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University of Wales Newport

Programme information

The Bachelor programme has been in existence for over 10 years, and during this time has built up a strong reputation for producing talent and innovation. Initially set up by Oscar winning animator/filmmaker Joanna Quinn (who still supports the school through teaching visits and placements in her studio), the programme has gone from strength to strength and has fuelled the industry with ground breaking individuals (Suzanne Deakin, Joe King, John Williams, Chris Hopewell, Matthew Gravelle, Jem Roberts, Matthew Walker). We attribute our success to a well-balanced education, which combines a strong foundation in animation timing and movement and an in-depth theory programme. Here, they cover the history and theory of film and animation studies, and develop a critical awareness of their own and other people’s films. We encourage as much access to films as possible, through attendance at film festivals, our own library of extensive films, and visiting speakers and local screening events and exhibitions.
They also are invited to explore sound in film, scriptwriting, and non-narrative film texts. To this end, our students’ work is diverse, intelligent and sophisticated.

Degree category / length of studies
BA Animation
MA Animation 

Programme categories
Character Animation (CG/3D Stop Motion/ 2D)
Animation Design (compositing)

Number of teachers 
7 teachers

Number of students 
150 students

Number of foreign students 
25 foreign students

Entry requirements
Portfolio-based interview
Foundation course in Art and design or equivalent

Programme description
First year: Human movement; Character Performance; Lip synching; software (Photoshop, Flash, Premiere, Maya, After Effects); Development of Observational skills through Life Drawing; Taster sessions in 3D Stop Motion/ Maya/ 2d character animation; introduction to Photography;
Introduction to design and Illustration; Film form – contextual animation; Narrative/ anti narrative; Realism and representation; Animation Pre-History and the emergence of the Studio System; Critical analysis Scriptwriting.
Second year: Life Drawing; Working with Sound; Professional practice: group work, working to a client brief, time based design, presentation, studio practice, organisational skills/ production skills, compulsory work placements, film form, further contextual animation: postmodern film, digital Visual Culture.
Third year: Completion of 3 minute films, shot to a broadcastable standard (Beta SP) in any media. Pre-production, post-production, professional practice brief – show reel and work placement assignment, 10 000 words Dissertation.

Philosophy

Located between Bristol and Cardiff in the southwest region of the UK, the programme benefits from very impressive links with all the local studios, large and small, including major companies such as Aardman and Calon. 
The BA animation programme is one of the 6 UK skillset accredited programmes, and also benefits from being part of the Skillset Screen Academy Wales, which is one of 9 UK government backed Centres of Media Training. 
We enjoy continuous dialogue with Animation Industry members through studio visits, tutor masterclasses and visiting lecturers and can set up more or less guaranteed work placements.
The main philosophy of the programme is one of «commercial innovation». We believe our students should graduate as filmmakers rather than animators, and that they should see themselves as creative individuals who make meaningful statements through their work, and who stretch the boundaries of what animation is and how it is perceived.