Check this page for updates and announcements from the Academy's School of Animation & Visual Effects
03/16/2026
Huge congratulations to Ryan Coogler on his Oscar win tonight at the Academy Awards 🎬🏆✨
We had the pleasure of collaborating with him on Fruitvale Station, contributing shots in to help bring his powerful vision to life. It’s been incredible to watch his journey and see the impact his storytelling continues to have around the world.
Go Ryan! 👏🔥 It’s truly a joy to witness all your well-deserved success.
03/04/2026
🎬 Step Inside Our Premier Program: StudioX
Join us at 1 PM Pacific for an exclusive look inside StudioX.
Get an inside look at the program as Catherine Tate, Executive Director of the School of Animation & VFX, shares an overview of what makes StudioX unique. Then, you’ll be taken live into the classroom to experience firsthand how the courses run and how students collaborate in real time.
In StudioX, students work on real film productions alongside working filmmakers, collaborate with fellow artists, and build screen credits before they graduate. These courses simulate a professional production environment, providing hands-on experience in animation, lighting, modeling, and more.
🎥 If you're curious about how production-based learning prepares students for real studio careers, this is one you won’t want to miss.
Bit.ly/studiox2026
Every success story starts here. ✨
We’re so proud of our alumni and students. Their achievements remind us what an incredible community we’re part of.
Tomorrow!
We can’t wait to hear about the incredible journey behind this award-winning short film, brought to life in Studio X by Academy of Art University alumni, including its creator, Ling Han.
✨ Join us for this exclusive behind-the-scenes conversation on October 17th at 6 PM Pacific.
Don’t miss the chance to learn how this inspiring project came together!
Registration link in the bio.
Bit.ly/Chain2025
08/21/2025
Scenes from our Studio X 3D Animation course with Michael Parks this summer.
In this advanced 3D animation class, students work in a professional-style production environment, collaborating with artists, supervisors, and clients to bring projects to life.
Interested in animation? Learn more about our program here: https://www.academyart.edu/art-degree/animation-visual-effects/
04/01/2025
Spring Awards 2025 – Celebrating the Best student work in ANM & VFX! 🎬✨
Join us for the Spring Awards, where we honor the most outstanding Animation (ANM) & Visual Effects (VFX) student work of the year! From breathtaking animations to cutting-edge VFX, this event showcases the brightest creative talents in various categories.
🏆 Who will take home the top prizes? Be the first to find out!
📅 Date: May 9th, 7pm (Pacific)
🎟 Register now to secure your spot!
bit.ly/springawards2025
03/11/2025
🔥 Want to work on real films and earn screen credits while you’re still a student? Now’s your chance! Join us for Inside: Studio X on March 12 at 1 PM PT, hosted by Catherine Tate, and discover how you can bring the impossible to life! 🚀
🔗 Register now: https://bit.ly/StudioX25
01/23/2025
Please join us in welcoming Carol Norton, our new instructor for Producing for Animation & Visual Effects 1!
Carol is an accomplished Senior Visual Effects Producer with over 25 years of experience in media and film production, specializing in VFX and animation for large-scale, award-winning projects. Her impressive portfolio includes managing high-profile projects like theme park attractions, feature animation, and visual effects that have reached audiences worldwide.
During her tenure at ILM, Carol received a prestigious Visual Effects Society (VES) Award for her work on Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance at Disney Parks and contributed to other acclaimed projects, including Pirates of Shanghai Ride and Postcard from Earth. Before ILM, she spent over a decade at PDI/DreamWorks, leading production teams on animated blockbusters like Antz, Shrek, and Madagascar.
With expertise in preproduction logistics, budgeting, scheduling, and asset management, Carol has a remarkable ability to oversee complex projects from concept to delivery. Her collaborative approach has fostered strong client relationships, and she is a passionate advocate for innovation, often working with technical teams to develop cutting-edge tools and workflows.
Carol is an alumna of UC Santa Barbara, where she earned a B.A. in Communications. She’s also an active member of the Producers Guild of America and a dedicated mentor, sharing her knowledge with aspiring media professionals through UCSB’s Alumni Council Mentorship program.
We’re thrilled to have Carol on board and can’t wait to see the impact she’ll have on our students!
07/31/2024
Still need a Fall class? Future-proof your career by adding A.I. to your toolkit with:
- COM 130: AI for Everyone
- COM 605: AI-Empowered Creativity
There are no prerequisites to enroll. Contact your advisor today!