|
Asians in Animation (AIA) is excited to announce its first CG Immersive Lab, a program designed to equip early and emerging Asian animation professionals with the skills and experience needed to thrive in the professional animation industry. Through a combination of hands-on workshops and industry production exposure, participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the latest animation industry hot topics and how to sustain an ever-evolving career in creativity.
AIA is excited to offer a by-application-only production program with hands-on mentorship for participants.
With the ability to work with the top emerging talent of Asians in Animation, participants will creatively contribute to a 10 month, hands-on animation industry simulation and produce a professional-level 3D animated short film alongside a full production crew and industry mentors.
Please continue reading for more application and program candidate information.
AIA is excited to offer a by-application-only production program with hands-on mentorship for participants.
With the ability to work with the top emerging talent of Asians in Animation, participants will creatively contribute to a 10 month, hands-on animation industry simulation and produce a professional-level 3D animated short film alongside a full production crew and industry mentors.
Please continue reading for more application and program candidate information.
Project Information
- Program participants use their talents to bring a concept to life by creating compelling character relations and aesthetic world development. We are looking for enthusiastic artists who are dedicated to flexing their creativity and telling a unique and empathetic story.
- The short film will be 1 to 2 minutes long with minimal or no dialogue.
- Everything will be designed, modelled, and animated in a 3D space.
- No AI usage permitted.
- Production will run from November 2025 - August 2026
- Participants will receive credit for parts of the film that include their contributions, with approval from the Line Producer and AIA
Dates & Times
The production will run from November 2025 - August 2026, with participants expected to work a flexible 10-20 hours per week.
Crew Leads, Production & Writing will start in October 2025 for Development, Leadership Training, and Team Preparation.
Crew Leads, Production & Writing will start in October 2025 for Development, Leadership Training, and Team Preparation.
Open Roles
Duties for all positions may shift as needed throughout the production under the guidance of AIA.
If you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected].
If you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected].
Director: (LEAD)
NOTE: We will prioritize candidates who have prior animation industry production experience for this role. However, we are open to those who have experience directing a project from pre-production to completion. We are looking for a strong, steady leader for our production to set a calm tone for the rest of the team. Our ideal candidate is looking to take the next step in their animation leadership journey.
Requirements:
Duties:
Requirements:
- Strong understanding of storytelling techniques and proper writing skills needed in short stories/scripts.
- Strong communicator who is able to make decisions for the betterment of the project.
- Ability to meet deadlines and take constructive criticism in order to execute a high quality short film.
Duties:
- Draft pitches and concepts with clear visions.
- Ensure the delivery of a high quality script.
- Actively communicate with other creative departments to make reasonable and strong story revisions.
- Run table reads & address any suggestions.
Writer: (LEAD)
NOTE: We will prioritize candidates who have prior animation industry production experience for this role. However, we are open to those who have experience writing strong compelling stories. We are looking for someone who has a clear vision and is passionate about storytelling. Our ideal candidate is looking to take the next step in their animation leadership journey.
Requirements:
Duties:
Requirements:
- Strong understanding of storytelling techniques and proper writing skills needed in short stories/scripts.
- Strong communicator who is able to make decisions for the betterment of the project.
- Ability to meet deadlines and take constructive criticism in order to execute a high quality short film.
Duties:
- Draft pitches and concepts with clear visions.
- Ensure the delivery of a high quality script.
- Actively communicate with other creative departments to make reasonable and strong story revisions.
- Run table reads & address any suggestions.
Line Producer: (LEAD)
NOTE: We will prioritize candidates who have prior animation industry production experience for this role. However, we are open to those who have experience guiding a project from pre-production to completion. We are looking for a strong, steady leader for our production to set a calm tone for the rest of the team. Our ideal candidate is looking to take the next step on their animation leadership journey.
Requirements:
Duties:
Requirements:
- Strong communicator and people leader who is able to implement and revamp pipeline processes.
- Strong understanding of the 3D animation production pipeline.
- Ability to assess needs, work collaboratively and flexibly with a wide range of people to keep the production on schedule and maintain a healthy working environment.
Duties:
- Independently lead the full crew and production department.
- Ensure delivery of a high-quality animated short film by setting clear project goals and expectations.
- Establish strong communication channels between departments & cultivate healthy team relations.
- Oversee the entire production process by supporting the coordination of various aspects of production, helping departments meet deadlines, and resolving unexpected challenges as they arise.
- Ensure the upkeep of schedules and budget.
- Facilitate collaboration between crew, mentors and Asians in Animation.
Production Coordinator: (LEAD)
Requirements:
Duties:
- Strong leadership skills in project coordination
- Strong written & verbal communicator
- Ability to assess needs, work collaboratively and flexibly with a wide range of people to keep the production on schedule and maintain a healthy working environment.
Duties:
- Support the Producer in leadership & department coordination.
- Oversee the daily production schedule and adjust milestones as needed.
- Conduct daily check-ins with leads to review progress, address any issues, and plan action items for the next day.
- Track department progress and help ensure deadlines are met.
Production Assistant: (LEAD)
Requirements:
Duties:
- Basic leadership skills
- Strong written communicator
- Knowledge of Google Calendar
Duties:
- Taking and distributing artist-friendly notes
- Assisting coordinators in tracking small details and project progress
- Assist in various production tasks as needed to support the overall production process.
- Responsible for updating the production calendar as needed.
- Assisting Producer as needed.
Head Production Designer: (LEAD)
NOTE: We will prioritize candidates who have prior animation industry production experience for this role. However, we are open to those who have experience in cultivating strong visual development for stories. We are looking for a strong, steady leader and communicator to accurately convey the creative vision for the project to others, make sure that all artistic choices serve the story, and set a calm tone for the rest of the team. Our ideal candidate is looking to take the next step on their animation leadership journey.
Requirements:
Duties:
Requirements:
- Ability to mentor visual development artists
- Strong understanding of how visually communicate thematics through design & environment
- Experience in visually developing characters, environment, & props
Duties:
- Execute creative vision of story; developing appealing character, environment, & prop design.
- Prove drawovers & suggestions to other VisDev artists.
- Ensure high-quality world building & character exploration.
- Report and review progress with leadership, address any challenges, and plan action items for the next day. Serve as the primary point of contact during creative reviews.
Head of Story: (LEAD)
NOTE: We will prioritize candidates who have prior animation industry production experience for this role. However, we are open to those who have experience guiding a story team from pre-production to completion. We are looking for a strong, steady leader and communicator to accurately convey the creative vision for the project to others, make sure that all artistic choices serve the story, and set a calm tone for the rest of the team. Our ideal candidate is looking to take the next step on their animation leadership journey.
Requirements:
Duties:
Requirements:
- Ability to mentor storyboard artists in draftsmanship, camera, and character performance.
- Feature story sensibilities: comedy and heart.
Duties:
- Execute creative vision of story; aligning bridge sequences handouts into one coherent character story, tone, and journey.
- Ensure delivery of a high-quality short film by assisting the story team in meeting deadlines.
- Run story room meetings and board pitches.
- Provide drawovers and suggestions to plus boards.
- Report and review progress with leadership, address any challenges, and plan action items for the next day. Serve as the primary story point of contact during edit reviews.
Head of Animation: (LEAD)
NOTE: We will prioritize candidates who have prior animation industry production experience for this role. However, we are open to those who can help amplify others’ 3D animation performances and manage a team.
Requirements:
Duties:
Requirements:
- Ability to mentor 3D animators in principles, camera, and performance.
- Ensure cohesive character storytelling based on boards.
- Feature animation performance sensibilities: authentic, comedic, and full of heart.
Duties:
- Lead and mentor the animation & layout team.
- Liaise with the animation mentor to craft the strongest animation performances possible on screen.
- Delegate shot assignments based on animators’ strengths and address production progress with the Producer.
- Provide drawovers and suggestions to plus and polish performances, maintaining character consistency.
- Run animation dailies.
- Ensure delivery of a high-quality short film.
Mentors (To Be Announced)
Please do not contact the mentors regarding the application.
Applicants who contact mentors will automatically be dismissed.
Applicants who contact mentors will automatically be dismissed.
Eligibility
- Candidates from any location are welcome to apply. This program is 100% virtual.
- Industry experience is not required. Previous filmmaking experience is preferred, but not required.
- Candidates must be available for the full program duration, but are not expected to work every day. (Please see the full schedule for more clarity.)
- We are seeking individuals who are ready to put their artistic and teamwork skills to the test under a swiftly paced production schedule.
- Program places are open to AIA Members who are ready to take their next step as production-ready professionals.
- Participants are highly encouraged to take advantage of their participation in this program by being present for their specific department’s mentor meetings & other guest speakers. Participants are welcome to join other mentor meetings as observers. For those who are unavailable to attend set mentor meetings, a recorded copy will be shared. Please do not contact mentors unless stated otherwise.
Participant Goals & Objectives
- Connect with established Asian professionals in the animation industry, akin to an internship mentorship to gain insight into what it’s like to work on a fast-moving production.
- Hone technical skills & artistic instincts within an industry-level CG pipeline to prepare for a successful career in animation.
- Create an imaginative short film to build professional experience.
- Foster strong professional relationships & creative communication practices between departments.
Syllabus
- Workshops led by industry professionals
- Mentor Sessions and Work Sessions with teammates (e.g. story rooms, edit sessions, dailies, music and sound cue spotting, art callouts, production meetings)
- Art and Animation Screenings with mentors and peers
- Crew Leads Preparation: Leadership Training, Creative Direction Planning, and Communication Tool Building (Look of Picture Decks, Shipping Packets, etc.)
