Short film creation Visual development

Join in on building the visual foundation of an animated short film through professional-level visual development and collaborative production workflows. In this course, you’ll work with mentors and other students to develop the world, mood, and artistic direction of a film project from pre-production to production-ready designs.

You’ll explore storytelling through character design, environment design, color scripts, storyboarding, and visual exploration, learning how each department contributes to the final film. Students will collaborate on one of several potential short film concepts while gaining hands-on experience within a studio-style pipeline.

By the end of the course, you’ll have created a polished visual development portfolio featuring production-ready designs, cinematic storytelling, and cohesive world-building.

Portfolio submission is required for enrollment.

Start date
June 15, 2026
Duration
12 weeks
Price per month
415€/month (excl. VAT)
Sign up for the course
Short film creation [hl]Visual development[/hl]
Andrei Sitari

Mentor

Andrei Sitari

Team leader, character designer and visual development artist

About the course

A Collaborative Studio Experience Between Students and Industry

The Studio Production Lab is a program designed to bridge the gap between education and industry. Train in a real production environment, collaborating with leading studios like Lihtar Studio, a Paris-based 2D animation collective known for its work with major platforms such as HBO, Amazon, Netflix, and Adult Swim, to create short animated films.

Students work alongside a structured production pipeline guided by our mentors and aligned with professional studio workflows.

This collaborative production experience will prepare students to jump right into the production workflow at any major industry studio.

Next term, we will be working on an Deltarune video game fan teaser.

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).

Collaboration Model
What makes this program unique is that the students will work alongside an animation studio to create a short film. This production model has already led to student works being featured in international festivals in previous years, including selections at Insomnia Festival and the Academy Award-qualifying Cinanima International Animation Festival.

Students
- Take on production roles
- Create assets and shots
- Contribute to the final film

Mentors
- Provide direction and feedback
- Review work in production cycles
- Ensure quality and consistency

Studios
- Guide the themes of the production
- Production schedules mirror industry timelines
- Roles and responsibilities match professional teams

This structure allows students to experience how real productions operate while still being supported in a learning environment.


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.

How It Works

Students join a production team where their work is:

- Guided by experienced mentors
- Structured around a real animation pipeline
- Aligned with professional studio expectations

Mentors act as both:
- Educators teaching the craft of animation
- Supervisors ensure production quality throughout the pipeline.

This creates a hybrid environment where students are:
→ Learning
→ Practicing
→ Contributing

Building confidence in applying their skills in a studio environment.

Portfolio Level

This program is best suited for artists who already have a solid foundation in animation and are ready to step into a real production environment. Applicants are reviewed through a portfolio submission to ensure a good fit for the team and the project's scope.

Below are examples of the kind of work that reflects a strong application: (link)

Not sure if your work is the right fit? Feel free to reach out! We're happy to give you a sense of where you stand before you apply.

The course is suitable if you:

  • Graduate of Tradiation Animation or CG Courses

    You already have strong drawing or concept art fundamentals and want to apply your skills in a real production pipeline. This course gives you hands-on experience working collaboratively on a short film project. Great for students who have complete all our Traditional Animation Course

  • Character, Environment, or Visual Development Artist

    You want to strengthen your visual storytelling skills, contribute to a team production, and learn how professional animation departments collaborate throughout a film pipeline.

  • Want real studio-style production experience

    You’re ready to move beyond isolated exercises and participate in the creation of a complete animated short film, from concept development to final polish.

  • Application Process

    The Studio Production Lab is selective. Applicants submit: Portfolio work, Area of interest, Preferred role or track Students are then placed into teams to ensure balanced production across departments.

The course is [hl]suitable[/hl] if you:

Program Structure

Phase 1: Development

4 lesson

  1. Team structure & Story ideation: Define production roles and organize the workflow then develop the concept, themes, and core narrative.
  2. Beat boards & Storyboarding: Plan storytelling, pacing, and key emotional moments.
  3. Visual exploration: Explore style, mood, and artistic direction.
  4. Creative direction: Develop character design, prop design, environment design, and key still frames.
  • <b>1-month (8+ hours per week for homework recommended)</b>

    1-month (8+ hours per week for homework recommended)

  • <b>By the end of this phase,</b>Students collaborate under mentor and studio guidance to establish the film’s concept, visual identity, and production pipeline.

    By the end of this phase,Students collaborate under mentor and studio guidance to establish the film’s concept, visual identity, and production pipeline.

<b>Phase 1: Development</b>

Phase 2: Animation, Layout & Story

4 lesson

  1. Color script. Define the emotional tone and visual progression of the film.
  2. Background layouts & Prop deisgn. Build environments that support composition and worldbuilding.
  3. Character Design Refinement. Prepare characters sheets for animation within scenes and camera setups.
  4. Story implementation. Develop shots through layout, staging, and animation planning.
  • <b>3–4 months (8+ hours per week for homework recommended)</b>

    3–4 months (8+ hours per week for homework recommended)

  • <b>By the end of this phase,</b>Students begin production on film sequences, learning how layout, animation, and story departments collaborate to create cohesive scenes. Mentors review and refine all designs to ensure consistency and production readiness.

    By the end of this phase,Students begin production on film sequences, learning how layout, animation, and story departments collaborate to create cohesive scenes. Mentors review and refine all designs to ensure consistency and production readiness.

<b>Phase 2: Animation, Layout & Story</b>

Phase 3: Animation cont.,Cleanup & Color

3 lesson

  1. Blocking & Animation passes. Build and refine effects animation from rough motion to polished movement.
  2. Character coloring. Finalize character colors while maintaining consistency across scenes while integrating scenes together.
  3. Background coloring. Enhance mood and atmosphere through finalized environment color and lighting while integrating scenes together.
  • <b>1–2 months duration (8+ hours per week for homework recommended)</b>

    1–2 months duration (8+ hours per week for homework recommended)

  • <b>By the end of this phase,</b>Students will refine animation from rough blocking to polished movement while completing character and background coloring, integrating all visual elements into cohesive, production-ready scenes with consistent mood, lighting, and presentation.

    By the end of this phase,Students will refine animation from rough blocking to polished movement while completing character and background coloring, integrating all visual elements into cohesive, production-ready scenes with consistent mood, lighting, and presentation.

<b>Phase 3: Animation cont.,Cleanup & Color</b>

Phase 4: Post Production

3 lesson

  1. Compositing. Combine animation, effects, lighting, and backgrounds into cohesive final scenes.
  2. Editing. Assemble sequences, refine pacing, and strengthen storytelling through cinematic timing and transitions.
  3. Final Polish. Apply the finishing touches to prepare the short film for presentation and showcase.
  • <b>1–2 months duration (8+ hours per week for homework recommended)</b>

    1–2 months duration (8+ hours per week for homework recommended)

  • <b>By the end of this phase</b> Students will complete the post-production process by compositing scenes, refining editing and pacing, and applying final polish to prepare the short film for presentation, festival submission, or portfolio showcase.

    By the end of this phase Students will complete the post-production process by compositing scenes, refining editing and pacing, and applying final polish to prepare the short film for presentation, festival submission, or portfolio showcase.

<b>Phase 4: Post Production</b>

What Makes This Different

Meet Your Mentor

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How will the training go?

What software is needed for the course?

What You will Achive

Our students work on fan trailers, sequences, and clips inspired by global brands, such as creating the Cinanima teaser. Cinanima is one of the oldest and most prestigious animation festivals in Europe, held annually in Espinho, Portugal since 1976.

Join a team. Work under mentorship. Contribute to a film. Gain real production experience.

Studios where they work our students after the course

Short film creation [hl]Visual development[/hl]

Short film creation Visual development

Course fee

415€/month (excl. VAT)

Start

June 15, 2026

Spots left

15 spots

Frequently asked
questions about the course