Grant Classes

Skills Training Grant Reimbursement Program

For the 2012-2013 grant year, the Contract Services Administration Training Trust Fund (CSATTF) has approved reimbursement grants for qualified members of the Animation Guild to take classes at four of the best schools for animation and CG training.

The grants will reimburse for two-thirds of the cost of classes taken at the following schools:

• Animation Mentor
• fxphd
• LA Valley College IDEAS Workshop
• Studio Arts

The grants are for classes that begin between February 1, 2012 and January 31, 2013.

To qualify, you must have worked at least thirty days under the Guild’s jurisdiction in the two years previous to the date the class begins. You must apply for and be accepted for the grant before the class begins, and no more than ninety days in advance. (In other words, if you are approved and subsequently postpone taking the class, you will have to re-apply.) You will have to submit paystubs and/or a letter from your current or past employers to CSATTF to prove your ninety days’ employment. This is a reimbursement grant, so you will have to pay the class fee in full in advance. Upon completing the class after grant approval, you will apply to the CSATTF to receive two-thirds reimbursement.

All questions regarding CSATTF grants should be directed to:

Kimberly Kemp, Training Programs Administrator
Contract Services Administration Training Trust Fund (CSATTF)
2800 Winona Avenue (between Hollywood Way & San Fernando)
Burbank, CA 91504
phone (818) 847-0040 ext. 1260
fax (818) 847-0048

ANIMATION MENTOR’s online character animation classes have been designed by industry professionals. Their program is a “real world” curriculum that is deep-rooted in what industry recruiters and studios are looking for in animation talent. This is an online program, providing the freedom to attend class and perform homework assignments at your convenience. The curriculum consists of six sequential classes, each offering 118 hours of instruction.

School contacts: (877) 326-4628 [curriculum and registration]; Amiko Foster, (510) 450-7232 [administration]

Grant application [ Download PDF ]

fxphd is an online vfx, production and post-production training program led by professionals. They offer both application and craft-based courses, online forums for feedback, and vpn software. Students have access to the high quality footage from fxphd shoots as well as other effects material, such as traditional 2D animation and advanced multi-pass 3D render.

Students can download a wide variety of software over the fxphd VPN. They can obtain licensing to run full versions of software packages such as Nuke, Maya, Smoke on Mac (with no 30-day trial limitation), Mocha, and more. These copies are for non-commercial use and can be used for educational purposes and to build shots for their demo reel.

For further information, go to the fxphd website.

Grant application [ Download PDF ]

LA VALLEY COLLEGE IDEAS WORKSHOP: The Institute for Developing Entertainment Arts and Studios (IDEAS) offers classes on the campus of Los Angeles Valley College, 5800 Fulton Ave. in Valley Village. The IDEAS Workshop serves those already in the entertainment industry, from the entry-level worker to the seasoned professional in addition to students, by providing the required information resources, training, and technical assistance.

School contact: Dan Watanabe or Casey Bernay, (818) 947-2453

Grant application [ Download PDF ]

STUDIO ARTS is the premier learning center for professional-level CG skills training for motion pictures and television. They offer classes in everything from Maya, Nuke, Rhino and ZBrush to Photoshop, After Effects and Illustrator, as well as other programs and disciplines. Their classes are offered at 570 West Avenue 26 in Los Angeles.

School contact: Eric Huelsman, (323) 227-8776

Grant application [ Download PDF ]

For details on classes, contact the schools directly; for information on the grants, contact Kimberly Kemp at CSATTF (above) or Jeff Massie at the Animation Guild.