Summer School in Visual Storytelling

During this two-week course, you will learn storytelling tools and techniques, explore the art of combining story and image, and craft a visual presentation (a “pitch”) of your story. 

summer

Location

Paris Saint-Marcel

Schedule

From July 10 to 21, 2023

The art of pitching your story is crucial in the animation and film industries. Working with GOBELINS professors and experts from the animation industry you will not only improve your story, you will also learn to pitch your project with confidence. 

Lectures will include story structure, character development, theme, visual presentation, and public speaking.  Workshops, including one-on-one coaching from animation industry professionals, will help you develop your unique story and structure a visual presentation. By listening to, and interacting with, some of the world’s leading animation professionals, this summer school course is designed to reveal the world of professional storytelling. 
Come and share your passion for stories with students from around the world while developing your storytelling and pitching abilities!

  • Students or Professionals.
  • Minimum age: candidates must be 18 years old to be eligible for the Full Package. Under 18 students are welcome to apply for package 2.
  • The programme is 100% in English; therefore, applicants should have a good command of the language in order to follow the course.

 Pre-requisite for applicants 

  • Story project
  • Background in animation, cinema, TV, illustration, comic books, video games…
  • Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite 

GOBELINS School is located in the very heart of Paris.
Address:
73 boulevard St Marcel
Paris 13th district

Nearest subway station: Les Gobelins - line 7

Summer School classes will be held daily from 10 AM to 5 PM daily - Monday to Friday - but students are welcome from 8:30 AM until 7 PM.  

Premises are closed on Sunday hence no activities are scheduled on Sunday. 

Please note that some classes or activities may begin earlier or finish later. The school reserves the right to make any last-minute change in the programme whenever it needs to be amended or improved. 

Download the timetable

  • Attend masterclasses in which GOBELINS professors share their renowned storytelling knowledge.
  • Shape your professionalism by attending lectures from internationally recognized experts from the animation industry.
  • Learn how to develop your pitch

  • Benefit from state-of-the-art digital facilities: one computer equipped with Adobe suite in class per student to write your story and craft your visual pitch.
  • Reflect on your story ideas with your peers during collective brainstorming.
  • Receive invaluable individual feedback from your coaches.
  • Participate in drawing classes focused on storytelling and visual development. 

All attendees will receive an official certificate from GOBELINS at the end of the Summer School. 

Should the Summer School be cancelled due to an unexpected pandemic-related emergency, GOBELINS will refund the tuition fees in full.

In the event of a cancellation by the participant: 

  • Before April 15 2023, all participation fees will be reimbursed 
  • After April 15 2023, GOBELINS will retain 50% of paid fees 
  • After June 1 2023, the school reserves the right to retain the full payment 

Tuition fees

  • Full package: € 3200*
  • Package 2: € 2600*

As safety of students and staff is our priority, GOBELINS will comply with the government guidelines ensuring you are in the best possible condition during the Summer School (hand sanitizing station, face covering inside the school if mandatory, reduced capacity to keep social distances…).

Admission process

1. Application Submission > 2. Selection process > 3. Letter of admissibility > 4. Online payment > 5. Confirmation

Send your application form, a short CV, a motivational letter together with your story project (5 lines)** to summerschool@gobelins.fr. A portfolio is a plus – not compulsory.

As seats in the programme are limited, the selection committee will examine the files for admission on a first come first served basis, until places remain available. After notification of admission, please note that you will need to proceed with your payment using our online platform in order to confirm your enrolment.

Seat will only be guaranteed after complete payment.
**GOBELINS will not return any submitted material.

*Tuition fees details

 

Full package: €3200

Including:

  • Access to morning lectures and afternoon workshops
  • A welcome breakfast and a welcome dinner in a typical French restaurant (on Day 2) 
  • Accommodation: 13 nights from July 9th to July 22nd. Typically, a single room in one of the residences of the International University Campus or in a private student residence in Paris. 
    Check-in: Sunday July 9th / Check-out: Saturday July 22nd morning.
  • Travel pass for local transport: Upon arrival at the residence on Sunday 9th, participants will be given a travel Pass to enjoy unlimited travel on Metro, bus, or RER within central Paris valid until July 22nd. The pass is suitable to commute between residence and school.

Package 2: €2600

Including:

  • Access to morning lectures and afternoon workshops.
  • A welcome breakfast and a welcome dinner in a typical French restaurant (on Day 2)

Without Accommodation and Travel pass.

Lecturers

intervenant-Niall-Laverty

Niall LAVERTY

Teacher
Niall Laverty has been teaching gesture drawing to animation students and professionals for over 15 years.

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Cecile

Cécile BLONDEL

Director of International Development at GOBELINS
After spending 5 years in the audiovisual industry as a special effects artist specialized in prosthetics for cinema and theatre, Cécile studied and worked in the field of history of art. From 1989 to 1995 she was a lecturer in Cultural History and associate researcher.

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john

John COVEN

Teacher and coordinator
John Coven has been working as a visual storyteller for over thirty years. As a storyboard artist in Hollywood he’s worked with directors such as Steven Spielberg,Tim Burton, Jon Favreau, and Ben Stiller. His credits include The Lion King, Jurassic World, Venom, Logan, Captain America: Civil War, and the original X-Men.

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aida

Aïda DEL SOLAR

Graduated from ENSad (Cinema & Animation) and La Femis (Scriptwriting), Aïda del Solar has been coaching visual storytelling for animation and cinema for more than 20 years.

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Lee DELONG

Lee DELONG

Lee Delong is an American/French actress, director, clown teacher and writer who has been working worldwide for 45 years.

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Jeffrey KEARNEY

Jeffrey KEARNEY

Jeffrey is a graduate of the Dramatic Writing Program at Tisch School of the Arts, New York University.

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Liam ENGELS

Liam ENGELS

Liam is a writer and animator who specializes in story development. He speaks Spanish, English, and French fluently. He has written multiple scripts and developed different stories for The Line Animation Studio, in London.

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Cécile NICOULEAUD

Cécile NICOULEAUD

Graduated from Roehampton University (London) and Université Paris 7 in film and television studies, Cécile Nicouleaud has been working as an editor for 19 years, mainly for television.

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Emmanuel KUSTER

Emmanuel KUSTER

Emmanuel Kuster is a telecommunication engineer who turned very early to production, holding different positions in the industry.

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