Animatronics

Animatronics is the art and science of bringing animated life to electronic and mechanical figures.

The Animatronics graduate concentration is an interdisciplinary, project-centric program that prepares students for success in careers at the intersection of arts and technology. Through hands-on immersion and collaborative, team-oriented work, students design, build, and execute kinetic storytelling creations. Guest artists, industry leaders and seasoned storytellers provide timely industry insight and mentorship, enriching both the creative and technical process. At its core, the concentration champions storytelling, out-of-the-box thinking, and problem-solving. Students are shaped into creative leaders who leverage cutting-edge techniques to bring stories to life in new and compelling ways.

Students in the Animatronics program come from a wide range of backgrounds: puppetry, robotics, technical theater, engineering, animation, and more. This creates a uniquely innovative environment of peer learning and a sandbox of opportunities.

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Master of Fine Arts

First Year
The first year of the graduate Animatronics concentration is a launch pad into the foundational skills you will be using during your time here. Classes focus on the design, construction, and programming of animatronic figures, as well as the planning and management of complex prototypical projects. You’ll get your hands dirty in the fabrication shops, as well as stretching your brain in the digital studio.

Students also dive head-first into the collaborative, project-driven practicum that forms the heart of UNCSA’s success in the global entertainment industry.

Second Year
Students in the second year take a leading role in the department’s collaborative projects, as well as managing the shop itself. Classes go in-depth into the design, mechanics, and electronics of a small figure; every student will touch every part of the process at least once. You'll increase your technical knowledge of relevant software, helping you to select the best software titles for each project you pursue.

Third Year
Your time in the concentration will culminate with a research-based thesis project, conducted under the supervision of a thesis advisor. In-depth projects designed around your goals and specialties will expand your portfolio, while classes will prepare you for entry into the industry. Students may also elect to pursue a professional internship for one semester.

Careers

UNCSA alumni overwhelmingly start careers in their chosen field. The Animatronics concentration will provide you with the tools, experience and guidance needed to enter the professional world, and with the ability to serve an array of projects across many disciplines. Our alumni have worked for companies such as Disney, Universal Creative, Meow Wolf, Animax, and LF Studios.