Press Releases

LOS ANGELES, May 29, 2025 – Sony Pictures Animation and Sony Pictures Imageworks, the studios behind hit animated films and series including “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” and “Hotel Transylvania,” have teamed up with award-winning educational platform Yellowbrick to present This Is Animation, an all-new, free-to-access online course designed to introduce learners of all ages to the art and industry of animated filmmaking. The first-of-its-kind course launches today.

Hosted by acclaimed animation director Kris Pearn (The Willoughbys, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2), This Is Animation offers an insider’s look at how animated films and series come to life. Through five engaging modules, learners will explore the core pillars of animation storytelling, from the production pipeline to character creation and world-building. The course will provide learners with a comprehensive understanding of the animation landscape while offering a unique glimpse into the magic that brings animated stories to life.

“Animation is one of the most collaborative of all storytelling mediums,” says Kris Pearn, host of This Is Animation. “This course is about pulling back the curtain, showing the magic behind the process, and inviting new voices to explore careers - both artistic and non-artistic - in this incredible industry.”

A Simplified Guide to the Animation Business

The course breaks down the animation process into five modules:

I. The Pipeline – A big-picture look at the animation production process, including pre-production, production, and post-production. Learners will gain a comprehensive understanding of the different stages involved in bringing an animated project to life.

II. The Idea – Exploring how creative concepts evolve into stories. This module delves into the art of storytelling, focusing on the development of compelling narratives, themes, and character arcs specifically tailored for animation.

III. The Hero – Crafting compelling animated characters. Learners will discover the secrets behind creating memorable and relatable characters, exploring aspects such as personality, design, and animation techniques that breathe life into these creations.

IV. The World – Designing immersive animated environments. This module takes learners on a journey through the art of world-building, focusing on the creation of visually stunning and believable settings that transport audiences to the heart of the story.

V. Pulling It All Together – Showcasing the many career paths in animation beyond art, including production management, business affairs, marketing, finance, and talent acquisition. This module highlights the wide range of career paths that exist in the animation industry, emphasizing that animation is a field that welcomes individuals with various skillsets and interests.

In addition to industry insights, This Is Animation features hands-on experiential learning, allowing participants to design their own rudimentary animated character and bring it to life through interactive exercises. These exercises encourage learners to apply the knowledge they've gained and experiment with different animation techniques, fostering creativity and practical skills.

“At Sony Pictures Animation, we believe great stories can come from anywhere,” says Kristine Belson and Damien de Froberville, Presidents of Sony Pictures Animation. “Through this course, we want to inspire a new generation of talent and show that you don’t need to be an artist to work in animation - there truly is a place for everyone who possesses a love for the artform and the drive to be a part of it.”

“At Sony Pictures Imageworks, we’ve always been proud to foster some of the most innovative talent in animation and VFX,” adds Michelle Grady, President of Sony Pictures Imageworks. “We’re excited to launch this groundbreaking free online course, which not only demystifies the animation process but also empowers aspiring animators to explore their creativity and take their first steps into this dynamic field.”

“At Yellowbrick, we believe education should open doors—not just to knowledge, but to real careers that align with people’s passions,” said Rob Kingyens, President and CEO of Yellowbrick. “This partnership with Sony Pictures Animation and Sony Pictures Imageworks brings unparalleled access to one of the most dynamic and creative industries in the world. This Is Animation gives aspiring storytellers, artists, and future studio leaders a meaningful first step into the world of animation, and we’re honored to help make that journey possible.”

No Barriers to Entry – Start Learning Today

All that’s required to enroll in This Is Animation is an email address - no prior experience necessary. Learners who complete the course will receive a certificate of completion, marking their achievement and understanding of the course materials.

Join us in shaping the future of animation. Enroll for free starting today, via Yellowbrick at www.yellowbrick.co/sony!

About Sony Pictures Animation
Sony Pictures Animation produces a variety of animated entertainment for audiences around the world. The studio is currently in production on "Spider-Man™: Beyond the Spider-Verse," the highly-anticipated conclusion to the Spider-Verse trilogy, which began with 2018's Academy Award®-winning "Spider-Man™: Into the Spider-Verse."

The studio's additional upcoming feature films include "GOAT," an original animated sports comedy from producer Stephen Curry's Unanimous Media, and "KPop Demon Hunters," a musical action adventure set against the backdrop of the most popular music movement of this generation.

The division is also behind the visually-groundbreaking and critically-acclaimed "The Mitchells vs. The Machines," the hit film series "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs," and the beloved monster franchise "Hotel Transylvania," which will continue its story with the studio's upcoming "Motel Transylvania" series.

Sony Pictures Animation, which was founded in 2002, is a division of the Sony Pictures Motion Pictures Group for Sony Pictures Entertainment, a subsidiary of the Tokyo-based Sony Group Corporation.

About Sony Pictures Imageworks
Sony Pictures Imageworks is an Academy Award®-winning visual effects and animation studio known for photoreal live-action visual effects, dynamic creature and character animation and full-CG features. Having created visually stunning images for more than 100 live-action and animated productions over its 33-year history the studio is also a leader in technology, developing software and tools that have helped solve industry-wide challenges and deliver spectacular visuals to the big screen.

About Yellowbrick
Yellowbrick is a leading online education company helping the next generation of creative professionals build career-focused skills for the modern workforce. Ranked #4 in the United States and #17 globally on the 2025 TIME and Statista list of the World’s Top EdTech Companies, Yellowbrick is reshaping how learners prepare for creative careers.

Through its Animation Mentor brand, Yellowbrick delivers industry-recognized animation training led by professional animators working at top studios, including Sony Pictures Animation and Sony Pictures Imageworks. Animation Mentor’s mentors and graduates have contributed to major productions such as “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” and “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,” helping define a new era of visually groundbreaking storytelling.

Backed by investors including the Sony Innovation Fund, Yellowbrick partners with leading institutions and brands—such as NYU Tisch School of the Arts, Parsons School of Design, Rolling Stone, IndieWire, and Backstage—to offer programs across film, performing arts, music, fashion, sports, and visual storytelling.

Yellowbrick continues to bridge education and industry, equipping learners with the tools, guidance, and community needed to thrive in today’s creative economy.