You probably won’t hear BYU animation students shouting, “We’re No. 1!” but we’ll shout it for them. Animation Career Review named BYU’s animation bachelor of science program the best in the country.
BYU’s program is small—around 80 students compared to hundreds at other schools—but mighty: it has 18 student Emmys to its name and placed first last year on the ultimate video-game stage, the E3 College Game Competition. And BYU alums have gone on to work at Disney, Pixar, and DreamWorks, their handiwork visible in Coco, Moana, Up, Kung Fu Panda, and more. Here, see characters from BYU’s latest and greatest projects.
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There are no straight lines in Death and Delilah. The film, due out this year, pushes the limits of perspective and design, showing that BYU animators don’t just re-create the same look. Courtesy BYU Center for Animation.
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In Papá, a dearly departed father plays guardian angel over his daughter—and her dating life. In this no-dialogue film, the romantic accordion-and-mandolin-infused score lit up the screen—and nabbed a student Emmy for best music composition. Watch the film here.
Courtesy BYU Center for Animation.
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Grendel, named after this little guy, takes the cake as the hardest, most technical film undertaken by BYU animators—the longest, both in terms of film length and production time. The Beowulf-inspired tale follows this “dreaded” monster who really just wants to share his baked goods. Watch storyboarding and scenes from the film here.
Courtesy BYU Center for Animation.
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A bighorn sheep flummoxes a cocky climber in Ram’s Horn, BYU animators’ first foray into Looney Toons (think Wile E. Coyote and Road Runner humor). This homage to Bugs Bunny and Co. creator Chuck Jones clinched a student Emmy. Watch the film here.
Courtesy BYU Center for Animation.
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BYU’s video game Beat Boxer took the top prize at the 2018 E3 College Game Competition. In the game—a cross between Mortal Kombat and Guitar Hero—characters inspired by a violin and an electrical guitar fight to the beat. Watch a playthrough of the game here.
