COM7023 Character Acting Starts 8 April 2024

Dialogue Shot by Mark Masters

COM7023, the third animation module on our online masters' degree in 3D animation, starts on 8 April 2024.

The module is titled COM7023 - Character Performance, and builds up to an entry into the Eleven Second Club competition.  

In this module students learn how to tackle character performance, dialogue and lipsync.  COM7023 PR1 is due on Friday 14th June at 2pm.

Animation Mechanics Demo Reel

For our Animation Masters Students at BNU, taught in partnership with Animation Apprentice, the next module - COM7022 - Animation Mechanics - started on 8 January 2024.  In Animation Mechanics, BNU students create one or more physical actions and combine them into a single shot to create a performance.  Exclusively for our students, we have hundreds of video tutorials to support the study of the art and craft of animation.  Above is a compilation of some of the best animation mechanics work done by our post-graduate animators at BNU. 

Infinity Curves with Offset in Maya

In this very short tutorial (just two minutes long) we show how to use "Infinity Curves with Offset" in Maya.  Let's say you animate a character taking two steps across the screen, and you want to replicate the action. By using Infinity Curves with Offset, you can replicate the motion automatically, and have the character take as many steps as you like.  Once you're done, you can bake your curves, and then edit the shot.  

How to Animate a Neon Sign in Maya

In this free tutorial we show how to animate a neon sign in Maya. The idea is to create a personal logo for your demo reel, something that has a little more style and invention than a simple title card.  Start by creating a logo for your animation reel, then import the logo into Maya, and use the technique described above to turn your logo into neon letters. From there, you can easily animate the letters, render some images, and create a movie file for your demo reel. 

Animate a "Sneaky Walk" With "Monty"

Sneaky Monty

In the video tutorial below we show how to animate a sneaky walk with "Monty" the green pea.

To complete the tutorial, first start with a Basic Walk with "Monty" - which you can learn how to do here.

Then, as with our other character walks tutorials, adapt the basic walk to give it character and personality - in this case a "sneak". 

Online MA in 3D Animation Open For Applications

Our MA in 3D Animation for Professionals is now accepting applications though UCAS.

The online MA in animation at BNU was launched in 2015 and was the very first of its kind - the first online MA in animation which could be undertaken by students anywhere in the world.  

Our MA 3D Animation for Professionals continues to partner with the online animation school www.animationapprentice.org, ensuring that all our MA Students graduate with industry-level skills. 

BBC Ignite Welcomes Animation Pitches

BBC "Ignite" deadline is 8 February 2024 at 2pm

BBC Children’s Animation are seeking submissions for fresh, bold and innovative animation ideas. The scheme is called "Ignite" and the deadline is 8 February 2024 at 2pm. 

For all our students at BNU who have been working on short films - this is a perfect opportunity to pitch your materials to the UK's biggest broadcaster.

2024 Animation Demo Reel

We're proud to present the latest edit of the best work done by animation masters' degree students at Buckinghamshire New University.  The work showed was completed on our MA in 3D Animation for Professionals, delivered in partnership with the online school Animation Apprentice. Many congratulations to all our students on their excellent work, including Joshua Reynolds, Marc Stevenson, Mark Masters, Michael Monks and Sean Rubin.

Second Marking at BNU

Second Marking at Bucks

All the marks given out to students at Bucks New University have to be second-marked. Second Marking is the process whereby students' work is marked by a second tutor after having sight of the original marks. Second markers ensure that the initial marker has applied standards consistently across the group being marked.

Second markers check our grades, making sure we're awarding marks appropriately, and also keep an eye on making sure that our standards are consistent with other universities and colleges in the UK, all in accordance with Bucks New Uni regulations.