The National Film & Television School is the most successful film school in the UK running a post graduate (MA) two year course in nine specialist fields – Directing in Animation, Documentary and Fiction, Cinematography, Producing, Editing, Sound design, Music composition and Production Design. They are trying to bring a more critical approach to the animated film and our definitions of hat constitutes animation are broad.
The Animation Direction department recruits 6 students a year. Most of these have completed BA course covers the whole range of animation techniques – model, 2D, paint on glass, 2D and 3D compute rand mixtures of any of these. There are also workshops with actors and voice over artists.
The Studios were built in 1921 by George Clark Production. The NFTS from 1986 has since been funded by the Government, via the Department for Culture Media.
The NFTS is unusual among film schools in being able to offer its students the experience of training in professional standard film and television studios.
A technical services team, professional electricians and carpenters / set builders are on hand to support both learning and
productions. Animation is served by a computerized 35 mm rostrum camera and three 35 mm stop motion model animation cameras & software system. The students leave and enter the industry working on series, commercials, music video and making their on individual films.
Some of past students include Oscar Winner Nick Park, Alison Snowden, David Fine as well as Tony Colling Wood, Mark Baker, Sarah Ball and Dognini.
Mrs. Gillian Lacey is head of animation direction.