6-Month Short-Term Master’s Program
Foundations of 3D Animation
The Master’s Program in 3D Animation introduces students to the fundamentals of professional animation applied to digital characters and creatures.
The course combines the study of movement, analysis of reference material, and the use of professional software, with a particular focus on timing, weighting, and expressiveness.
Course Description
An intensive 3D animation course designed to introduce students to 3D animation for film, video games, and digital productions.
The course covers the artistic and technical fundamentals of animation, enabling students to understand the principles of movement, acting, and narrative structure within a 3D production.
The course is designed for those who want to explore the world of animation—whether starting from scratch or building on their foundational skills—through a hands-on approach focused on creating a final project for their portfolio.
Learning Objectives:
Professional Use of Maya Software for Animation
Fundamental Principles of Animation
Character Body Mechanics
Introduction to Acting and Facial Expression
Fundamentals of Film Directing
Analysis and Use of Reference Videos
Production of a final professional showreel/portfolio
How to participate: In-person or hybrid? Choose the option that's right for you!
In-person
The traditional format involves daily in-person attendance in the classroom: the instructor is always present, leading theoretical sessions, labs, and real-time practical reviews.
This format fosters direct collaboration with classmates and faculty, provides immediate access to equipment, and offers an immersive experience in professional study environments.
Hybrid
To offer greater flexibility, a Hybrid track is also available that combines online learning with in-person participation: there will be workshops with guest speakers or specific hands-on sessions that can be attended in person.
ALL LESSONS AND WORKSHOPS ARE RECORDED AND MADE AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS.
Request more information about the 3D animation course now
You can schedule a call with one of our Admission Advisors, a school tour, or a one-on-one meeting with a teacher.
Student Works
Sarah Arduini
COURSE DIRECTOR
He won the Oscar for Best Visual Effects for the Disney film *The Jungle Book*. After contributing to the film “Legend of Tarzan,” he continued in the “Disney” vein, working on “Beauty and the Beast,” then moved on to Marvel with “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2,” before joining Industrial Light & Magic. There, he brought Supreme Leader Snoke to life in *Star Wars: The Last Jedi* and the genetically modified dinosaurs in *Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom*; he also completed several shots for the Oscar-nominated Disney masterpiece *The Lion King* (2019).
Today, he is an Animation Supervisor and instructor at Side Academy.
Course Structure
FORM
FIELD OF STUDY
OBJECTIVES AND RESULTS
Foundations 6 Months
Fundamentals of 3D Animation
Introduction to the principles of animation and visual language. Students learn the fundamentals of movement, rhythm, and acting, while exploring the processes of blocking, spline, and polish. During this phase, they develop their first complete shots, incorporating reference videos and AI tools to analyze and improve performance.
Final Project
Specialization
In the final phase of the course, students complete a comprehensive project that integrates all the skills they have acquired and is designed to be included in their personal portfolio as their first structured 3D animation project.
Course Objective
Upon completion of the Master’s program, students will have acquired:
a basic understanding of 3D animation
Basic skills in film language and performance acting
an animation project to include in a portfolio
The program serves as a foundation for:
continue with another 12 months of the Master’s program—Studio Production in 3D Animation—to complete the program
to further my studies in animation for film or video games
develop skills that are useful for entering the 3D animation industry
OPPORTUNITY to continue with another 12 months of advanced classes
At the end of the 6-month basic 3D Animation course, students who wish to further their studies in this field can continue their education by enrolling in the advanced courses of the Studio Production Master’s program. This allows them to complete a comprehensive 18-month program designed to train professional 3D animators.
THESIS PROJECTS
The final thesis project serves as a culmination of the educational program and the students’ first real experience with a complete production.
The academy’s students develop various original projects, working in roles and using methodologies similar to those in the film or video game industries.
Divided into groups, each person takes on specific artistic and technical roles. The final project serves as a concrete demonstration of artistic autonomy and professional maturity.
Animators will play a key role in bringing the creatures and characters in the academy’s short films to life. They will work closely with students in the CGI & VFX, Video Game Design & Development, and Cinematography & Directing programs.
Request more information now
You can schedule a call with one of our Admission Advisors, a school tour, or a one-on-one meeting with a teacher.
ANNUAL EVENTS
The Rookies in 3D Animation
Every year, Side Academy participates in the Rookie Awards, the most important international competition for creative media.
Projects developed at gain global visibility and feedback from professionals at leading film production studios.
The Night of the Golden Dragons
An exclusive event organized in conjunction with the Venice Film Festival, celebrating the best graduation projects and student productions.
An evening dedicated to creativity, featuring screenings, awards ceremonies, and opportunities to interact with guests from the VFX industry.
Annecy Animation Film Festival
Every year, students can take part in a study trip to London, which includes guided tours of some of the most important international production studios, such as ILM, Framestore, and One of Us.
JUDGES OF THE ROOKIES
Every year, the projects developed by Side Academy students are evaluated by an international jury from The Rookies, composed of high-profile professionals from leading animation studios.
The judges include supervisors, lead artists, and senior artists from companies such as Weta FX, Disney, Industrial Light & Magic, DreamWorks, Santa Monica Studio, and PlayStation Studios, who draw on their expertise to evaluate entries in the 3D Animation, VFX, and Film of the Year categories.
This direct exposure to industry standards allows students to measure themselves against real professional criteria and gain international visibility.
Software & Tools
Autodesk Maya – the industry standard for character and creature animation
Unreal Engine + MetaHuman – Facial Animation and Real-Time Cinematics
MotionBuilder – mocap data integration and cleanup
DaVinci Resolve – Editing and Shot Conformity
Selected AI Tools – Support for forecasting, reference, and motion analysis
Motion Capture Studio and Acting Studio – Real-World Capture and Reference
FAQ:
Absolutely! All courses start with the basics, so no artistic or programming skills are required. We want to train new artists regardless of their educational background.
With the HYBRID format, we allow those who need to take the course ONLINE to also have the option of attending certain in-person labs, workshops, or events.
We recommend having a PC or Mac at home that can run professional software, so that students can continue working on their projects from home. For those taking the online course, you’ll also need: an internet connection, a graphics tablet, a microphone to communicate with instructors, and headphones. A webcam is optional.