The programme was designed following a layering structure with the following configuration:

 

a) Each institution will approach the courses based upon their own conceptual and technical expertise:

•  Semester 1 at LUCA , Genk, will have a focus on storytelling. Specifically, there will be classes devoted to narrative explorations, critical reflection of and through Animation with open source technology, and project financing.  
• Semester 2 at Aalto, Espoo/Helsinki, will be dedicated to expanded use of animation and experimental approaches. It strengthens and broadens the students’ creative potential as they explore the boundaries of animation expression with various technologies.
• Semester 3 at Lusófona, Lisbon, will be dedicated to animated documentary with a social reflection based content. It aims to position students within the format of documentary from a historic and analytical perspective.
• In the 4th semester, students will be allocated to the schools according to their area of interest and their graduation project (7 students per school).

 

b) There are five defined disciplinary tracks overarching semester 1, 2 and 3: 

• Research Based Animation

Within the research track students explore, investigate, and experiment with the stylistic, thematic, technological, narrative and theoretical characteristics of their graduation project. Research Based Animation concerns the core expressive process and research skills. This track is dedicated to the development of the students’ artistic and creative voice. Structured in the phases of research (semester 1), development (semester 2), pre-production (semester 3) and production (semester 4), the graduation project will start from an initial idea that indicates a main direction and/or topic of interest. This idea will be adapted, fine tuned and reworked in a dialogue with other students, professors and professionals, guided by the RE:ANIMA workshops, masterclasses and course material.  This approach assures that students are motivated and engaged with the topics they are working with and that cultural awareness and civic engagement are assured right from the start.  

• Creative Ateliers

Within the Creative Ateliers, students create animated works in collaboration, whereby different styles of expression and cultural backgrounds are put in a dialogue.

• Animation Techniques and Technologies

Animation Techniques and Technologies concerns artistic explorations with analog and digital technologies. This includes using different materials and media, from Stop Motion and 2D drawings to 3D and Extended Reality (XR).

• Animation Production and Management:

Animation Production and Management engages students in the organisational concerns throughout different phases of an Animation production, such as financing (semester 1 – development), IP and preparing a dossier (semester 2 – development) and studio management and planning (semester 3 – pre-production). While many lectures and masterclasses address the different models and distribution channels emerging in the European context, this trajectory additionally enters in a dialogue with producers from the Global South to explore new opportunities.

• History and Critical Reflection of Animation

History and Critical Reflection concerns the critical and historical dimensions of Animation. Teaching and learning methods will include the analysis of the cultural, political, economic and social content of artworks that deal with the specific issues discussed in each semester as well as the context in which they were produced.