Animation A-Block
Designed for the new vanguard of the animation industry
Student animators enjoy a comprehensive array of animation production facilities to support student’s various needs, designed to foster both traditional and avant-garde animation techniques. CalArts provides specialized computer labs and advanced technical equipment for digital animation and motion capture, ensuring students have access to cutting-edge resources for their creative endeavors. Additionally, dedicated stop motion stages cater to physical animation projects.
Bijou Theater
The 125-seat Bijou Theater is CalArts’ main screening facility, featuring a digital cinema projector, both 16mm and 35mm Xenon projectors, and a calibrated 5.1 audio system. Modern and legacy formats such as film, videotape, optical media, digital video files, and Digital Cinema Packages can be screened for exhibition and study. Exhibitions, discussions, and Q&A sessions can be supported with laptop inputs for projection and live microphones.
Permanent Set
The Louis B. Mayer Permanent Set, donated by one of the commercial studios in Los Angeles, is a 35x39-foot interior set with simulated backdrops for backyard and patio. Used primarily for classes and workshops in staging, lighting, cinematography, and other aspects of production, this facility is also available to students outside of classes.
Film Directing Studio
The Film Directing Studio, measuring 39x36 feet, is used for teaching students how to shoot and direct actors for filmmaking. The studio is part of the Steven Spielberg Sound Stage, a building that also includes a classroom with multiformat video screening capability, a seminar room, an editing workstation, a control room, and a shooting studio. Studio equipment includes two digital camera packages with full sound and lighting support, a camera dolly, and a 24-channel lighting board.
