Animation class would be a welcome addition at CCS

By Samuel Rose, Staff Writer

Animation has always been a passion for me since a young age. In fact, I’ve been into animation for around half my life, with this all starting when I was 8 years old. As of recent years, I’d say I have gotten significantly better compared to before, and I’ve had a YouTube channel dedicated to it for a long while now.  

Despite all this, I still seek improvement, and something a friend from my church said only sparked this idea more. He mentioned that he took an animation class at his school, and this caught my attention.  

Ever since, this got me thinking that an animation class here at CCS would be fun. It would also make way for many opportunities for a future career. You could work for an animation studio, a movie, go solo, you name it. Animation also has applications in many careers such as graphic design, advertising, web design, script writing, storyboarding, directing, producing, etc.  

But this also got me wondering exactly how an animation class would work. What are the required materials for it? Do we have to download a program, or do we have to use school computers with a program already installed? What specific opportunities could this class grant?  

It turns out that an animation class would require a prerequisite or even a few. Luckily, we just so happen to already have some.  

“While we do not currently offer a dedicated animation course, we already have a strong foundation of classes that build skills directly connected to animation and digital media—beginning as early as middle school,” Curriculum and Instruction Director Rebecca Jones said. “At the middle school level, our art courses allow students to explore both 2D and 3D media, including drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture and digital art—skills that are essential for animation.” 

Now, although the bedrock is already set, there’s still one lingering question. That question is whether CCS would consider adding an animation class to course offerings. 

“While we may not currently offer a specific animation class, the foundation is being built through some of our existing courses,” Jones said. “And with continued student interest, it is certainly a possibility in the future.” 

To sum it all off, I think an animation class would be a fun addition to the courses we already have. One can do a lot with animation, whether that would be expressing themselves, entertaining others, telling a story, or just as a hobby to amuse themselves. Learning how to do it is also pretty fun once everything starts to click in your mind. 

“It’s very possible that the next great animator is already walking our halls, and we are committed to helping them grow into who they are called to be,” Jones said. 

Photos courtesy Samuel Rose via SamelTheAnimator