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Dodge College of Film and Media Arts
Animation and Visual Effects (BFA)

»Welcome to Animation and Visual Effects

Named one of FIVE PROGRAMS TO WATCH! by The Hollywood Reporter (2025)

A vibrant and vital part of Dodge College, Animation and Visual Effects (AVE) offers one-on-one mentorship with animation legends and unparalleled access to industry expertise and opportunity in three areas of major study: 2D animation, 3D animation and visual effects. Animation students collaborate with film students on virtual production workshops utilizing our LED wall and motion capture systems; supervise VFX on live-action projects; and work with screenwriters, voice actors and producers to direct their own animation projects.

Student Projects


 

Cat-tastrophe

A cat, through its catastrophic antics, inspires a villainous inventor to devise her most evil plan yet.

Fae

A fairy whose job it is to bloom flowers for spring meets a rock spirit who refuses to conform to her plans.

Dodgeball

When a small daycare robot decides to play a game with a large military unit, things don’t go as expected.

Game Boys

A 2D/3D hybrid film about a lonely girl who discovers the importance of friendship when the characters of her favorite video game come to life.

Mirage

In an abandoned western town, Koda must choose whether she will keep running from the shadows that haunt her or face them head on.

Animation Greats

Brenda Chapman, Lauren Faust, John Musker, Rob LegatoOscar-winning director Brenda Chapman (Brave), Emmy Award winner Lauren Faust (My Little Pony), two-time Oscar nominee John Musker (Moana) and three-time Oscar winner Rob Legato (Titanic) are the Animation Greats who mentored and inspired students in Fall 2024.

At Dodge, animation students work with...

A list of tools that animation students work with

Gobelins

Gobelins classroom in Paris

In July 2024, Dodge College of Film and Media Arts proudly partnered with Gobelins, the prestigious visual arts institution in Paris, to enrich the educational experience of our talented students. Sixteen students from our Animation and Visual Effects department were honored to participate in Gobelins’ renowned Summer School program in Visual Storytelling, held on their historic campus.

Gobelins boasts 60 years of excellence in visual arts education and is recognized globally for its commitment to nurturing creativity across all forms of visual media. Our students had the unique opportunity to immerse themselves in a curriculum that emphasizes the entire creative process, from conception to production. The hands-on approach and personalized coaching provided by Gobelins’ industry professionals allowed our students to enhance their storytelling and visual development skills in an inspiring environment.

As the No. 4 film school in the United States, Dodge College is dedicated to empowering aspiring filmmakers and media artists. This partnership with Gobelins’ aligns perfectly with our mission to foster creativity, innovation, and critical thinking. The Summer School program offered our students invaluable insights into methodology, story structure, theme analysis, character development, and visual concepts.

Moreover, this collaboration promotes international exchanges, enriching the storytelling landscape by bringing together diverse perspectives from around the world. We are excited about the future of this partnership and the opportunities it creates for our students to learn from and engage with leading professionals in the field.

At Dodge College, we believe that experiences like this are essential for developing the next generation of storytellers, and we are grateful to Gobelins for welcoming our students into their vibrant community. Together, we are shaping a creative future that transcends borders and inspires innovative storytelling.

Read more about Gobelins.

Internships

We’re located between Orange County’s dynamic gaming industry and Hollywood’s vibrant creative community. Between the two of them and with the help of our excellent Career Center, incredible internship opportunities can be found at Disney, DreamWorks, Nickelodeon, Pixar and beyond.

Our alumni have jobs at...

Graphic with the logos of companies at which alumni work

Study Abroad Opportunities

Animation and effects are everywhere. That’s why we offer opportunities to take your studies around the world with our travel programs. Check out Dodge Study Abroad Opportunities to find out how you can expand your passion for animation abroad and visit our Center for Global Educationfor even more options to take your education worldwide.

Admission and Tours

All applicants are required to submit the Common Application and a Creative Supplement. Visit our How to Apply to Dodge College page to learn more. While you consider Chapman, we hope you’ll come visit Dodge College in person. Our 45-minute tours are given by current students and cover all academic programs, give an inside look at our facilities and provide opportunities to ask questions.

Contact Dodge Admission

Email: dodgeadmit@chapman.edu

Call: (714) 997-6996

Text: (714) 627-4199

Visit Dodge

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Film student at Chapman University

Get the latest info on the people, events and projects that make our school an amazing place.

 

Film student at Chapman University

We’ve replicated the facilities where leading industry professionals work and made them available to students 24/7.