Animation 101
1/6/20261:00 PM - 4:00 PM EST
Location: Art Place Studios, 2015 Asheville Hwy, Hendersonville
Event Description
Instructor: Charles Michael
Date: 1/6/2026
Time: 1 pm - 4 pm
Member: $20 Non-Member: $25
Animation is a powerful artistic medium, and in this course, students will learn both the craft and the creative thinking behind it. We’ll explore storytelling, character development, sound, movement, and visual style, all while working toward an original animated short film or cartoon series of each student’s own creation.
By the end of the program, a student who has stayed engaged from start to finish will have the skills and confidence to produce a complete animated project, and the ability to recognize and appreciate animation as an expressive art form, not just a technique.
Software & Tools:
All software used in this class is 100% free:
Students must bring:
With a focus on both the technical skills and the creative mindset of a skilled animator, this course is designed to be exciting, supportive, and accessible for beginners and growing artists alike.
The instructor will teach every technique used in the production of their award-submitted short film, Disabled World (students are welcome to watch it in advance if they’d like: Disabled World)
Date: 1/6/2026
Time: 1 pm - 4 pm
Member: $20 Non-Member: $25
Animation is a powerful artistic medium, and in this course, students will learn both the craft and the creative thinking behind it. We’ll explore storytelling, character development, sound, movement, and visual style, all while working toward an original animated short film or cartoon series of each student’s own creation.
By the end of the program, a student who has stayed engaged from start to finish will have the skills and confidence to produce a complete animated project, and the ability to recognize and appreciate animation as an expressive art form, not just a technique.
Software & Tools:
All software used in this class is 100% free:
- Audacity, sound recording and editing
- OpenToonz, animation
- Shotcut, video editing
- Trelby, script writing
Students must bring:
- A laptop
- A drawing tablet with a stylus
- Headphones and a sketchbook for planning(Optional)
With a focus on both the technical skills and the creative mindset of a skilled animator, this course is designed to be exciting, supportive, and accessible for beginners and growing artists alike.
The instructor will teach every technique used in the production of their award-submitted short film, Disabled World (students are welcome to watch it in advance if they’d like: Disabled World)
Artist Bio:
I am Charles Michael (they/them). I'm a 23-year-old artist with autism. I'm a musician, and I'm also working on a comprehensive biography about They Might Be Giants -- but I especially love animation. I released one short film last year called Disabled World, which I made entirely on my own aside from the voice-over work, and I've interviewed dozens of artists, animators, and executives who have worked in various capacities with Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, PBS, Disney, etc.
I am Charles Michael (they/them). I'm a 23-year-old artist with autism. I'm a musician, and I'm also working on a comprehensive biography about They Might Be Giants -- but I especially love animation. I released one short film last year called Disabled World, which I made entirely on my own aside from the voice-over work, and I've interviewed dozens of artists, animators, and executives who have worked in various capacities with Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, PBS, Disney, etc.