Intro to BNU Module COM7025 - Professional Prep

The video above is an introduction to Module COM7025 - "Professional Prep". This is the next module being studied by our animation students at Buckinghamshire New University , studying on the Online MA in 3D Animation.  COM7025 starts on 6th October 2025, and aims to prepare our graduates for success in the animation, games and visual effects industries.  You can read more about COM7025 by reading this blog post at our BNU blog. 

Animators Need an Equal (and Opposite) Reaction

Monty sneeze - with top hat reaction

One of the quickest ways to give your animation weight and believability—even in the wildest, wackiest cartoon world—is to respect a core principle of physics: Every action has an equal and opposite reaction.

This doesn’t mean your characters need to obey Newton's laws with documentary accuracy. What it does mean is we should obey the laws of Cartoon Physics.  

Why Animators Should Hold on the Final Vowel

"O" shape by Cliff Nordberg

When animating Lipsync, animators should never forget to hold a few frames longer on the final vowel shape, and not snap back into the default mouth position too quickly.

This is because when we say a word, like "ooh", our lips stay in the "oo" shape for a while, even after we have stopped making any "oo" sounds.  Junior animators will often snap back to a default mouth position, just a couple of frames after the sound stops, instead of holding the pose for longer, and staying in the mouth shape. 

Try it yourself. Say the word "shoo" and see how long your lips hold the "oo" shape. It's probably about 6-8 frames longer than the sound itself lasts. 

Winter Class Starts on 3 November 2025

"Mrs Claus" by Robin Herrmann

Our Winter Animation Class begins on Monday 3rd November 2025.  It's not too late to book a place; all you need to do is visit the main Animation Apprentice site and go through a few simple steps.

If you want to learn 3D animation to a professional level, and start your new career as an animator - your journey starts here.

How Graduates Get a Letter of Recommendation

For animation graduates, a Letter of Recommendation is often requested when applying for jobs, internships, or postgraduate opportunities.  Here at Animation Apprentice we write them on a regular basis.

Employers and studios want to know what you’re like to work with, and a letter from a trusted tutor or mentor can help convey that.  Are you a team player? Do you show up on time? These are the "soft skills" that employers look for.

Here are some tips to make the process of getting a reference or letter or recommendation as smooth as possible:

Screen Skills Animation Trainer Finder 2025

Apply at Screen Skills' official site

On September 1st Screen Skills launched a new paid placement scheme for graduates, The "Animation Trainee Finder". Applications for the scheme are now open, and close on Friday 26th September 2025.

"Animation Trainee Finder" places trainees on animation productions and aims to ensure a steady supply of talent for the UK animation industry.

"Young Arrows" Animation Awards Now Open

The "Young Arrows" animation awards are open

Calling all Animation Apprentice graduates working in the advertising industry - The "Young Arrows" animation awards are now open, and entry is completely free.  Up to three entries may be submitted. The "Young Arrows" awards are judged by media professionals in the UK.  To find out how to enter, download the PDF of the entry rules and regulations.   The deadline is September 3rd. 

Young Animator of The Year Competition 2025

Young Animator of the Year Competition 2025

There is still time to enter the Young Animator of the Year Competition 2025.  

The Competition, created by Access VFX and supported by Screen Skills, BAFTA and the BAA Awards, is judged by professional animators. Winning films will be announced and premiered at the Manchester Animation festival.  Entry must be completed by September 1st, and is open to animators in the UK aged 11-22.  You can find more about it here: https://younganimator.uk/competition #animation #YAYUK

Why Animators Should Hold Their Poses Longer

Character pose by Mark Masters

One of the common mistakes made by junior animators is the “default face.” A character smiles, frowns, gasps — and then, almost instantly, snaps back to a bland neutral expression.  It’s as if the performance forgets itself. 

This also happens in lipsync; where the character will make a vowel or consonant; then snap back into a default mouth shape much too quickly. Much better to hold the vowel or consonant longer, and really get the most out of the pose. 

Why Animators Choose Asymmetrical Poses

Mickey Mouse from "The Illusion of Life"

One of the most common mistakes made by junior animators is for their character poses to be too stiff and symmetrical.  One of the fastest ways to make a character feel stiff and lifeless is to pose them symmetrically.  

Perfectly mirrored limbs, identical angles, and evenly balanced weight all scream “mannequin,” not “living being.” Real life — and good animation — is full of asymmetry.

Live Action Ref Should Match the Camera Angle

Anim Ref and Anim by Elin Berrio Pena

Most experienced animators know about the importance of shooting live action reference to create great animation. 

However, to get the best out of your reference, you should always be sure to match the correct camera angle in your shot. If you don't, the reference you shoot won't be nearly as useful.

Intro to BNU Module COM7023 Character Animation

Our animation students taking the Online MA in 3D Animation at Buckinghamshire New University (BNU) recently tackled their Character Animation Module - COM7023.  COM7023 introduces students to the art and craft of character animation, including acting, dialogue, lipsync and pantomime animation. It culminates in an entry into the monthly 11 Second Club Competition. To find out more about the module and the Online MA in 3D Animation, see this blog post. 

Taxes For Freelance Animators

 

 
This short video offers a short introductory guide to taxes for freelance animators.  It was recorded for our students at Buckinghamshire New University, studying for their MA in 3D Animation, but it applies equally to all our students at Animation Apprentice. BNU can't offer our students formal legal or tax advice, but we can explain the basic rules of freelancing.  Freelancing need not be complicated. You don't need a license to offer your services to clients and, as long as you pay your taxes to HMRC at the end of the tax year, doing small freelance animation jobs can be a great way to get started in the animation industry. 

Top Ten Animation Pitch Mistakes

Pitching - Hit the Bullseye

What is a pitch? A pitch is defined by Wikipedia as "a short summary used to quickly and simply define a profession, product, service, organization, or event and its value proposition". Animators often pitch their projects, hoping to get their own unique project off the ground.  

A great pitch is funny, interesting, grabs your attention, and makes the listener think "wow, that could really work".  A great pitch leaves the listener wanting more.  But pitching is harder than it sounds. Below are some of the most common mistakes in pitching.

One Vital Tip for Animation Graduates

Above is our "One Vital Tip for Animation Graduates". Do this one thing and you will put yourself at the head of the list when it comes to finding that crucial first job in the animation industry.  This short video was recorded for our students at Buckinghamshire New University, studying for their MA in 3D Animation, but it applies equally to all our students at Animation Apprentice. 

Why Animators Still Need a Blog or Website

Why do animation graduates need their own blog or website? Because it is still the case today that having your own blog or website is still the best way to own your own professional slice of the internet. Your blog or website is your showcase for your talent; you can style it and curate it any way you want, and show the world what you are capable of.  The video above explains why our animation graduates still need their own online space to show their work. 

Intro to COM7021 - Animation Mechanics - at BNU

Introducing COM7021, the first animation module tackled by our MA students at Buckinghamshire New University. The introductory animation module COM7021 starts with animation basics, and deals with character locomotion, specifically walks, characters walks, runs and jumps. To see more about our online MA in 3D animation, delivered in partnership with Buckinghamshire New University, follow this link.

Why Animators Still Need Linkedin

 

Animators need Linkedin because now more than ever Linkedin has become the default platform for animation graduates looking for work.  Linkedin is a "one stop shop" for animation recruiters, who can find fresh talent, see their job history, watch their demo reel and - crucially - forward the link to their clients. The video above was recorded for our students at Buckinghamshire New University, studying for their MA in 3D Animation, but it applies equally to all out students at Animation Apprentice. 

Being "Goofy" at Walt Disney World in 1989

In the summer of 1989 I was working at the Walt Disney Studio in Orlando, Florida on the animated short RollerCoaster Rabbit, directed by Rob Minkoff.  

It was a dream summer job (I was a student at University in the UK at the time), working at the Orlando animation studio - which was then part of the Disney World Park, and an attraction in itself.  Visitors would stroll through the "animation ride" and gaze through the glass walls, watching the animators busily at work. 

On my last day at the Studio, when I was due to head back home, studio head Max Howard offered me the chance to play Goofy - to be one of the Disney characters in the park itself.   

And so, in the sweltering summer of 1989, I had the surreal pleasure of stepping into the oversized shoes of Goofy at Walt Disney World.

Online MA in Animation with BNU Starts Sept 2025

Animation by BNU graduate Neil Whitman

Our MA in 3D Animation for Professionals is now taking applications.

The online MA in animation at Buckinghamshire New University was launched in 2015 and was the very first of its kind - the first online MA in animation which could be undertaken by students anywhere in the world.  

We continue to partner with BNU to deliver the Online MA 3D Animation for Professionals, ensuring that all our MA Students graduate with industry-level skills.  Teaching starts in September 2025.

Fall Class Starts on Monday 1 Sept 2025

Our Fall Animation Class begins on Monday 1st September 2025.

It's not too late to book a place; all you need to do is visit the main Animation Apprentice site and go through a few simple steps.

If you want to learn 3D animation to a professional level, and start your new career as an animator - your journey starts here.