OPEN CALL
We are looking for 6 aspiring and motivated storytellers with an animation background who are interested to learn the process how to develop stories and pitch ideas for an Animated Series.
You will learn the skills necessary to develop an idea into a story. We also focus on creating a pitch bible for an Animated Series.
👉 What does the training entail?
– 3 x 3-day Story Rooms
– 4 Workshops
– Industry Pitch Session
During this training you will work on location and collaboratively in small teams under the guidance of storyboard artist Dirk van Dulmen. You will learn the process how to develop an original Animated Series idea – from concept and story development to designing, writing and pitching an Animated Series pitch bible. The focus will be on: proactive collaboration, visual storytelling development, writing and pitching skills.
During the Animated Series Story Room Training you will have the opportunity to present and pitch to a number of animation industry professionals and producers.
👉 Also included: 4 Workshops
The Animated Series Story Room Training also includes a series of 4 additional workshops on location (not virtual) led by a selection of international industry professionals and producers.
This training program is developed in a tight collaboration with storyboard artist Dirk van Dulmen and animation producer and teacher Frank Verheggen.
APPLICATION CRITERIA
- You’re a motivated storyteller with an animation background;
Link with Noord-Brabant
- You have a clear link with the Province of Noord-Brabant, meaning you either:
* live and/or work in the Province of Noord-Brabant;
* you have a degree of a Noord-Brabant based art academy art or creative MBO course in the province of Noord-Brabant and you graduated no longer than 5 years ago;
* Please note: you don’t need to have completed or graduated with an art degree of any kind, we also encourage self-made creators to apply;
Experience
- We are looking for enthusiastic and motivated storytellers who ideally already have experience in the field of animation;
- Self-taught storytellers are also welcome to apply;
- Please indicate in your application what experience (writing and/or animation) experience you have already gained.
PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING
Main language of the training: English
This training is focused on the international animation industry, and because of that the main language of the training will be in English. The pitch bible you develop in teams will also be presented in English. The pitch sessions to animation industry professionals and producers will also be in English.
Drawing your Story – Visual Story Development Skills
Please note that during this course you will be asked to draw, act & perform, pitch, improvise and write. You don’t have to be an Oscar worthy actor, or a seasoned illustrator or a published author, but be aware that we will use (and develop) these skills during the training.
Mandatory dates
The training will consist of workshops and group sessions (on location).
These dates are pre-scheduled and we expect upon registration (and possible selection) that you will be able to attend.
The dates are:
📅 Fri 5 September | Observing pitch training by Mark Hoffmeier | Breda
📅 Mon 8, Tue 9 + Wed 10 September | Story Room #1 | Eindhoven
📅 Mon 6, Tue 7 + Wed 8 October | Story Room #2 | Eindhoven
📅 Tue 4 Nov | workshop by Charlotte Hamlyn | location TBA, Breda/Eindhoven
📅 Mon 10, Tue 11 + Wed 12 November | Story Room #3 | Eindhoven
📅 Wed 28 January | Pitch workshop by Agnes Bizarro (Cartoon Springboard) | Eindhoven
📅 Thu 29 January | Observing student pitches, coached by Agnes Bizarro | Breda
📅 Thu 5 February | Industry Pitch | Amsterdam
💰 Costs
If selected, the costs of the training are €150 (training+lunch)
Please note: you can get a PPO grant for 1/3 of the costs: https://werktuigppo.nl/spelregels/
🥪 Lunch
Lunch is included during Story Room days and workshop days.
👉 Possible selection interview
We may want to get to know you a little better in order to make the final selection. We would then reach out to you via email to schedule an online interview with you.
🚨 Deadline and registration
You can apply using this form.
We ask you submit your current resume and a recorded motivation video of maximum 3 minutes.
Deadline for registration is: Monday 5 August 17.00
The selection will be announced in the week of 25 August.
Any questions? Mail them to help@weareplaygrounds.nl
Please note: it is a training course; participation does not guarantee access to the network of streamers and producers.
MORE ABOUT THE ARTISTS AND TRAINERS
Dirk van Dulmen is a freelance Storyboard Artist based in the Netherlands, with 11 years of experience in storyboarding, beat boarding & developing pitch decks for animated commercials, short films, half hour specials, TV series & feature length films for studios such as Aardman, Blender, Blinkink, Gaumont, On Animation & Passion Pictures. Dirk also shares and talks about his experience working in storyboarding as a guest tutor for students of the Animation Workshop, ArtEZ, AKV St Joost Master & Venster Academy.
Mark Hoffmeier is an LA based Writer, producer and Creative Consultant who worked for industry legends such as Stan Lee and Hanna / Barbara for companies such as Dreamworks, Nickelodeon, Disney, Marvel, on many iconic projects. His credits include: Spiderman the animated series, the How to train your Dragon series, Lego Nexo Knights, Octonauts, Scooby Doo and Guess Who, Power Rangers and many others.
Charlotte Rose Hamlyn is an Australian Screenwriter and content developer with a focus on animation for platforms including Netflix, ABC, Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon and Disney. She garnered multiple Writers’ Guild Awards for children’s television and works across all genres and demographics. Her credits include the Emmy award winning Beat Bugs, Kangaroo Beach, Guess How Much I Love You, Motown Magic, Alien TV, Blinky Bill, Best Furry Friends, 100% Wolf and Space Nova.
Agnès Bizzaro is an independent creative & content consultant for developing series and films in animation and live action. She collaborates with producers and broadcasters. She is also head of Content of Cartoon Springboard, Cartoon’s pitching event for young talents. Discovering and supporting new projects and new talents makes her happy.
Frank Verheggen has over two decades of experience in the conception, development and production of animated content. His producer credits include two seasons of ‘The Adventures of Figaro Pho’ (ABC, Netflix, Hulu) and “Sherazade. the untold stories” (Network 10, ARD/RBB, Netflix), and the Oscura game series. Frank also teaches in the Animated and Illustrated Storytelling course at Avans University in the Netherlands, where he established and oversees a program focused on developing animated properties. This program features masterclasses by renowned international writers, artists, producers, and broadcasters.
✏️ Image header: Dirk van Dulmen