The Animation Production 5th-12th Grade After School Class

Step into the safe place where kids and teens unleash their wildest imaginations to design, voice, and animate characters and stories in a digital playground bursting with endless excitement and creativity!

CREATE ANIMATED STORIES & BE PART OF THE CREATIVE PROCESS:

• LEARN to create digital cartoons
• DESIGN your own characters
• ACT as the voice of your characters
• WRITE your own scripts
• COLLABORATE with other students

INCLUDES

• Weekly classes
• Contribute to student projects as an animator, character designer, background artist, script writer, or voice actor
• Participate in live online voiceover performance sessions
• Interact with other students in our online community
• Get support during the week when needed

Check out some of our student-made creative work:

SUMMER 2024 CLASSES:

SUMMER ONLINE CLASSES

TUESDAYS 7PM MST CLASS
June 4 – July 9, 2024
7:00–8:30pm Mountain Time
(6pm Pacific / 8pm Central / 9pm Eastern)

THURSDAYS 4PM MST CLASS
June 6 – July 18, 2024
4:00–5:30pm Mountain Time
(3pm Pacific / 5pm Central / 6pm Eastern)

EARLY SUMMER FLEXIBLE SCHEDULE CLASS
June 12 – July 17, 2024

LATE SUMMER FLEXIBLE SCHEDULE CLASS
July 17 – August 21, 2024

LOCATION:
ONLINE

SUMMER IN-PERSON CLASSES

MONDAYS 4PM CLASS
June 10 – July 15, 2024
4:00-5:30pm

SATURDAYS 1PM CLASS
June 8 – July 13, 2024
1:00-2:30pm

LOCATION
Cottonwood Center for the Arts
427 E Colorado Ave
Colorado Springs, CO 80903

student art by Angeline S.

SUMMER 2024 CLASS SCHEDULE INCLUDES:

• Animation Production Fundamentals – live, flexible schedule, or in-person weekly class
The summer semester is a six-week session, and the lessons will be different than what we teach in the Fall and Spring semesters. We will focus on the 12 Principles of Animation and use them to make some fun animations together. We will help you grow in your drawing skills so you can create better and faster animations. We will get into character animation and cover key frames, breakdowns, in-betweens, and smear frames. We will also animate visual effects like impact frames, explosions, fire, and lightning to make your character animations more interesting and exciting. This is a class experience that is relevant to beginner, intermediate, and advanced students alike.

• Intro to Animation – online class
Weekly Recorded Video Class released on Fridays –
Hands on, step-by-step animator training to compliment and support skill development together with our animation production classes. Weekly lessons released on 5 Fridays

• Three Live Q&As (question and answer sessions)
on Wednesdays or Fridays
4:00-5:30PM Mountain Time
(3pm Pacific / 5pm Central / 6pm Eastern)

• Online Voiceover Sessions:
Live Online Class on three Saturdays* –
Join other students and perform character roles together in a live recording session.
9:30-11:00 AM Mountain Time
(8:30am Pacific / 10:30am Central / 11:30am Eastern)
*voiceover sessions are not included with the late summer class

• DAILY Online Community Interaction and Support
Connect with other students, build friendships, and work together on projects. Receive help and support any day of the week through our safe, private online community.

 

SUMMER 2024 TUITION

FOR LIVE ONLINE CLASSES:
$197 per student
(or three payments of $67)

FOR FLEXIBLE SCHEDULE ONLINE CLASS:
$177 per student
(or three payments of $59)

FOR IN-PERSON CLASS:
$197 per student
(or two payments of $98.50)

To participate in this program, the student and the parent/legal guardian are entering into the following contractual agreement

More student animations:

student art by Kenneth K.

WHAT STUDENTS ARE SAYING

Student, Amanda H. explains how beginners and more experienced students learn together side by side:

Cooper H. says, “You get to talk and show what you are creating, and experience it with other people who are doing it with you. Its great!”:

11 year-old Kiera loves learning how to make her drawings move:

Our student, Juliana R. says, “It’s been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made”:

Jadyn V. shares, “After I joined the first class I never left!”:

Amelia N. shares, “My favorite part of the Animation Production Group is getting critique from my peers!”:

“I loved the knowledge of the animation programs that I learned. A huge benefit was the community feel. It’s a wonderful place to come and explore your passion, or just laugh with some new friends. This class was much better than online videos that have no structure or new material. It was a wonderful experience. I wish I had more time to explain how much I admire this class. It perfectly combines a friendly environment, allowing everyone to learn at their own pace and enough challenge to keep me engaged.”
– S.H.

“I learned how to make my drawings more loose and alive. I liked how I got to interact with others in this course. All I ask is that we get to do this more often during the week. Compared to other classes I have taken, I got to get more in touch with my character design and improve on it. I loved this class and the people involved. I’m so happy I joined and cannot wait for next semester. My passion to draw has increase 100 times!
– A.H.

“The class experience was awesome!!! Before this class I used to lock myself in my room and try to learn off the internet. This class is better!! I got to work with cool people and I love the method of art teaching.”
– M.S.

This class exceeded my expectations. I only wish it was longer and more often. It’s great to be able to come together with other artists and see their different styles. I loved this class and am excited to come back for the next one!”
– E.P.

My art really improved. This class was much higher in quality than all the other art classes I have taken before. I love that it is a space where I am free to explore the subjects and styles that I am interested in drawing. This class was worth every penny. I made good friends and good art. The lessons were good and I am learning to animate.”
– H.H.

Coming to this class was better than Udemy’s drawing class.
– J.O.

WHAT PARENTS ARE SAYING

Mr. Fisher, You are such a wonderful teacher, encourager and inspiration to my daughter. Thank you for believing in her and helping her excel. We both appreciate your influence in her life.”
– Parent of 7th grade student

“Thank you, Mr. Fisher! My son has loved your class! Thanks for all your effort that you put forth into an encouraging and positive experience for the kids!
– Parent of 8th grade student

“Mr. Fisher, Thank you for setting this up. I appreciate being able to see what she has done. She has enjoyed your class.
– Parent of 8th grade student

“Thank you so much for being such a great teacher. My daughter has truly enjoyed being in your class and will miss you.”
– Parent of 7th grade student

“Your work is not unnoticed. Thank you for all your efforts and support.
– Parent of 6th grade student

“Mr. Fisher – My husband and I just wanted to thank you for all the work you have done with the students. I am sure they have learned a great deal.”
– Parents of 6th and 8th grade students

“Thanks for all your hard work on this!”
– Parent of 10th grade student

“Thank you for the great work this year. We appreciate you!”
– Parent of 9th grade student

“Thanks Mr. Fisher…it seems like my son really enjoyed your class and he learned more than usual. Great job!”
– Parent of 8th grade student

They loved it. Thanks again for everything you do for our young ones.
– Parent of two 6th grade students

IMPORTANT INFO - WHAT WILL I NEED FOR THIS CLASS?

Students will need the following to fully participate:

BLANK PAPER (a sketchbook is recommended), PENCILS, SHARPENER, and an ERASER.

A DIGITAL DEVICE TO DRAW, DESIGN, AND ANIMATE WITH

– ONE of the following:
• Desktop or laptop computer (Windows or Mac) – with a drawing tablet*8MB RAM minimum is recommended for the apps to work well.
• iPad Pro – with an Apple Pencil. Apple Pencil ONLY works with the iPad Pro
• Touchscreen 
Chromebook – with a drawing stylus. 8MB RAM minimum is recommended for the apps to work well.
• Touchscreen Mobile Device – with a drawing stylus. Smart phone or tablet (older iPad, iPhone, Android, or Kindle Fire) with a drawing stylus: We recommend the Adonit Pro drawing stylus available on their website for $30 Also, right now the Adonit Mini 3 is available on clearance for $12. Test the RoughAnimator App on your mobile device to make sure that your device can support it. If RoughAnimator will not work well, other animation apps probably will not work on that device either.

*IMPORTANT NOTE about drawing tablets for Windows or Mac computers, either of the following options will work –
• Wacom drawing tablet – for Windows or Mac computers. You can find a good one on the Wacom website or on Amazon for approx $75 to $100. The Wacom Intuos S is a good starter tablet. Alternative options for drawing tablets include Cintiq, XP-Pen, Huion, and Gaomon.
• iPad Pro and Apple Pencil with Astro Pad Studio. If you already own an iPad Pro and a Windows or Mac computer, this is an alternative option to provide a drawing tablet that will allow you to use Windows and Mac only apps like Toon Boom Harmony, that do not run on an iPad or mobile device. With this option, you will not need to buy a Wacom drawing tablet.

ANIMATION APP – RoughAnimator ($7). 

We recommend every student have RoughAnimator installed on your device to follow along with live in-class demonstrations. We work primarily with RoughAnimator in our classes for many of our lessons and we will teach you how to use it. But in additional to RoughAnimator, you are welcome to use other animation apps for your assignments and projects if you already know how to use those apps. An optional student subscription to the industry standard animation software, Toon Boom Harmony will be available for a student materials fee. This software will ONLY work on a Windows or Mac computer, not on other electronic devices. We also have tutorials available to teach you how to use it.

We do not teach how to use the following apps but you are welcome to use them for your assignments and projects – Other recommendable industry standard 2D animation apps include: TV Paint, Clip Studio Paint EX, and Blender. Other recommendable iPad animation apps include Procreate Dreams, Toon Squid, Callipeg, and Clip Studio Paint EX.

The following animation apps are fun to use, but their features are too limited for many of our lessons: Krita, FireAlpaca, FlipaClip, Flipbook, and Pencil2D.

A SKETCHING APP FOR DRAWING, PAINTING, AND CONCEPTING IDEAS

The following apps will work for this purpose: Sketchbook app, Clip Studio Paint Pro or EX, Photoshop, ProCreate, or any of the following FREE apps: Krita, Ibis Paint, Medibang Paint, or Jump Paint.

A DIGITAL DEVICE WITH INTERNET ACCESS AND THE ZOOM APP installed to connect to and participate in our live online classes – it can be the same device used for #2 above, but it is often easier to follow along if these devices are separate.

student made character and walk cycle animation

30 DAY FULL MONEY BACK GUARANTEE

If your student tries one of our classes and decides that it is not a good fit for them, you may request a full refund up to 30 days after the first class begins.

After 30 days, you may request a refund to receive back the tuition funds that you paid that have not been used up to the point that you request the refund. In this case of after 30 days, we ask that your student have attempted to do the work for the class. As long as they can show that they did the assignments and exercises for the class, we will send you a refund.

PLEASE NOTE:
• NO refunds will be available for missed classes or for classes already attended.
• NO makeups will be available for missed classes, but each ONLINE class session will have a recorded replay video available. These recordings will also be available to IN-PERSON classes.
• Some IN-PERSON class sessions will NOT have replay videos available. If the same lesson was taught in one of the online classes, the replay for that class will be made available to IN-PERSON students.
• For all IN-PERSON classes, students must be picked up promptly at the class end time. We will not be able to supervise students after the class ends.

student art by Nina G.

MORE OF WHAT STUDENTS ARE SAYING

“This class was a good experience. I was happy with the pace I was learning. My anatomy drawing has gotten better. I liked having a place to work on art with friends and get feedback from other artists.”
– A.A.

“This class made me better at drawing in the style I want to draw in. I loved drawing with cool people. I felt challenged and made good progress in my skill development. I liked that it did not feel like an art class at my school. I was not forced into a box and was not restricted to an academic curriculum. I was given the freedom to pursue my passion, creative interests, and artistic style. I was able to accomplish a lot and work with some really great people.”
– K.D.

“I have improved a lot in character design and animation. I am learning so much from this class and I love it!”
– K.H.

“I loved how this class created a positive space for me to draw, create, and work on projects that I am interested in and excited to do. I enjoyed designing concepts and characters. I also learned how to develop a character properly.”
– C.O.

“The best parts of this class for me were character and story creating and also ‘real-life’ collaborating with teammates on an animation. I also loved your teaching!”
– R.R..

“I was grateful for the community, help, and support of everyone here. Thank you for so many character design and animation tips.”
– M.B.

“I will miss being in your class and thank you for helping me in my journey to an art college and art career.“
– 8th grade student

“Thank you for being a role model and an inspiration to me.”
– 7th grade student

“You have supported me throughout the year. I have thoroughly enjoyed art with you. You are the best.”
– 6th grade student

“You were a wonderful teacher and taught art in a very memorable way!”
– 7th grade student

“Character design has improved my drawings!”
– 9th grade student

“I’m going to miss having you for my art and animation teacher. You have made my love for art grow.”
– 7th grade student

“Thanks for showing me new forms of art. I have learned a lot from your class.”
– 8th grade student

“Thanks for making me better at concept art.”
– 7th grade student

“You are so inspiring and encouraging to me all the time!”
– 6th grade student

“I loved going to your class, wished it was everyday.”
– 7th grade student

“You are an amazing teacher. Thank you for all of your encouragement. You have inspired me to do more in art.”
– 7th grade student

“I enjoyed your class the most!”
– 8th grade student

“Thank you so much for teaching us all of that cool stuff and for being a great teacher!”
– 8th grade student

“Your class was the highlight of my day!”
– 7th grade student

“Thank you for being such an amazing teacher, giving me advice and making me more confident in my work.”
– 10th grade student

“Thank you for teaching me new art stuff.”
– 6th grade student

“Thank you for being an awesome art teacher. I learned a lot in your class. It was a blast.”
– 8th grade student

“Thank you for being the best teacher ever and improving my art.”
– 7th grade student

“Thank you for teaching me how to draw stuff that I could not draw.”
– 6th grade student

“Thank you for the great art class. I had a lot of fun in your class.”
– 8th grade student

“I have learned so much from your class.”
– 8th grade student

“Thank you for the awesome projects you let us do this year.”
– 7th grade student

“This was the best art class I have ever taken. Thanks so much.”
– 6th grade student

“Thank you for teaching me new art skills and for believing in me!
– 7th grade student

“You helped me find my talent.”
– 6th grade student

“Thank you for teaching me to do different ways of art. I’ve learned so much. I’ll miss you as a teacher.”
– 7th grade student

“Thank you! You have been a great teacher.”
– 9th grade student

“Thanks a lot for having me in this class! I’ve really enjoyed it. I loved learning how to use the drawing and animation software that you taught us here.”
– R.M.

“I liked learning how to use the drawing and animation software. These tools will be really helpful. I also liked the class environment and being able to advance so much in animation. Thank you for the help and for everything. I am so thankful for this class.”
– A.N.

“I really enjoyed animating in this class! I was able to work among friends rather than alone at home. I also enjoy being able to share my work and receive feedback! (Cuz I can’t at home that much).”
– A.A.

“I love the people in this class, and doing comedic scripts. I also liked performing voiceovers with my classmates.”
– K.F.

“What I really like about this class is that it doesn’t stress me out like the rest of my life does. Instead it provides a peaceful place where I can enjoy my creativity and take a break from the stresses and pressures that I face at home and school. This also makes it so easy to learn something every time I come. Thank you, Mr. Fisher!”
– O.R.

“My favorite things about this class are the work environment, the live character design lessons, the friends I made, the different art techniques/styles, and my teacher!”
– G.N.

“I had so much fun at the Character Design class.”
– 7th grade student

“Thank you for teaching me about one-point perspective and facial proportions.”
– 6th grade student

“Thank you for being such an amazing teacher! I absolutely loved your class!”
– 7th grade student

“Thank you for everything you’ve done! I appreciate it a lot! You were one of my favorite teachers.”
– 6th grade student

“I had a total blast in your class. I learned so much. Thank you.”
– 8th grade student

“You rock as a teacher! You always make the day better, not to mention art!”
– 7th grade student

“You taught us so much! Can’t wait to be in your next class!”
– 6th grade student

“Thank you for helping me. You had my art improve and I’m very thankful for that. Thank you for believing in me that I can get to my dream.”
– 7th grade student

“Thank you for all that you have done.”
– 7th grade student

“I want to thank you for all the art techniques you taught me!!! I really appreciate how patient and awesome you are!!!”
– 6th grade student

“Thanks for being such a good art teacher. I loved the fun things we got to do.”
– 6th grade student

“You have allowed us to take art to a new level and have made art class fun again! This semester has been amazing and I will always remember you! Thank you!”
– 8th grade student

“Thank you for teaching me my favorite subject, and also for making it fun.”
– 7th grade student

“We’ll miss you so much. Mr. Fisher, never stop doing art because you inspire us.”
– 7th grade student

“I’ve learned so much from you and I’m glad I’ve found my art style in your class.”
– 7th grade student

“Thanks for making art fun for me!”
– 7th grade student

“Mr. Fisher, I had a lot of fun in Animation Production Group.”
– 7th grade student

“You have taught me so much. Thank you for a wonderful year!
– 7th grade student

“Thank you for everything you have done for me.”
– 7th grade student

“Mr. Fisher, thank you for two years of amazing fun. Thank you for teaching me so many new things. I will miss you.”
– 7th grade student

“Thanks for all the amazing after school classes.”
– 7th grade student

“Thank you for teaching me so much about art and we will all miss you dearly.”
– 7th grade student

“You always would push me to try new things. My art was graceful because of you.”
– 7th grade student

“You taught me that I can paint the Galaxy. Thank you for being an amazing teacher.”
– 7th grade student

“You helped us even when you were busy.”
– 7th grade student

“You have changed my perspective of art forever. Thank you.”
– 7th grade student

QUESTIONS?

We would be happy to answer any questions you may have about this class or about the Animation Group After School Program. Please contact us by email or phone:

EMAIL: submit a question on our contact page
PHONE: 719.357.7780

LATE SPRING & SUMMER 2024 CLASSES:

FLEXIBLE SCHEDULE LATE SPRING CLASS

March 13, 2023 – May 29, 2024

LOCATION: ONLINE

CLASS SCHEDULE INCLUDES:
• FLEXIBLE SCHEDULE Weekly Class – Animation Production Fundamentals
This class focuses on establishing students in the fundamentals necessary for them to create their own animated stories and for them to be skilled enough to participate in animated productions with other students and artists. What we teach in this class is essential, even for students who have some experience making their own animations. You will learn about the animation production process and the different skills that work together to make an animated story come to life: character design, scriptwriting, storyboarding, animation, gesture drawing, and more. The content we will cover in this class has made the process of making an animated scene so much easier. This has been very helpful for even our advanced students who had been drawing for ten years and already had some animation experience. This is really important, even for self-taught animators who have never learned these core techniques and principles while they were figuring out how to animate. Several of the Animation Group’s best artists who started this class with advanced experience told me that the Fundamentals class gave them their biggest breakthroughs in skill development with the animation production process. This is a class experience that is relevant to beginner, intermediate, and advanced students alike.

• Intro to Animation Online Class
Weekly Recorded Video Class released each Friday –
Hands on, step-by-step animator training to compliment and support skill development together with our animation production classes. Weekly lessons released on 10 Fridays

• Six Live Q&As (question and answer sessions)
on Wednesdays or Fridays
4:00-5:30PM Mountain Time
(3pm Pacific / 5pm Central / 6pm Eastern)

• Online Voiceover Sessions:
Live Online Class on five Saturdays –
Join other students and perform character roles together in a live recording session.
9:30-11:00 AM Mountain Time
(8:30am Pacific / 10:30am Central / 11:30am Eastern)

• DAILY Online Community Interaction and Support
Connect with other students, build friendships, and work together on projects. Receive help and support any day of the week through our safe, private online community.

SPRING 2023 TUITION
FOR FLEXIBLE SCHEDULE ONLINE CLASS:
$297 per student
(or four payments of $75)

To participate in this program, the student and the parent/legal guardian are entering into the following contractual agreement

student art by @Tordoise