Master in Animation

The Department of Animation was established at the Estonian Academy of Arts in 2006 and since 2007 it has offered a two-year MA in Animation (taught in English). The Animation MA programme is taught by Professor Priit Pärn and Associate Professor Olga Pärn. The main goal of the programme is to successfully educate creators of animated films, providing them with theoretical knowledge and practical skills. The further aim is to contribute to the global development of animation as an art form.

Animation is a thriving medium and developing at a greater pace than ever before. It has become part of mass culture, as well as one of its principal forms. Animation can be seen in digital screen graphics, computer games, music videos, films, etc. The basis for any film – including animated film – is the story. The greatest problem in the film world is the lack of good stories. In most of the world’s animation schools, students are not taught the art of good story writing. This is something that sets our programme apart. We place an emphasis on the story and teach Professor Pärn’s unique methodology for creating film scripts.

Upon completion of the MA in Animation programme, students have acquired in-depth theoretical and practical animation skills. The students can specialise in specific animation techniques and create individual projects in the appropriate technique. After graduation, the students are qualified to realise themselves as animated film creators, professionals in creative industries or teachers in their field. Students who have completed the Master’s programme are also qualified to continue their studies and pursue a doctoral degree.

“The classes were amazing. I learned how to tell stories, how to analyse films (not only animation), write scripts. I was fascinated by the teachers. They were professionals, not pedagogues. The programme made me an animation film director. My life has been tied to animation ever since. I also gained a huge circle of contacts, wonderful people I met during the course and after. I always tell people they should study animation in the Master's programme at EAA if they want to be animation directors.”

– Urte Oettinger, MA Animation ‘10, Co-founder of WIRED FLY

Student films have won over 50 awards in international festivals. Former students of our MA programme include the internationally recognised filmmakers Kristjan Holm, Martinus Daane Klemet, Anu Laura Tuttelberg (Estonia), Edmunds Jansons, Zane Oborenko (Latvia), Michael Frey (Swizerland), Lucija Mrzljak (Croatia), Teemu Hotti and Heta Jäälinoja (Finland). The Animation department is the perfect melting pot for students from different countries. Our current students are from 15 countries.

Curriculum Structure

This is an international programme and instruction is conducted in English. The studies are conducted as lectures, seminars and master classes, as well as individual and tutorial classes. Generally, tutorial classes make up 60% to 70% of the curriculum. Other classes are divided between practical and independent work. Studies are conducted in cooperation with almost all the schools of higher education in Tallinn, Estonia. The students actively participate in lectures at the Baltic Film and Media School (BFM) and Tallinn University. Cooperation also takes place with the Estonian Animation Union and Estonia’s larger studios. The programme’s instructors and lecturers are active artists and specialists whose work is regularly presented at international events.

Courses taught

• Philosophy
• Ethics and aesthetics
• Film theory
• Film history
• Animation history
• Animation technique
• Creativity
• Film production
• Film industry
• Animation projects 1 and 2