PRESS RELEASE

Los Angeles Academy of Figurative Art (LAAFA) becomes first Authorized Training Center for Toon Boom Animation in the United States!

Los Angeles, July 1, 2020 – The Los Angeles Academy of Figurative Art, a preferred training vendor for motion picture and television unions and guilds, is excited to announce that it is the first Toon Boom Animation Authorized Training Center (ATC) in the United States.  The partnership enables a comprehensive training program aimed to keep industry professionals equipped with leading edge skills.  Another benefit of the relationship is the development of a comprehensive skill building program designed for industry hopefuls, which will develop the sought-after proficiencies in a highly competitive animation market. As a Toon Boom Animation ATC, LAAFA will help meet the demand to utilize industry pros or newly trained employees, who will be ready to effectively contribute to a project on day one.

Utilizing LAAFA’s proven education platform, easy-to-use remote training opportunities are available when face-to-face is not an option.  Along with their regular degree granting programs, LAAFA delivers training customized for use by entertainment studios and unions.  Working directly with The Animation Guild, IATSE Local 839 (TAG) and other industry professionals, LAAFA successfully provides continuous training for working professionals needed in Toon Boom Animations’ signature products. Harmony and Storyboard Pro are used throughout the entertainment industry, in both animation and live action production. Animation Guild Business Representative Steve Kaplan explained “TAG is thrilled that the value of relationship with LAAFA has just been boosted by Toon Boom’s recognition of their ability to provide meaningful training. We have counted on LAAFA as our preferred training partner and can’t wait to expand our relationship so all members can take advantage of the new training possibilities of Toon Boom’s industry-standard software”

“Toon Boom is thrilled to have the Los Angeles Academy of Figurative Arts (LAAFA) as an ATC. The animation industry has been incredibly resilient through a very difficult year with regards to global health, the economy, and human rights. Having partners like LAAFA who motivate, train and upskill animation artists helps support the continued growth of our communities and the 2D animation industry alike. Animation is achieving new levels of creativity because of the focus LAAFA has on teaching the best techniques using Toon Boom software’s.”

LAAFA Vice President, Holly Olin-Miller, explains, “We are delighted to deepen our relationship with Toon Boom. While LAAFA has successfully trained entertainment union members for the past 5-years, being a Toon Boom Authorized Training Center, and the first in the US allows us an unprecedented opportunity to continue to develop and deliver the comprehensive program needed to upskill, reskill, engage and motivate union members and students.“

About LAAFA

The Los Angeles Academy of Figurative Art (LAAFA) is an accredited institution started in 2002, with the intent to fulfill a need in the community by offering figurative classes taught by professional and skilled artists. In no time, the academy built a strong reputation as a learning institution for foundational training that has expanded in providing accredited BFA Degrees and Atelier Certificates in Fine Art and Entertainment Art. LAAFA is recognized as one of the few premier institutions imparting time-honored skills praised by contemporary figurative and entertainment artists.  Since 2015, LAAFA has been the preferred training vendor for motion picture and television unions/guilds. We currently train thousands of members each year in traditional art, digital art, software and specialize lectures.

For more information visit:  LAAFA.edu

About Toon Boom Animation
Toon Boom Animation Inc.’s award-winning software is the global standard for animation and storyboarding. Storyboard Pro and Harmony solutions provide everyone from enthusiasts to professionals with the artistic freedom to create in any style and efficiently publish anywhere. Customers who chose Toon Boom animation software for the development and creation of their productions include Disney Television Animation, Amazon, Fox Television Animation, Nelvana, Ubisoft, Toei Animation, The SPA Studios, Xilam and Boulder Media, to name a few. The technology is currently available in Simplified Chinese, Japanese and Spanish. For more information, visit: toonboom.com.