Freelance Animation, formerly Freelance Art School, was formed in 1989 by John Ewing (Disney Character Animator of such classics as 101 Dalmatians and The Jungle Book) and Barry Pearce (Graphic Artist & Design Studio Boss). Celebrating the 20th Anniversary in 2009, Freelance Animation is the longest successfully running animation institute in New Zealand.
The institute was originally a studio and in 1991 landed a huge contract from Hollywood in the form of Stephen Spielberg’s award-winning ‘Tiny Toons’. Then faced with the problem of finding Animators to complete the huge task, a training program was created and the first 12 students were taken on.
These days Freelance Animation has a student number of around 160 and is responsible for training some of the countries top animation talent who in turn, have started their own companies. Brent Chambers, who was one of Freelances original 12 students, formed Flux Animation in 1997 which has become one of the most successful Animation studios in the country (TV and Advertising). Flux has taken on contract work from overseas including two scenes in Al Gores award-winning ‘The Inconvenient Truth’, not to mention the creation of innovative cartoon series such as ‘Staines Down Drains’ and ‘Massey Ferguson’.
Throughout the years, animation technology has developed which is reflected in the way the school teaches but the emphasis has always remained on strong character animation. Giving life to the inanimate, making the most extraordinary and impossible creations come to life, breathe, move, dance, run and play. Graduates from the 3D elective have taken these skills onto prestigious companies like WETA and Sidhe Interactive (Gaming development).
These skills are just as relevant today as the day that John Ewing first picked up a pencil and without them it is certain that and the animation industry in New Zealand would not have transformed so dramatically into what it is at present.
If you love to create characters, have a huge imagination and have a passion for animation come visit us at Freelance Animation; New Zealand’s premier institute for Animation training established in 1989.
