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    Film and Television Summer Institute – Traditional Animation
    Online Program

    Film and Television Summer Institute – Traditional Animation

    by UCLA Summer Sessions

    Build an original animated short film with sound through storyboarding, drawing, editing, and UCLA faculty guidance.

    Last verified: 6 Oct 2026Reviewed by:BSBen Stacy

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    Traditional Animation at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility

    Current status

    Upcoming

    Eligibility

    Grades 9-12; college students; aspiring filmmakers

    Age range / Year group

    Ages 14-18

    Location / Region

    Online

    Cost

    $5,973

    Duration

    6 weeks

    Format

    Online

    Latest deadline

    12 June 2026 · Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.

    Get next-cycle reminder
    FilmArtCreative Writing
    Sessions / cadence: Live classes; weekly symposium and production lab
    Mentor model: UCLA faculty and industry guests
    Assessment style: Letter-graded coursework and final film
    Main deliverable / output: Animated short film with sound
    Academic credit: 12 quarter units of UC credit
    Time-zone / scheduling model: Pacific Daylight Time; scheduled attendance
    Latest verified cycle: 2026

    Traditional Animation summary

    UCLA's Traditional Animation track takes students through writing, storyboarding, drawing, editing, and sound production to make an original animated short.

    Faculty-guided exercises and industry guest sessions connect creative practice with animation history and contemporary production methods.

    It suits students who want to test animation through sustained project work and finish with something concrete to show.

    What is Film and Television Summer Institute – Traditional Animation?

    UCLA's Film and Television Summer Institute – Traditional Animation teaches students to turn an original idea into an animated film. Offered by UCLA Summer Sessions with the School of Theater, Film, and Television, the track combines animation fundamentals, writing, production, and an industry symposium.

    Students attend live online classes and complete practical exercises under UCLA faculty supervision. They use hand-drawn animation methods with Pencil2D and Adobe Premiere, moving from storyboards and an animatic to a short film with sound. The experience ends with a virtual screening that welcomes friends and family.

    Why Succeed highlights Traditional Animation

    • The complete filmmaking process gives students a practical test of whether animation suits their interests.

    • A finished short film with sound makes the learning visible beyond attendance alone.

    • UCLA faculty supervision connects creative exercises with university-level study.

    • The industry symposium adds career context alongside animation practice.

    • The final screening gives students an audience for their completed work.

    Who is Traditional Animation for?

    Best for

    Students who enjoy visual storytelling and want structured guidance through making an animated film.

    Not ideal if

    You need self-paced study or have commitments that conflict with scheduled classes.

    Is Traditional Animation worth it?

    This is a strong option if your priority is learning animation through a complete creative project. Storyboards, an animatic, and a finished film provide concrete work to reflect on, while faculty teaching and industry discussions help you understand the field.

    The intensive live schedule requires a clear commitment, and the financial investment deserves careful comparison with shorter creative courses. College credit can add value, but transfer decisions belong to the receiving institution, so confirm its usefulness before budgeting around it.

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    Cost and what is included

    $5,973; includes Unit fees for the program's UCLA coursework, 12 quarter units of UC credit, Faculty-guided animation exercises and production coursework, Industry guest symposium, Adobe Premiere Pro access, Virtual final project screening.

    Dates and time commitment

    6 weeks; Live classes; weekly symposium and production lab.

    Provider details

    Review the UCLA Summer Sessions provider page and official sources before making a final decision.

    What the student gains

    Potential output: The main creative output is an original animated short film with sound.. Check whether feedback, certificate, recommendation or application evidence is included.

    Online support and safeguarding

    Check how online sessions are supervised, how mentor communication works, and what support route exists if the student needs help.

    What to check before committing

    Confirm current dates, session schedule, payment terms, cancellation rules, support expectations and what output or certificate is included with the provider.

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    How much preparation does Traditional Animation need?

    Effort level

    High.

    Best started

    Begin statements and transcript preparation four to six weeks before the next announced application deadline.

    Main challenge

    Completing animation and sound work while maintaining consistent attendance.

    Typical preparation

    • Draft your value statement and explain what you hope to gain from the program.

    • Gather a complete high school transcript if you are applying as a pre-college student.

    • Test your computer, drawing tablet, webcam, microphone, and software before classes begin.

    • Compare the Pacific-time timetable with your other commitments.

    Useful if

    You want to test your interest in animation through sustained creative practice.

    What do students do on Traditional Animation?

    You develop an original animated film through writing, drawing, production exercises, and sound work. Faculty teaching and industry guest discussions support the process from the initial story to the final screening.

    Step-by-step process

    1. 1

      Explore animation fundamentals, history, and contemporary industry practices.

    2. 2

      Write and plan your film through storyboard assignments.

    3. 3

      Develop an animatic and practice hand-drawn animation.

    4. 4

      Complete production labs covering editing, music, sound effects, and Foley.

    5. 5

      Finalize picture and sound for your animated short.

    6. 6

      Share the completed film at the virtual final screening.

    Traditional Animation dates and deadlines

    Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.

    Application deadline

    12 June 2026

    Traditional Animation application cutoff at 5 pm Pacific Time.

    Reference date

    Programme dates

    22 June-31 July 2026

    Reference date

    Registration opens

    18 February 2026

    Institute registration opening for the 2026 cycle.

    Reference date

    Enrollment completion

    19 June 2026

    Admitted students must complete enrollment by noon Pacific Time.

    Reference date

    Eligibility and requirements

    • Grades 9-12 in Spring 2026.

    • College students and aspiring filmmakers may also apply.

    • International students may apply.

    • Pre-college applicants need a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5.

    • Pre-college transcripts must include all grades from Grade 9 onward.

    • No drawing experience or film major is required.

    • Beginning and intermediate students are welcome.

    • Outside commitments must not conflict with the program.

    How much does Traditional Animation cost?

    Program fee

    $5,973 — High-school fee including UCLA coursework unit charges.

    Funding or discounts

    • Registration fee: $350 — Non-refundable non-UC registration charge.
    • IEI fee: $61 — Instructional Enhancement Initiative charge.
    • Document fee: $50 — Applies to first-time Summer Sessions students.
    • Estimated university total: $6,434 — High-school estimate when all listed charges apply.
    • Summer Scholars Support: Full or partial scholarship — Need- and merit-based support for qualifying California Grades 9-11 students.
    • UC financial aid: Eligibility-based — Qualified UC students may receive summer financial aid.

    What's included

    Unit fees for the program's UCLA coursework, 12 quarter units of UC credit, Faculty-guided animation exercises and production coursework, Industry guest symposium, Adobe Premiere Pro access, Virtual final project screening

    How to apply to Traditional Animation

    1. 1

      Review the Traditional Animation requirements and prepare your documents.

    2. 2

      Use the official institute registration form and select Traditional Animation.

    3. 3

      Submit a value statement of up to 250 words.

    4. 4

      Submit a 150-200-word response explaining your interest and expected gains.

    5. 5

      If applying as a pre-college student, upload your complete high school transcript.

    6. 6

      Allow up to three weeks for an emailed admission decision.

    7. 7

      After admission, follow the acceptance instructions for payment, the waiver, and participant agreement.

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    Learning format

    The program combines synchronous online classes with practical exercises, a weekly industry symposium, and weekly production labs. Life drawing runs through weeks 1-5, while week 6 focuses on final picture and sound output; students must attend sessions at the scheduled Pacific Daylight Time meeting times.

    The timetable and syllabus are subject to change.

    Mentorship and feedback

    • UCLA faculty supervise exercises from storyboarding to post-production.

    • Evan English teaches Writing for Animation.

    • Jay Shipman teaches Introduction to Animation.

    • Alexandra Rosenberg brings animation production experience to the symposium.

    • Industry guests discuss their careers and answer student questions.

    Time-zone considerations

    • Meeting times use Pacific Daylight Time unless otherwise specified.
    • Students must log in at the scheduled session times.
    • International students participate online from where they are.
    • Outside commitments must not conflict with program attendance.

    Tech requirements

    • Laptop or desktop with webcam, microphone, and at least 500GB free storage.

    • Wacom Intuos or equivalent drawing tablet, minimum 6 × 3.7 inches, plus mouse.

    • Broadband internet: 600 kbps minimum; 1.5 Mbps or higher recommended.

    • Pencil2D and an Adobe Premiere Pro-compatible computer; Premiere Pro access is provided.

    • Sketchbook of at least 6 × 8 inches, pens, and pencils.

    Assessment style

    Students complete letter-graded coursework, including storyboard assignments, animation exercises, and a final animated film.

    • Storyboard assignments develop visual writing and animatic production.
    • Animation exercises build toward the short film.
    • Production labs cover editing and sound.
    • Successful completion permits no more than two absences.

    Portfolio / outputs

    Main deliverable / output

    The main creative output is an original animated short film with sound.

    • Storyboard assignments

    • An animatic developed through writing and editing

    • A virtual final project screening

    • 12 quarter units of UC credit and letter grades

    Traditional Animation FAQs

    No drawing experience is required. The track welcomes beginning and intermediate students from different backgrounds.

    You will create an original animated short film with sound. Coursework includes storyboards, animatic production, animation exercises, editing, and sound work.

    Classes are synchronous, and students must attend at the scheduled times. Meeting times use Pacific Daylight Time unless the schedule or syllabus specifies otherwise.

    You need a laptop or desktop with a webcam, microphone, reliable internet, and at least 500GB of free storage. A drawing tablet and mouse are required; students use Pencil2D and Adobe Premiere Pro, which will be available to them.

    The program carries 12 quarter units of UC credit and awards letter grades. Completed coursework is recorded on an official UCLA transcript.

    Transfer decisions belong to the receiving institution. Ask your academic counselor for advance approval if you want the coursework to count toward graduation or another institution's requirements.

    Yes. International students can participate online from where they are, and this program does not qualify students for an F-1 visa.

    Yes. Friends and family are welcome at the virtual final project screening and closing ceremony.

    Alternatives to Traditional Animation

    Compare these related creative programs if your interests extend to art, design, or writing.

    Alternatives to Traditional Animation

    Art Summer Program

    In-person art and design study

    Art
    Deadline: Not announced
    From £7400
    13-18
    St Andrews
    In-person

    Best for

    Students exploring visual creativity

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    Ben Stacy

    Content 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.

    View author page

    Sources & verification

    Source types reviewed

    • UCLA Department of FTVDM Summer Programs | UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television
    • Application Management
    • Traditional Animation | UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television
    • Summer Bruin Guide - College Professional Summer Institutes - UCLA Summer Sessions
    • International Student Information - UCLA Summer Sessions
    • Enrollment and Academics - UCLA Summer Sessions
    • Calendar and Deadlines - UCLA Summer Sessions
    • College/Professional Summer Institutes - UCLA Summer Sessions
    • Registration - UCLA Summer Sessions
    • Payment Information - UCLA Summer Sessions
    • Fees, Payment and Financial Aid - UCLA Summer Sessions
    • Enrollment and Academics - UCLA Summer Sessions
    • FAQ - UCLA Summer Sessions
    • Film and Television Summer Institute – Traditional Animation - UCLA Summer Sessions

    Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.

    What we verified (on 6 Oct 2026)

    • Official program pages checked

    • Application requirements reviewed

    • Session dates verified

    • Student-type fees compared

    • Credit conditions reviewed

    • Technology requirements checked

    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.