Student blog: making the most of links to industry and production facilities at the RCA

Animation MA student Kasidech Kumwongdee working on group stop-motion project 'Balloon Chicken'

My journey into the world of animation began in 2017 when I moved to the UK to undertake an Arts Foundation Diploma at Camberwell College of Arts. I progressed through the course to a Bachelor of Arts degree in animation at the London College of Communication. While there, I balanced my coursework with various part-time jobs.

Only having academic experience, full-time work in animation was difficult to attain. So I began accepting freelance commissions on various sites and social pages. After graduating with a first-class honour in 2021, I continued to work on commissions for a year before deciding to pursue postgraduate study to expand my career in this field.

Frame from Balloon Chicken animation

After thorough research and careful consideration, I decided to apply to the Royal College of Art (RCA). This was partly due to the sizeable animation facilities, including large multi-plane camera setups and access to industry-standard software such as Cinema 4D, Houdin, and TVPaint. I was also inspired by RCA alumni works, such as Peiying Wang’s Appetite and Anej Golcar’s Just Keep Breathing. These films express the level of craft I aspire to achieve. Having spent years honing my skill set, I was excited to be offered a place on the Animation Master’s programme.

A few pages from the animatic for the AcrossRCA animation, a group project involving Kasidech Kumwongdee

I had known that guest speakers were to be expected, but nothing could have prepared me for the shock of having the opportunity to attend BAFTA winner Joanna Quinn’s workshop in the first few weeks of term. Additionally, free tickets to film and animation festivals were granted to those wanting to attend. This is an incredible opportunity to widen your artistic perspective, network, and meet with colleagues in a lively environment.

Students at the RCA come from many countries, all brimming with unique experiences and a sense of individuality. This combined with the variety of backgrounds and art styles, culminates in a colourful and accepting community. The open-mindedness of individuals on campus inspires us to embrace our craft fully and pushes the experimental side of our studies.

Kasidech Kumwongdee in the RCA audio recording studio at the Kensington campus, setting up the correct mic-stand-actor distances.

Due to the array of experiences of each student, the course is straightforward and inclusive to those with less experience in animation. Further technical inductions are also provided across all campuses. Some of my favourites have been software workshops such as Cinema 4D and Unreal Engine. With astonishing access to production facilities for sound recording, motion capture, and much more, some might be overwhelmed by the possibilities available.

Though I have not yet achieved my goal, I was able to witness my own growth in the first few weeks of being here. With Joanna Quinn returning to do a second workshop and the film and animation festival on the horizon, I only have more and more exhilarating things to look forward to.