Animation Accelerator
Put yourself in the director’s chair.
An artist-led, AI-powered animation intensive. You build a complete 30–40 second animated short on the real production pipeline from Tiny Ghost Studios — the same workflow behind their greenlit IP Blood and Glitter.
Cohort 3 is the main run. Cohort 4 is the next runway.
Pick the July/August cohort if you can make it. If your summer is already spoken for, the September run gives you the same Tiny Ghost pipeline, the same live review arc, and the same portfolio goal.
Cohort 3 — July/August 2026
July 27, August 4, and August 10 from 6:00-8:00 PM Vancouver time.
CA$900 standard · CA$700 Earlyworm · limited CA$450 student approval tickets.
Cohort 4 — September/October 2026
September 21, September 28, and October 5 from 6:00-8:00 PM Vancouver time.
Same three-session studio pipeline, live review rhythm, and final short-film outcome.
Both camps are missing something.
The industry’s changing fast, and the conversation has split into two loud camps: AI will save everything, or AI will ruin everything. We’ve spent two years in the space between — where AI isn’t a replacement and isn’t a shortcut, but a tool that flips animation’s old 80% grind / 20% creative ratio on its head.
It’s the workflow we use on paying client work — the one behind our greenlit IP Blood and Glitter. It’s still hard work. But once you find your footing, it opens up what simply wasn’t possible before. This workshop is about finding that footing.
One short. Three sessions. Your vision.
A portfolio-ready 30–40 second animated short from a studio-style client brief — with 10–16 hours of independent production between each session.
Storytelling & animatic
The 80/20 flip; reading a client brief; story beats; building the animatic as your structural spine; character sheets; toolchain setup.
Animation & editing
First-pass animation in the pipeline; iterate against feedback in the private cohort chat; editing, pacing, and sound.
Studio-style review
Live creative review with Luke & Mayumi; refinement and continuity; packaging for portfolio and an optional Film Club screening.
No slop. No shortcuts. You’ll learn to use AI as a creative co-pilot, build 10–20× faster than traditional methods, and stay agile as the landscape shifts.
Not selling a vibe. Running a studio.
Luke Minaker
Directing animation since 21 — film, TV, games, major toy franchises. Work watched over a billion times.
Mayumi Rollings
Leads the studio’s AI animation practice and original IP, including Blood and Glitter.
Kris Krüg
Shapes the program arc, connects you into the community, and runs the Film Club screening.
Co-founders of Tiny Ghost Studios with decades of combined animation experience across film, TV, and games — now pioneering hybrid AI workflows that honour the craft with BC + AI.
The room is the story.
Cohort 1 sold 17 of 20 seats — about a quarter community veterans, a quarter from outside studios, half first-timers walking in cold. Every finisher left with a portfolio-ready short, and the strongest screened at BC + AI Film Club to ~200 industry attendees.
What’s included
- Direct access to Luke & Mayumi during production
- A private cohort chat for peer feedback between sessions
- An optional BC + AI Film Club screening slot in Vancouver
- Connection to Canada’s most active AI filmmaking community through the BC + AI Ecosystem
- A client-style brief and workflow that mirror real studio work
Want in on Cohort 3?
Animators navigating the shift, filmmakers exploring AI workflows, and creative pros who want to see what’s actually possible — not what the internet thinks is possible. No AI experience required. Cohort 3 runs July 27, August 4, and August 10 from 6:00-8:00 PM Vancouver time. Tuition is CA$900 standard, CA$700 Earlyworm until July 3, with limited CA$450 student approval tickets. Cohort 4 runs September 21, September 28, and October 5 if fall is the better window.
Frequently asked.
When’s the next cohort?
Cohort 3 runs live online on July 27, August 4, and August 10, 2026, from 6:00-8:00 PM Vancouver time. Register on Luma at luma.com/Cartoon. Cohort 4 runs September 21, September 28, and October 5, 2026, from 6:00-8:00 PM Vancouver time at luma.com/Scene.
Do I need animation or AI experience?
No. Curiosity and a willingness to put in 10–16 hours of production work between sessions are the only requirements. Working animators move faster through the pipeline, but first-timers have shipped strong shorts in previous cohorts.
What tools will I use, and what will it cost?
The Tiny Ghost pipeline blends current AI tools for image, motion, voice, and editing with traditional tools you likely already use; we share the exact toolchain in Session 1. Tuition is CA$900 standard, CA$700 Earlyworm until July 3, with limited CA$450 student approval tickets. Budget roughly CA$50 more for AI credits and short-term subscriptions.
What hardware do I need?
A reasonably modern laptop or desktop, a stable connection, and a mic/camera for the live sessions. A GPU helps for some tools but isn’t required. Setup instructions go out once you register.
What if I miss a session?
Every session is recorded and shared with the cohort, and Luke and Mayumi are in the private chat between sessions — so you can stay on pace even if you miss a live session.
Do I keep the rights to my short?
Yes. You own your work. We may ask permission to feature it in Film Club screenings, on our channels, or in future marketing, always with full credit to you.
Is it open internationally?
Yes. Sessions are online via Zoom in Pacific time; students from any country are welcome. The Film Club screening is in person in Vancouver, and remote students can submit their short to screen even if they can’t attend.
Is there a student or community ticket?
Yes. The Cohort 3 Luma page includes limited CA$450 student approval tickets. If cost is still a barrier, email [email protected] before registering.
What’s your refund policy?
Full refund up to 7 days before Session 1. After that we can transfer your seat to a future cohort. Once Session 1 begins, the program is non-refundable.
Is the program accessible?
Sessions are recorded and captioned, and all briefs and feedback are shared in text. Need a specific accommodation? Email [email protected] before registering and we’ll work it out.