HOW TO APPLY

Entry requirements may change from year to year - please be sure to use the Application Form & the entry materials for the year in which you wish to start.
Down-loadable application forms are available from the schools main site.
Click here to go straight to the forms.

For intake to the course starting in 2011, you must send us the following:

MATERIALS
1. A correctly filled out original Application Form for 2010, plus 4 photocopies, the original Materials Sheet plus 5 photocopies and the application fee of £50* which is non-refundable.
* this fee may change please phone to check.

2. Examples of one or more pieces of work on either:
ONE DVD (PAL),
or
DATA CD/DVD* (*must be Windows compatible with any unusual players included),

These should not be simple exercises.
They should convey narrative or a sequence of information (for example in the form of an animatic). Up to 5 minutes of exercise material may be included at the end of the DVD, provided the total running time of the DVD does not exceed 20 minutes. (If dialogue is not in English or the DVD does not have English subtitles please enclose a dialogue transcript in English).

*Work on data DVD/CD can be authored on Windows, Mac or linux but MUST be saved Windows compatible. Check before you post.

3. A proposal, for an animation project, which is not on the DVD, to include concept, synopsis, storyboard, character designs and background designs.
For NFTS purposes a proposal should include:
1. The basic situation
2. Characters and other elements involved
3. The main thrust of the story as it changes from beginning, through middle, to end
NB. This proposal does not have to be used as a project while at the filmschool.

PLUS EITHER

4a. Up to 10 still photographs of models and sets used in a 3D animation project which are not on the DVD.

OR

4b. A portfolio of illustrations and drawings showing the applicant's range of graphic ability, preferably including life drawing.

If you have any questions regarding your application, please contact:

The Registry
National Film and Television School , Beaconsfield Studios, Station Road . Beaconsfield . Bucks. HP9 1LG
Tel: 01494 731425 Fax: 01494 674042 Email: admin@nfts.co.uk


ENTRY REQUIREMENTS - MA COURSE
We are looking for people who have basic skills in animation, a desire to tell stories, a strong visual sense and enthusiasm for film culture and history. Students come from BA courses in Animation, Graphics, Illustration or Fine Arts, some have worked in the industry in assistant grades and now want to develop their own work, others have taken intensive short animation courses. As it's a directing course, we're also looking for people who can learn to both lead and collaborate. There are 8 places each year. Application materials include a short video of completed animation films or animatics, a proposal for a new animation project and a portfolio of illustrations, drawings or photographs of animation set models. We consider applicants on the basis of their whole application and on evidence of their ability to benefit from the course and to complete it successfully. Applicants whose first language is not English must be fluent in written and spoken English.

The Selection Process

Applications are first assessed by a panel of NFTS tutors and Industry professionals, who draw up a shortlist of candidates for interview.

There will be a short workshop a few weeks after the interview, after which the final selection of students is made. Workshops give you the chance to experience the NFTS environment and working methods and us the opportunity to see potential students in action. There may be a charge for the workshop, although fees can be waived in cases of financial hardship. Workshops are designed to be a useful learning experience for all who take part, whether or not they are eventually offered a place.

The Course
The animation curriculum is built to some extent around the needs of students in each year group. This is a directing course within a film school, so a lot of the work involves learning how to build and work with a team. To encourage this process, we run collaborative workshops - with producers, writers, editors, designers, sound designers and cinematographers. There are also workshops with actors and dancers. The first year is spent developing animation skills and using these workshops and exercises to make a series of short pieces exploring relationships between animation, storytelling and the filmmaking process so that students can develop a style and approach that is their own. Students attend the London Film Festival and key UK animation events as part of the course and an overseas animation festival once during the course.

The Staff
All teaching staff are practising filmmakers currently working in industry/education. Each year there are international guests visiting the NFTS, complemented by guests in other departments.

Entry requirements may change from year to year - please be sure to use the Application Form & the entry materials for the year in which you wish to start.
Down-loadable application forms are available from the schools main site.
Click here to go straight to the forms.

Thinking of applying? CLICK HERE to check out our                                                            frequently asked questions page.