FOR PARENTS
How Hiring Works in Animation
Studios hire based on one thing: The portfolio (demo reel).
Degrees and GPAs do not determine hiring decisions. Portfolio quality does. Our program is designed around this truth. Every semester our curriculum is adjusted to be the most current training for today’s animation industry.
Two Very Different Training Models
Traditional Non-Specialized Colleges:
Animation is one class among many
One class in each area of importance: animation, modeling, editing, motion graphics, providing basic exposure before moving on
This results in basic fundamental exercises, not portfolio-worthy content
Having a degree is positioned as the primary outcome, but does not qualify you for job readiness.
Hollywood Animation Academy
Animation is the entire curriculum
Skills built through repetition and revision result in portfolio-ready projects
Training goes 4 courses deep to achieve mastery
Demo reels built with intention and studio-level feedback
Readiness and a strong portfolio is the outcome
Both paths require effort. The difference is what they are designed to produce.
Why DOES Depth in training Matter?
Animation skills compound slowly. A program that offers one class in many subjects builds familiarity, but not mastery. The result is that many graduates remain at an amateur or early-intermediate level, without enough strong work to compete professionally.
Watch a sampling of work completed by our HAA students in 2025
Who Teaches AT HAA?
Our instructors are working and former professional animators who have long, successful animation careers working with major studios. They have contributed to major films, television series, and game productions, managed productions and hired animation teams. They know what it takes.
More importantly, they mentor students toward professional readiness, not just course completion. Read more about our Faculty
How ARE Students Evaluated?
Students are evaluated on:
Acting, posing, and storytelling clarity in animation - what studios look for
Technical polish
Professional response to critique
Consistency and effort
Advancement reflects readiness, not time served.
Real Talk: What If My Student Isn’t Ready After Two Years?
Not every student reaches professional readiness on the same timeline.
Animation careers require sustained effort, emotional maturity, and independent work habits. Some skillsets that students want to achieve require more time and structured mentorship.
That is why we provide advanced portfolio-focused continuation options, rather than graduating students unprepared.
It is part of their professional journey.
What Parents Often Ask Next:
Will my student get a job after graduating?
No school can guarantee employment. We prepare students to compete realistically by building professional-level portfolios aligned with studio expectations. The jobs are there - we give your student the best shot at getting one. About careers and salaries in animation
Why not just add more animation classes at a college?
Courses providing depth of training are simply not available at most colleges. Animation often remains one department among many, limiting repetition and mastery.
Who Thrives at HAA?
HAA is a strong fit for students who:
Want depth of training over general exposure
Can accept direct, professional feedback and critique
Are willing to revise work until it meets standards
It may not be the right fit for students seeking minimal challenge or traditional academic pacing.
How much work is expected outside of class?
Professional growth requires significant personal practice. Students who thrive commit many hours per week refining their work beyond scheduled class time.
A Final Thought
Hollywood Animation Academy is not about prestige or shortcuts.
It is about honest training, clear standards, and realistic preparation.
We do not promise outcomes we cannot control. We prepare students to compete fairly and responsibly in the animation industry
