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Who we are?
The Sachse High School Animation classes are part of the GISD Career Technology and Education (CTE) program. It started at Sachse High School in 2006 under Mr. Erik Bushland. From 2014 to 2019, animation students attended nationwide completions for VR Emergency Simulations and worked with NASA to create animated video games. In 2023, Mr. Bryant Varnell started the Animation Storytelling Program called the Sachse Animation Studio.
2018 - Garland ISD Students Using VR to Aid First Responder Training.
Mr. Bushland - 2019
Sachse High School Animation Storytelling Program
The Sachse High School Animation Storytelling Program is designed to teach students both the technical skills needed to use animation software and the creative skills required to tell a story through animation. The program is film-nominated, showcasing its excellence in student projects and competitions. Having gone to the UIL Texas Young Filmmakers Festival and The Dallas International Film Festival. Students have the opportunity to earn valuable certifications in Adobe Creative Cloud and AutoCAD, which can benefit them in future animation careers. The program is divided into three levels: Animation 1, Animation 2, and Animation 3, each building on what students have learned before.
Animation 1 introduces students to the basics of animation. They learn traditional techniques such as hand-drawn animation, rotoscoping, stop motion, and cel animation. By the end of this course, students understand different animation styles and how to create simple animated scenes.
Animation 2 focuses on the animation production process and storytelling. Students learn how to develop stories, create storyboards, and produce animatics, which are rough animated versions of their storyboards. They also gain experience in creating animations for commercial advertisements and adding visual effects, learning to combine various elements to tell a story. This course also covers essential topics such as Color Theory and perspective in animation.
Animation 3 is project-based, allowing students to use all the skills they have learned to create original animations aimed at festivals and competitions. Students focus on developing high-quality pieces that can be showcased at events like the UIL Young Filmmakers Festival and the Dallas International Film Festival High School Showcase. This course emphasizes professionalism and real-world expectations, helping students build a strong portfolio that prepares them for careers in animation.
The Sachse High School Animation Program equips students with the technical skills to use animation tools and the creativity to tell their own stories, providing a strong foundation for future opportunities in the animation field.
DIFF 2024 - High School Showcase Panel Q&A
Animation 2 & 3 Students - 2024
Sachse High School Animation Featured Articles
Sachse HS Student’s Animated Short Film Featured on Exclusive YouTube Channel - Garland ISD - Newsroom 2025
GISD Alumni Sportlight - The GISD Effect Newsletter May/June 2025
Students use VR to aid first responders - Dallas Innovates 2018
Sachse students assist NASA - Dallas News 2014
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