THIS IS A GREAT TIME TO START YOUR CAREER.

Tecnotoon Animation Univerity (TAU) opened in 2008 as a way of expanding the company's presence in Mexico. The 4,000-square foot digital animation studio, housed in the federal district in Mexico commercial area, produces shorts for a global audience, that works in conjunction with Tecnotoon and a digital artists group that works with Tecnotoon.

TAU benefits from the region's growing talent base as well as its cosmopolitan flavor. In addition, 5 different nationalities are represented around the Animation University.

The Animation Training Programs are an in-depth work experience in traditional and CGI (Computer Generated Imagery) animation, including instructional activities, tutorial classes (online), studio assignments and production experience.

YOU CAN SEE OUR LATINAMERICA FACILITIES (MEXICO CITY) Here

These concentrated programs are designed to give the Trainees a highly developed, first-hand insight into the animation process BEFORE their job application here.

TECNOTOON ANIMATION UNIVERSITY® CATALOG
Download our Training Program, designed to teach the skills necessary to obtain job in character animation (LA Version-Spanish-).

FACILITIES

All attending students have access to
Drawing board, disk, pegbar, desk and chair
Shared Line testing computer
Microsoft Office
Reference library (includes, books, sound files, industry publications, DVD's, videos)
Audio-visual presentation equipment
Life and natural drawing facilities
Student Lounge
Professional Development/Career Help

CGI (Computer Generated Imagery) Training Program

Training positions are available to individuals who have Computer Graphics education but lack practical experience in Feature Animation applications. Requirements include a degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Art, Traditional Animation, or related experience.

Knowledge of animation principles, lighting, rendering, and use of CGI hardware and software is desired.

CG animators had to return to school to learn how to animate on a computer!

The CGI Training Program begins with the first phase of the Traditional Animation Training Program. Phase two then follow, focusing on areas such as basic CGI information and specific Tecnotoon CGI production techniques. Basic CGI information addresses fundamental computer graphics and computer animation concepts, and a production-type final project utilizes all these skills and concepts.

Upon successful evaluation of the second phase, Trainees would them continue into their third phase, during which they are placed onto a production working on specific exercises under the supervision of a senior artist who will act as their mentor.

Classical Animation Training Program

Trainees accepted into the program participate in a three-phase training program tailored to their specific discipline. Upon entering the program, the trainee is placed under contact with the Studio.

This concentrated program gives a complete overview and introduces artists to the entire Tecnotoon Animation process. The program includes the following:

A. Tutorial

1. Classes--Trainees attend scheduled discussions on topics pertaining to the basic principles of animation art, production techniques, and studio processes.

2. Lectures--Trainees attend scheduled presentations as they relate to specific animation procedures, and contemporary motion-picture advances.

3. Screenings--Trainees attend weekly screenings of draw and animation practice, including discussions structured to make them aware of the problem solving necessary to achieve successful results in performance.

B. Studio Assignments

At Feature Animation, the artist's greatest tool is his/her ability to draw well.

1. Drawing Skills--Great emphasis is placed to developing the Trainees' fundamental ability to draw for animated film through observational studies, action analysis, and traditional figure-drawing techniques.

2. Drawing Techniques for Animation Production--Assignments develop the Trainees' skills in order to draw characters consistent with model sheets, and develop line quality in clean-up from rough animation drawings.

3. Individual Animation Assignments--Basic principles of animation are applied, using special facilities, in order to see how Trainees can creatively develop their own short segment of animation (the pencil-test concept). Assignments are based on the following progressive steps, each of which must be approved by supervising production personnel: proposal, thumbnails, storyboard, key pose and rough inbetweens, and key clean-up. Background/layout assignments will vary but will also develop similarly in progressive phases.

C. Production Experience in Other Animation Areas

To understand the overall Animation Production process as a blend of talent and teamwork, trainees are exposed to each phase of the artistic and technical procedure necessary for animation, under the supervision of production personnel.

II. Phase Two:

This portion of training continues with the Trainees concentrating on their specific discipline. Curriculum includes specialized exercises, lectures, acting, clinics, and research.

III. Phase Three:

Prior to entering this final phase of training, Trainees are evaluated to determine whether they will continue. If evaluated successfully, Trainees begin work on production-specific exercises under the guidance of a senior artist in their discipline who acts as the mentor.

Mexico is one of the few countries that has the capability to produce 2D and 3D animated movies. If you live in Latin America, take our training program, you will find great job opportunities.

WHAT MAKES A GOOD ARTIST?

1. "Good" in the sense of artistically mature, second, in the sense of technically proficient and savvy, and lastly, "good" in the sense of relatively stress-free people doing what we love doing.

2. The term "digital artist" was almost nonexistent as few as ten years ago. There weren't tools to do what we do today in visual effects and animation ten years ago. The industry has grown large and fast in a very short period of time.

3. People running around with no idea what digital artistry is all about. Because the field was so new, people were being hired with no experience or even worse a varied experience in a lot of things.

Successful digital artists demand more from themselves technically and artistically with each successive project.

Ever worked at a place where playing with a light saber in the office is okay with your boss? It's okay to do here. Not down with dressing up? Casual is the way to go at Tecnotoon Animation University, where our executives are regularly spotted wearing jeans and sneakers. Remember sneaking into the movies when you were a kid? No need to sneak in anymore — every week there are free private screenings of first-run films available to all employees.

Teamwork is essential to Tecnotoon Animation University, where everyone from receptionist to CEO is treated with respect and dignity. It's the cornerstone of the company's culture. You'll be working side by side with some of the most exceptional people in the entertainment industry. We believe people work best when they're enjoying what they do, and we take pride in creating a relaxed environment.

If you thrive on doing your best, you'll be successful here and be able to take advantage of the unique career opportunities we provide. No matter what division you end up in, you'll find the work fascinating and challenging, satisfying your creative and intellectual spirit.

LOCATION

TECNOTOON ANIMATION UNIVERSITY (TAU) is situated in modern premises in the heart of Mexico City, central business district.

Physical Address:
San Lorenzo 1009, 4th floor, Del Valle
Mexico City
Mexico

Email: info@tecnotoonau.com

FEES & ADMISSION

Domestic Students

International Students

Course fees: $9,000 per annum -. Tuition payment must be made in US dollars and the student must pay all the bank transfer fees and charges incurred. It is a student visa/permit application requirement that international students must have paid their annual tuition fees in full at the time they submit their visa/permit application. Please be aware that the process of obtaining a student visa/permit can take from 30 days and up to three months. You should be organised and put in an application early to allow enough time for immigration processing.

TECNOTOON ANIMATION UNIVERSITY (TAU) welcomes students from overseas and wants to support their needs. International students must be 18 years of age or older. International students must have appropriate and current medical and travel insurance while studying in Mexico.

PORTFOLIO GUIDELINES

Do not be intimidated by preparing a portfolio! You should submit a portfolio of at least 10 drawings. It is not necessary to try to clean up the drawings by erasing the construction lines, as these provide valuable information about your technique and approach to drawing.

Distance application may be submitted electronically. Please contact TAU for further details. Please note that any application you make by post will not be returned to you, therefore do not send original artwork or documents.

Acceptance to the course will be based on strength of artistic ability displayed in the portfolio, maturity, professional approach to the course attitude, communicative ability, commitment, level of written and spoken Spanish and prior experience or achievements.

Tecnotoon Latin America needs digital artist.