The Expanded Animation Research + Practice (XA) offers an MFA curriculum that focuses on animation created from an artist's and director's point of view. Conceived to support and encourage experimentation, emphasize research in the field of animation, and facilitate a diversity of ideas from a broad range of thought, courses in the program explore innovation with the goal of inspiring students beyond their current artistic boundaries.
Students in this program can work in any form of animation--from analog artisanal techniques to sophisticated CG programs--and may also work from and find inspiration in a variety of fields, from filmmaking and other cinematic entertainment, to academia, the sciences, artificial intelligence, robotics, and other disciplines that can benefit from an imaginative animation practice.
Research concentrations include experimental animation, narrativity, documentary animation, performance gesture, animation for robotics, virtual humans and AI, character animation, cinematic installations, fine art animation practice, gesture movement, sound design, dreams and consciousness and science visualization. Our courses are supported by research collaborations, exhibitions and overnight field trips to remote locations.
This is the program for advanced, visionary artists who are passionate about the field of animation and compelled to pursue work that confronts its future.
The Expanded Animation Research + Practice MFA program is stem coded and falls under the STEM CIP code: 10.0304: Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects.
Stories
USC Ranked Number One Film School By The Hollywood Reporter
Film School Ranking
News Story
USC Ranked Number One Film School By The Hollywood Reporter
Film School Ranking
News Story
Meet (some of) the Faculty of Expanded Animation!
XA
Faculty Profile
The SCA Council on Diversity and Inclusion Honors XA Students
Diversity Awards
Project Profile
Featured Student Work
I'm Good by Xindi Zhang
Summon by Zeping Sun
Cat Chaser by SiJia Zheng
Fantastical Revelations - Sophia Wolfe
Degree Programs
GRADUATE
Master in Fine Arts
The Master of Fine Arts degree in Expanded Animation Research + Practice (XA) provides a higher-level education and research experience in the field of animation and digital media across industry, academia, and the arts. Focusing on animation practice as well as social responsibility, the program bridges multiple disciplines and schools at USC. Situated within the media and cultural nexus of Los Angeles, we offer students a variety of international internships, residencies, academic research, teaching, and exhibition opportunities. The XA program emphasizes advanced animation practices, genres, techniques and platforms, while examining critical theory, and global histories of animation. The XA curriculum is designed to prompt expanded practices, to tease out new perspectives, under-represented voices, and original storytelling.
Science Visualization Graduate Certificate
The Science Visualization Graduate Certificate provides a foundation in art, technology, and science research methods. Students who are interested in communicating complex scientific concepts through artistic interpretation will have the opportunity to learn both the technology and the research methods necessary to create animation that can decipher and explain scientific models. The 12-unit graduate certificate is offered by the Expanded Animation Research + Practice (XA) program, which emphasizes creative expression and collaboration across areas of study. The XA program has collaborated with the science programs in ongoing field trips, collaborative projects and research opportunities. This certificate allows students to explore visualization techniques applied to scientific research, working closely with both scientists and animators. It allows science researchers to learn how to visualize scientific methods, data and results. It will also allow artists to apply scientific concepts to their artistic work.
Contact Information
Expanded Animation Research + Practice (XA)
USC School of Cinematic Arts
900 W. 34th Street - SCA 250
Los Angeles, CA 90089-2211
Phone: 213-764-3332
Email: expandedanimation@cinema.usc.edu