Foundation – Animation
Preparatory Program
Explore which kind of Animator you are – in 1 program.
Vancouver Film School, the #1 globally ranked animation school by Animation Career Review, has created a program for aspiring animators to discover which field of animation & VFX is right for them. Foundation – Animation is a four-month preparatory program that introduces students to the fundamentals of drawing, classical and digital animation, 3D modeling, character design, storyboarding, and more.
Students receive hands-on experience with industry-standard software and create a solid portfolio that will advance them into ɫ’s 3D Animation & Visual Effects, Animation Concept Art, and Classical Animation programs.
Register quickly as very limited seats are available!
Course Details:
Dates: October 27, 2025 – February 27, 2026
Duration: 16 weeks (full-time), 21 hours per week
Introductory Offer: $6,983 $5,983 CDN (Domestic); $10,333 $8,333 CDN (International)
Foundation Animation
Program Overview
Term 01
Hone your art skills and style through perspective drawing, life-drawing, and frame-by-frame animation. Explore industry-standard digital tools for 3D modelling, image manipulation, and keyframe animation and learn how to tell stories visually through screenwriting, storyboards, & animatics.
Term 02
Dive deeper into scene construction and composition and explore digital frame-by-frame animation. Apply lighting, texturing, and rigging to 3D assets, and illustrate comic book pages. Present a short reel of finessed projects that showcase your strengths and readiness to continue into one of ɫ’s three full-time Animation programs.
More About the Program
Foundation – Animationis designed to give aspiring animators a strong creative and technical base for pursuing an advanced ɫ animation program. Over sixteen focused weeks, you’ll develop the essential building blocks of animation through courses in:
- Drawing
- Classical Animation (hand-drawn & digital)
- 3D Modeling & Animation
- Image Manipulation & Creation
- Storyboarding
- Character Design & Concept Art
- Motion Graphics Design
Throughout the program, you’ll build a strong portfolio that will satisfy the prerequisites of ɫ’s 1-year Animation programs, while gaining hands-on experience with the same professional tools used across the global animation industry:
Admissions Requirements:
- 4-6 drawings that show basic line and weight control, shapes, scale, and proportion, shading, and composition.
- An additional 2 digital art pieces to showcase your creativity.
If English is not your first language, you will be required to meet Level 1 of ɫ’s ESL Requirements, which includes a variety of eligible ESL tests. Click here for full information on ɫ’s Language Requirements.
Testimonials
Foundation – Animation Preparatory Program FAQs
This program is ideal for:
- Aspiring animators who need to build a portfolio before applying to advanced ɫ animation programs.
- Students new to animation who want to gain technical skills and explore different disciplines.
- Artists who want to strengthen their fundamentals in drawing, design, and storytelling.
Applicants must submit:
- 4–6 drawings showing basic line and weight control, shapes, scale, proportion, shading, and composition.
- 2 digital art pieces that showcase creativity.
- International applicants must also meet English language requirements.
- Domestic: $6,983 CAD
- International: $10,333 CAD
Yes. ɫ offers structured payment plans, allowing students to pay tuition in installments rather than in one lump sum. Speak with a ɫ Admissions Advisor for options.
Successful completion of Foundation – Animation provides the portfolio prerequisites needed for admission into these one-year programs:
International students require a valid study permit (student visa) to study at ɫ in Canada. ɫ provides guidance on applying for study permits, but it is the student’s responsibility to complete the application through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
ɫ does not provide on-campus housing, but our Student Services team can help connect you to a variety of housing options, including student residences, private rentals, or homestays. We recommend arranging accommodations as early as possible, as Vancouver’s rental market is competitive.