Budding animators were given the chance to join a free training course at A Productions – with two participants offered a job at the end.
The course taught participants, who were all newcomers to working in the animation industry, the skills needed to become a scene build artist on a 2D animation series.
At the end of the course, each participant was offered an interview with A Productions’ hiring team and two successful candidates have secured nine-month contracts with the studio as scene build artists on a new children’s TV show, My Friend Maisy.
The 2D animated series is based on the Maisy books, written and illustrated by Lucy Cousins.
Image Credit - BBC Studios Kids & Family Productions/Trustbridge Entertainment
Dan, one of the students offered a role at A Productions, said: “I had a really wonderful time and have come away with a stronger understanding of the animation software Toon Boom, the animation pipeline, and how the industry works. I feel this course has provided an opportunity to learn, develop, and establish myself in the animation industry. Thanks to A Productions, I feel my animation career is finding its footing.”
Another course participant, Rejoice, said: “I was really pleased with the A Productions animation training course. It exceeded my expectations in terms of content quality, structure, and the hands-on learning experience. The instructors were knowledgeable, and the course material was engaging and easy to follow. I’m excited to apply what I’ve learned. Overall, it was an excellent experience.”
Katherine McQueen, joint managing director of A Productions, said: “We are delighted to have Dan and Treasure join our talented team and look forward to welcoming them to the studio next month; they both showed amazing potential during the course.
“We are passionate about fostering a diverse and inclusive team where everyone has the chance to fulfil their potential. Courses such as these provide new routes into a highly competitive industry, so we are pleased to have been able to offer it once again.”
BBC Studios Kids & Family Productions and Trustbridge Entertainment are co-producing My Friend Maisy, with animation created by A Productions and Karrot working together.