Building a Portfolio at Any Age: How Animation Students Go From Beginner to Art School Ready
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Building a Portfolio at Any Age: How Animation Students Go From Beginner to Art School Ready

admin2026-04-04T23:05:26+00:00

Top animation programs accept as few as 1 in 10 applicants — and the portfolio is the single biggest factor. Learn what schools like Ringling, Full Sail, and CalArts actually want to see, what mistakes to avoid, and how students at any age can start building a portfolio that stands out.

Building a Portfolio at Any Age: How Animation Students Go From Beginner to Art School Readyadmin2026-04-04T23:05:26+00:00

Elite Animation Academy - Orlando - Virtual (Online)

4.7

Based on 42 reviews

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Kimberly Zuzak

16:30 14 Jan 23

We started coming to Elite Animation Academy the fall of 2022. My child first took the 2D Animation Course with Joe and loved it! She was motivated to go every Saturday morning - which speaks volumes. She has now added a drawing class which is helping her with the foundations of drawing and she has shown steady improvement in developing her skills. The third class that she is taking is with Thomas Thorspecken, who has an amazing way of working with kids and has a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience. She was so inspired and excited about learning more on one and two point perspective drawings after the first class. We are so glad to be a part of Elite Animation Academy!

Javier Velez

18:36 12 Nov 22

The best in its class! Truly professional treat for your kids. My daughter love it. She took two courses this year 22, planning to continue next spring.

John Peter

23:56 25 Oct 22

My daughter went to their Summer Camp two years ago. After she finished, even that she already was doing all kind of designs and effects on her phone, after she finished the camp, she was very interested in the art. She just graduated high school and started her first semester at Valencia College to earn an Associate degree in Graphic Design and looking for a bachelor's in Film production. It all started with going to a Summer Camp at Elite Animation Academy. Thank you all for showing her her future career.

Hans Alce

13:14 14 Aug 22

My daughter liked the classes during summer break. She attended video editing and foundational drawing.

Aimie Bissonnette

20:47 06 Jul 22

A wonderful place to learn from amazing teachers! I have been going for the last 3 years having taken 4 classes, and I have learned so much and have improved my art through the guidance of all teachers at Elite Academy! They are amazing teachers who are always willing to help students follow their artistic dreams! I definitely recommend for everyone. Especially young artists!!!

Matthew Pearl

20:16 10 Jun 22

My 10 year old son Graham just finished a wonderful 1 week in person session (2D animation with Joe) and every step of the way was a pleasure, starting with Todd via phone and email helping me understand the best options for my son and continuing through a week of wonderful instruction balancing being patient and challenging my son. Though we live hours away, we will look forward to staying in touch with the school and hopefully continuing with some combination of virtual and in person opportunities over time.

Emily Pickle

20:08 10 Jun 22

This was one of the best weeks of camp we've ever experienced. The instructors are professional, warm, welcoming & knowledgeable. Our sometimes shy teen really enjoyed the week at Elite Animation. Thanks for a great week!

amy gutman-enright

12:48 23 Feb 22

Amazing online instruction! We stumbled upon Elite Academy looking for virtual courses for our 12 year old who wants to be a professional animator. After corresponding with the owner Todd, we knew we had found the right place. Enrollment was easy, and the pricing was superb - ten 2 hour one-on-one sessions was incredibly reasonable compared to even a single weekend course elsewhere.

My son's instructor Joe has an amazing resume, and found his "interaction groove" right away. We were worried that kiddo would not be able to focus for the entire 2 hours weekly, but the sounds of laughter and excitement coming from the computer room weekly show that we were wrong! Kiddo cannot wait to show us what he learned in each session, and on animation class days, he gets up with a smile and races home from school.

We have been so impressed that we enrolled him in multiple summer camp weeks. Helping support your child's passion with the right people is wonderful and we are grateful to Todd, Joe and the Elite Animation Academy for helping start him on this career path.

Dena Spratt

19:43 13 Oct 21

My Daughter is a senior in Highschool and is applying to Art Institutions to pursue her higher education in Animation. She has taken two online courses and has had such a wonderful experience. Both her instructors were professional and extremely knowledge about their crafts. She has learned so much from her classes. Her current instructor (Tony Santos) is helping compile her Art Portfolio for her college submissions and wrote a letter of recommendations on her behalf. I have NEVER been more satisfied in an institution, and I am both impressed and thankful for their support, professionalism, and personable approach toward my Daughters future!

Tanya Feddern-Bekcan

23:55 13 Aug 21

I highly recommend Elite Animation Academy. My 13-year-old daughter plans to be an animator and manga artist and will spend hours a day at home, practicing drawing techniques on sketchbook and tablet. We are so glad to have found Elite Animation Academy. The Director, Todd West, and his instructors are professional and knowledgeable. She attended the Character Design and the Anime/Manga week-long summer courses taught by Brandon Burghard. The price is quite fair for the hours of instruction alone, not including that the instructors are working professionals in the field she plans to enter. She is looking forward to taking the 2D and 3D animation courses next. If you live out of town, it’s worth the drive—traffic was no problem from Saint Augustine to Orlando and back.

Nancy Moeller

17:15 09 Jul 21

Our two 15-year-old grandchildren wanted to take the 2D Animation course. Both kids have talent in this area. We chose the one-week summer camp program and we have been extremely happy with the school, Todd (co-founder), the instructor, and what the kids learned. The entire experience has been very professional and high quality. Two thumbs up! Definitely recommend!

Miguel Torres

20:12 11 Jun 21

I recommend this place 100 percent. My daughter loved the summer week camp. So organized and professional. She will be back.

Susan Glow

15:12 09 Feb 21

We highly recommend the courses offered by Elite Animation Academy - we have taken both in person and online courses with their school. The classes are well-run, entertaining, and offer great insight to the art and animation world. And, the instructors are experienced, knowledgeable, and inspiring. Very professional school with excellent communication from the instructors and management. We will continue to take course with Elite Animation Academy!

Angela Magac

17:08 12 Oct 19

My daughter absolutely LOVES Elite Animation Academy!! She has taken several courses here and her art skills have improved exponentially. The teachers are AMAZING and they nurture your child's love of art in all aspects. I highly recommend Elite Animation Academy to cultivate your budding artists creativity and skill set.

Sharon Bonet

16:25 22 Jul 19

My daughter loves this school, she has attended multiple summer camps and taken several classes. The staff is amazing, professional, and extremely patient. I highly recommend it!

Nina Khan

18:31 10 Jun 19

Always a great experience at Elite Animation Academy! Teachers and staff are fantastic!

Angie Robinson

18:38 05 Jun 19

My son had a great experience here! Teachers and staff were very welcoming and knowledgeable. Would highly recommend!

H Tracy

21:30 10 Nov 18

This place is awesome! I learned so much from Woody- he’s an amazing artist. Can’t wait to take the next class. By the way I’m 40 years old and if I can learn a lot here- anyone can :) Come and have fun with us. Thanks Elite- you guys are the best.

Edward Ho

06:16 05 Jul 17

This was the best camp we enrolled my daughter in for this Summer (2017)! She had a lot of fun and enhanced more of her creative talent for drawing and illustrating. Todd, the director of Elite Animation and all his wonderful staff made her experience enjoyable and fun. She really thrived in learning more of what she loves to do! Thank you for such an awesome time and making a part of her Summer a fantastic learning experience. We'll definitely be back! :)

Joyce Bennett

20:53 26 Nov 14

Mr. West and his staff are impeccable at their work, ethics & above all EXTREMELY Knowledgeably professional with all avenues of animation. My son is High Functioning Autistic and fell in love with the school, staff, curriculum set before him. This will be my sons career and I can not express the love and attention that Mr. West and all the teachers take a vital & intimate roll in each students curriculum. The staff and director allowed me to work with them and share my sons needs and then set an outstanding portfolio/curriculum for him to excel. I can not thank The West's and the staff for the steady hand and compassionate heart they have for their craft and these students. The ratio is perfect, learning environment is superior. We're currently working online as we're 650 miles away. Except for winter and summer where we travel and relocate. However, because of this phenomenal school we're seriously working towards living in Orlando. My sincere thank you to the West's and staff of Elite Animation. A special thank you to Mr. Jason. You make Reid's world every Saturday.

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