COMMERCIAL WORKSHOP
Hands-On Commercial Animation Experience
MAKE’s Commercial Workshop gives junior and senior BA students an immersive, hands-on experience in creating animated commercial spots. Across two semesters, selected teams collaborate with MAKE mentors to conceptualize, design, and produce a 15-second, character-driven ad. The workshop mirrors the pace and challenges of MAKE’s studio projects, helping students sharpen their skills, build their portfolios, and gain
real-world insight into commercial animation.
Why Participate:
This workshop bridges the gap between classroom learning and real-world industry practice:
✓ Work with Realistic Briefs: Develop a spec ad from briefs inspired by actual client work, complete with brand guidelines, target audiences, and creative goal.
✓ Specialized Roles: Explore roles like storyboard artist, compositor, motion graphics designer, or rigger as you collaborate in small teams.
✓ Professional Mentorship: Receive feedback and guidance from experienced MAKE artists throughout the production pipeline.
✓ Skill Development: Learn storytelling tailored for commercial pipelines, strengthen your animation craft, and experience fast-paced creative collaboration.
✓ Networking Opportunities: Work alongside peers from leading art schools and expand your professional connections.
Submission Guidelines:
Online Information Session: September 16, 2025, at 7 PM ET
Application Opening Date: September 17, 2025
Who Can Apply: Junior and Senior BFA/BA students in animation programs worldwide
Deadline: September 26, 2025, by 12 AM ET
Announcement: The MAKE panel will select the final groups, and you’ll hear from us on October 3, 2025
Kickoff Call: October 3, 2025, time TBD (based on participants’ availability)
End of Workshop: April 3, 2026
How it Works:
Application & Selection:
Open to junior, senior, and MFA students across the U.S. in majors focused on animation and story development. Selection is based on portfolio quality, skill set, and team composition.
Team Formation:
MAKE will assemble diverse teams of six students. Each team will receive a unique brief and be paired with a MAKE mentor.
Production Process:
Teams independently handle every stage, from concept and storyboards to animation and final delivery. Bi-weekly mentor check-ins provide feedback, track progress, and help resolve challenges. Projects should align with your university’s guidelines and reflect the stage of development your team can support.
Commitment:
• Bi-weekly Check-ins: Present work-in-progress and receive mentor feedback.
• Weekly Hours: Estimated 6 hours per week, varying by role and project phase.
• Team Collaboration: Work remotely with peers nationwide to meet deadlines and deliverables.
Selection Criteria:
Eligibility:
Open to junior and senior BA students from majors focused on the animation pipeline and story development.
Application Quality:
Proper formatting and submission of all required materials are considered essential professional skills.
Portfolio Strength:
Evaluation of the submitted portfolio, which must include:
• An online portfolio or website
• A reel of at least 45 seconds (not required for illustration students)
Team Fit:
Skill set relative to overall team composition, ensuring balanced roles and capabilities within each group.
Want to know more? Check out the information session from last year before you apply.
For any questions regarding the application process or the grant, please contact Iana Prakheeva at iana.prakheeva@makevisual.com.
All content © 2025 by MAKE, LLC and respective copyright owners.