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Online 3D Animation Modules for Youth

Online 3D Animation Modules for Youth

Study 3D Animation Techniques at NYFA

In our online 3D animation workshops, students study the twelve basic principles of Animation introduced by the Disney animators Ollie Johnston and Frank Thomas in their 1981 book The Illusion of Life: Disney Animation. As these principles of animation cover the visual storytelling process in everything from movies to video games, students learn how they can be applied to everyday objects and characters.

While the workshops are designed to be standalone programs that may be taken individually, many students choose to take all three and gain a full spectrum of skills. Module one must be completed prior to taking module two and three. These programs are available for youth aged 10-17.

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Module #1: Squash and Stretch Workshop

In this workshop, students will learn squash and stretch, the first principle of animation. It introduces the notion of how a change of shape such as a squash pose to a stretch pose gives the illusion of gravity, weight, mass, flexibility and life into animation. Without squash and stretch, the animation is rigid and stiff to the motion.

Class 1 – Introducing Maya’s interface, hotkeys, graph editor,
Class 2 – Bouncing ball exercise
Class 3 – Bouncing ball squash and stretch exercise
Class 4 – Light and heavy bouncing ball exercise

Module #2: Anticipation, Follow Through and Overlap Workshop

The Anticipation, Follow Through, and Overlap Workshop teaches students the two of the principles of animation. Anticipation which introduces the character getting prepared to perform an action. It prepares the viewer for what’s about to happen. The second principle we will cover is follow through and overlap. This principle helps to render movement more realistically by obeying the laws of physics. Students will learn how to make a pendulum swing and an object jump.

Class 1 – Pendulum exercise
Class 2 – Finishing the Pendulum exercise
Class 3 – Lecture & Jump exercise
Class 4 – Finishing the Jump exercise

Module #3: Walk Cycles Workshop

Students will combine what they learned from squash and stretch, anticipation, follow through and overlap lessons into their walk cycle. Students will learn how to make a character move and walk in their own stylistic ways.

Class 1 – Blocking walk cycle: Hips and Legs
Class 2 – Continuing with blocking walk cycle: Hips and Legs
Class 3 – Polishing walk cycle: Hips and Legs
Class 4 – Finishing the walk cycle

Program Details

In our Online 3D Animation Workshops for Youth, students will need a Microsoft or Mac laptop or desktop computer with a minimum of 16 GB and a three button external mouse. Students will also be downloading a few free/discounted educational software for this program. The course teacher or camps director will reach out to in the few days leading up to the program with specific instructions on how to download these programs. Students must take module one to take two or three.

To learn more about class times and tuition, visit our workshop program details page.

Online Film Camps Module for Kids

Online Film Camps for Kids

Hands-On Film Training at NYFA

Filmmaking is an exciting craft where aspiring storytellers can express themselves through strong narrative storytelling skills, and a solid understanding of the creative and technical process.

In NYFA’s online film camps for kids, students get a comprehensive overview of how to create their own short films under the live supervision and direction of experienced industry professionals. During these innovative classes, students learn the essential techniques required to create memorable short films, building their confidence in visual storytelling and content creation.

While the classes are designed to be standalone programs that may be taken individually, many students choose to take all three and gain a full spectrum of skills.

Module #1: The Subtext Film Class

In filmmaking, subtext is a critical technique for building suspense and developing characters. During this immersive online class, students learn to focus on the background and supporting visuals of the “mise-en-scene” or “telling the story.” Students choose a few emotions or an idea or a concept and are challenged to visualize the idea without using human beings in the frame.

This enables the new film director to explore the myriad ways one can manifest subtext in the story being told without words, and an important and fundamental aspect of visual literacy for film.

Module #2: The POV (Point of View) Film Class

To be a compelling filmmaker and director, students must learn to communicate through strong visuals and dialogue, communicating the thoughts and feelings of their characters. In this hands-on, virtual class, students create a subjective film that demonstrates to us, the audience, how they are feeling and/or what they are thinking. Students can choose a specific character and situation, and then visualize that character’s point of view using a point of view shot. The story must be shot in a way that allows the audience to understand who the character is, how the character is feeling and what the character is doing – all the points of view shot.

If the students do not have anyone to act for them, they can shoot a film that implies an unseen presence – a ghost, their pet dog, a fly buzzing around the room – but still tell a story. Students can also be creative with inanimate figures such as Legos, stuffed animals or dolls.

Module #3: The Writing Challenge Class

Every aspiring filmmaker has a selection of their favorite films and characters. In this live class, students put their inspiration to use, taking their favorite character from a movie and continuing that character’s story – what happens next (the sequel) OR what happened before we met the character.

Alternatively, students may create their own character, develop the character’s traits, what the character likes, how the character behaves, etc., and develop a basic outline of the character’s story. This week and project are devoted to the important skills of character and story development that are of tremendous value to all writers and directors.

Program Details

Our online filmmaking classes are hands-on, filmmaker experiences designed to provide teens with the opportunity to explore storytelling through the art of film. The classes are available on Saturdays and run for four consecutive Saturdays.

Students may enroll in all three classes or select and complete the individual classes. Students are not required to complete one class to attend the next. To learn more about class times and tuition, visit our workshop program details page.

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Online Acting Modules for Kids

Online Acting Classes for Kids

Learn to Act for Film and TV

Acting for film is an exciting, always changing form of expression where students tap into their imagination to create memorable performances. In our Online Acting classes for kids, students aged 10-13 work on establishing the core skills required to perform on-camera, learning the techniques that professional actors use to compete and thrive in the modern world of acting.

Under the supervision of our faculty of experienced actors, filmmakers, and directors, students discover their strengths as performers while learning to act out monologues, deliver strong auditions, and how to create and produce their own content, such as short web films.

Each of our acting workshops cover a different topic of film acting. Students are welcomed to take the workshops individually, and many choose to take all three workshops to build a full spectrum of skills. The programs are currently offered during the academic year on the weekend.

Module #1: Monologues

The most successful actors and performers know how to bring a monologue to life, acting truthfully under imaginary circumstances. During the Monologues online acting class, students learn these professional techniques, learning how to make thoughtful, playful, and surprising choices during their monologues that keep audiences engaged. As a final project, students select and perform a monologue.

Module #2: Fundamentals of TV & Film Auditions

To be competitive in the film, television, and entertainment industries, aspiring actors must deliver memorable auditions. In our Fundamentals of TV & Film Auditions workshop, students learn the fundamentals of on-camera TV and Film auditions. In this intensive class, students focus on scene work, learning how to identify and leverage their strengths as a performer. Students also learn what to expect in a professional audition setting, as well as industry best practices.

Module #3: Exploring Forms of New Media

For aspiring actors who are eager to perform, self-generated content is a great way to gain experience and start creating a professional reel. In our Exploring Forms of New Media online acting class, students explore forms of creative content including web series, online videos, and sketches.

During the hands-on class, students are challenging to write and shoot their own work, working with materials that are available to them at little to no cost. The workshop culminates in a sharing of self-written and produced short form videos.

Program Details

The online classes in this series are available on Saturdays and run for four consecutive Saturdays. Students may enroll in all three workshops or select and complete classes individually. Students are not required to complete one class to attend the next.

To learn more about class times and tuition, visit our workshop program details page.

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