1. Learn with our proven training techniques.
Alex Williams has been animating at major animation and VFX studios for 30 years, and has been teaching animation for over 25 years. You will have exclusive access to Alex’s classroom tested workshops and tutorials – and receive feedback and support from Alex personally as you progress through the course. We are confident in our materials and we believe that there is nowhere better to study animation.
2. Get an Internationally Recognised Qualification – Master of Arts
Get qualified! We don’t just teach animation – we offer the world’s first online MA in 3D Animation, in partnership with Buckinghamshire New University. We were the first program to offer an online Master of Arts in Animation, launched in 2015.
3. Structured program of lectures materials and tutorials.
Our course structure is designed to build gradually in complexity and be just slightly more difficult than the last – building your confidence as you gain in skill and learn new techniques. We won’t rush you or let you fall behind, or confuse you with technical detail you don’t need. We concentrate on what you need to know to become a great animator.
4. Customize your course.
We think our course is an excellent preparation for a career in animation, but we know that our students will have different needs and we don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. We can help you pick from our modules to build your own bespoke course – whatever suits you and your personal needs. If there is something you want that we don’t appear to offer, just ask. We will do our best to oblige.
5. Flexibility.
Learn in your own time and at your own pace. Mentored learning means learning when you have the time and the opportunity; evenings and weekends if that is what suits you best.
6. Custom Feedback.
We given you bespoke personal feedback. We open your shot and show how it can be made better, recording every click using screen capture software so you can see exactly how your work can be improved. Missed something? Just rewind and watch again. We believe that online study really is a better mousetrap – superior to classroom learning because you learn at your own pace, when it suits you, getting personal attention from your tutor.
7. Value for Money.
We offer more competitive prices than any of our competitors because we have very low overheads. We pride ourselves in giving excellent feedback and a bespoke service, for much less than the competition – we pass our savings on to you. Compare our prices with other online animation schools – we offer the best value by far.
8. Focus on your Demo Reel
Every week you should ask yourself – can this shot go on your demo reel? Each tutorial is designed to lead to a completed exercise which, at the end of the course can be polished and used on your demo reel. The goal of the course is to end up with a great reel, the single most important thing that any employer wants to see. Nothing else comes close.
9. Industry Partners
We are blessed with many contacts and good relationships in the animation and VFX industry. Many of our modules and tutorials have been designed with the advice of leading animation, VFX and advertising companies so that we can give you real-world experience of the needs of industry. Practical skills are vital for landing your first job – and we want to help you get there.
10. Build an Online Community with Other Students
Upload your shots to YouTube and log in to our Online Classroom at Facebook. Share your own work, see what other students are doing that week, compare notes and get feedback. You are not alone!
11. Student Testimonials
Read what Animation Apprentice students have said about the course:
“…very much liking the course. It’s great to know we’re learning from the best. The way this [feedback] works is amazing! I never actually get any feedback like that at college or uni. It is awesome. The way it is organised is really well set out too. There is no way in hell you’d get 12 minutes feedback from a tutor in a classroom situation because there just isn’t enough time in normal class hours. I’m really excited to see how things go from here. This course is gonna be some kind of awesome!”
– Peter Stringer, student at animation Apprentice
“Thanks to Animation Apprentice I could finally refine my showreel and be ready to work into ambitious Cg Companies in London and abroad. I’d like to recommend this skillful 3D online animation course to anyone.”
– Giuseppe Candido, Animation Apprentice student.
“Great feedback”
– Greg Gordon, student at Animation Apprentice
“Thanks Alex for Great feedback. Great exercises – I really enjoyed it.“
– Jamshid Noori, student at Animation Apprentice
“I am really enjoying the lessons”
– Gerassimos Stavridis, student at Animation Apprentice
“I’m incredibly glad I found this course!”
– Peter Nicholson, student at Animation Apprentice
“Not only are the video lectures interesting and stimulating, but also inspiring. [The feedback is] one of the most effective ways of receiving feedback I’ve experienced to date. Not only being able to hear, but to see the feedback, as well as being able to re-wind and re-visit is amazingly helpful. I really appreciate the level of committment, dedication and inspiration Alex puts into teaching us. For the level of knowledge and experience he passes on to us I can safely say he is more of a mentor than a teacher. I hope I will be able to continue learning from Alex after the course and throughout my career as an animator”.
– Anonymous student feedback at Animation Apprentice.