Oliver Acker|Success Story #02

Abu Dhabi's Cartoon Network Animation Academy (CNAA)

Success Story #02

I am sharing the following experience from my subjective point of view. In reality, it required team-effort to make this academy a success story, so i want to thank the following people from the bottom of my heart for their contribution.

DISCLAIMER

Special Thanks to

Alex Gehrig (RIP my friend - you made it all possible)
Ellen Erikson (for being a wonderful teacher and such a pleasure to work with)
Badr Badruddin (for sharing your passion and knowledge with us)
Lavanya Gopi (for helping to facilitate our dreams)
Adam Khawja (for your collaboration)

In 2010 I have been hired to aid the Abu Dhabi government at twofour54

...in their ambitions to strengthen the local animation industry by establishing an animation programme under the branding of Cartoon Network. The Cartoon Network Animation Academy (CNAA) was part of the efforts to also establish the Cartoon Network Arabia production studio in Abu Dhabi.

Since animation on this scale was new in the region, the job of the academy was to identify and to train local artists into becoming production ready to join producing regional content and for the strongest graduates to join at the Cartoon Network Studio Arabia production setup in Abu Dhabi.

When I was brought on board to set-up and head the academy, I carefully evaluated the existing, and very academic, 1-year full-time animation programme curriculum.

In class giving feedback to Frank's animation. Frank was among the first batch and one of our first animation trainees at CNAA

It was very important for me to run the academy in a hands-on manner with practical assignments from script to screen that build on top of each other and helped the trainees to get a profound understanding on the procedures and application of contemporary animation productions. My request to rewrite the entire curriculum has been approved.

The outcome of the first intake quickly raised eyebrows and gained a lot of praise. The academy and its programme gathered momentum and with every year I have fine-tuned and improved the curriculum based on the current situation and demands in the region.

we have succesfully improved the content and outcome with every intake and we have managed to establish a good reputation for the academy

Eventually we have decided to extend the 12 months to an 16 months programme. To ensure consistent continuity and growth, me and my team hand-picked the trainees by collaborating very closely with local educational institutions, participating in fares and exhibitions, giving workshops and even offered internship programs for students within the academy. Our prime focus while selecting the next intake of trainees was always on passion, talent, and dedication, which in return resulted in a wonderful atmosphere and energy in the classroom.

The CNAA animation programme covers all key principles of creating story-driven animation content: From scriptwriting, to storyboarding, concept art, character design, 2D animation principles, CG character performance animation, editing and sound.

Graduating with a collaborative Animated Short Film

The content of the short-films were based on ideas the trainees developed independently throughout the course. The entire class voted their favourite project to be produced collaboratively.

PLAY the video for a 7min behind-the-scenes progression video that demonstrates the stages of producing an animated short-film at the academy.

CONSULTANCY REQUEST

After learning all the processes of filmaking for animation, the trainees efforts were put to the test throughout the last months of the course to collaobratively create and produce and animated short film together. The projects were supervised by CNAA and executed by the trainees, applying all necessary animation processes and filling all roles of a contemporary animated film production.

The Cartoon Network Studio Arabia (CNSA) followed the production processes and software choices established in the academy and all trainees of the academy had the opportunity to do an internship at the CN Arabia studio where they developed their own locally inspired TV Series idea to be pitched to the Creative Director for feedback and evaluation.

"Mansour" is an animated TV comedy series about an active, life-loving, 12 year old boy and his adventures with his best friends, Obaid and Salem. Whenever life throws this group of inseparable buddies an opportunity, they grab it with both hands and their everyday lives are made extraordinary through their wonderful adventures.

The series was created by Rashed Al Harmoodi, the award-winning Executive Producer of the cartoon, and was seed funded by Mubadala Investment Company. It was produced in partnership with twofour54 and Cartoon Network Studios Arabia.

CNAA graduates to produce 'Mansour'

About Mansour

The strongest graduates of the academy were hired by the studio, where they were instrumental in producing its animated TV comedy series "Mansour" for years to come. The creative DNA of the Cartoon Network Studio Arabia was eventually almost entirely made of CNAA graduates.

The Youtube Channel

Emirates 24/7:

"Bidaya Media, the entity responsible for the animated comedy and action series, "Mansour", today announced that the official YouTube Channel of the series surpassed one million subscribers, with over 500 million cumulative views since the launch of the channel. [...]

[...] Since the launch of the YouTube Channel, "Mansour" has expanded its reach across the global Arab audience base, with particularly strong viewership in Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Egypt, the UAE and Kuwait. The cartoon series has also gained traction in communities across the wider Arab diaspora in North America and Europe."

Entire article here...

I storyboarded this 'Mansour' Episode (S03/E01). With 37Million views, the most watched 'Mansour' episode on YouTube.

The trainees had a vast variety of backgrounds and aged from 19 years all the way to the late 30s. We had nationals from Abu Dhabi, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Lebanon, Yemeni, Australia, United Kingdom, Germany Libiya, Africa, Sudan, Jordan and India going through the animation programme. None of them short of a trememdous amount of talent, passion and dedication to create something very special together. The creative vibe and athmopshere in the academy has always drawn people from all walks and sparked a strong sense of astonishment and curiosity for what we are up to.

After my departure in 2015 I stayed in touch with the developments in Abu Dhabi and worked remotely as the Creative Head Consultant for Abu Dhabi Media (ADM) / Majid TV. I am still engaging graduates and artists from the region in international projects when opportunities arise. I also temporarily worked remotely with Cartoon Network Arabia Studios as Story-Artist on "Mansour" (see episode above) and as a consultant for Cartoon Network Dubai on their training initiatives.

Futhermore I have initiated the successful connection and collaboration of the Mansour production with an Asian outsource studio to produce the animation content and CG assets for Season 5 there.

Concluding Words

Post CNAA

We practised an open door mentality and we were always happy to share our passion and vision with anybody that is excited about animation and creativity in general. My five years at the academy and the people I have worked and created with will always stay dear to my heart and I am grateful for this experience.

The journey of establishing and operating the Cartoon Network Animation Academy stays one of the most enjoyable and rewarding things I have done until today.

CNAA - Insights & Behind The Scenes Impressions

CHAPTER 1 - The Lime Green Building

The Cartoon Network Animation Academy (CNAA) was originally set up in this builiding as part of the media industry initiative by the Media Zone Authority / twofour54

CNAA ENTRANCE

CNAA Trainees Ala'a and Nassma in the entrance of the academy

CNAA 1st CLASSROOM

This is what the first classroom with the Cartoon Network branding looked like.

ANIMATION WORKSHOP

This is me giving a sharing session on how I approach an animated scene.

Our trainees at work

Sarah working on one of the animation assignments. Sarah is very gifted with a natural sense for animation and timing.

Trainees Desk

This is what a typical desk of our trainees looked like. We encouraged them to make themselves feel at home and the longer the trainees were with us, the more they personalized their own space.

1:1 Sessions

The trainees benefited from 1:1 one feedback sessions during their animation assignments. Here I am giving some advice to Frank on how to improve the timing of his animation.

School Visits

Our academy quickly gained momentum and popularity, lots of local schools and Universties were curious in what we are doing and visited our facilities. Our trainees were always happy and excited to talk about our course.

Media Coverage

The academy also received lots of media coverage which was a great way to share with the world that we are doing something very special.

Exposure

The trainees and their work received lots of exposure and we soon had visitors that were interested in our course all the time.

Learning with passion

It's been always our first priority to make the trainees feel 'at home' and excited following their passion, very often the trainees stayed very late in the classroom to push their work to the next level.

Collaboration

It was part of the spirit of the course to encourage trainees to work as part of a team together.

A family

Many trainees described the experience at the academy as being part of a family, some even said it feels like home. Lots of friendships and future collaboration resulted among the trainees from their studies with us.

The Artroom

The trainees also had access to the art-room at any time where they could work on their own projects and/or work with actual paint and colours.

Gesture Drawings

We executed Gesture Drawing classes in the Artroom, which is an excellent training for any aspiring animator. Trainers and trainees alike posed and drew, which made it a really fun activty and team bonding exercise.

Team Bonding

Team Bonding activites in the beautiful outdoors of Abu Dhabi helped to strengthen the team-spirit among the trainees.

Zoo Drawing

We brought the trainees to the Al Ain Zoo where they had the chance to draw from life as part of their assignments.

Abu Dhabi Zoo

Here Hisham and Moe in the Abu Dhabi Zoo studying and sketching the animal of their choice. Based on their observations they will create a cartoon version of the animal.

Presentations

The trainees often had to present their assignment outcomes in form of presentations to the entire classroom. Sometimes we would invite a jury from the outside too.

Art Events

Our trainees also participated in art events by giving workshops to the public, sharing what they have learnt at the academy.

Skills for Life

As part of the 'Skills for Life' event, our trainees were giving gesture drawing workshops to the public under our supervision.

Cartoon Network Internship

The real previlege of the trainees was to be able to participate in a 6 weeks Internship program with Cartoon Network.

Internship Projects

As part of the internship at CN the trainees came up with own ideas for TV shows with a local influence.

IP Creation

A lot of IP's and concepts have been developed that way for Cartoon Network. Here are Frank and Mohammed preparing their TV show to be pitch to Cartoon Network.

12 Months Course

Three years passed quickly and each year we produced at least 10-12 production ready animation artists during a 12 months period.

CHAPTER 2 - Rotana Park

The thrid intake moved with us into the new Rotana Park building. New faciltities and now a new 16 Months animation curriculum for even better outcomes.

White Board Rants

Every intake left their ideas and thoughts on the whiteboard after classes. It was always fun to look at these the next day.

New Classrooms

The new classrooms felt a little more scattered, but also more cozy and artistic. The location was great. The trainees were pumped and ready to push the quality of their work to the next level, inspired by the previous intakes.

Content Coverage

Every class and workshop got filmed and archived so trainees could always go back and revisit the lectures and classes online.

New Artroom

We had a new Artroom and even more workshops. Alumni was always welcome to join the workshops so even after graduation our trainees kept developing.

Sculpting Workshop

Here is established VFX Producer 'Hashem' giving a sculpting workshop for trainees to get a better sense for shapes and forms for organic designs.

Impromptu Gatherings

The classrooms were our second home and often we would spontaneaously arrange sketching classes and sharing sessions.

Commercial Projects

Alumni and trainees alike would help local studios and schools with animated content, style guides and project consultation. Mariam is working on a project here for HCT Abu Dhabi.

Teamwork stays key

Also in the new intakes it has been always our first priority for trainees to work collaboratively together.

Audio Recording

We trainers often jumped in to help trainees with their projects, here is Wissam directing me on giving the voice to 'Tubby', one of our developed animated characters.

Exhausting Fun

It's been often exhausting, but always fun and rewarding. We all knew we had something very special happening to us.

Studio Workshops

Since the Rotana Building was packed with Media Companies, we arranged to have some workshops at the actual studios, held by the studio owners using their equipment on commercial projects.

Hands-On Learning

Hands-On Learning is key to any creative production. Learning the latest technologies always helped to push the quality to the next level and to keep the trainees excited.

Academy Outreach

As part of running the academy, we also reached out to local schools and univiersties and shared some insights and outcomes from the academy with the students.

Not taking ourselves too serious...

...was an important component of the success of the academies in terms of outcome. Matt, who was leading the ubisoft gaming academy and myself during some outreach activites waiting for the students to arrive.

Graduation Day

The graduation of our last intake was particularily grand and expressive. Both the gaming and the animation academy pumped out their best outcomes yet.

Graduation Day Preparations

The preparations for the graduation is on the way.

Trainee Portfolio Booth

Each training had the chance to create their own portfolio booth, presenting their own personal artwork and projets for potential employers and animation enthusiasts.

The Graduation Celebration

First visitors arrive to look at what the trainees have produced this intake.

Graduation Speech

Me giving the graudation speech for the last graduates of the Cartoon Network Animation Academy.

Graduating Trainees

Ready for receiving their own graudation certificate and excited for their own personal journey as an animation artist.

Animation Graduates

Here the last graduates of the Cartoon Network Animation Academy.

A proud instuctor, mentor and collaborator

Its been a very proud moment for me and I am happy that we managed to push each intake to the next level with better and better outcomes.

Thank you!!!

I made sure I stayed in touch with most graduates and always cared for them to develop further and to push the industry to the next level. It's been an exciting and rewarding ride...!

CHAPTER 1 - The Lime Green Building

The Cartoon Network Animation Academy (CNAA) was originally set up in this builiding as part of the media industry initiative by the Media Zone Authority / twofour54

CNAA ENTRANCE

CNAA Trainees Ala'a and Nassma in the entrance of the academy

CNAA 1st CLASSROOM

This is what the first classroom with the Cartoon Network branding looked like.

ANIMATION WORKSHOP

This is me giving a sharing session on how I approach an animated scene.

Our trainees at work

Sarah working on one of the animation assignments. Sarah is very gifted with a natural sense for animation and timing.

Trainees Desk

This is what a typical desk of our trainees looked like. We encouraged them to make themselves feel at home and the longer the trainees were with us, the more they personalized their own space.

1:1 Sessions

The trainees benefited from 1:1 one feedback sessions during their animation assignments. Here I am giving some advice to Frank on how to improve the timing of his animation.

School Visits

Our academy quickly gained momentum and popularity, lots of local schools and Universties were curious in what we are doing and visited our facilities. Our trainees were always happy and excited to talk about our course.

Media Coverage

The academy also received lots of media coverage which was a great way to share with the world that we are doing something very special.

Exposure

The trainees and their work received lots of exposure and we soon had visitors that were interested in our course all the time.

Learning with passion

It's been always our first priority to make the trainees feel 'at home' and excited following their passion, very often the trainees stayed very late in the classroom to push their work to the next level.

Collaboration

It was part of the spirit of the course to encourage trainees to work as part of a team together.

A family

Many trainees described the experience at the academy as being part of a family, some even said it feels like home. Lots of friendships and future collaboration resulted among the trainees from their studies with us.

The Artroom

The trainees also had access to the art-room at any time where they could work on their own projects and/or work with actual paint and colours.

Gesture Drawings

We executed Gesture Drawing classes in the Artroom, which is an excellent training for any aspiring animator. Trainers and trainees alike posed and drew, which made it a really fun activty and team bonding exercise.

Team Bonding

Team Bonding activites in the beautiful outdoors of Abu Dhabi helped to strengthen the team-spirit among the trainees.

Zoo Drawing

We brought the trainees to the Al Ain Zoo where they had the chance to draw from life as part of their assignments.

Abu Dhabi Zoo

Here Hisham and Moe in the Abu Dhabi Zoo studying and sketching the animal of their choice. Based on their observations they will create a cartoon version of the animal.

Presentations

The trainees often had to present their assignment outcomes in form of presentations to the entire classroom. Sometimes we would invite a jury from the outside too.

Art Events

Our trainees also participated in art events by giving workshops to the public, sharing what they have learnt at the academy.

Skills for Life

As part of the 'Skills for Life' event, our trainees were giving gesture drawing workshops to the public under our supervision.

Cartoon Network Internship

The real previlege of the trainees was to be able to participate in a 6 weeks Internship program with Cartoon Network.

Internship Projects

As part of the internship at CN the trainees came up with own ideas for TV shows with a local influence.

IP Creation

A lot of IP's and concepts have been developed that way for Cartoon Network. Here are Frank and Mohammed preparing their TV show to be pitch to Cartoon Network.

12 Months Course

Three years passed quickly and each year we produced at least 10-12 production ready animation artists during a 12 months period.

CHAPTER 2 - Rotana Park

The thrid intake moved with us into the new Rotana Park building. New faciltities and now a new 16 Months animation curriculum for even better outcomes.

White Board Rants

Every intake left their ideas and thoughts on the whiteboard after classes. It was always fun to look at these the next day.

New Classrooms

The new classrooms felt a little more scattered, but also more cozy and artistic. The location was great. The trainees were pumped and ready to push the quality of their work to the next level, inspired by the previous intakes.

Content Coverage

Every class and workshop got filmed and archived so trainees could always go back and revisit the lectures and classes online.

New Artroom

We had a new Artroom and even more workshops. Alumni was always welcome to join the workshops so even after graduation our trainees kept developing.

Sculpting Workshop

Here is established VFX Producer 'Hashem' giving a sculpting workshop for trainees to get a better sense for shapes and forms for organic designs.

Impromptu Gatherings

The classrooms were our second home and often we would spontaneaously arrange sketching classes and sharing sessions.

Commercial Projects

Alumni and trainees alike would help local studios and schools with animated content, style guides and project consultation. Mariam is working on a project here for HCT Abu Dhabi.

Teamwork stays key

Also in the new intakes it has been always our first priority for trainees to work collaboratively together.

Audio Recording

We trainers often jumped in to help trainees with their projects, here is Wissam directing me on giving the voice to 'Tubby', one of our developed animated characters.

Exhausting Fun

It's been often exhausting, but always fun and rewarding. We all knew we had something very special happening to us.

Studio Workshops

Since the Rotana Building was packed with Media Companies, we arranged to have some workshops at the actual studios, held by the studio owners using their equipment on commercial projects.

Hands-On Learning

Hands-On Learning is key to any creative production. Learning the latest technologies always helped to push the quality to the next level and to keep the trainees excited.

Academy Outreach

As part of running the academy, we also reached out to local schools and univiersties and shared some insights and outcomes from the academy with the students.

Not taking ourselves too serious...

...was an important component of the success of the academies in terms of outcome. Matt, who was leading the ubisoft gaming academy and myself during some outreach activites waiting for the students to arrive.

Graduation Day

The graduation of our last intake was particularily grand and expressive. Both the gaming and the animation academy pumped out their best outcomes yet.

Graduation Day Preparations

The preparations for the graduation is on the way.

Trainee Portfolio Booth

Each training had the chance to create their own portfolio booth, presenting their own personal artwork and projets for potential employers and animation enthusiasts.

The Graduation Celebration

First visitors arrive to look at what the trainees have produced this intake.

Graduation Speech

Me giving the graudation speech for the last graduates of the Cartoon Network Animation Academy.

Graduating Trainees

Ready for receiving their own graudation certificate and excited for their own personal journey as an animation artist.

Animation Graduates

Here the last graduates of the Cartoon Network Animation Academy.

A proud instuctor, mentor and collaborator

Its been a very proud moment for me and I am happy that we managed to push each intake to the next level with better and better outcomes.

Thank you!!!

I made sure I stayed in touch with most graduates and always cared for them to develop further and to push the industry to the next level. It's been an exciting and rewarding ride...!

What people say

Emirati screenwriter, animator, and filmmaker

I am writing this letter to share my experience at the Cartoon Network Academy and how it helped me to achieve some of my goals...

Khuloud Al Ali

Production Designer, Paramount Pictures, USA

Oliver is teacher and a professional. He provides support and knowledge in so many aspects of animation. He is a delight to work with — I hope to work with him again…

SUE MONDT

Content senior Manager at Dubai Media Incorporated

And thanks to the experts Mr. Oliver and Mr. Bader, Now we see the payoff of that investment, even though it took time for the market to realize it. we are proud to produced & directed animation inhouse...

Khaled Alrayhi

VFX Production Manager / Screenwriter

Oliver is one of the most talented teachers I have ever had. He has a wonderful rapport with his students and his teaching style is very hands-on, oppose to academic, which I found to be an excellent way for Oliver to pass on his talent and wealth of industry experience...

PETER OLLIFF