Make me a NickToons Animator!
Make me a NickToons Animator 2008!
Nickelodeon UK's NickToons channel announces all new UK undergraduate animation talent search with Skillset.
The winner will scoop a prestigious in-house role at Nickelodeon UK and have winning film broadcast on national TV.
NickToons UK is the UK and Ireland market's number 1 rating dedicated animation channel from the worlds' favourite entertainment company, Nickelodeon. NickToons is the home of the best quality and funniest cartoon comedy from the UK and around the globe - including the Annie Award winning SpongeBob SquarePants and BAFTA Award winning ‘Purple and Brown' from Aardman animations. Our promise to our kids - to do whatever it takes to make them laugh!
For this nationwide competition, NickToons has teamed up with Skillset (the Sector Skills Council for Creative Media) to give one university animator a summer internship at NickToons and the chance to see their film broadcast on NickToons.
"Innovative, laugh out loud quality animation is at the very heart of NickToons. We're absolutely thrilled to be launching the first ever ‘Make Me a NickToons Animator with Skillset'. The winner will be trained and developed into an industry best; getting to work alongside a creative super force of producers and animators from around the globe in a professional and unrivalled environment."
Peter Drake - VP Creative Director Nickelodeon UK
"This is a huge opening for every aspiring animator and a fantastic opportunity for us to work with the new wave of UK talent - we can't wait to watch the entries."
Tracey Cleland - Creative Manager NickToons UK
The competition, which launches on 9 April, is open to students on Skillset accredited animation courses at seven of the UK's leading animation and television production universities: Ravensbourne College of Design and Communication; Arts Institute Bournemouth; University for the Creative Arts, Farnham; Bournemouth University; Glamorgan University; University of Wales, Newport and the University of Teesside
"We are thrilled that Nickelodeon are so committed to supporting UK students in their development. ‘Make Me a Nicktoons Animator' represents a stunning opportunity for undergraduate animators to get real experience of the animation industry. For the winner and runners up, the potential of adding real broadcast credits to their CV's and showreels is one not to be missed. Skillset's accredited courses represent the best new animation talent the UK has to offer so naturally, we're very confident that they will come up with something that the team at Nicktoons will like." Chris Chilton - Computer Games & Animation Manager at Skillset
To enter, students must submit an idea for a funny 30--second animated short. Up to 80 will be selected to enter a professional pitching and treatment process at Nickelodeon UK that will take them through the key stages of animation development to final delivery and broadcast on NickToons - an incredibly valuable addition to anybody's portfolio and CV.
Five winning animations will each get a professional audio mix, and the overall winner will get the chance to work alongside Nickelodeon's talented production team at its London headquarters in a paid internship. During their summer break, the winner will spend one month working with Nickelodeon UK's channel manager, producers, editors, animators, graphic designers and commissioning team.
One month after the competition opens, short listed students will be invited to pitch to a panel of creative professionals at Nickelodeon UK that will include creative manager of NickToons Tracey Cleland.
Following feedback, students will return to Nickelodeon one month later to present full treatments and will then have a further month in which to produce finished animation.
Key Dates
- 9 April Competition launch
- 6 & 7 MayFirst-round pitch at Nick UK
- 12 & 13 JuneFull treatment presentations at Nick UK
- 21 JulyDeadline for delivery of final entries
- 4 August Winners announced
- 1 SeptemberInternship begins
9th April 2008
NOTES FOR EDITORS
About NickToons
NickToons is the UK's number one-rating channel for boys and girls aged 6-12 years old. NickToons is home to the hilarious and BAFTA Award-winning SpongeBob SquarePants, Annie Award winning Fairly Odd Parents, Aardman's clay-mation BAFTA hit Purple and Brown and the ‘NickToons Family' - created by London's Studio AKA.
About Skillset
Skillset is the Sector Skills Council (SSC) for Creative Media which comprises tv, film, radio, interactive media, animation, computer games, facilities, photo imaging and publishing. Our aim is to support the improvements to the productivity of our industry to ensure that it remains globally competitive. We do this by influencing and leading; developing skills, training and education policy; and through opening up the industries to the UK's pool of diverse talent.
NickToons is part of the Nickelodeon UK Network, a joint venture between MTV Networks and BSkyB Television.