Information in english

At Sörängens Folkhögskola, you can learn animation. In the fall of 2023, something unique will be happening at Sörängen. A 3-year animation education program will be starting. Here, students will learn animation from the ground up with a focus on traditional 2D techniques.

Sörängen's NEW Animation Education program is for those who want to learn animation from the ground up.

The program provides technical knowledge, hands-on practice and experience in planning and executing projects, a broad network of contacts and an insight into the animation industry and its various opportunities. You will build a solid portfolio that you can use for applications to continue studies, work, or internships.

How you apply

To apply, you must submit your application with grades, certificates, and work samples.

Read more here:

Instruction for application

Instructions for work samples can be found further down on this page under the tab "Instructions for Application". In the selection process, we primarily look at the work samples. Formally, it is required to have a high school diploma or equivalent to apply for the Animation program.

If you have any questions regarding your application, you can email: sorangens.folkhogskola@rjl.se

About the Course

The education aims to provide the participants with methods and skills in the animation field from a personal, critical, and investigative approach. Participants develop knowledge in the entire film process where both craftsmanship, artistic and theoretical abilities are included. The education is practical with the opportunity for specialization in specific areas based on the participant's wishes.

The goal is for the student to gain overall knowledge of the possibilities of animation as well as practical experience in the production process. International contacts, internships and travel are important parts of the program.

Education Structure

Year 1

During the first year, basic courses in animation, design, and storytelling will be provided. Participants will become familiar with various programs and techniques as an orientation in the different expressions that are available (in 2D animation).

Gradually, the focus will shift from the practical aspects of animation to more about the narrative and the visual coherence. The entire class will complete a film project during semester 2 (spring).

Year 2

During the second year, participants will be provided with advanced knowledge in animation, film design, and storytelling in the form of longer course segments. The opportunity for specialization based on interest will be provided through elective parts.

Participants will be introduced to additional software for animation. Various projects will be carried out during the year and the class will work on a final project in the second semester.

Year 3

The final year focuses on the student's own film project, where the student will work independently with the support of the teachers. It is important that the student can implement the knowledge and skills acquired during the education. The final project will be presented publicly in the form of a screening.

 

The overall content of the course includes

Animation The anatomy of movement, 12 principles, and imbuing characters with life
Design Character design, background design, and overall visual composition
Storytelling Dramaturgy, structure, visual and film storytelling
Technology Software, combinations, and experimentation
Theory Animation history, film analysis, and the philosophical dimensions of the subject
Production The process from idea to finished film, group work, and assignments
Travel Festivals, studios, other schools, national and international
Practice Opportunities for hands-on practice
Exchange

Our ambition is to offer exchange studies in other countries through the Erasmus+ program, a work in progress

The teaching consists of lectures, seminars, group and individual exercises, guidance, elective advanced courses, study visits, and hands-on practice (elective).

Teachers

Pär Berg 

Educated at Malmö University, holds a Bachelor's degree in Material and Virtual Design and from Konstfack, the Institution of Animation and Animated Film. Has many years of experience teaching animation. Responsible for the Eksjö Animation Festival and the artistic leader of the Eksjö Animation Studio for several years. He is also engaged in animation issues at a national level, serving on the jury for the Guldbagge nominations, among other things. Since 2012, he has been responsible for the animation education at Sörängens, where he is also deeply involved in the school's cultural work in the form of cultural lunches, concerts, etc.

 

Annika Giannini 

Educated at Konstfack in Animation and Visual Pedagogy, the Academy of Fine Arts in Florence, HDK in Gothenburg (comic art and picture book) and Art History at Umeå University. Began animating as a graphic artist on TV, continued with commercial films, and her own short films. Worked as an animator for Pennfilm (Lilla Anna och långa farbrorn, Emil och Ida i Lönneberga), as a comic artist for Egmont and as a children's book author/artist for Opal Publishers. Since 2012 she has been teaching animation at Sörängen.

When applying, please submit the following attachments:

  • Work samples, see instructions and description below
  • Contact information for 2 reference persons
  • Grades and other credentials

Instructions for submitting your work samples:

Work samples

To be completed as described.

 

File format and size

All work samples must be submitted digitally.

We would like you to compile all work samples in a single PDF. Use the attached template in Google Presentation. Add as many new pages/“slides” to the template as you need. When you open the template, you need to save it to your own Google account first, before editing. You may also download it as a powerpoint if you prefer to use Powerpoint. 

You can also create your own template in Indesign. It is important in this case to number and name each work sample.

Then export the template with your assembled work samples as a PDF file that must not exceed 40 MB.

 

Name your PDF as:

Your name+worksamples2023

 

If you have problems creating a PDF, please contact:

Carl Öberg, carl.oberg@rjl.se

 

Link to the application: Application form (only for internation students) (Extern länk)

Description of WORK SAMPLES for Animation 2023

 

Work sample 1.

A Storyboard on the theme "In the calmest waters swim the ugliest fish."

Tell a story, or a part of a story, using images without text.

Use a maximum of 20 panels. Any medium is allowed.

Work sample 2.

Sketches from a live model (at least 5).

Draw from the subject in front of you, not from a screen or photo. The subject does not have to be a nude model.

You can draw a friend reading a book or someone you see at a café or in a waiting room.

Draw in full or half figure and use pencil or other traditional medium, not digital.

Work sample 3.

Interior image - the corner of a room (at least 1).

Draw from the subject in front of you, not from a screen or photo. Use pencil or other traditional medium, not digital.

Work sample 4.

Character drawing from the imagination A.

Create a character/creature and draw it in at least 4 different poses that describe movement.

Use pencil or other traditional medium, not digital.

Work sample 5.

Character drawing from the imagination B.

Create 2 characters/creatures that interact (at least 2 examples).

Use pencil or other traditional medium, not digital.

Work sample 6.

Optional images (5-10).

Submit images you are satisfied with. If you submit fan art or copies of other people's work, please indicate your reference. 

The work samples may be made in different techniques, and digital works are welcome.

Work sample 7.

Optional: If you have animation or film clips you want to show, upload them on YouTube or similar and attach a link.

Work sample 8.

A personal letter should be included with your application. Write a maximum of 2000 characters, where you tell about yourself and why you are applying for the Animation programme.

 

How will you know if you are accepted?

Approximately two weeks after reviewing your work samples, you will be notified if you are called for an interview.

 

INTERVIEW:

We will select about 25 people for an interview. The interviews will take place on site or digitally. Dates will be announced later.

 

NOTIFICATION:

Notification of acceptance will be sent via email during the first half of June.

A selection of guest teachers in animation:

Mads Peter Brandstrup Jensen - Drawing, croquis

Lotta Geffenblad - Character design, Cut-out

Lasse Persson - Storyboarding, animation, directing

Michael Ekblad - Analog effects, animation

Peter Larsson - Experimental animation

Niki Lindroth von Bahr - Mentoring, puppet animation

Anders Waltz - After Effects, motion graphics

Conor McMullin - Storyboarding

Emil Snabb - Sound and composition

Aiïda del Sol - Storytelling, worldbuilding

Mats Kempe - Dramaturgy

Ansgar Massman - Storyboarding

Our facilities are open 24 hours a day for our participants

  • Individual classroom with personal workstation
  • Trickboard for direct animation and cut-out
  • Sound studio
  • Drawing room for croquis
  • Project room and gallery
  • Gymnasium, gym, sauna
  • Own animation-related library
  • Film collection and several screening rooms

Each participant has their own workstation during the study period

  • Apple computer with Cintiq touch screen
  • Light table for animation on paper
  • Height-adjustable table with shelves, drawers and office chair
  • Easy access to linetest station
  • Course literature: Animator's Survival Kit by Richard Williams

A selection of the software used in animation:

  • TVPaint
  • Storyboard Pro
  • Adobe Creative Cloud, all programs
  • Dragonframe stop motion
  • Logic Pro
  • Toki linetest
  • Google drive for storage and sharing