Tiny Ghost Studios × BC + AI
AI Animation Accelerator
Direct a portfolio-ready animated short with a real studio pipeline.
An artist-led, AI-powered animation intensive with a clear map from story to production to review. Build a complete 30–40 second animated short using the Tiny Ghost Studios workflow led by Luke Minaker and Mayumi Rollings: the same practical approach behind their greenlit original IP Blood and Glitter.
•17 of 20 paid seats filled in Cohort 1.
•Shorts screened to roughly 200 industry attendees at BC + AI Film Club.
•A UK production studio bought two seats the day Session 1 started.
You leave with
A 30-40 second animated short built through a guided Tiny Ghost production pipeline and packaged for portfolio or screening.
Animators navigating the industry shift. Filmmakers exploring AI workflows. Creative professionals who want to see what is actually possible — not what the internet thinks is possible. No AI experience required; curiosity and a commitment to 10–16 hours of work between sessions are.
- Direct one complete, portfolio-ready 30–40 second animated short from a client-style brief.
- Use a visible course map so story, asset setup, production mechanics, and review all connect.
- Use AI as a creative co-pilot, not a replacement — and keep full creative ownership.
- Optionally screen your short at BC + AI Film Club in front of ~200 industry attendees.
Curriculum
What you’ll build
One complete 30–40 second animated short from a client brief. Your vision. Portfolio-ready. Each session starts with the map, names the night’s outcome, and sends you into 10–16 hours of production work between live rooms.
Session 1 — Story, scope, and asset lock-in
01Why finished shorts matter now; reading a client brief; choosing a premise; setting story beats; building references, character sheets, and the smallest realistic shot list before spending video credits.
Artifact · Story and asset brief
Session 2 — Production mechanics and performance control
02References as prompts; first-frame and last-frame animation; character consistency; shot-complexity triage; voice-first workflow; and how to stop the model from guessing before the expensive passes.
Artifact · Animation test or production WIP
Session 3 — WIP review and ship path
03Studio-style review with Luke and Mayumi; tactical fixes; continuity cleanup; smallest shippable version; and packaging for portfolio, private learning, or optional BC + AI Film Club screening.
Artifact · Review notes and final delivery plan
Capstone
No slop. No shortcuts. Studio-quality results that reflect your creative vision — packaged for your portfolio and an optional screening at BC + AI Film Club, Canada’s most active AI filmmaking community.
Investment
Dates, price, and registration
Cohort 1
CompletedMarch 2026
Online · Zoom
20 participants across Canada, the US, and Europe. Completed.
Cohort 2
CompletedMay–June 2026
Online · Zoom
Mon May 25, Jun 1, Jun 8 · 6–9 PM PT. Film Club screening Jun 11.
Cohort 3
Enrolling nowJuly/August 2026
Online · Zoom
Jul 27, Aug 4, Aug 10 · 6:00–8:00 PM Vancouver time.
RegisterCohort 4
Enrolling nowSeptember/October 2026
Online · Zoom
Sep 21, Sep 28, Oct 5 · 6:00–8:00 PM Vancouver time.
Register
Pricing is for the live 2026 cohorts: three live sessions, recordings, and community access.
Standard
CA$900
Cohort 3 Earlyworm
CA$700
Until July 3
Cohort 4 Earlyworm
CA$700
Until August 28
Student
CA$450
Limited approval tickets
If cost is a barrier, email hello@bc-ai.ca before registering. Both Luma pages include limited student approval tickets.
Budget an additional ~$50 for AI credits and platform subscription fees during the program.
Who’s teaching
Practitioners, not lecturers
Luke Minaker
Co-founder, Tiny Ghost Studios
Making animated content professionally since 17, directing since 21. Multiple awards and over a billion views across film, television, and games. Now pioneering hybrid AI workflows that honor traditional craft.
Mayumi Rollings
Co-founder, Tiny Ghost Studios
AI animation upskilling program lead. Develops cohorts for animation professionals and newcomers navigating the industry shift, and leads original IP including Blood and Glitter.
Kris Krüg
Program Lead, BC + AI
The public face of BC + AI. Shapes the program arc, connects participants into the wider community, and runs the Film Club screening that caps the cohort. Reach him at kk@bc-ai.ca.
FAQ
Questions, answered
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 tend to move faster, but first-timers have shipped strong shorts in previous cohorts.
What tools will I use?
The Tiny Ghost pipeline blends a handful of current AI tools for image, motion, voice, and editing alongside traditional tools you likely already use. The exact toolchain and setup is covered in Session 1. Most students spend ~$50 CAD on AI credits and short-term subscriptions.
Do I keep the rights to my short?
Yes. You own your work. We may ask permission to feature your short at BC + AI Film Club, on our channels, or in future program marketing — always with full credit to you.
Can I attend internationally?
Yes. Sessions are online via Zoom in Pacific time and recorded. Remote students can submit their short for the Film Club screening even if they can’t attend in person.
What if I miss a session?
Every session is recorded and shared with the cohort, and Luke and Mayumi are available in the private cohort chat between sessions, so you can stay on pace.
What is the 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.
Final step
Cohort 3: July/August 2026
Questions? Email kk@bc-ai.ca or come to Friday Office Hours.