The Application Process
The standard application process at Max the Mutt is as follows:
- Contact the school.
- Learn as much as you can about us. Book a tour!
- 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.
- 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.
- 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):
- Completed application form and portfolio review fee.
- A copy of your secondary and/or post-secondary school transcripts. Please provide transcripts from any institution attended in the last five years.
- A written character reference from a current or past instructor or employer, with contact information. International applicants are required to submit two references.
- Two still life drawings of objects in an environment. For example, a bottle on a table, or a toy truck on a floor.
- A drawing of your own hand.
- A drawing of a room (interior).
- A drawing of a neighbourhood (exterior).
- 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:
- 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
- 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:
- 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.
- A drawing of a simple object from three different points of view.
- 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:
- 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.
- Five studies in watercolor, acrylic, gouache, or oil.
- Optional: examples of digital painting.
- A drawing of an imaginary environment.
- 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?
