The Application Process

The standard application process at Max the Mutt is as follows:

1. Contact the school.
2. Learn as much as you can about us. Book a tour!
3. Come in for a scheduled portfolio review. Out-of-town students may opt for a digital submission, but we would love to meet you in person.
4. If you are accepted, you will be sent an enrollment package. Read everything carefully, fill-out all the forms, and get them back to us.
5. You’re in!

Portfolio Review Requirements (All Programs)

Students are not expected to have fully developed skills. However, we will need evidence of your artistic efforts and commitment to learn. A passion to learn and improve counts for more in the long run than talent alone. Please bring the following with you (originals are strongly preferred):

1. Completed application form and portfolio review fee.
2. A copy of your secondary and/or post-secondary school transcripts. Please provide transcripts from any institution attended in the last five years.
3. A written character reference from a current or past instructor or employer, with contact information. International applicants are required to submit two references.
4. Two still life drawings of objects in an environment. For example, a bottle on a table, or a toy truck on a floor.
5. A drawing of your own hand.
6. A drawing of a room (interior).
7. A drawing of a neighbourhood (exterior).
8. Pages from your sketchbook.

In addition, each program has its own specific requirements. Please include all of the following, plus:

For Classical & Computer Animation & Production:

1. Choose and provide an example from any two of the following categories:
   • cartooning: characters and objects of your own design
   • character rotation: one character (of your own design) in a rotation (profile, front and 3/4 front views); adding a sheet for the same character with different facial expresions is an optional extra
   • background/layout design: design a background that your characters may exist in, with appropriate props
   • storyboarding: create a 6-12 panel storyboard illustrating a simple idea that might be made into a film
2. A 2-3 page essay about yourself and why you want to attend this program. Your essay must include:
   • What animated films, studios, or animators have inspired you and why?
   • What are your major interests and influences?
   • What are your favourite books?
   • Have you had any team or group experiences?
   • Why do you want to attend this program?

For Illustration for Sequential Arts:

1. A penciled page showing the following: A character approaches a building. The character finds the entrance to the building. The character enters the building. Another character meets the first character. They interact.
2. A drawing of a simple object from three different points of view.
3. A 2-3 page essay about yourself and why you want to attend this program. Your essay must include:
   • What graphic novels, comic books, or illustration artists have inspired you and why?
   • What are your major interests and influences?
   • What are your favourite books?
   • Have you had any team or group experiences?

For Concept Art for Animation & Video Games:

1. Three additional drawings (for a total of five) of objects in an environment. For example: an apple and bottle on a table, or a toy truck on a floor.
2. Five studies in watercolor, acrylic, gouache, or oil.
3. Optional: examples of digital painting.
4. A drawing of an imaginary environment.
5. A 2-3 page essay about yourself and why you want to attend this program. Your essay must include:
   • Which animated films and/or video games have concept design that has inspired you and why?
   • Which fine artists do you admire? Why?
   • What are your favourite books?
   • Have you had any team or group experiences?