The Animation Foundation timetable at Atelier de Sèvres
Following an Animation Foundation course involves a lot of work.
This year of intensive training and preparation for the competitive entrance exams for the major schools requires total commitment from the students.
This is demonstrated by the often very busy timetable of students on the Animation Foundation. We review the year at Atelier de Sèvres and the timetable with the advice of animation techniques teacher, Michaël Bataille.
Course structure at Atelier de Sèvres
Like the Art Foundation course, the Animation Foundation year is divided chronologically into three different parts. It is an intensive year during which Atelier de Sèvres students must show serious commitment in order to pass the competitive exams for the top Animation schools.
First part
From September to mid-December, students at Atelier de Sèvres focus on learning representation techniques and developing their creativity and their artistic knowledge in general. During this part of the year, Animation Foundation students share core classes with those on the Art Foundation.
Second part
From mid-December to the end of February, Animation Foundation students at Atelier de Sèvres begin to prepare their personal portfolio, which will be presented to the examination panels at the major animation schools during the entrance exams. In addition to compulsory classes, each student on the Animation Foundation will be required to undertake work around the themes of their choice. This work is guided by a dedicated programme coordinator.
Third and final part
From early March to mid-May, the timetable at Atelier de Sèvres is dedicated entirely to completing students’ portfolios ahead of the competitive exams and to written and oral training in exam conditions.
"If students want to successfully pass the competitive exams, they have to be totally committed: attend all classes, complete the exercises requested by teachers and develop their own style outside of classes. The days are long, the nights are short, there is stress, doubts — students are often surprised by the level of commitment required. But if they stay the course, the results are there. Drawing is not a gift; it is learned." (Michaël Bataille)
A specific timetable is put in place for each part of the year at Atelier de Sèvres and there is an average of 30 hours of classes each week, plus the personal work that each student must undertake on the Animation Foundation.
On the Atelier de Sèvres Animation
Foundation course, classes are centred on two separate branches: drawing and animation.
▶ The first is dedicated to observational drawing, life drawing, perspective, comics and illustration, and allows Animation Foundation students to acquire techniques specific to drawing (composition, line quality, movement) that are essential for Animation.
▶ The second focuses on animation techniques (storytelling, storyboard, character design, computer graphics, etc.).
These lessons are complemented by lectures and workshops throughout the year. Each year, Atelier de Sèvres welcomes many animation professionals to host these artistic discussions.
If you would like to join the Animation Foundation course, we invite you to visit the Atelier de Sèvres open days or to contact us for more information.
Entrance to the Animation Foundation at Atelier de Sèvres is via an individual interview. Please call us to arrange an appointment with the teaching team.
