Short film creation Animation & Directing
Learn essential skills In creating an animated short film prefect for improving any portfolio.
This term, our Short Film Creation course takes on its biggest challenge yet: animating a Critical Role teaser trailer. Students will collaborate as a full production team—animators, artists, and composers—building the project from concept to final cut. It’s fandom, craft, and industry-level storytelling all in one epic experience.
Student need to have the knowlegde found in out first two animation course to qualify. Please submit your portfolio to enroll in the course.
About the course
The course "Short film creation" is a significant creative endeavor focused on a single project, where practicing and aspiring 2D animators, artists, and composers come together in teams and work through the pipeline on a shared project. Each session of the course involves working on a new project, developed from scratch: from idea to final presentation.
The projects created participate in international competitions and festivals, serving as a showcase for all participants and adorning the walls of our school. Participation in such a project is a valuable experience in itself, but in addition, there's always the possibility of winning recognition for the school's short films in competitions or festivals, with awards for the winning participants (according to the terms).
In which direction can you participate in the project?
Visual Development
- creating visual effects for the film: Character Design, Prop Design, Background Design, Still Frames.
Animation
- producing rough and clean animation for the project.
Throughout the 4-month duration, the work is divided into stages, where one team completes their part of the work and passes it on to another. In any team, you will learn to work in studio conditions and see the project through to completion.
All project teams exchange ideas throughout the course, working on creating a color script, background layouts, character layouts, character and background coloring, and so on.
The course is suitable if you:
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Graduates of our or any other CG school
If you have strong drawing and classic stop-motion animation skills, we are looking for you to join our team!
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You want to be a 2D animator
Do you want to expand your capabilities, learn something new and try yourself at it? And also gain a unique creative experience of working in a team on a project that will participate in famous animation competitions and festivals.
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To graduates of the Traditional 2D animation. Course 3 — Acting course
Do you want to show and expand your capabilities in the field of animation, work in a team and take part in a competition? Sign up for the course and get great experience, cool portfolio work, while working in a team on a common project.
Сurriculum
First month
4 lessons
- Festival short film. Start.
- Storyboard.
- Layout.
- Color Script.
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4 weeks (please, make sure to have 6+ hours per week for homework)
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Together with the visual development team, start creating a project idea, create a storyboard, layout and develop a color palette for the future project
Second month
2 lessons
- Environment Design
- Preliminary animation.
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4 weeks (please, make sure to have 6+ hours per week for homework)
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In the second month, start developing the environment design and rough animation of the project
Third month
3 lessons
- Cleaning animation.
- Compositing.
- Creating "The Making of..."
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4 weeks (please, make sure to have 6+ hours per week for homework)
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In the final month of the course, complete final animation and work with a team of animators on 2D effects and compositing.
Student
Reviews
«Short film creation – Animation & Directing» course
Thank you very much for a great course
Alena Dudko
Graduate of courses in traditional 2D animation
Learning animation is difficult, but very interesting!
Julia Reshetnyak
Graduate of the short film creation course. Animation & Directing
Demoreel «Traditional 2D Animation»How will the training go?
A team of experts and mentors is waiting for you, who will embark on the project according to the developed payplan
You will get a lot of practice and feedback from the mentor and fellow students from different teams
Together with the course team, create a unique short film project and participate in a major animation event
Collect a cool portfolio and receive a personalized certificate
What software is needed for the course?
TVPaint
or any other animation software
Drawing tablet
for drawing
Zoom
for a weekly meeting with a mentor and team
Discord
to keep up with everything
Studios where they work our students after the course
Short film creation Animation & Directing
Course fee
415€/month (excl. VAT)
Start
February 6, 2026
Spots left
15 spots
Frequently asked
questions
about the course
What to Expect from the AnimationClub School Courses?
In our courses, you’ll build both the knowledge and the confidence you need to succeed in animation. We’ll help you develop the skills that are essential for a professional career in the industry. By the end, you’ll have a demo reel that reflects your growth and showcases your abilities to potential employers.
How Are the Online Animation Lessons Structured?
It’s straightforward: it is a hybrid class with a mixture of recorded videos and live mentor feedback. First, we introduce you to the theory, then you get to put it into practice. Each online animation lesson is filled with video instructions, helpful visual examples, and assignments that you can work on at your own pace. You’ll have the freedom to take your time, but there is a deadline to recieve mentor feedback. So, remember to submit your work on time to get the thoughtful insights from your instructor during the live interactive mentor feedback classes. The course is designed to fit your life, so you can study from anywhere, using just your tablet or computer. Whatever your path, we’re here to help you grow and succeed, step by step.
What Time Do the Animation Classes Take Place?
The schedule will be shared with you a week before the animation class begins, but rest assured, classes are typically held no earlier than 17:00 UTC, most often on weekdays. Life can be busy, and if you can’t attend a class on a certain day, that’s okay. You’ll always have the option to watch the recording at your convenience, so you never have to miss out on the learning experience
If you're unsure whether your timezone is compatible for effective learning, please feel free to reach out to us on WhatsApp
At What Age is it Possible to Take Animation Club School Courses?
We generally accept students starting at age 16, as the course is intensive and requires a certain level of focus and understanding for completion. However, if you're passionate and dedicated, we’re open to considering students as young as 14 on an individual basis. We take into account your potential and the quality of your work, believing in your ability to rise to the challenge and succeed in the world of animation.
For anyone under the age of 18, please have your caregiver or guardian submit a portfolio on your behalf to AnimationClub.school@gmail.com or contact through WhatsApp for more information.
When Do You Need to Pay for the Animation Course? Is it Better to Pay in Advance or Wait Until the Start Day?
To secure your place in the online animation course, simply pay for the first month or the entire course upfront. Because we limit the number of students in each group, it’s important to act quickly, especially as the start of the course approaches—there are usually only a few spots left as enrollment closes early due to high demand.
We also encourage you to make your payment in advance, giving you peace of mind and allowing enough time for processing. This way, you can focus on the exciting journey ahead without any last-minute stress.
I Paid for an Animation Course, What Should I Do Next?
A week before the animation course begins, you’ll be invited to the study group, where you'll find all the essential information about the learning process. The course materials on the training platform will become available on the first day of the course. All the links will be sent to your specified email, but sometimes they can end up in your 'spam' or 'promotions' folder. We recommend checking those just in case, so you don’t miss anything important. If you have not received your starting instructions by then please reach out to use. We’re here to ensure you have everything you need to start strong!
What Should I Install and Prepare Before Starting Our Animation Course?
A week before your training begins, you'll receive emails with all the preparation details. The first step is to install Discord, where your study group will be waiting for you. Your supervisor or teacher, who will add you to the group ahead of time, will guide you through the training programs and what to expect.
To make the most of your classes, you’ll need a computer or laptop, a headset, and a webcam (the webcam is optional but recommended). Classes will take place on Zoom, so be sure to install Zoom before your classes start to make it easier to attend classes on time.
When it comes to animation software, TVPaint are industry standards, used by most professional studios. Becoming familiar with these tools will definitely give you an edge if you’re serious about breaking into the animation world. However, don’t worry if they’re out of your budget right now! You can still get started with accessible programs like Rough Animator or OpenToonz. These are fantastic tools that provide everything you need to dive into our courses. As long as you can export your work as MP4 or Image Sequence files, you’ll be able to get valuable feedback on your progress.
And when it comes to drawing in these programs, a tablet is far more effective than a mouse. There are plenty of great options available from trusted brands like Wacom, Huion, and XP-Pen. Any of these will work perfectly with the software we use, setting you up for success in your animation journey.
Why Is Your Animation Courses More Effective Than Self-Study?
Well, we’ve gathered everything you need to learn animation in one place, so you don’t have to spend time searching for lessons or resources else where. Giving you the structure to create amazing animation while still being able to use your creativity. You’ll have a clear path ahead of you, every step of the way. And most importantly, you’re never alone. If you have questions or run into challenges, you can always reach out to the instructor for professional guidance. We’re here to help you, support you, and make sure you’re never stuck.
Our course is thoughtfully structured to guide you, from the basics to the more complex animations, so you can move forward with confidence—without feeling overwhelmed or confused.
What Makes Our School Stand Out Compared to Traditional Animation Universities, Schooling, or Programs?
Our courses are led by industry professionals who know exactly what today’s animation world demands. We equip you with practical skills that let you start animating from the very first lesson. Forget spending years on theory—our approach helps you gain hands-on experience right away. With a flexible schedule, you learn at your own pace, fitting your studies into your life. It’s all about making your animation dreams a reality on your terms.
Will I receive a certificate upon completion of Animation Courses?
Upon successfully completing all Animation course requirements, you'll receive an electronic certificate to celebrate your achievement. While this certificate is not a state certified diploma, we place greater value on the portfolio work you’ll build throughout the courses. In the animation industry, your portfolio is your most powerful tool, showcasing your skills and creativity in a way that truly speaks to your potential.