Game Animation:
Cinematic Cutscenes

Flex Your Storytelling Muscle

Overview

Mentors

Details

BOSS BATTLE!

Get ready to dive deep into the world of game animation like never before! In Game Animation: Cinematic Cutscenes, the final course in our Game Animation program, we’re exploring the art of storytelling through character performance and cinematography in games.

You’ll learn how to bring characters to life with rich backstories, creating animations that truly resonate with players. With Unreal Engine as our playground, we’ll show you how to craft immersive cutscenes that pull players into the action. From mastering finisher animations to polishing your work for a killer demo reel, we’ve got you covered. Join us for an adventure where creativity meets storytelling, and let’s bring it all together to elevate your game animations to the next level!

Example of a cinematic cutscene from The Last of Us

12-WEEK COURSE

$2,499 USD

Start the Week of
January 6, 2024

Apply in July

Sign Up for Our Waiting List

Pro Animators Mentor You to Be Successful

Our mentors are the heart and soul of Animation Mentor. They are professional, working animators from studios like Blizzard, Epic Games, and iD Software, who will teach you the ins and outs of studio-level game animation. Get your game on in the Game Animation: Cinematic Cutscenes course, the sixth course in our Game Animation Program.

Olivier Zurcher

Senior Animator
Activision/Blizzard

Olivier Zurcher is a seasoned animator with over a decade of experience in real-time game animation and virtual reality. Currently a Senior Animator at Activision Blizzard, he’s contributing his expertise to the renowned Call of Duty series. Previously at Meta, Olivier played a pivotal role in animating for the AAA VR game Asgard’s Wrath 2.

Read Full Bio

Choose Your Mentor

Once you’ve applied and been accepted into Animation Mentor, you can choose your mentor and register for class.

Registration Opens in October

On-Going Rig Access

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Studios that Hire Our Animation Students

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Personalized Mentorship

Our mentors are working professionals with years of experience under their belts, and they’re passionate about training the next generation of animators. In this course, you will learn from your mentor in live sessions as they share insights about what studios are working on and what qualities they look for in an animator. Your mentor will work directly with you to grow your skills, sharing weekly 1:1 feedback and reviews to help you improve your animation.

Studio-Level Animation Training

Our program immerses you in a studio-like environment, ensuring you’re job-ready upon graduation. You’ll learn with the same tools and workflows as industry professionals, mastering Unreal Engine to gain skills that set you apart in the competitive game animation industry. Our campus mimics a studio environment, fostering collaboration and creativity as students interact with each other, learning from both the material and your peers. This mirrors the teamwork and communication needed in a game studio, enhancing your employability and industry readiness beyond technical proficiency.

Course Requirements for Cinematic Cutscenes

Course Details

LIVE Q&As | Weekly 1-Hour Q&As

LECTURES | 12 Pre-recorded Lectures

ASSIGNMENTS | 5-7 Animation Exercises

ACCESS |Over 150 hours of additional content

SOFTWARE | Autodesk Maya, Unreal Engine

HARDWARE | Meet Minimum Requirements

AGE | 18 Years or Older

LANGUAGE | Taught in English

Skills You Need Before You Start

This game animation course requires you to have a working understanding of, and experience with, Autodesk Maya software. If you don’t you can take our Maya Basics Workshop.

You must also have completed the prerequisite course, Game Animation: Dynamic Action & Combat. However, if you’re new to Animation Mentor, you can potentially skip the prerequisite by submitting a demo reel for review during the application process. Learn more about advanced placement.

What You’ll Learn

Now that you have an understanding of character interaction and dynamic movement, let’s focus on cinematic cutscenes. In this course you will:

Learn how to bring characters to life by mastering character performance and backstory
Explore the art of cinematography in Unreal Engine 5 to enhance storytelling and immersion
Gain the skills to create scripted cutscenes directly in-engine for seamless integration
Master animating impactful finisher moves to add excitement to gameplay
Polish your animations and prepare a standout demo reel to showcase your skills to potential employers

Animation Mentor Interest-Free Payment Plans

Animation Mentor offers interest-free payment plans. Payment Plans allow students to distribute the $2,499 USD tuition into flexible payments throughout the school term.

^$333
Per Month

$500 to save your seat and
6 monthly installments of $333.

^$500
Per Month

$500 to save your seat and
4 monthly installments of $500.

^$625
Per Month

$624 to save your seat and
3 monthly installments of $625.

Learn More

FAQ for Cinematic Cutscenes

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What is a cinematic cutscene?

A cinematic cutscene is a pre-rendered or in-game sequence in a video game that unfolds like a movie, typically featuring character dialogue, dramatic action, or important narrative moments. These sequences are carefully crafted to advance the game’s storyline, provide context to gameplay, or highlight key events. Cinematic cutscenes often boast high-quality visuals and audio, aiming to immerse players deeper into the game’s world and enhance their overall gaming experience. Understanding how to create cinematic cutscenes is essential for game developers aiming to deliver engaging storytelling and memorable moments in their games.

What is storytelling in games?

Storytelling in games refers to the narrative elements and techniques used to convey a compelling story or experience to players throughout gameplay. It encompasses the plot, characters, dialogue, world-building, and the overall structure of the game’s narrative. Effective storytelling in games engages players emotionally, immersing them in the game world and driving their gameplay experience forward. From epic adventures to intimate character-driven narratives, storytelling in games plays a crucial role in captivating players and keeping them invested in the gaming experience. Understanding the principles of storytelling in games is essential for game developers looking to create immersive and memorable gaming experiences that resonate with players.

What is the ideal demo reel for a game animator?

The ideal demo reel for a game animator showcases a diverse range of high-quality character animations tailored specifically for games. It should include a variety of animations such as character movements, combat sequences, idle animations, and other gameplay-related actions, demonstrating proficiency in creating dynamic and immersive gameplay experiences. The demo reel should be well-edited and concise, typically ranging from one to three minutes in length, with each animation segment clearly labeled and presented in a cohesive and engaging manner. Including a breakdown or explanation of each animation can provide valuable insight into the animator’s process and thought behind their work, emphasizing their ability to contribute effectively to game development projects. Creating an impressive demo reel is essential for game animators to showcase their talent and attract potential employers or clients in the competitive game development industry.

What Animation mentor Students are Saying

AM Changed My Life

These past 18 months have changed my life and I know that I am prepared to enter the work world and to continue learning! Thank you!!!

Most Important Phase of My Journey So Far

Going into class 6, I didn’t have any idea how to approach polish on a professional level. I felt like my animations were “good” but not quite there yet. The lectures really hit home for me and it’s like my eyes were opened. I know a lot of people questioned whether or not taking a portfolio building class is worth it. I was so relieved to discover that this might have been the most quintessential phase of my animation journey so far!

Pursuing my Dreams

Thank you to AM for changing my life for the better! You made it possible for me to take this leap of faith into a whole new and exciting world! The training from the mentors from all different studios was so helpful for me to get a full scope of the working world. Thank you for leading me down this path and sending me off with the courage to pursue my dreams!

It's Been Incredible

This is my last class with AM and it’s been incredible. A year and a half ago I could barely animate a bouncing ball and now I can animate full scenes with character interaction. It’s a great feeling and I can’t wait to see where I am in another year and a half with help from the awesome AM community.

My Mentor Went Above and Beyond

My mentor went above and beyond in every aspect of the class. He made this class one of the best learning experiences I’ve ever had and the lecture videos this term were phenomenally helpful!

A Demo Reel Ready for the Real World

I loved how this course not only gave you another chance to create an animation worthy of your demo reel, but that the mentor focused on making sure that your reel was ready for the real world.

Fantastic Advice and Encouragement

My mentor guided us well to take what we’ve learned throughout our previous courses and apply it not only to one final shot but to our reels as a whole. He gave us fantastic advice, wisdom, and encouragement to set us off on the right foot as we graduate from AM.