgow.
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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May 2, 2022
![A 2D-animated character walks in a forest.]()
Student blends animation, illustration in socially-conscious storytelling
Kiki Johnson '22 (film and animation) had demonstrated a commitment to communicating real-world issues in her storytelling. The latest example is her capstone film, The Walk to School.
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March 18, 2022
![student presenting video game to two people seated in red chairs.]()
RIT’s game design programs ranked No. 5 nationally
Animation Career Review has again named RIT one of the top game design universities in the country. RIT ranked No. 5 on the list of Top 50 Game Design Schools and Colleges in the U.S. and No. 2 in New York state.
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December 8, 2021
![A still from a 2d animation using lots of saturated colors.]()
Alumni contribute to animated film receiving Oscar buzz
Angélica Agélviz, Shana Dixon and Chloe Hayes — all 2019 School of Film and Animation graduates — worked on Nuevo Rico, an award-winning film seen as a potential Academy Award winner.
