STUDENT LIFE BY SETH HADEN
THE ANIMATED FILM PRODUCTION ASSOCIATION
W
hat started as an idea program. The AFPA lets students in. Everyone is encouraged to explore among a few students experience the collaborative process all aspects of animated film producwho shared a passion of producing an animated film, which tion. “We really want it to be a posi-
for creating animated films became for many of them is their dream job. tive experience for people who come an official organization in the spring The organization is structured to in and want to learn about animation of 2020, and now over a year later mimic the studio setting of animated whether you have experience or not,” members are busy with script writing, film production. storyboarding, character design, and
Coronado said.
“We break our club into a
Katelyn Bernardo, a third year
animation in order to finish their next couple of subcategories. We have pre-production art major, is a member project by the end of the fall semester. narrative, storyboarding, character of the AFPA and even with her busy
Katerina Coronado, a design, visual development/back- schedule she finds time to collaborate
fifth year animation major, is the ground, and animation,” Coronado on the projects. She recently provided Co-Founder and current President said. Members may choose to be a sketches for prop designs and one of of the Animated Film Production part of one group or as many as they them is being finalized for an upcoming Association. She believed creating want. The flexibility allows members animated film. While she cannot attend the organization would be benefi- to hone in on skills they already know every meeting, she helps any way she cial to students within the animation or learn new skills they are interested can.
“They’re very lenient on
participation, meaning you can contribute however much you’re willing [to] with no pressure. In the end, every little contribution counts, especially since the projects are such a huge undertaking,” Bernardo said.
Because of the COVID-19
pandemic, the AFPA moved all of their production online, and like many other clubs on campus, they use Discord to communicate and collaborate on projects together. The move to online was difficult, especially with keeping member retention up, but the club has continued to grow. Even with this difficulty and others, creating and leading
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