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In-person Program
Animation Summer Program
by National Student Leadership Conference
A hands-on pre-college program where students develop 2D animation, visual storytelling and studio-production skills through workshops and collaborative projects.
Last verified: 4 Aug 2026Reviewed by:BSBen Stacy
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Animation Summer Program at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility
Current status
Applications open
Eligibility
High-school students
Age range / Year group
Ages 14-18
Location / Region
University of California, Los Angeles; Los Angeles, CA
Cost
$4,495
Duration
9 days
Format
In-person
Application deadline
Rolling · Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.
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Accommodation: Supervised campus dormitories
Meals: Campus dining included
Campus experience: Workshops, trips and residential life
Main output: Original animated pitch deck
Animation Summer Program summary
Students learn how animated projects move from character and environment design through storyboarding, pitching and production.
The program combines professional 2D software practice with a collaborative studio simulation and creative-career guidance.
It suits students who want structured, hands-on exposure to animation and are comfortable collaborating on an intensive residential experience.
What is Animation Summer Program?
The Animation program is a pre-college creative experience run by the National Student Leadership Conference. Students explore how characters, environments and stories are developed for the screen using professional-style production methods.
Interactive workshops cover digital drawing, visual development, storyboarding and pitching. A collaborative studio simulation brings these strands together as teams create an original concept and experience roles including art direction, character design, writing and marketing.
Why Succeed highlights Animation Summer Program
Students use Clip Studio Paint and Toon Boom Harmony to practise professional 2D animation techniques.
The studio simulation connects individual creative skills to a realistic team-production workflow.
Students produce characters, storyboards, environments and a marketing plan for an original pitch deck.
Industry speakers and possible visits to studios, art colleges and film institutions add useful career context.
Leadership workshops develop communication, listening, resilience and empathy alongside creative practice.
Who is Animation Summer Program for?
Best for
Students who enjoy drawing, visual storytelling and team projects and want to test animation as a possible study or career direction.
Not ideal if
You want a specialist solo portfolio course, formal animation qualification or non-residential program.
Is Animation Summer Program worth it?
The program can be worthwhile for students who want concentrated exposure to several parts of animation production rather than a narrow software tutorial. Its strongest value lies in connecting creative practice, teamwork, industry context and residential campus experience.
The fee is substantial, and a nine-day program cannot replace sustained portfolio development or a longer technical course. Families should weigh the included residential experience and trips against lower-cost local or online routes into animation.
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Cost and what is included
$4,495; includes Residential campus housing, On-campus meals, Course materials and academic expenses, Trips, tours and activities, Off-campus event transportation.
Accommodation
Supervised campus dormitories
Meals
Campus dining included
Provider details
Review the National Student Leadership Conference provider page and official sources before making a final decision.
Dates and logistics
9 days; University of California, Los Angeles; Los Angeles, CA.
What to check before committing
Confirm current dates, payment terms, travel arrangements, cancellation rules and what is included with the provider.
Compare this program with similar options before deciding on dates, cost, format and fit.
Compare with similar programsHow much preparation does Animation Summer Program need?
Effort level
High-intensity short program.
Best started
Begin planning two to three months before a future session, allowing time for enrolment, payment and residential travel arrangements.
Main challenge
Turning varied team contributions into one coherent animated concept.
Typical preparation
Practise basic digital drawing and organise a small selection of creative work for your own reference.
Explore simple character, environment and storyboard exercises before arrival.
Discuss residential travel, dietary needs and payment planning early with a parent or guardian.
Useful if
You already enjoy sketching, storytelling or digital creative work.
What do students do on Animation Summer Program?
Students build an animation concept from early visual ideas through storyboarding and pitching while rotating through practical and collaborative activities.
Step-by-step process
- 1
Learn 2D drawing and animation techniques using professional software.
- 2
Sketch characters and environments that establish an animated world's visual identity.
- 3
Map scenes through storyboards focused on action, camera angles, pacing and composition.
- 4
Work in a team studio role to shape an original series or film concept.
- 5
Assemble characters, environments, storyboards and marketing ideas into a pitch deck.
- 6
Explore creative-career skills including pitching, freelancing and portfolio development.
- 7
Take part in leadership workshops and industry-focused trips or talks.
Animation Summer Program dates and deadlines
Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.
Reference date
Animation at UCLA — Session 1
23 June-1 July 2026
Animation at UCLA — Session 2
5-13 July 2026
| Milestone | Date | Timezone | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Applications | Rolling admissions | Local | Reference date | |
Animation at UCLA — Session 1 | 23 June-1 July 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
Animation at UCLA — Session 2 | 5-13 July 2026 | Local | Reference date |
Eligibility and requirements
Ages 14-18
Completed at least one high-school year
Current high-school students
Attendance allowed through summer after graduation
Academic excellence and leadership ability encouraged
How much does Animation Summer Program cost?
Program fee
$4,495 — Verified 2026 residential tuition.
Funding or discounts
- Scholarships: Usually $500-$1,000 — Financial need is required; awards offset tuition.
- Payment plans: Monthly payments — Available without an additional fee in the verified cycle.
What's included
Residential campus housing, On-campus meals, Course materials and academic expenses, Trips, tours and activities, Off-campus event transportation
How to apply to Animation Summer Program
- 1
Create an NSLC ID or use an existing one in the enrolment portal.
- 2
Complete the online application with the student's personal and school information.
- 3
Choose an available Animation session at UCLA.
- 4
Place the required deposit by credit or debit card, or arrange payment by check.
- 5
Review the student account for confirmed travel, packing and program information.
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What does Animation Summer Program cover?
The program covers the following focus areas.
Animation software
Practise 2D drawing and frame-by-frame animation with Clip Studio Paint and Toon Boom Harmony.
Visual development
Design characters and environments that establish the visual language of an original world.
Storyboarding
Plan action, camera angles, pacing, composition and visual flow scene by scene.
Studio simulation
Collaborate in production roles to create an original animated film or series pitch deck.
Business of the arts
Explore pitching, marketing, portfolio development, freelancing and creative-career pathways.
Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.
Who teaches on Animation Summer Program?
Program workshops are supplemented by guest speakers from varied industry backgrounds who share practical knowledge and professional experience. Specific speakers may differ between sessions.
The program page presents past guest speakers rather than guaranteeing named speakers for future sessions.
Where do students stay on Animation Summer Program?
Residential plan
- Campus housing: All students live in supervised campus dormitories.
- Roommates: The residential experience includes living with roommates.
- Meals: On-campus meals are provided through campus dining services.
- Student supervision: Team Advisors accompany daytime groups and live on student floors overnight.
- Campus experience: Students use university classrooms and learn to navigate a college campus.
NSLC operates the program on the UCLA campus but is not sponsored by UCLA.
What happens after Animation Summer Program?
After completing this program, participants often pursue:
Develop animation work for a wider creative portfolio.
Test animation before choosing a college major or career pathway.
Build experience in character design, storyboarding and visual development.
Practise creative pitching, marketing and collaborative studio roles.
Use program experiences as material for later applications and interviews.
The program is exploratory and does not itself constitute a professional animation qualification.
Where does Animation Summer Program take place?
The program runs on the University of California, Los Angeles campus in Los Angeles, California. Its location supports animation-focused visits that may include Warner Bros. Studio, CalArts, LCAD and the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures.
NSLC is not sponsored by UCLA, and individual trips may vary.
Animation Summer Program FAQs
Students learn 2D animation using Clip Studio Paint and Toon Boom Harmony, practising professional drawing, design and frame-by-frame animation techniques.
Students develop characters, environments, storyboards and animated scenes. Teams combine this work with a marketing plan in an original pitch deck for a film or series.
Yes. Students live in supervised campus dormitories, receive on-campus meals and take part in a wider university-campus experience.
Published inclusions cover housing, on-campus meals, course materials, academic expenses, trips, tours, activities and transportation for off-campus program events.
Yes. Campus dining services can accommodate dietary allergies and restrictions when families complete the relevant preferences in the student profile.
NSLC offers scholarships based on financial need, with academic record and school or community involvement also considered. Most published awards are between $500 and $1,000.
College credit is not included in the residential program. An optional separate one-credit online American University course is available for an additional tuition payment.
Students stay in supervised dormitories. Team Advisors accompany smaller groups during the day, serve as Resident Advisors on student floors and are supported by an on-site administrative team.
Alternatives to Animation Summer Program
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Save this program in Succeed to compare it with similar programs, dates, costs and formats in one place.
Compare with other programsContent reviewed by
Ben Stacy
Co-founder, Succeed | Former secondary teacher and educational leader
Ben works at the intersection of education, technology and school adoption, with expertise in how secondary schools evaluate data-driven tools and how education technology is used in practice.
Sources and verification
Source types reviewed
- NSLC Enrollment Portal
- UCLA High School Summer Programs | NSLC | Los Angeles
- Youth Leadership Programs | National Student Leadership Conference
- Frequently Asked Questions | National Student Leadership Conference
- Summer Program Scholarships | National Student Leadership Conference
- Explore Animation | National Student Leadership Conference
Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.
What we verified (on 4 Aug 2026)
Program details checked
Dates and tuition reviewed
Eligibility confirmed
Residential arrangements reviewed
Application process checked
Scholarships and refunds reviewed
Images checked for relevance
How Succeed uses this information
We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current application instructions before applying.
Animation Summer Program
by National Student Leadership Conference
Applications open
May qualify for the £300 Succeed Programme Award.
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