The animation department of GOBELINS, L’ECOLE DE L’IMAGE, a school of visual communication affiliated with the Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry, was founded over thirty years ago to prepare artists for the growing needs of the French animation film industry in the 1970s. Today Gobelins graduates from the animation course are present in French studios throughout the country but also in major studios around the world, including DreamWorks, Disney, Pixar, Framestore, Electronic Arts and many more. Indeed, they are prized for their creative and technical excellence as well as their professional level. That is because the course straddles the spheres of fine drawing and that of professional needs for skilled artists well practiced in the production chain of animation films and series.

The constant change - technical, artistic and organisational - that characterizes the animation industry today is closely monitored by the department in order to prepare the students and trainees for the current and future skills that are required by the professional world of animation production.

We are able to do so as nearly 90% of the teaching is done by working professionals taking time out from their busy schedules in the studios and production companies. We also take advantage of visiting animation artists, directors and producers from around the world who are happy to share their experiences and skills in a school that is world renowned.

The three year program builds on the traditional curriculum, providing the students the opportunity to work with both traditional (hand-drawn) and digital techniques for animation, while at the same time nuturing their creative edge. We seek to train young artists who will help shape the future of animation in France and around the world. As such, the program takes into account a rapidly evolving industry. It is designed to enable students to work with new methods and technologies while still enhancing their classical animation skills, including those valuable skills for all animators, acting, timing and observation.

Gobelins believes in the importance of world-wide networks and currently has exchange programs with the California Institute of the Arts and the Filmakademie of Baden-Württemberg, Institute for Animation.

Every year, the Gobelins animation students produce the short films that serve as the openers or « curtain-raisers » at all the official screenings of the International Animated Film Festival that takes place in Annecy, France. After the festival each year, the general public can view these films on the school’s website : www.gobelins.fr.

During the three year program, the students produce a wide range of work that remains influenced by a strong tradition of drawing while incorporating the latest digital tools, including 3D software.

This 3 year animation artist program is open to young adults between 18 and 26 years of age who wish to acquire the multiple skills needed in making animation films. Throughout the three year program, the students do internships during the holiday periods in animation studios and production companies. It should be noted that the third year program is devoted to classes and exercises to perfect 3D character animation skills (September through November) and to the making of a short film in teams (December through June) using whatever methods or techniques the project requires (2D, digital, 3D…).

• The department also proposes in partnership with a French university a degree program of a specialised professional training course in animation and film production management.

• Short professional training classes (from 3 to 30 days) in 3D software (Maya and 3DS Max) but also specially tailored programs for in-house training in companies are also organised by the school’s adult training department.

Please note that all classes at Gobelins are taught in French, except in the case of visiting English-speaking teachers or lecturers. In order to benefit from the classes, students and trainees must have a good knowledge of the French language.

For the three year animation course, applications must be submitted by late March. The selection process takes place between April and June with written exams in early April. This one day written exam consists of several exercises :

1. A drawing study based on two animation characters to be redrawn in various poses and settings.
2. The elaboration of a short storyboard based on a synopsis.
3. An exercise concerning perspective, lighting and motion.
4. Multiple choice and open questions about general and technical culture (art, film, animation…), as well as a narrative exercise to evaluate storytelling and writing skills.

There is also an evaluation of the art portfolio followed by oral exams in French for shortlisted applicants.

It is possible for experienced animators (animation school graduates or professionals) to enroll directly in the third year program (applications until early May) if they pass the special entrance exam organised in the late spring (May and June). This special entrance exam for direct admission to the third year program consists of an initial evaluation of the applicant’s dossier including art portfolio and animation work (walk cycles, etc. or films), followed by several days of tests (one day for a hand-drawn animation exercise, and the rest for software tests : After Effects, Photoshop and Maya).

For the school year 2007/2008, tuition fees are 3 400 € per year (2 500 € for direct entrance into the third year program). Gobelins organises each year an Open House event in the early spring (23, 24 March in 2007). For more information call 33 (0) 1 40 79 92 12 or email info@gobelins.fr. See our web site www.gobelins.fr.

Please note that Gobelins also organises an international summer school. See our special website www.gobelins.fr/summerschool for more information.