Learn from the top animation studio in Africa

Demand for creatives is at an all-time high and there’s never been a better time to explore a career in animation.  Build your career with our free and mentored courses presented by the professionals at Triggerfish Animation Studio who have brought award winning films to the screen for the last 20 years.

Our Courses

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MAKE YOUR FIRST STOP-MOTION ANIMATION

Stop-frame animation is one of the earliest forms of filmmaking and a straightforward way to tell a story with only a smartphone.

ANIMATION STARTS HERE

Animation is the art of movement. Learn how animators bring life to characters and objects.
 
 

CAREER ADVICE FROM THE PROS

We interviewed some of the brightest stars in animation and asked them what they wished they had known when they were starting out.
 

ANIMATION EDITING

Editors are essential to every phase of animation production. Discover how they shape the story, rhythm and pacing of the film.
 

ANIMATION STORYBOARDING

Storyboarding brings your script to life. Develop this key skill to find the action and flow of your story for the screen.
 
 

MAKING AN ANIMATED SHORT FILM: GALE OF THE CAPE

Learn about how a 2D short film is created to guide you through developing and producing your own short film.

Trusted partners

“We loved working with the Triggerfish Academy”

Netflix Chief Talent Officer - Amy Smith

Industry Experts

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CLEA MALLINSON

Video Editor, Writer & Director

Clea is a South African currently being misidentified as an Australian, living in Mid-West USA.

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ARCHIE BIRCH

Visual artist and teacher in film, visual and animation

For over twenty years now Archie has made pictures for exhibition, children’s books

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MICHELLE YOON

Storyboard Artist

Filmography and/or bio: I had worked in the mobile game industry for almost 10 years when I finally decided to shift gears and start fresh as a storyboard artist

Making an Animated Short Film: Gale of the Cape

Developed by Jeani Varty and Daniela Del Castello

All footage from Gale of the Cape, work in progress footage or production images used courtesy of Jeani Varty.

Gale of the Cape was created by:

Jeani Varty – Director, Visual Development Artist, Animator
Daniela Del Castello – Co-Director, Visual Development Artist, Animator
Lola Aikins – Visual Development Artist, Animator
Tshegofatso “Toreshi” Pitseng – Visual Development Artist, Animator
Claudia Caprin – Visual Development Artist, Animator
Keiara Reddy – Animator, Visual Development Artist, Game Concept Design
David Waugh – Composer, Music
Pete O’Donoghue – Sound design

Additional Credits:

Every effort has been made to credit the creators of reference material. Please contact us if you
have any questions at
academy@triggerfish.com 

Module 2: The Research Phase

02:20

Photo by Airam Datoon

02:21

Photos by @red_lips_n_hips, https://www.instagram.com/red_lips_n_hips/?hl=en

02:22

Photo by RODNAE Productions  

02:23

Photo by Airam Datoon

02:24

Photo by Juan Cordero

02:40 – 02:49

Kick-Heart (2013) (Anime), Masaaki Yuasa

06:29 – 06:34

Warm Welcome, Co-Directors: X.K. Balashov, Anya Butler https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7syEKLy9r0 

09:40 – 09:5

Illustrations by Charlie Herve – https://www.artstation.com/charlie_h

Module 3: Creating the Storyboard

02:28 – 02:37
Gravity (2013), Alfonso Cuarón
The Silence of the Lambs (1991), Jonathan Demme

Shutter Island (2010), Martin Scorsese

02:49 – 03:04
Bruce Willis as John McLain. Die Hard (1988), John McTiernan

Will Smith and Martin Lawrence in Bad Boys for Life (2020), Adil El Arbi & Bilall Fallah

Beverly Hills Cop (1984), Martin Brest
Gerard Butler as King Leonidas in 300 (2006), Zack Snyder

 

04:00 – 04:01

Amy West “Indy Jamma Jones” – People Are Awesome
People Are Awesome Presents: Indy Jamma Jones | Roller Skating

07:46 – 07:53

Rollerblade, Freeskate in Capetown 80mm Episode 1

Freeskate in Capetown 80mm Episode 1

07:58 – 08:04

Kick-Heart (2013) (Anime), Masaaki Yuasa

08:20 – 08:26

Warm Welcome, Co-Directors: X.K. Balashov, Anya Butler 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7syEKLy9r0

Module 4: Art Block and Pushing Through

07:25 – 07:28

Video by RODNAEProductions

Module 5: Lunch Break Character Design Method

02:10

Photo by Chi-Chi Ari Love

02:20

Photo by Amber Robinson

02:22

“The Roller Skaters of Venice Beach” – Unknown Photographer

02:24

Roberta Haze – @purplehaze75 on Instagram

02:40

Photo by Amber Robinson

02:42

Photo by Juan Cordero

02:43

Photo by Airam Datoon

02:45

Photo by RODNAE Productions  

02:48:

Photo by upnorthtreasureventures (Ebay)

03:19

Image by Izabella A.J.

Image by Mathilde Loubes

03:22

Un Diable dans la Poche (2019), Antoine Bonnet and Mathilde Loubes

Module 6: Environment Design and Layout

01:25 – 02:05

Illustrations by Charlie Herve – https://www.artstation.com/charlie_h

03:02 – 03:25

Google Street View

03:31 – 04:15

Footage courtesy of SA Webcams

04:20 – 04:30

Francesca Smith, @frankvinyl_skates on Instagram

06:55

Photo by StevenMorrow

Module 7: The Animation Process

04:41 – 04:50

Amy West “Indy Jamma Jones” – People Are Awesome
People Are Awesome Presents: Indy Jamma Jones | Roller Skating

09:36 – 09:39

Hercules (1997), Ron Clements and John Musker