2D Animation Intensive Dive deep into the world of your imagination at one of the region’s only animation-focused programs!

This exciting program is open to middle and high school students aged 12-18, as well as 2024 high school graduates. No prior experience is necessary in order to participate.

This program is open to the first 18 students who complete the registration and pay their deposit. 

Important Dates:

Residential and Commuter Check-In: Sunday, July 7 from 1 pm - 4 pm

Program Start Date: Monday, July 8 
Program End Date: Friday, July 19

Animation Showcase: Friday, July 19 @ 4 pm

Residential Move-Out: Friday, July 19 (evening) or Saturday, July 20 (morning)

Class Outlook:

Classes will be held Monday - Friday from 9:30 am - 3:30 pm, with a 1-hour lunch break. Each day will consist of lectures and hands-on work in computer labs. There will be screenings of animated works throughout the week.

The program will conclude with a showcase of student projects on the evening of Friday, July 19 in the Screening Room located in our West Penn building. 

Check out an excerpt of the schedule from our program below. Please note that this schedule is subject to change at any time at the discretion of the instructor. 

Jonathan Trueblood, M.F.A.

Animating a Career

After obtaining in bachelor's degree at Edinboro University, Jonathan Trueblood moved to New York City where he worked for several different motion graphic studios. It was there where he worked with companies such as MTV and ESPN to create short animations and effects for their shows. He specifically remembers working on animations and video clips that played during the commercial breaks for popular shows on MTV such as Viva La Bam and Pimp My Ride. He was also part of a team that made ten-second animated clips to promote up and coming bands on MTV.

"In a year, we probably made about 180 to 200 of those 10-second animations. That was a really fun product."

Jonathan has also created animation effects for large companies like BP, American Express and the NFL Network. However, of all the exciting projects he has been a part of, the project that stands out in Jonathan's memory is one he and his former Point Park students made for TED Talks that received a lot of positive feedback.

Animating the Lives of Others

Jonathan became passionate about teaching when he was a graduate teacher's assistant at Carnegie Mellon. Jonathan gets the most satisfaction when he sees that students are learning, working hard and setting themselves up to join the workforce after graduation. Jonathan remarked that the students who work hard and log the most hours in the computer room are often times the ones who end up working for companies like Disney and Pixar.

"The work that you did, the hours that we spent in my office, the critiques and discussions we had, when that stuff pays off, that's the best feeling."

Old School at Heart

Growing up, Jonathan remembers seeing two specific films with his grandmother that first inspired him to work in animation. Those films were Who Framed Roger Rabbit and The Lion King. These groundbreaking films made him want to draw something that would come to life and generate a reaction from the audience.

Jonathan prefers the hand-drawn, traditional, 2D animation over 3D animation because it is the form he grew up watching and that inspired him to get into the field. 1940s and 50s cartoons and classic Disney movies showcase the human touch that 3D animation, however impressive, lacks.

"I love some of the things that you can do with 3D, but actually getting the pencil smudges on your hand, touching the paper, and crinkling the paper, you can't get with 3D that you can get when you animate by hand."

Payment Information:

All payments are due before the start of the program.

Registration and payments will be handled through our easy, user-friendly online registration platform, CampDoc. Visa, Mastercard, Discover and Electronic Checks are accepted. Payment plans are available. Students receive a t-shirt, swag bag, and ID holder with their registration. 

Non-Refundable Deposit: 
A non-refundable deposit of $200.⁰⁰ is required to reserve your space in the program. Please review our FAQs for the most up-to-date information on cancellations and refunds.

Dorm and Meal Plan Information:
When applicable, residential students receive 3 meals on weekdays and 2 meals on weekends (19 meals total per week). Commuters receive a daily lunch buffet. All meals take place in the Lawrence Hall Dining Room.

Available Discounts:
1. A 30% tuition discount is currently offered to Point Park University employees, alumni, and their immediate family members. Family is defined as yourself, your spouse, and/or your children. Room and board costs are not available for this discount.

Welcome to our campus!

All classes will be held on campus at Point Park University.
Animation classes take place in West Penn Animation Labs.

Address: 
Point Park University
201 Wood Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Animation Suites

Students do not need to bring a laptop to this intensive. Point Park University will supply all necessary equipment with software to be successful in the program.

Students will work and learn in two individual PC-Animation Suites with access to:

The option to live on campus during 2D Animation is available to students at least 14 years old.

We will do our best to fulfill roommate requests, but requests are NOT guaranteed. Students will have the opportunity to enter requests during the registration process. 

Each residence hall has multiple points of secure access to student living areas, such as keycards, access codes, and lock and key. 

Adult resident assistants (RAs) live on campus to supervise students who are minors. Each RA is responsible for eight to ten minors. 

Several students shared why they chose to attend this year's camp, what they learned and what it was like to spend the week on a college campus. Read on to learn more!

Meet Luke Tiday, Cumberland Valley High School

"I chose to attend the animation camp at Point Park to learn about traditional animation and to learn the techniques that could transfer to other types of animation.  This camp was worth every penny."

Meet Eva Vislisel, Pittsburgh Creative and Performing Arts School

"The traditional animation camp was fun, interesting and stimulating! If you're interested in learning more about animation, this camp is very informative and allows your creativity to flourish."

Meet Aiden St. Clair, Ward Melville High School

"Animation camp was fun, constructive and a great start for me to learn the basics of animation. I liked working on the 2D animations because I learned how to make my art come alive."

Meet David Coole, Tunkhannock Area High School

"It was an interesting experience being on a college campus in Downtown Pittsburgh for someone such as myself who lives in a rural area. I really liked being in an environment where my classmates appreciated and enjoyed animation as much as I do."

As an undergraduate student at Point Park, you’ll have access to opportunities only a world-class city can offer — and few universities can match — for a real-world, career-oriented education. Consider a B.F.A. or B.A. in Animation and Visual Effects.