If you’ve always dreamed of working on an actual anime series, the folks at local animation company Triggerfish might have something for you. A free online Second Key Animation course is currently open for registration. It’s looking for 100 African animators to learn something about the animation role.
The video course was designed by Chiharu Akakura, Megumi Okawa, Yuki Yoshida, and Rikako Nakano. It seeks to teach animators how to “turn rough key drawings into finished keyframes, completing details and secondary elements before the drawings go to in-betweeners.”
Anime-niacs
The program is a partnership between the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Arc & Beyond (part of the Sony Group), and Triggerfish. According to the program’s official communication, “Top performers on the course will be put forward to leading Japanese anime studios for consideration.” That’s… an attractive draw for a free course. Assuming you snag one of the available 100 spots.
There are terms and conditions involved. The program is open to African citizens over the age of 18, no matter where they live in the world. Prospective entrants need “a digital illustration or animation portfolio or showreel,” as well as “access to reliable internet, a digital drawing device, and a computer capable of running 2D animation software like Clip Studio Paint.” Finally, everything will be conducted in English.
There’s one more hurdle — a time limit. Applications for the program close on 1 November. The course itself runs from 6 November to 13 December. That leaves you around two weeks (preferably less) to polish that portfolio so you can take a crack at an anime studio. There’s little else to lose. If you make it in, the course is entirely free. That’s worth repeating.
