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California Institute of the Arts

BFA: Character Animation

School of Film/Video

Animation students drawing in life drawing class.

Influence the industry

Graduates of CalArts’ BFA in Character Animation graduates have shaped the field of animation as we know it—and continue to expand the definition of the discipline through their work. As a student in one of the world’s top animation programs, you’ll receive expert training in traditional and computer graphic (CG) animation, build a professional portfolio, and create a unique short film annually—beginning with your first year. Our faculty of industry professionals provide the mentorship and expertise to ensure students gain proficiency in both the artistry and technical skills that form the foundation of a lifetime of creative work.

Teacher pointing at a clay figure sculpture example to a group of students.

John Brown teaches an advanced studio class.

  • #1 animation school in the US
  • Top 5 Film School Titans
  • 8:1 student-faculty ratio

    in CalArts School of Film/Video
     

Tell your own story

BFA Character Animation

The internationally renowned Character Animation program at CalArts is designed for students who seek to understand—and influence—the art of character performance and storytelling in animation.

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Led by a faculty of experienced professionals who work at the forefront of traditional, computer graphic (CG), and independent animation, CalArts’ BFA in Character Animation provides comprehensive artistic and technical training to help each student develop as a fully-fledged animation artist within both the traditional and CG animation environments.

The first year of the program’s intensive four-year curriculum is devoted to courses in life drawing, color and design, storytelling and character animation. The second year takes this work to a higher level by incorporating elements such as dialogue, sound effects, and music. In your third year, you’ll typically progress to the advanced level in your coursework, which can include story classes geared toward short-form traditional animation, CG computer animation, and specialized work in painting, illustration, graphic novels, and advanced visual design. In the fourth and final year, you’ll move up to the highest level of the core classes and can customize your curriculum according to your own specific areas of interest. Over the course of the program, you’ll develop a professional-caliber portfolio and create one short, individually-made film each year.

Throughout your studies, you’ll participate in a vibrant visiting artist series, attending lectures, demonstrations, and screenings by some of the most influential animators, filmmakers, showrunners, and artists in the industry. These experiences provide invaluable insights and inspiration as you prepare to enter the professional world.

To graduate, all BFA Character Animation students must pass a graduation review, ensuring that you leave the program as a skilled and confident animation artist, ready to make your mark in the industry.

Admission requirements

To be considered for the BFA Character Animation program, you must complete an application and all program-specific requirements, including an artist statement, a portfolio of representative work, a brief video introduction, and a sketchbook video. Before applying, please familiarize yourself with the detailed application requirements and resources available to assist you in this important process. 

View detailed admission requirements

Degree requirements

The first year of the BFA in Character Animation is devoted to courses in life drawing, color and design, storytelling and character animation—both traditional and CG. The second year takes this work to a higher level by incorporating elements such as dialogue, sound effects and music. In the third year, students typically move to the advanced level in their coursework, which can include story classes geared toward short-form traditional animation, CG computer animation, and specialized work in painting, illustration, graphic novels and advanced visual design. In the fourth and final year, students move up to the highest level of the core classes and can customize their curriculum according to their own specific areas of interest. During the course of their studies, students develop a professional-caliber portfolio.

In addition to its course requirements, the program calls on students to attend lectures, demonstrations and screenings as part of an extensive visiting artist series, featuring noted animators, filmmakers, showrunners and artists. All BFA Character Animation students are required to pass a Graduation Review in order to complete the Program.

View BFA Character Animation academic requirements

In addition to work in your specific program, all undergraduate students must complete requirements in general education, which we call Critical Studies. This liberal arts curriculum is designed to enable students to consider aesthetic questions within larger socio-cultural, ethical, and political contexts.    

View Critical Studies requirements

Minors and interdisciplinary opportunities

CalArts offers students the chance to pursue additional interests alongside your chosen discipline, such as a minor in Digital Arts, Critical Studies, or Arts Education.

Learn more about minors and interdisciplinary opportunities 

Courses you might take

What courses would you take as a Character Animation student? Browse the courses offered in the School of Film/Video, one of the world’s foremost places for the study and practice of the art of the moving image as a personal, evolving, and innovative art form.

See courses in Character Animation

Explore The School of Film/Video course catalog

Meet the faculty

At CalArts, faculty and students are collaborators, teaching, learning, and working together as members of our community of artists. 

What will you make?

Get inspired

Watch the Character Animation student films made in 2024, ranging from year-long productions to 48-hour projects.

cartoon characters around a table

Amon by Justine King (Film/Video BFA 24)

2024 Character Animation Producers’ Show recap

Luminaries turn out for the CalArts Producers’ Show

Films by CalArts’ animation students wowed an audience of peers and professionals at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in LA’s Miracle Mile.

An audience seated in a glamorous theater with red carpets and velvet seats

Some of our alumni

*Academy Award nominee/winner **Primetime Emmy nominee/winner

More School of Film/Video alumni

When Jorge Gutiérrez was admitted to CalArts, he resolved to stand out with his work ethic: “I’m just gonna outwork everybody.” His efforts were rewarded with a Student Emmy Award for his stop-motion thesis film “Carmelo,” which led him to begin pitching an outline of The Book of Life to different studios. He was advised to create a series before a full film, finding bursts of success with projects like his 2011 short “El Macho,” which earned 20,000 views in one night.  

As he said on a recent return to campus, “The work matters more than the results, and I love work. I love making things.” 

Jorge R. Gutiérrez, wearing a straw hat, speaks into a microphone to students in a small auditorium
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Gallery

Students and studios meet at Animation Portfolio Day

One day. Fifty studios and companies from the US and beyond. And 780 face-to-face meetings with students. That’s CalArts’ annual Animation Portfolio Day.

People talk and check their devices during a networking event.

Want to learn more?

We got you. Our Admissions team is all about providing the information you need to decide if CalArts is right for you. We’re excited to connect with you for a tour of our legendary campus, a virtual info session, or at one of our admissions events across the country or around the world. Take the next step—we’re here to help.