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Sunday, June 14 - Friday, June 26, 2026 | Residential & Commuter Options


Do you want to learn how to animate, model, light, texture, or perhaps how to destroy things in 3D using dynamic simulations? If so, join us for this intensive where you will learn how to do all these things in the industry standard tool used by Disney and many other studios, Autodesk Maya. This is a great opportunity for students to get a jump start on their animation education. At the close of this program, your family and friends will be invited to join us for a screening of your projects. This fun and intensive camp is led by Point Park Assistant Professor, David Morrison.

Read about our 2024 Film and Animation Summer Intensives!


This class culminates in a screening of all final projects for family and friends. This intensive is led by Point Park Assistant Professor Jonathan Trueblood.

To participate in this exciting program, students must be entering grades 9-12 as of Fall 2026 and/or be a 2026 high school graduate.  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 registration fee. 

Please note: some examples and content used during class may include R-rated materials.

Please note: some examples and content used during class may include R-rated materials.

Important Dates:

Residential and Commuter Check-In: Sunday, June 14 from 1 pm - 3 pm

4 pm: Student Orientation
5 pm: Dinner(Families are welcome to attend)
7 pm: Meet & Greet (Residential students)
 

Program Start Date: Monday, June 15
Program End Date: Friday, June 26

Animation Showcase: Friday, June 26 @ 2:30 pm

Residential Move-Out: Friday, June 26 (evening) or Saturday, June 27 (morning)

Class Outlook:

Classes will be held Monday - Friday from 9:30 am - 3:30 pm (with exception of day 1 beginning at 10:30am), 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 afternoon of Friday, June 26 in the screening room of 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. 

Day 1: 10:30 am - 11:30 am: Class Intro / What is Animation? / Screening of Works
11:30 am - 12:30 pm: Lunch 
12:30 pm - 2:30 pm: 12 Principles of Animation / Movement
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm: Introduction to Autodesk Maya / Follow-Along Assignment
Day 2: 9:30 am - 10:30 am: Animation Screenings
10:30 am - 11:30 am: The Ball Bounce Lecture
11:30 am - 12:30 pm: Lunch
12:30 pm - 3:30 pm: Workshop Time (Ball Bouncing)
Day 3: 9:30 am - 10:30 am: Animation Screenings
10:30 am - 11:30 am: Pantomime and Adding Life to Animation
11:30 pm - 12:30 pm: Lunch
12:30 pm - 3:30 pm: Workshop Time (The EyeGoo Rig)
Day 4: 9:30 am - 10:30 am: Animation Screenings
10:30 am - 11:30 am: Overlapping Action / Progressive Breaking of Joints
11:30 am - 12:30 pm: Lunch
12:30 pm - 3:30 pm: Workshop Time (Animating ball with tail - obstacle course)
Day 5: 9:30 am - 10:30 am: Animation Screenings
10:30 am - 11:30 am: Walk Cycles
11:30 am - 12:30 pm: Lunch
12:30 pm - 3:00 pm: Workshop Time (Walk Cycles - Lower Body)
3:00 pm - 3:30 pm: Week 1 Wrap-Up
Day 6: 9:30 am - 10:30 am: Animation Screenings
10:30 am - 11:30 am:
 Workshop Time (Walk Cycles - Upper Body)
11:30 am - 12:30 pm: 
Lunch
12:30 pm - 3:30 pm: 
Workshop Time (Making Your Character Walk in a Scene)
Day 7: 9:30 am - 10:30 am: Animation Screenings
10:30 am - 11:30 am: 
Dynamic Simulations in 3D
11:30 am - 12:30 pm: 
Lunch
12:30 pm - 3:30 pm: 
Workshop Time (Fun with Dynamics: Wrecking Ball)
Day 8: 9:30 am - 10:30 am: Animation Screenings
10:30 am - 11:30 am: 
Creating an Animated Short
11:30 am - 12:30 pm: 
Lunch
12:30 pm - 3:30 pm: 
Workshop Time (Working on Final Project)
Day 9: 9:30 am - 10:30 am: Animation Screenings
10:30 am - 11:30 am: 
Workshop Time (Working on Final Project)
11:30 am - 12:30 pm: 
Lunch
12:30 pm - 3:30 pm: 
Workshop Time (Working on Final Project)
Day 10: 9:30 am - 10:30 am: Animation Screenings
10:30 am - 11:30 am: 
Workshop Time (Final Project Animation Adjustments)
11:30 am - 12:30 pm: 
Lunch
12:30 pm - 2:30 pm: 
Exporting Final Project, Rendering Files
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm: 
Animation Screening (Families are welcome!)

 

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David Morrison, M.F.A.

Background

David Morrison studied animation at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. He started his career as a production assistant for Brand New School in New York City before moving on to become a freelance animator. This allowed him to work with many clients, such as Syfy Channel, T-Mobile, HBO, CBS, TED-Ed, among others. During his time in the industry he has held several leadership positions at various studios, including senior animator at Click 3X. Morrison continues to work as a freelance animator in the industry while teaching at Point Park University.

 

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 Registration Fee: 
A non-refundable registration fee 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. Commuters receive a daily lunch buffet included in the program. All meals take place in our Lawrence Hall Dining Room.

BREAKDOWN COST
Tuition $1,400
Registration Fee $200
Total Commuter $1,600.00
Add-On: Dorm and Meals $1,500
Total Resident $3,100.00


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.

2. Enroll a participant in more than one program or register more than one child from the same family to receive $50.00 off your balance. This coupon can only be applied to one program or account.

Welcome to our campus!


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

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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:

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The option to live on campus 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. 

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. in Animation or B.A. in Cinema Arts.

Community and Summer Education Contact Information
Point Park University Pre-College Programs Logo
Email summercamps@pointpark.edu
Call 412-392-3456
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