Education · 1 of 5

The path

There is no licence. Studios hire from a demo reel, and school is mostly a way to build one with feedback and deadlines.

1. 1

   High school

   Grades 11 and 12

   Draw, film things, try Blender. You need Grade 12 English and a visual arts or communication technology credit for most programs.

2. 2

   Portfolio for admission

   Grade 12

   Sheridan College asks for a portfolio plus about a 65% overall average. Other schools are similar.

3. 3

   Animation program

   2 to 4 years

   A 4-year honours degree or a 2 to 3 year college diploma. You learn timing, acting, rigging, lighting and the pipeline software studios use.

4. 4

   Internship or placement

   3 to 4 months

   Sheridan College builds in a three-month internship between years 3 and 4. Take any studio placement you can get.

5. 5

   Demo reel and first contract

   First 2 years

   A tight reel of 60 to 90 seconds of your best shots. Juniors usually start in cleanup, in-betweens, roto or layout and move up.