WHAT IS EMILE COHL ATELIER?

Emile Cohl Atelier is a social impact video game design and animation educational institution. ECA was founded in 2019 as a nonprofit in collaboration with Ecole Emile Cohl, a prestigious award-winning French institution established in 1984. ECA charges below-value tuition fees and allocates merit-based scholarships to selected students admitted to its inclusive and rigorous training. In support of intellectual breadth, Emile Cohl Atelier provides technical and soft-skills training as well as inroads to some of the fastest-growing creative industries in Los Angeles and worldwide.

HOW DOES ECA ENSURE THEY ARE PROVIDING AN “EQUAL OPPORTUNITY”?

We are laying the groundwork for inclusivity that requires a sincere approach to ensure our tuition fees & Scholarship Program accommodate those whose lives have been dominated by challenges, who have been historically ineligible or on the periphery. Our desire is to level the playing field. We uphold our pledge to inclusion by offering art education at a below-market-value cost to all students, on top of full-scholarships to eligible applicants; ECA is funded through the philanthropy of donors, foundational gifts, private support, and reduced tuition fees.

WHERE DOES THE NAME EMILE COHL ATELIER COME FROM?

The school was named after Emile Cohl, the French inventor of animation. During his early years he exported his skills to the U.S., challenging the motion picture industry to grow through his revolutionary approach to animation and entertainment. The Academy reflects his dual culture, pioneering personality, and immense talent, which has become a perfectly matching standard for ECA’s vision and mission.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

Tuition fees for the Emile Cohl US (“Atelier”) are $2,500 for each 2-month term ($5,000 total for both terms). On top of the tuition fees, the Atelier charges a $250 non-refundable, non-deferrable and non-transferrable admission & administrative fee per admission. Tuition & admission fees are due at least 5 business days prior to the first day of class, or 5 days prior to the first day of the following term for students enrolled in our 2-terms payment plan. Students enrolled in our 2-terms payment plan will be charged an additional $250 fee. Students paying both terms in a single $5,000 payment are exempted from the $250 payment plan fee. Students enrolled on a scholarship are exempted from tuition & admission fees but shall pay a $20 non-refundable application fee per track they apply for.

WHAT ARE THE FUNDAMENTAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ECA CAREER ACCELERATOR AND OTHER HIGHER-LEARNING INSTITUTIONS?

First, thanks to the generosity of our donors, we are able to offer scholarships & tuition far below the actual cost of the training. As a social impact school, our mission is to make sure our students do not have to indebt themselves to excessive student loans or financial hardships to enroll or attend.

Second, our instructors are world-renowned artists and mentors who will share more than their skill, but their life lessons and real-world experience to provide an education that is not readily available in a textbook, nor through other higher learning approaches. They are favorably compensated as partners in developing the best talent available, which allows them to pour themselves into the process as dedicated educators – not just teachers collecting a paycheck.

Third, our French influence imparts a highly recognizable art and animation focus that allows sponsors, mentors, Board of Trustee members, and students to establish a position as elite world players in our artistic movement.

Finally, our Career Accelerator is extraordinarily intense. The mandated course load requires a commitment that is unmatched in other scholastic institutions. This fantastic approach to betterment allows our highly skilled talents to excel in versatile, multi-dimensional careers after graduation.

HOW DO I QUALIFY FOR ADMISSION TO THE CAREER ACCELERATOR?

All applicants must meet the following initial criteria:

• Pass the first portfolio selection step
• Speak fluent English
• Be 18 years of age or older on the first day of school
• Access to a reliable internet connection & computer matching our specs
• Be highly motivated & talented to keep up with the intensity of the training

CAN I ATTEND JUST ONE OF THE TRACK’S TERM?

Yes. There is no obligation to attend both terms of a given track. Yet, there are very high skills prerequisites that students need to master should they want to solely attend the second term. Last, each track has been designed as a coherent 2-term long learning process, therefor we highly encourage students to attend both terms, acquire solid knowledge, and maximize their chances of securing a job in the targeted industry.

THE MINIMUM AGE TO ATTEND ECA CAREER ACCELERATOR IS 18 YEARS OLD. IS THERE AN AGE LIMIT?

No. Anyone can apply/attend our Career Accelerator that is 18 years old or above on the first day of instruction.

CAN I ATTEND AS AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT IN THE US?

Yes. Keep in mind ECA Career Accelerator is help entirely online, no visa is required.

DO I HAVE TO KNOW HOW TO DRAW TO JOIN ECA CAREER ACCELERATOR?

Yes. As an artist, drawing should be the cornerstone of your approach to betterment, and we can only help you sharpen those skills if you have already mastered the basic techniques.

HOW WILL I KNOW IF I AM ADMITTED TO ECA CAREER ACCELERATOR?

You first need to submit an application and provide a link to your portfolio (personal website, Instagram account, WeTransfer file, etc). If you are admitted, you will need to proceed to payment of the tuition fees. As soon as payment is received, you will be admitted into our training. The entire process will be documented and communicated at every step.

DO YOU HAVE IN-PERSON COURSES?

No. Currently our Career Accelerator is online only. The current COVID-19 crisis has moved some of our efforts online. However, we still believe that collaborative learning requires an immersive setup. ECA’s team is working hard on making our in-person training available for the upcoming years, which will be held on our campus, located at 2826 S Grand Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90007.

WHEN DOES EACH CAREER ACCELERATOR SESSION START AND END?

ECA offers two four-month-long sessions per year.

• March 1st – June 25th
• September 1st – December 22nd

DOES ECA CAREER ACCELERATOR AWARD A BACHELOR’S DEGREE OR ANY OTHER TYPE OF DIPLOMA?

The Emile Cohl Atelier Career Accelerator awards graduates with a Certificate of Completion at the end of each session. Our curriculum is designed to match the requirements of studios in the entertainment industry. Executives and recruiters are not interested in a diploma, but are instead captivated by a candidate’s skill, versatility, personality, and cost-effectiveness. Degrees have never guaranteed a job in the entertainment industry, but skill, knowledge, and network have–and this is precisely what ECA offers to its students.

THE CAREER ACCELERATOR IS LISTED AS INTENSE, AND HIGHLY FOCUSED. WILL I BE ABLE TO WORK A PART-TIME DURING MY ENROLLMENT?

Like most college students — in art school and elsewhere — having the ability to balance classes and employment is a necessity. Although our curriculum is designed as an immersive experience where attendance is mandatory, our curriculum is specifically planned so all assignments are completed in class, and there is little to no homework. School hours are from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm PST, Monday through Friday, so our talented enrollees have afternoons, evenings, nights, and weekends available to supplement their incomes. Please note that school attendance is mandatory.

DOES THE CAREER ACCELERATOR INCLUDE GENERAL EDUCATION COURSES?

No. We train future professionals in the animation, gaming and VfX industries. Therefore, our training does not include any off-curriculum courses (Kinesiology, Geology, Calculus, Geography, etc.) as traditional colleges would instruct. We focus our curriculum around the skills recruiters will require you to master when entering the competitive artistic fields the training is preparing you for.

DOES ECA GUARANTEE PLACEMENT?

Unlike traditional colleges, ECA is not degree-oriented, we are career-oriented. Our mission is to do our best to place our graduates into the creative economy, mainly in US and Canada-based studios, thanks to our network and our knowledge of recruiters’ needs . Yet, ECA does not guarantee placement.

IF I HAVE A JOB OPPORTUNITY BEFORE GRADUATION, AM I ALLOWED TO LEAVE THE TRAINING?

Yes! If you have an amazing opportunity, we would be happy to endorse your exit from the training. Because our Academy offers fully sponsored tuition, we have no financial obligation to keep you on campus. Please know that any exit from the Academy is final, and that the purpose of delivering a certificate of completion at the end of the 4-month long track is designed to sharpen your portfolio for prospective employers to view. The goal of an ECA education is to open doors for our graduates throughout the world, and includes connections in the entertainment and gaming industries, but the opportunities are endless!

HOW CAN ECA CAREER ACCELERATOR OFFER SCHOLARSHIPS TO SELECTED STUDENTS?

Eligible students will receive scholarships through the generous philanthropy of donors who support our mission. Students on scholarships will embrace our rigorous curriculum with the dedication necessary to surpass expectations. ECA’s Career Accelerator Scholarship Program is a highly competitive training, and admission is not easy. Once you are admitted, you will pour your heart and soul into succeeding, and that is not free.

ARE THERE ANY HIDDEN FEES?

No. ECA Scholarship Program covers entirely both the $250 admission fees and $2,500 tuition fees. Yet, all students applying for a scholarship are required to pay a $20 application fee on https://ecaa.slideroom.com; this $20 fee is non-refundable.

I UNDERSTAND EACH 4-MONTH LONG TRACK IS SPLIT INTO TWO 2-MONTH LONG TERMS. CAN I ATTEND A SINGLE TERM?

No. ECA Scholarship recipients are automatically accepted for the entire length of the 4-month long track, and are required to attend both 2-month long terms.

HOW MANY APPLICATIONS/PORTFOLIOS DOES ECA CAREER ACCELERATOR ACCEPTS EACH YEAR?

We limit applications to 600 applicants per session. Session occurs twice a year so ECA welcomes a total of 1,200 applicants per year. Considering that we enroll 60 students every year, ECA has an acceptance rate of 5%.

WHAT SHOULD MY PORTFOLIO INCLUDE?

To submit your portfolio, please go to https://ecaa.slideroom.com.

Your portfolio should be the reflection of your personal work, your identity & own voice. ECA welcomes links to Instagram, ArtStation profiles, personal websites or any other platform in which your work can be seen by our selection committee. All techniques and progress stages are welcome: black & white & color works; sketches & finished arts; hand-made & computer-generated. Demo reels may also be submitted.

DO I HAVE TO KNOW HOW TO DRAW TO JOIN ECA CAREER ACCELERATOR?

Yes. Among many other skills, the selection process is partly based on your drawing capabilities. As an artist, drawing should be the cornerstone of your approach to betterment, and we can only help you sharpen those skills if you have already mastered the basic techniques.

WHAT SHOULD MY SELF-RECORDED VIDEO INCLUDE?

The self-recorded video is designed to measure your motivation in working within creative industries. The recording requires a smartphone or a computer & webcam, and will be uploaded to a specific page on our website. The link will be shared during the selection process. Style- all candidates should directly face the camera. Lighting, framing, and exposure will not be taken into consideration. Content- 45 and 60 seconds. Final applicants must answer the following questions: “What factors are motivating you to pursue working within the creative economy? What do you feel that you can bring to the industry with regards to your artistic practice and/or skill set?”

These videos will solely be considered by our admittance panel in relation to the selection process and will not be shared or posted on any publicly accessible platforms, websites, social media or the like.

HOW WILL I KNOW IF I AM ADMITTED TO ECA CAREER ACCELERATOR ON FULL SCHOLARSHIP?

The admission process will be documented and communicated at every step. You will receive a notification when your application has been received, and further communication at each step thereafter, including whether or not you will advance forward to the next phase in the admission process.

WILL MINE OR MY PARENTS’ INCOME AFFECT MY ELIGIBILITY DURING THE SCHOLARSHIP SELECTION PROCESS?

No. The Atelier offers fully sponsored tuition, so financial aid is not offered, or necessary. ECA is designed to admit anyone with astonishing talent, no matter their gender, age, race, religion, or financial circumstances.

CAN YOU OFFER ANY ADVICE TO PROSPECTIVE APPLICANTS TO INCREASE THE ODDS OF ADMISSION?

Your portfolio should be a complete reflection of your skill, uniqueness, and awesome personality. We are seeking talent that is the whole picture, not just your ability to draw! Make sure your portfolio features artwork done in a realistic manner. Furthermore, feel free to share works done in a variety of techniques (pencil, paint, clay, CG, etc.) and these works may be finished or still in process (unfinished).

IF I FAIL TO JOIN THE CAREER ACCELERATOR, CAN I SUBMIT ANOTHER APPLICATION THE FOLLOWING SESSION?

Yes. In fact, we encourage applicants to engage the process, and submit new material each session that reflects their evolution in the artistic movement. Since the review process is unbiased, your previous submission will not be taken into account. Yet, please be advised that you may only apply to a single track at a time: Storyboard Artist Certificate OR Visual Development Artist Certificate.

IF I AM NOT ACCEPTED THROUGH THE EXISTING PROCESS, THEREBY INELIGIBLE FOR THE FULL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM, MAY I PAY THE TUITION FEE AND ATTEND ANYWAY?

Yes.