IACADEMY leads way in animation
MAKATI City-based IACADEMY, the country’s pioneering school in animation, remains a “Toon Boom Center of Excellence (Coe)”—the first educational institution in Southeast Asia and in the Philippines to receive the accreditation in 2019.
Toon Boom is a Canadian software company that specializes in animation production and storyboarding software for film, television, web animation, games, mobile devices, training applications, and education. Founded in 1994, its software is used by the best global animation studios: Universal, Boulder Media, Ubisoft, Fox, NBC, Lucasfilm, Cartoon Network and South Park Studios, among others.
Vanessa Tanco, CEO and president of IACADEMY, said the COE accreditation proves that its animation program delivers a high standard of depth, breadth and quality that ensures students are provided a superior learning environment through a comprehensive exposure to Toon Boom software.
“This recognition truly places IACADEMY among the top schools of choice for design and the arts in Asia. Apart from being a Toon Boom Center of Excellence, this has been evident in the achievement of our students and the recent award given by the International Business Magazine that declares IACADEMY the Most Innovative Design School for 2022 under the category for Asia,” Tanco said. “I am thankful for the concerted efforts of our educators and staff who continue to strive [and] provide…game-changing education for our students.”
She said the school has produced graduates who made exceptionally contributed to the industry. Among them is Mikee Sevilla—one of the first graduates of Bachelor of Science (BS) in Animation, who has worked at Walt Disney Animation Studios and participated in the creation of 2020’s animated films Encanto as well as Raya and the Last Dragon.
Further, second-year animation students were also among the IACADEMY “Game Changers” recognized in local and international competitions for their animated works. Danica Sy was short-listed in Qcinema Shorts for the animated film
“Silbi” which tackled mental-health issues. Meanwhile, Jeriah Capil’s
“Bahala Na Si Darna” is among the 20 shortlisted projects from more than 200 entries to the “Sine Kabataan 5
Short Film Lab and Festival” from all over the country.
“Having complete technical skills and exposure to industry practices are both crucial to ensure students emerge as successful professionals in the animation industry,” said Weena Espardinez, chairperson of the animation program. “With IACADEMY’S strong focus on intensive industry training and partnership with global leaders like Toon Boom, we are certain they will meet the technical challenges of both local and international animation studios.”
The BS Animation program of IACADEMY boasts of top-caliber animators who have worked locally and internationally from known animation studios. Part of its roster of faculty members is AJ Siytangco who worked as FX artist for Lucasfilm Animation, and Hamill Buyco—a 3-D artist for the Big Hero 6 TV series.
Notably, among the small number of Toon Boom-certified members in the Philippines, four are from IACADEMY, namely, Toon Boom Harmony Professional and IACADEMY instructor Benjie Maure, Toon Boom Storyboard professional and IACADEMY instructor John Nano, as well as Toon Boom Harmony Professionals and IACADEMY alumni Arianne Arbolado and Aleks Isla.