Interlochen hosts second annual Animated TV Pitch Competition
41 Arts Academy students from across multiple disciplines presented their original pitches for animated TV series in front of industry judges, who offered professional feedback and provided a high-intensity setting for students to showcase their skills.
On January 24, the Arts Academy Film & New Media department hosted its second Animated TV Pitch Competition, bringing together 41 students from across artistic disciplines for an exciting showcase of talent. The event featured students crafting and presenting original animated television series pitches before a panel of industry judges. From story hooks for each episode to character designs and sample storyboards, the students shared their ideas as if they were up for a chance to create a real show.
This year’s special guest was Miranda Dressler, an accomplished art director from Fox's Krapopolis and former character designer for Over the Garden Wall. In the three days leading up to the event, Dressler provided a showing of her work, led workshops, and helped the seven student teams refine their pitch concepts for the big event. Participating students included majors in creative writing, interdisciplinary arts, animation, film & new media, and visual arts. Singer-songwriter majors also lent their talents to help create a theme song for each pitch.
On Friday, the seven teams competed before a panel of industry judges, including Kimberly Wright, Senior Producer at GBH Kids; Travis Williams, Development Executive at GAPC Entertainment; Neil Wade, Nickelodeon Series Manager; and Troy Quane, director of Nimona.
"This competition represents a unique opportunity for our students to collaborate across disciplines and gain real-world experience in television animation," said Director of Animation Briana Yarhouse. "We're thrilled to give our students the chance to experience the excitement of competition and receive professional feedback on their work.”
The event builds on last year's successful inaugural competition with special guest Julia Pott, creator of Summer Camp Island for Cartoon Network/Max. After 2024’s event, many of the students involved formed lasting collaborative relationships and continued to develop their pitch concepts well after the competition was over.
“I definitely felt a lot more confident this year because it was familiar territory,” says Romie Hundley, a junior animation major who participated in both events. “Being able to talk with professionals who are already in the animation field gives me a wonderful sense of the future I want for myself and the kind of people I want to work with.”
Learn more about Animation at Interlochen Arts Academy.
