The APW Boot Camp is an intro to hand-drawn animation and character design.  It borrows focused lessons from our highly successful Animation Portfolio Workshop program and rolls them into an intensive 5 day workout.  Classes take place Monday to Friday from 10am to 5pm.  The ratio of 1 instructor to 12 students allows us to focus on the progress of each individual.  With the help of an experienced instructor, students do one animation per day and learn the ropes of character design.   

The Our Kids review of Animation Portfolio Workshop Boot Camp

It’s often said that the way to improve at tennis is to play someone better, that a challenge lifts skills and confidence. That’s true of all things, perhaps, including animation. When participants enter sessions at APW, they’re entering an environment of excellence, one that is populated by instructors and peers who are at the top of their games. Founded in 1999 by Vince Peets and Gerard Sternik, both former instructors of Sheridan College, APW was created to allows kids to learn by doing based in an understanding that, per Peets, “experience is a big motivator.” Gaining experience with people who speak the same language, and who have navigated the geography of professional illustration and animation, is as well. While developing skills, participants gain insight into the various paths they might take to their careers, and very purposefully build their portfolios with those paths in mind. In all, it’s a strong, proven program, as inspiring as it is successful in developing the skills and talents of those who attend.
 

Vince Peets, Director of Animation Portfolio Workshop
One of the Founders of APW, Storyboard artist, former Sheridan College animation instructor, illustrator, artist.

Learning by doing.  Young people learning traditional animation with their hands.  We are happy to witness confidence growing as young people really take to our workshop format and run with it.  Our students are generally high school age with a keen interest in animation and have an eye to preparing to make the jump into post-secondary animation programs.  This week-long format is an opportunity to get a solid hands-on intro to animation and character design.  Direct experience is a big motivator. 

Vince Peets, Animation Portfolio Workshop, Co-founder