CSUN Draws Up New Animation Program

The Cal State Northridge art department will kick off the first two of what is hoped to be many classes in the university’s future entertainment industry training institute.

The classes are expected to cover the entire scope of animation, from character and story design to drawing techniques and motion.

“This is geared to give people an idea of what it takes to be an animator,” said Joe Lewis, art department director.

A Warner Bros. animator, a teacher from Crain/Royer Studios in Santa Monica, an animations trade school, and a CSUN fine arts professor will teach this summer’s classes.

The art department also hopes to bring three or four professional animators to talk about how to break into the field.

The university offered an animation class in fall 1995 that was taught at Warner Bros. Studios but viewed on TV by students at CSUN. The school’s video and film department currently teaches video animation. This summer marks the university’s attempt to start an animation studies program, which is expected eventually to draw a large enrollment and be a popular major, Lewis said.

“It’s going to happen . . . there’s a tremendous interest in the field,” he said.

The summer classes will run Monday through Friday from July 7 to Aug. 1. Enrollment is limited to 45 students, all of whom must have completed courses in figure drawing. The registration deadline is Monday.

For information, call (818) 677-2242.

The university is planning to start the Entertainment Industry Institute as early as fall 1998. The institute would award bachelor’s and eventually master’s degrees in interdisciplinary programs, including journalism, broadcasting, film theater, music, business, engineering and computer science. The institute also plans to work in partnership with DreamWorks SKG, Warner Bros. and Disney studios.