Vancouver Animation School

Vancouver Animation School (VANAS) is a specialized educational institution focused on digital entertainment arts, including animation, visual effects, and video game design. Founded in 2010 by industry veteran Mario Pochat, the school holds accreditation from the Private Training Institutions Branch of British Columbia and designation from the British Columbia Education Quality Assurance program. While primarily operating as an online institution, it maintains administrative and instructional hubs in Vancouver, Canada, and Blaine, Washington.

Virtual Studio Environment

At the core of the school's instructional model is Edutisse, a proprietary, cloud-based learning management system. Designed to replicate a professional studio workflow, the platform facilitates submission of assignments and provides students with individualized visual markups and video critiques from faculty. This virtual infrastructure is supported by a hybrid learning option, which allows students to attend local campus spaces for weekly networking, collaboration, and in-person mentorship with industry professionals.

Curriculum and Portfolio Focus

The school provides intensive one-year diploma programs alongside three-month certificate courses. The curriculum is portfolio-driven, requiring students to develop specialized demo reels calibrated to meet current recruitment standards. The faculty consists of active industry professionals who integrate production-standard practices into their coursework. Students training in 3D modeling, for instance, utilize industry-standard software such as Autodesk Maya and ZBrush to focus on topology, anatomy, and digital sculpting.

Program Pathways

Students may pursue a range of specialized disciplines, including:

• Animation and VFX: 2D Computer Animation, 3D Computer Animation, Effects Animation, and Digital Matte Painting.
• Design and Management: Video Game Design, Concept Art, Virtual Reality, Esports Management, and Production Management in Digital Entertainment.
• Emerging Technology: Introduction to AI for Animation, Visual Effects, and Video Games.

The Production Management track is particularly notable for training students in the logistical aspects of digital entertainment, including budget formulation, asset tracking, and team coordination.