Deciding Upon Your Creative Direction

Charles Z - Apr 12, 2021

Many times when students start classes they're curious of the direction they'd like to go in regarding their creative specialty in animation. The field consists of several professional disciplines and career paths. It's a good idea to research the production process and get a feel for the direction you'd like to go in with your art. Character Design, Background Design, Visual Development, Prop and Vehicle Design, Storyboards, all make up the area called Pre-Production. This would also include Modeling and Rigging for CG Animation. Character / Scene Layout and then Animation would constitute Production. The Animation Academy specializes in all areas of Pre-Production except for CG Modeling and Rigging. We also train in the basics of Character Animation and in the Authoring of Character Based Intellectual Properties for publication on Social Media.

Looking Forward to a Creative and Eventful 2021

Charles Z - Jan 04, 2021

As we enter the New Year there's lots of activity at the Academy. Some big changes are in the works. In the meantime you're welcome to get in touch and arrange for your enrollment. We'll be starting with new sessions in February 2021. They'll be online so no matter where you are as long as you have a good internet connection you can participate in our program. Thanks for a significant and memorable 2020. We're very much looking forward to the future and all the positive things ahead for those that Keep Creating. :) 

New Features and System

Charles Z - Nov 07, 2020

Since the transition this past spring from onsite classes to online sessions our program is even better than before. A comprehensive digital record is maintained of a student's assignments and artistic progress along with instructor's notations. We also host a weekly Zoom session where our students can meet while industry topics and creative trends are discussed.

The Animation Academy is a vocational training program specializing in character based intellectual property development, production design basics and animation fundamentals with many years of experience in educating some of the top professional artists in the field. 

If you're looking to enroll please have samples of your work ready for review. Drawings from your imagination are preferable. We accept high school age students and would consider middle school students if they're serious about their art and have samples available for review.

Classes are conducted one on one through Skype. For more info please click here.

Book in advance

Charles Z - Oct 14, 2020

If you'd like to enroll with us please contact the Academy early and arrange for your creative review. Once you've been cleared for classes we can schedule your sessions in advance.

Currently we're at capacity with our online program and are adding extra time slots for incoming students. We're conducting classes in Character Design 1 and 2, Background Design, Visual Development and Character Animation Basics. Our classes are one on one through Skype with group sessions once a week on Zoom.

Our program is geared towards Character Based Intellectual Property Development through a fundamentals regimen that is production oriented and addresses emerging trends in animation and related fields. Vocational Training geared towards personal creative growth and building a foundation for your future success.

Thank you, good luck and Keep Creating !!

Jacob Lipman's Color Analysis for Cartoons

Charles Z - Sep 09, 2020

This video by one of our stellar students helps describe the color theory behind animated content in ways that we normally wouldn't think of. Jacob Lipman produces videos that are zany, educational and enlightening. Check out his latest...

Zoom Sessions - Successful Alpha Test

Charles Z - Aug 16, 2020

Happy to report that we've had a very successful alpha test / first session live on Zoom. We're in the process of developing our program to accommodate group sessions using Zoom in addition to our one on one sessions on Skype. Soon we'll be working with students in an exciting new way as we continue to expand upon our online systems. 

Online Class Update

Charles Z - Jul 20, 2020

As of this writing we're able to offer both levels of our Character Design class and both levels of Visual Development online. We're adding to our instructor base and are able to meet the expanded demand for online sessions. Currently our classes are one on one through Skype. We plan on expanding into group sessions sometime soon. Our classes are excellent and our instructors are dedicated to the creative growth of our students. For more information follow this link. For enrollment info click here.

May 2020 - Online Class Sessions Only

Charles Z - May 03, 2020

The Animation Academy has susupended our onsite class sessions in Burbank. We're migrating our program online and will expand upon what we currently do through Skype with our Distance Learning format. You don't have to be in Burbank to gain from our lessons. You're welcome to contact us if you're interesting in educationally creating online. Best way to communicate is by calling 818-848-6590. Currently our classes are conducted one on one through Skype. We plan on offering group sessions soon. For more info click here.

The Academy and the New Era

Charles Z - Mar 30, 2020

Greetings friends! Hope this finds you well. Our program will be changing. We'll be migrating away from our onsite sessions and moving much more into online venues and social media. It's long overdue and this situation we're all dealing with is prompting the expanded direction. You don't have to be in Burbank to engage with the Academy and creatively gain from the experience. 

I'm personally looking forward to the new way of doing things! In the meantime please be cautious and stay healthy. This will pass and life will go on. Make the most of your time and Keep Creating!

Charles Zembillas

A Dynamic Industry

Charles Z - Feb 10, 2020

The Animation Industry and its related art forms are a very dynamic business that's developing in ways increasingly beneficial to creators. It's a growing field especially in the areas of original content and independent projects. Social media and content streaming are changing the way artists create. The Animation Academy stays on top of these trends and adapts its program to these new areas that will help students prepare for the new way of doing things. At the core of which are the fundamental skills that will help artists succeed in whatever direction they choose to follow.

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