We are an in-person college program in Kansas City with character design, storyboard classes, and much more. Although our program is primarily in-person, we also offer 2 fantastic introductory online courses for students to see if animation is right for them.

Intermediate drawing skills are needed to attend.  You may request a full catalog with your email inquiry. 

 SEE OUR TWO-YEAR PROGRAM COURSE LIST BELOW THIS SECTION

HAA is a certified school with the state of Missouri. Our animation certificate program has more depth and courses than a bachelor's degree in animation. Because the animation industry does not require a college degree, and degrees offer no advantage to applying to jobs, we have eliminated unnecessary academic curriculum to focus on what students need to learn to prepare for the jobs they want.

INTRODUCTION TO ANIMATION- with director and animator Gavin Dell (Disney, Warner Bros., Activision)

Starts again in October 2024 for 8 weeks (Sign up for the next class coming soon!)

7:30 to 9pm weekly

This fun introductory course will introduce students to the animation industry and how it works as well as learning to animate in 2D. Students will learn the principles of animation and many inside secrets to how professional animator's work. As well as animation, students will learn how to design characters and basic storyboarding so they can get an overall perspective of different jobs in the industry.

This 8-week animation course, offered at our Kansas City academy or online, will give students a great introduction to the entire animation process on a real Hollywood production. Intermediate drawing skills are required for this class.

BIO- Gavin Dell

Gavin Dell began his career as a traditional animator for Steven Spielberg and Tim Burton, Looney Toons, The Simpson's, and Warner Bros. He began to expand his career opportunities by working as a character designer for Warner Bros. on The Zoo which later became Madagascar, and then to be the lead designer for Disney's Hercules the tv series and Pirates of the Caribbean for Disney Home Video Features. As the industry began to evolve it led Gavin into 3D animation for gaming. Gavin animated all of the Nightcrawler for the X-Men Movie Game and then went on to do cinematics for Silent Hill, Dirty Harry, Gears of War 2, Saint's Row 4 and more. He spent the last 20 years as a director for Family Guy, Scooby Doo, and Central Park as well as a story artist for Disenchantment and Futurama. 

Gavin is one of the few artists who has worked at director level positions in both 2D and 3D animation. His understanding of the pipeline process of animation for film, games, and television will be a great benefit for students seeking to enter the industry. 

INTRODUCTION TO 3D ANIMATION- Kyle Jefferson (17 years with Dreamworks Animation on Shrek 2, Kung Fu Panda,  Megamind, How to Train Your Dragon and more!)

Sign our contact form for next class start date.

7:30 to 9pm weekly

In this foundational course we introduce students to 3D animation in a simple and fun way using characters like the Iron Giant and others. Students will be amazed and delighted at their ability to learn to move and act a character in 3D. Learn about what 3D animators do and how the industry works as an animator for the biggest studios in the business.

This 8-week course will give students a great introduction to the moviemaking process from an insider's perspective on a real Hollywood production. Basic computer skills are required. 

BIO- Kyle Jefferson

Kyle has been a director and previs supervisor for the last 10 years working on movies like Thor Ragnorok and Spiderman Homecoming. Before that he worked at Dreamworks for 17 years on most of their biggest movies. He is a wonderful teacher and has been an instructor at the esteemed Gnomon school of visual effects in Hollywood California.