Take your animation skills to the next level with hands-on, industry level learning at the esteemed Aardman Academy.
Taught by Aardman staff with up-to-the-minute industry expertise, you will focus on developing a professional body of work, culminating in an industry-relevant showreel to highlight your skills to global talent finders.
Craft your career
Stop Motion Professional is an intensive 5-week programme of study with a focus on the development of stop-motion character animation; you will strengthen your understanding of motion & emotion, spoken, sung and non-verbal performance, comedy, story craft and more.
Based at our famous Gas Ferry Road studios in Bristol, UK, you will take part in a series of in-person weekly masterclasses, workshops and practical tasks designed to further your experience in stop motion, giving you an understanding of effective character performance, lip-sync and believability.
Hands-on transformation
Stop Motion Professional is delivered from Aardman's fast-paced and vibrant production studios on Gas Ferry Road in Bristol, UK, where Aardman has made its home for over 25 years.
With a maximum of 13 participants per course, we create a small and focused learning community where we work alongside each other, getting to know you and your working methods, making it a place for you to thrive in a community of brilliant like-minded creatives.
Who is it for?
You have an existing level of character stop motion animation experience and skill, and wish to study alongside some of the best stop motion character animators and creatives.
You want to improve your practical skills to a professional level and be supported and mentored throughout all stages of the course by our Aardman Academy staff and leading studio talent.
Course Structure and Weekly Breakdown
Click on timetables to view large
Interview Process
Stop Motion Professional runs twice a year, in Autumn. The next available course starts in September 2025.
We interview every applicant. This helps us ensure that the course will be of genuine use to you, and gives you space to ask questions and to make an informed choice before joining us.
1) There are no application deadlines but if you would like to join us, apply as soon as possible as courses close once they reach capacity.
2) Once you have submitted your application, please allow up to two weeks for us to review it.
3) Interviews occur regularly throughout the year. They are held online and are informal, lasting no longer than 30 minutes.
4) In the interview, we will discuss your portfolio and identify areas that you wish to improve while with us.
5) We aim to come back to you within two weeks of your interview
NB: Once a course reaches capacity, we will transfer your application to the next available course date.
Course fees
Everyone pays the same no matter where you're from.
FEE: £3500
Your course fee includes access to your own animation unit within the Aardman Academy, professional-grade Training puppet(s), set pieces and props required for the practical tasks and all the necessary studio resources you will need to get the most out of your time on the Stop Motion Professional course.
In addition to the course program of events and studio resources, you will be supported by the technical, teaching and creative staff of our Academy Award© winning studio and Aardman Academy staff throughout all stages of the 5-week course. You will also have access to our Aardman Academy Alumni network long after you complete your course.
All course fees must be paid in full a minimum of 1 month before the start of the course.
There are also monthly payment plans available, depending on how long it is until the start of the course.
Contact us
If you have any questions about the course, please contact us at [email protected]
