Finnish animation expertise is getting stronger
Many European film schools have already offered master's level education in animation for a long time and last year, higher education in the field also became available in Finland. The Master's Degree Programme in Animation, offered by the Aalto University Department of Film, Television and Scenography, together with the Department of Media, was launched in autumn 2019 and it has attracted a high-quality group of applicants.
The Master's Degree Programme in Animation complements the courses currently available at Aalto. As one example, the Department of Computer Science and Engineering has been researching and developing technology for making animations. ‘Together with a high-quality content competence, new opportunities for domestic animation production will be opened up’, explains Executive in Residence Tuula Leinonen from Aalto University. Leinonen is also responsible for the programme.
While bachelor-level teaching of animation has already been on offer in Finland for a long time (including minor subject studies in animation), students have had to seek opportunities from abroad in order to continue their studies. The new master's degree programme is in the planning stages, with cooperation from similar degree programs such as in Stockholm. Aalto's degree programme has already attracted a lot of international interest and it was immediately included in the EU Erasmus+ programme, which is implemented as a Joint Master's Degree programme in cooperation with the Belgian LUCA School of Arts and the Portuguese Lusofona University.
An international field
Until now, there has not been an extensive amount of top expertise in animation production in Finland. For example, when Rovio's animation studio expanded, recruitment had to be carried out abroad. However, it is now possible to achieve international standards.
‘When we manage to produce international-level experts in the sector, it will benefit the entire Finnish animation field. Employees will not have to be recruited from abroad as often and local animation studios will be able to accept diverse projects and participate in top-level international productions’, says Leinonen.
Animation combines expression, technology and commercial competence, all of which can be studied at Aalto University, and it is vital to develop all of these sectors together. Animation is about creating motion, and what this motion expresses. Its applications will continue to grow.
‘Finns should take advantage of this new growth as animation crosses language boundaries and offers international visibility’, adds Leinonen. The employment prospects are good, as the sector is international by nature. For example, experts will be offered work in co-productions, and a guiding role when different parts of productions are subcontracted.
An endowed professorship
Artistic ambition has always driven the field forward. The developers of this field can be easily recognised, and their work will be long remembered. Leinonen is pleased that Finnish studios have succeeded in receiving large productions such as the Moominvalley series, and they are visibly involved in the international animation field. ‘Education should support this positive development’, says Leinonen.
However, additional investments in teaching still have to be made in order to achieve high-level expertise in animation. To enable this development, Aalto University is now seeking donations from private individuals, companies and the foundation field to set up the post of a Professor of Practice in Animation.
By making a donation for the professorship in animation, you will support our goal to raise Finnish animation to an internationally renowned and respected level.
Further information:
Tuula Leinonen, Executive in Residence
Master's Programme in Animation
School of Arts, Design and Architecture
Tel. +358 400 688 054
[email protected]
Nora Rahnasto
Donor Relations at Aalto University
Tel. +358 50 362 2243
[email protected]
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