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Stop Motion Program

The 3-year program at the MoPA animation school to master the complete process of producing a stop motion film.

Stop Motion Animation Film Program - MoPA School

The goal of our school is to train professionals in stop motion animation film, true specialists in the design and production of films that meet the demands of today’s and tomorrow’s professional environment.

Fully operational upon graduation, our students benefit from the international reputation of the MoPA animation school and the extensive network of professionals and alumni, providing them with career advancement opportunities leading to positions of responsibility.

With a specialized training in stop motion based on artistic and cinematic fundamentals, our students specialize in a realm that lies at the intersection of technique and craftsmanship. The project-based pedagogy, emphasizing teamwork, allows students to confront the challenges of reality while producing short films and experimenting with film production.

Following a one-year Foundation Program, the three-year degree program provides students with a comprehensive mastery of the entire stop-motion filmmaking process. The program is designed to lead to a Level 6 RNCP qualification dedicated to careers in directing and filmmaking (equivalent to Bac+3/4).

Stop Motion Program Study Plan - MoPA School

The curriculum

The three years of the program are structured around six main themes:

  • Artistic Culture: Film history, art culture, film analysis…
  • Art Direction: Concept art, character design, environment design…
  • Directing / Filming: Scriptwriting, storyboard, shooting, editing…
  • Fabrication: Modeling, 3D printing, set building…
  • Animation: Clay animation, Stop Motion animation, acting…
  • Professionalization: Workshops, internships, industry conferences…
Stop Motion Program - Animation Film Training - MoPA School

Year 1

Year 2 Further development of artistic fundamentals related to future needs in 3D animation, familiarization with 3D tools.

  • Understanding shapes and volumes, anatomy, the use of color for representing sets and landscapes, image composition…
  • Introduction to narrative and animation principles: design and production of a short film, 2D/stop-motion short film as a team.
  • Develop the technical skills associated with project implementation.

The year consists of a combination of classes, workshops, and projects.

Subject areas taught

  • Drawing, Visual arts
  • Modelling
  • Character design
  • History of the arts
  • Film analysis
  • Storyline
  • Storyboard
  • Photography / Video
  • Sound design
  • 2D Animation
  • Acting
  • Technical classes on the Adobe suite
  • English

Year 2

The second year allows students to take control of filming a stop motion volume animation and to master the equipment used in animation production.

  • Mastering the setup of a film set and the use of associated equipment (photography, lighting, etc.).
  • Mastering the various techniques for creating sets and characters.
  • Animating characters in stop motion.
  • 3D Design and Printing.
  • Directing.

The year consists of a combination of classes, workshops, and projects.

Subject areas taught

  • English
  • Film analysis
  • Photography
  • Editing / Visual Effects
  • Traditional and 3D Sculpture
  • 3D Scanning / Printing
  • Material experimentation
  • Miniature painting / makeup
  • Clay Motion / Stop Motion Animation
  • Mechanical armatures
  • Acting
  • Set Building
  • Production management
  • FX shooting

Year 3

The third year leads our students to complete a full production using the techniques of major studios.

Acting and meeting the professional standards: these are the key principles of this final year in stop motion.

It is during the full production of a stop motion animation short film, working as a team and under the supervision of professionals, that the students will showcase their skills.

Several film sets are available to the teams, along with equipment identical to that used in major productions.

In collaboration with students from the 3D Animation program for the integration of digital special effects, the stop motion graduation films reach a level that meets the high standards expected by the industry.

The graduation jury in Arles: a must-attend event

Just like the 3D animation graduation film, the stop motion short film that third-year students in the Stop Motion program will work on will be presented to a jury of professionals from around the world. Coming from the industry’s leading studios, they will give our students the opportunity to face the high standards of the animation film industry.

The short films will then be screened during the legendary evening at the ancient theater in Arles, in front of numerous professionals, as well as the families and friends of our young graduates. Afterwards, the stop motion films will be showcased at the most prestigious international festivals.

3D animation film program: MoPA school in Arles

Objectives, prerequisites, and procedures of the program

Teaching objectives

  • Design a strong narrative experience
  • Produce a stop motion animation film and supervise its production
  • Develop your expertise by creating new proposals (narrative, artistic and technical) to respond to real production situations

Prerequisites

Hold a level IV diploma or Baccalauréat and possess strong artistic and graphic prerequisites. Additionally, entrance tests will assess the candidate’s creative and artistic level. An individual interview will be conducted to allow the candidate to discuss and explain their motivations and professional project.

Teaching methods used

  • Development and deepening of narrative artistic concepts
  • Experimentation and image production
  • Analysis and research
  • Placement in a professional setting
  • Conduct a film-making project

Evaluation and assessment method

Individual oral and written, continuous monitoring, and evaluation during project phases.

Evaluation and assessment method

MoPA aims to obtain a Level 6 RNCP qualification dedicated to careers in directing and filmmaking (equivalent to Bac+3/4).

Equipment

Dedicated learning spaces for different learning situations are available to students on the school campus. However, the student must have a personal computer, with a webcam and an internet connection at home.

Access and duration of studies

  • Application to be submitted 2 months before each intake (September).
  • Total duration: 3 years (+/- 2,500 hours) plus Preparatory Class

Results indicator(s)

Not available, first class graduating in 2031

Next intake:
September 2027

Arles MoPA campus accessibility Our campus is accessible for people with disabilities. If you are wondering whether you can join our programs, please contact us so that we can make suitable arrangements: accessibilite@ecole-mopa.fr

Discover

The teaching

The programs

Preparatory year

3D Animation Cinema Program

The VAE approach

Learn more about the Stop Motion Program

What qualification does MoPA's Stop Motion program lead to?

MoPA's Stop Motion program is designed to lead to a Level 6 RNCP qualification dedicated to careers in directing and filmmaking (equivalent to Bac+3/4).

How is the Stop Motion Program structured?

The program is organized into a single three-year cycle focused on artistic and cinematographic fundamentals, creation, animation, and shooting on dedicated sets, providing mastery of the complete stop motion film production process.

What are the career opportunities after graduating from MoPA?

70% of graduates find a job within six months of graduation, with 30% working abroad. Careers are diverse and fall into three categories: pre-production (director, screenwriter, etc.), production (modeler, animator, etc.), and post-production (visual effects artist, compositor, sound designer, etc.) specialized in stop motion.

What are the admission criteria for the Stop Motion Program?

Entry into the preparatory class is open to high school graduates and is based on tests that include: a portfolio of personal work, additional assignments to complete at home, and a motivation interview. First-year admissions to the Stop Motion Program are open to students currently in their final year of high school or those holding at least a baccalaureate, and are based exclusively on entrance tests. The MoPA tests consist of a portfolio of personal work, including stop motion animation exercises, research and writing projects, as well as more academic artistic work (drawing, painting, sculpture, etc.). Applicants are also required to complete assignments at home and participate in a remote motivation interview.

What is the tuition fee?

Tuition fees change every year. To calculate the tuition fee, please visit our dedicated page: https://www.ecole-mopa.fr/frais-scolarite

Meet with us

Would you like to learn more about our 3D and stop motion animation school?
Come meet us at our upcoming events.

Open Day

17 Oct

From 09:30 To 17:00

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