CSSSA ANIMATION REQUIRED ASSIGNMENTS – 2026

Students do not need prior formal training in animation to apply to the Animation Program. Students currently enrolled in grades 8 through 12 are eligible to apply.

Applicants must submit a completed online application, provide the contact information for two teacher recommenders, and upload the following required assignments. If you don’t include the required assignments by the application deadline, your application will be incomplete and won’t be reviewed.

Assignments

Assignments must be uploaded to submit the application. Save your assignments with your first initial and last name followed by the appropriate letter for each of the submissions. For example, John Smith would save his work as follows: 

jsmith_A 
jsmith_B 
jsmith_C 

A. One drawing or painting of a portrait of your favorite artist. You could choose a fine artist, a singer, a writer, an actor, illustrator, animator, or director. Choose someone you really admire and follow because to make this assignment meaningful you must know the subject well. Use an original style and technique to express who they are. Find a drawing tool that helps to demonstrate their personality or the message they give to their audience. Any media is welcome, from traditional analogue to digital materials. 

B. One drawing or painting based on the lyrics of the Pearl Jam song: “Even Flow”. You might consider the emotion, lyrics, pacing, and impact of the song. Push your imagination to create an original illustration. The essence of the assignment is to think outside the box. Please don’t draw in somebody else’s style and don’t use other artist’s work as your inspiration. You can use life references but don’t copy a photograph.

C. A series of 8 life drawings “Family + Friend Sketches” that demonstrate your observational and life drawing skills. Note the time and place of each location on your drawings (For example: Home, January 10th). Use a variety of techniques, such as pencil, pen, charcoal, watercolor, marker, color pencil etc. Draw your friends and family members, include portraits and full body sketches. 

D. Upload a video of an animation you have created that demonstrates your understanding of motion. Please DO NOT send rotoscoped work because it won’t be considered. Your video should not exceed 2 minutes. This could be one story or several shorter pieces.

Note about Assignments E & F below: Do NOT read these statements. Articulate your own opinion and speak from the heart. Think of these as video diary recordings.

E. Upload a video recording of yourself (length: no longer than 5 minutes) addressing the following questions: 

• Tell us about yourself! In your opinion, what are your strengths and what are your weaknesses?
• The CSSSA Animation program requires each student to complete 5 difficult projects in only four weeks. Tell us why do you want to be in CSSSA Animation 2026? 

F.  Upload a video recording of yourself (length: no longer than 3 minutes) addressing the following topic: 

• Tell us why you chose the artist for assignment A. How do they inspire you and what do they contribute to your life? Explain your artistic direction with this illustration. Why did you choose the particular technique to create their portrait? What inspired your color choices or the lack of?  

For Returning Students:

G. Returning Students only: If you have attended CSSSA before (not including Bridge), in addition to the assignments above, submit a brief statement of your specific learning objectives and reasons for wanting to return this summer.   

For All Applicants:

The artwork / animation you submit should be original and from your own experience and imagination. The committee wants to see YOU reflected in the content and distinctive style of your artwork. Be yourself! There should be no copying of existing cartoon characters or previous CSSSA students’ work. Plagiarism (the copying of other artists work as your own) is not tolerated at CSSSA. If you submit plagiarized work in your application, it will be rejected. 

We also discourage the submission of standard animation exercises such as a bouncing ball or flour sack assignment. Each applicant is highly encouraged to include submissions that explore a wide range of fine arts styles and ideas other than cartoon art.