What does the entrance exam look like?
All deadlines, documents, technical information about enrollment and the entrance exam are published on the enrollment page.
The classification procedure for the undergraduate study of Animated Film takes place in two parts, for which it is good to prepare in advance. Despite the information on this website, it is necessary to study the Information Package for Students, which also contains a description of the admission procedure.
What kind of students are we looking for?
The study builds on the rich tradition of the Zagreb School of Animated Film, where the author's approach, clarity of idea, inventiveness and courage in shaping one's own visual language have always been appreciated. That is why we especially recognize works in the folders that do not remain at the level of adopted stylistic patterns, but reveal a personal view of the world. It is important for us to see how the candidate thinks through drawing, sequence, movement, space and character, not only technical skill, but also the ability to build an interesting, convincing and authentic world. We value experiments, visual risks, unexpected combinations of techniques, humor, subtlety and works that can surprise us. The study requires engagement, discipline and openness to criticism, as well as the ability to work independently and in a team. We are not looking for perfection or an already formed style, but the potential for the development of an original author's voice.
It is always a good idea to visit our Open Days, and carefully read the regulations on the classification procedure for undergraduate studies.
What does the entrance exam look like?
The first part of the entrance exam - Map
The purpose of the map is to show your skills, interests, ideas and ambitions as best as possible. The folder is the eliminatory part of the entrance exam, so it is important to design and present it as well as possible. The folder is accompanied by a letter of motivation in which the applicant explains their wishes to enroll in the study of animated film, their expectations from the study and why they think that this department suits their artistic needs. Applicants state what they are familiar with in the field of animated film and art, what inspired them and why, etc. After publishing the list of applicants who have passed the map, they take the second, practical part of the exam.
In the motivation letter , write what your interests are and reasons for this particular study program, what skills make you competent, mention the authors of animated films, artists, works and/or artistic directions that you know and that inspire you, dedicate up to 20% to your other interests and skills that you have and try to connect them with your interest in studying. Before you finish, check your grammar.
The following works need to be attached to the folder:
- 3 acts/figures and 3 portraits per live model
- 10 - 20 croquettes
- Short animated film and/or short animated loops/rehearsals.
A short animated film can last from twenty seconds onwards. It is not necessary to burden yourself with "perfect" animation - we are interested in how you think, whether you have a sense of rhythm, whether you use interesting artistic solutions. Animation can be done digitally, traditionally (drawing on paper), stop motion animation, collage, 3D... - Completed Sketchbook
The sketchbook format represents a good insight into the cross-section of your creative, drawing and artistic solutions - sketches, different styles/character designs, more complex drawings. Feel free to attach a few sketchbooks (if you have them) - works on a free theme (illustrations, character design, backgrounds, comics, storyboard...)
If you are also attaching art solutions for your characters, i.e. character design or model list, be sure to draw the attached character in various poses, with different expressions. Try to draw one character in several ways (simplified, more complex, with a contour line and only as a silhouette...). Although we are all inspired by other people's work and styles, we believe that works that strongly refer to existing styles (e.g. manga, anime, fantasy) make up only a small part of your works - try to show us your originality and diversity, what sets you apart from other candidates.
The second part of the exam - checking special knowledge, skills and abilities
The second part of the examination of special knowledge, skills and abilities contains:
- A storyboard or a comic book on a given topic. The topic is determined by the committee just before the exam itself. Applicants have 2 hours available for the realization of the task.
- Drawings - a model of a list of the main actors according to a literary template. The template is determined by the committee, the technique and method of presentation are chosen by the applicant, and he has 2 hours available for the realization of the task.
- Questionnaire/essay on the topic of contemporary animation, art, media and film, applicants have 2 hours to complete the task. Topics and questions are determined by the committee immediately before the exam itself.
- Nude based on a live model, charcoal on paper, format 50x70cm or 70x100. The nude is drawn for 2 hours.
- Crocs according to a live model, technique and format of your choice. Crocs are drawn for 1 hour.
- Folder presentation (interview) - an integral part of the entrance exam is an interview with candidates in which candidates present works from their folder, explain their actions, processes, motivations and inspirations.
General information
Applicants are required to bring their ID card, drawing board, paper and drawing utensils (charcoal, pencil, pen, ink, collage materials, etc.).
What is important to us and what we would like you to know
At the undergraduate level, the primary focus is on the candidate's creative potential: authorial curiosity, visual or artistic sensibility and a tendency to explore one's own artistic expression.
Applicants are not expected to have a clearly defined style or prior knowledge of the technical processes of animation - these competencies are systematically developed during the study.
The key factors are dedication to the work process, interest in interdisciplinary approaches to ideas and forms, and openness to various artistic, visual, animation and conceptual solutions.
The study is based on the tradition of the Zagreb School of Animated Film, in which the author's approach, clarity of idea and inventiveness were appreciated, as well as the research process that leads to such solutions.
We are interested in how you think through drawing, sequence, movement, space and character – not only the level of technical performance, but also the way you develop an idea. Basic computer literacy is desirable for enrollment in the university undergraduate study of Animated Film.
How to prepare?
It is certainly advisable to visit our most famous animated film festival, the World Festival of Animated Film Animafest Zagreb, which is held every year in the first half of June. Check out the exact dates on their website.
Visit various exhibitions, film festivals or similar events that are available to you. We expect candidates to be interested in the domestic and foreign art scene, especially the animated film scene.
Websites such as Zippy Frames provide a good insight into recent auteur animation, so we recommend that you check out some of the available films and interviews with the authors.
On the Instagram profile of our department, animirani_film_alu, you can watch some of the student exercises and films in distribution.
What to do after studying?
After completing the undergraduate study, students will master the basic skills of drawing and animation, understand the principles of classic and digital 2D and 3D animation, and master the techniques of story development, character design, visual storytelling and typical production and post-production procedures.
The program will enable students to work professionally in various creative functions in the field of animated film and visual media , as well as many related professions (illustration, character and environment design, visual effects, visual production in the field of video games, advertising and television production, and cultural management).
Our goal is not only to educate a new generation of animators and directors of animated film, but also a new generation of creative workers in the visual media industry. Many of our alumni are active on the domestic and international film scene, making their first professional acquaintances, and some of them win awards at various (animated) film festivals.
Students who wish to continue their studies after completing their undergraduate studies can take the entrance exam for the University Graduate Study of Animated Film. They can also continue their studies at the graduate study at the Academy of Fine Arts or another higher education institution in the country and abroad.
Contact
Contact us for consultation and interview. All interested candidates for the entrance exam can consult online and in person. For consultations, feel free to contact us by e-mail: animirani.film@alu.unizg.hr