Bachelor of Arts in Character Animation and Animated Filmmaking

The purpose of this course is to enable students to master all traditional and digital animation techniques (2D and 3D) from pre-production to post-production, using professional methods from animation film studios in France and abroad.

Bachelor Animation

Duration

3 years

Pace of study

Full-time

Location

Paris Saint-Marcel

Candidates holding a French Baccalaureate (obtained in France or abroad) regardless of nationality:

  • Graduates of the «Bac Général, Technologique or Professionnel» in the current year (2024) or the previous year (2023)
  • Candidate with a Bac + 1 in the artistic field:
    In view of their achievements, only admission to the Bachelor of Arts program is possible
  • Candidate with a Bac + 1 in another field (for exemple: a year of preparatory studies in a business or engineering school, a year of medicine, etc.):
    Possible admission either to the Gobelins preparatory program or to the ARFA Bachelor of Arts program
  • Candidate with a Baccalaureate from the current year:
    Possible admission either in Prépa Gobelins or in Bachelor of Arts ARFA, depending on the candidate's level

Candidates holding a foreign diploma equivalent to the French Baccalauréat regardless of nationality:

  • Graduates with the equivalent of the baccalauréat in the current year (2024) or in the 2 previous years (2023 and 2022).
  • Candidates holding a Bac + 2 in the artistic field:
    Based on prior learning, only admission to the Bachelor of Arts program is possible.
     
  • Candidate with Bac + 2 in another field (for example : one or two years of preparatory studies at a business or engineering school, one or two years of medicine, etc.):
  • Candidates with a current-year Bac :
    Possible admission either to Prépa Gobelins or to the Bachelor of Arts in Animation, depending on the candidate's level.

Non European students shall be at least 18 years old for the visa process.

Applicants shoud show a regular practice of drawing with disposition to the expression of movement, volume and perspective. They should be openminded, creative and capable of imagining graphic worlds and stories. They should have a good general and artistic culture, aptitude for teamwork and a real motivation for learning animation film techniques, both 2D and 3D.

Bachelor of Arts 

  • 2D or 3D Animator
  • Storyboarder assistant
  • Background and character designer
  • Commissioned film director

Tuition fees

  • €10.000 per year for European citizens
  • €15.000 for non European citizens

Scholarships opportunities (through GOBELINS, Odon Vallet and/or CROUS)


Eligible for scholarship

Admission process

Admission process :

  • Pre-selection based on graphic file
  • Oral interview

Download the admission process

Programme

  • Anatomical drawing, sketches of living models, perspective, history of animation, film analysis, command of softwares
  • Animation drawing : volume construction, sketching, morphology, perspective, image composition, motion analysis
  • Character and background design
  • Animation : acting analysis, traditional and 2D/3D digital animation
  • Direction : cinematographic and dramaturgical language, storyboard, layout, editing
  • Colour research and analysis of light and atmosphere
  • Techniques specific to the 3D pipeline: layout, modeling, rendering
  • Collaboration in sound design and discovery of the the sound production pipeline
  • Special effects and compositing
  • Scriptwriting, film editing, character definition and characterization, graphic and sound design research, storyboard writing
  • Compliance with specifications, manufacturing methodology, production planning
  • Command of the dynamics of movement, scriptwriting (filmwriting, imaging, sound), digital tools specific to animation (TV Paint, Animate, Première, Photoshop, After Effects, Maya, Storyboarder)
  • Command of professional techniques throughout the production pipeline in animation
  • Fluent English adapted to the professional environment
  • An important place is given to the international dimension of the animation industry
  • Students benefit from tailored follow-up
  • Equipements: HD and 3D equipped movie theatre, professional sound studio, multi-layer animation stands. Each student has a dedicated workstation. Led animation tables, Cintiqs
  • GOBELINS is a member of RECA (the French Animation School Network) and of IPAX (the US network of schools recognized by Sony Pictures)
  • High-level faculty members, professional well established studios
  • International mindset required to work on multicultural projects and in multicultural contexts (courses and conferences in French and in English)
  • Participation in a speed-recruiting event organized during the Annecy festival in June for last year of the course (more than 50 companies usually attend)

GOBELINS has become the epicenter for artists who are interested in animation. You will share a lively and unforgettable experience with students from all different backgrounds but all driven by the same passion. What makes this programme so special is its international dimension and also its context: you will be studying in the heart of Paris, in the world-famous school GOBELINS, which ranked n°2 Anima- tion School worldwide this year.... Kyle Balda, co-director of Minions, Despicable Me, etc

Projects:
Production of short films in teams: commissioned films as part of a partnership.
Project teams are often mixed and include students from the French-speaking class

Internship:
2 mandatory weeks in France or abroad leading to the writing of an internship report.

Continuation of studies

Bachelor of Arts in Character Animation and Animated Filmmaking

Master in Character Animation and Animated Filmmaking

This two-year course taught in English is designed to enable students to reach a professional level notably in directing and storytelling in a multicultural environment.

MA in Visual Storytelling

This two-year course taught in English is designed to guide a new generation of storytellers and creators in mastering the art of storytelling.

Timeline of selection process

Registration opening date

November 10th 2023

Registration closing date

February 22nd 2024

Interview dates

From April 2nd to April 12nd 2024

Start of the course

September 2024

End of the course

June 2027

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