Ross Thomas Creations
SCOOL Animation Foundation
An eight-week online programme with practical masterclasses, weekly tasks and online community, covering everything you need to know about the principles of Animation, from experienced industry professional, CEO and Founder; Ross Thomas.
Course Outline
Each week, award - winning CEO and Founder; Ross Thomas, will lead you through a live webinar masterclass, that helps you get animating, with key instructions for everything you’ve ever wanted to know about animation and its core principles. You will be given weekly tasks to respond to the lessons you have learnt, that you can upload and share with us and your peers in the group, through a dedicated online community.
Course Structure
A breakdown of all topics, masterclasses and tasks each week on the course.
Topic:
LAUNCH
Session:
Intoduction to the course & Q&A
WEEK 1
Topic:
INTRODUCTION to ANIMATION
Session:
History of animation
Basic principles of animation (e.g., squash and stretch, anticipation, staging)
Overview of animation software
Tasks:
Research and present a brief history of a chosen animation style
Basic exercises on squash and stretch
Masterclass:
ROSS THOMAS
Demonstration of basic animation principles
WEEK 2
Topic:
STORYBOARDING and PLANNING
Session:
Importance of storyboarding
Elements of a storyboard
​Planning an animation project
Tasks:
Create a storyboard for a short animation
Masterclass:
Review of student storyboards
Tips on effective storyboarding
WEEK 3
Topic:
CHARACTER DESIGN
Session:
Basics of character design
Creating appealing characters
Character turnaround sheets
Tasks:
Design a character and create a turnaround sheet
Masterclass:
Character design critique and feedback
WEEK 4
Topic:
ANIMATION TECHNIQUES
Session:
Traditional vs. digital animation techniques
Frame-by-frame animation
Keyframes and in-betweens
Tasks:
Create a short frame-by-frame animation
Masterclass:
Demonstration of animation techniques
Student work review
WEEK 5
Topic:
TIMING and SPACING
Session:
Understanding timing and spacing in animation
Creating believable motion
Timing charts
Tasks:
Exercises on timing and spacing
Masterclass:
Timing and spacing workshop
Feedback on assignments
WEEK 6
Topic:
ADDING EFFECTS
Session:
Basics of adding effects (e.g., shadows, highlights)
Using effects to enhance animation
Tasks:
Add effects to a previous animation project
Masterclass:
Effects demonstration
Student project reviews
WEEK 7
Topic:
SOUND and MUSIC
Session:
Importance of sound in animation
Basics of sound design and music selection
Syncing sound with animation
Tasks:
Add sound to an animation project
Masterclass:
Sound design tips and techniques
Review of student sound projects
WEEK 8
Topic:
FINAL PROJECT and REVIEW
Session:
Final project guidelines
Review of key concepts
Tasks:
Complete a final animation project incorporating all learned techniques
Masterclass:
Presentation of final projects
Course wrap-up and feedback
What happens after you enrol?
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Introduction to the course and Q&A will take place via live stream; presented by Ross Thomas, on the Monday after the date you join the course at 9am GMT. We will confirm via email.
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In the meantime, source any little bit of kit you might need and try different animation apps before you get going.
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Masterclasses, Tasks and Feedback will be delivered every 7 days until the end of the course.
What happens when you complete the course?
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Every live - streamed weekly Masterclass will be recorded and sent to you via email as an mp4 attachment; allowing you to be able to watch and re-watch everything as many times as you'd like!
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You will have access to the community pages of the course for 7 months!
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On successful completion of the course, you will receive a digital certificate; serving as a boost to your portfolio for direct employment, or succession with us in projects with our clients!
Who is this course for?
This course is ideal for those who have always wanted to animate but didn’t know where to start, or those with animation experience looking for insider knowledge and lessons from an industry-leading professional.
What equipment do I need?
It is completely up to you what app or equipment you might have at home to take part in this course, but here are some suggestions:
Adobe Animate:
Ideal for creating 2D animations, this app offers a wide range of tools for drawing, rigging and animating characters.
https://www.renderforest.com/blog/best-animation-software.
Blender:
A powerful open-source tool for 3D animation, Blender is widely used for creating animated films, visual effects and video games.
https://www.renderforest.com/blog/best-animation-software.
Toon Boom Harmony:
Known for its professional-grade features, this app is perfect for both 2D and hybrid animation projects.
https://www.pixpa.com/blog/animation-software.
Flipaclip:
Great for beginners and hobbyists, Flipaclip allows you to create frame-by-frame animations on your mobile device.
https://www.renderforest.com/blog/best-animation-software.
Animation Desk:
This app provides a user-friendly interface for creating hand-drawn animations, making it a favorite among artists.
If you have any further questions or concerns; please get in touch at rossthomascreations@gmail.com
We look forward to hearing from you!