Best Animation School?
Daka
been for several years. I'm 25 and I now finally have ot chance to
pursue a career that I want. I have looked into a few colleges, but I
want a college that offers a Bachelor's of Arts in COmputer Animation.
I originally looked into the INternational Fine Arts college in Miami
and have looked at a few others like RIngling and Savannah COllege of
Art and Design. I live in Florida so I don't wish to move too far,
although I will if the school is right.
So my questions are these:
Which schools are highly regarded in terms of BFA's in Computer
Animation. I know that there is no "magic degree", but who has a good
reputation among companies for having a high quality of graduates.
Secondly, I'm looking for a college that is more geared towards the
arts and not a college that has thrown together a computer animation
degree because it will attract more students.
I dont care about how hard it is to get a job or whatever since I have
had my mind made up for the past 4 years. I am currently in the
process of trying to teach myself 3ds Max and Maya and have made some
ground in doing so. Besides those 2 programs, what other programs
could benefit my education and would help me to have a head start in
college?
I apologize for such a lengthy post, but this is very important to me
and I feel this would be the best place to ask. I have lurked for a
couple weeks and you guys/girls seem to know what you're talking about
:)
Thanks in advance and I look forward to reading your replies.
Daka
Martin Rowley
they offer a BA level degree?
Isn't the International Fine Arts college in Miami a Arts
Institute facility? Just got through talking with one of
their reps and I think that's what they told me.
Some address of other schools;
Animation World Network
School Directory
http://aidb.com/?ltype=dl&target=school&sv=awn_hp
http://www.awn.com/
http://studentcorner.awn.com/
http://careers.awn.com/
Martin
no...@ya.biz
wrote:
>If you live in Fla. have you looked at Full Sail - or don't
>they offer a BA level degree?
>
>Isn't the International Fine Arts college in Miami a Arts
>Institute facility? Just got through talking with one of
>their reps and I think that's what they told me.
>
>Some address of other schools;
>Animation World Network
>School Directory
>http://aidb.com/?ltype=dl&target=school&sv=awn_hp
>
>http://www.awn.com/
>http://studentcorner.awn.com/
>http://careers.awn.com/
>
>Martin
>
full sail doesnt offer a ba.. the international fine arts college
offers both a ba and a ma in computer animation. ive pretty much
narrowed down my searching to the ringling college of art and design
in sarasota florida. any thoughts on this?
Dale Mulcahy
allows 45 students a year into their program, there isn't the stigma of a
program just to lure the eager. I'm currently in my junior year at
Ringling. It's tough. Very tough.
Dale
no...@ya.biz
Dale, Could you possibly give me any pointers or tips for getting
accepted? I dont have a portfolio at the moment, but I was thinking
about just doing the 5 art projects that Rinling will accept as a
portfolio such as drawing a corner of my house and making a collage.
Would I stand a better chance if I were to turn in a few animations
done in 3ds Max that are fairly simple or turning in the 5 excercise
portfolio that RIngling accepts in lieu of a professional portfolio. I
have only done very simple things in 3ds Max such as making fruit and
a few characters although they come out a bit rough since I am trying
to teach myself. Will they take that into account or am I better off
doing the drawings. I can look at something and draw it almost
perfectly so I know the drawings would come out good.
Lastly, If I were to turn in some work done in 3ds Max would I get
further in the program? WHat I mean is that would I get any credits
for knowing how to do the work already or would they just look at my
work to decide if I get accepted. Would I be expected to already know
how to do the work that I submit? I've worked with 3ds Max sporadicaly
when I get a hair up my ass and some of the things that I've done were
through online tutorials which I'm not sure that I could replicate if
put on the spot.
If you have the time and are willing to share could u please describe
to me your experiences on applying and what you turned in for a
portfolio? I apologize for rambling on, but this is very important to
me and I dont know where else to turn for good information.
Please feel free to e-mail me or contact me on icq.
dakatia...@yahoo.com - remove NOSPAM
ICQ# - 91944265
Dale Mulcahy
> done in 3ds Max that are fairly simple or turning in the 5 excercise
> portfolio that RIngling accepts in lieu of a professional portfolio. I
> have only done very simple things in 3ds Max such as making fruit and
> a few characters although they come out a bit rough since I am trying
> to teach myself. Will they take that into account or am I better off
> doing the drawings. I can look at something and draw it almost
> perfectly so I know the drawings would come out good.
Do the drawings instead. If you had animations you were proud of, you could
include them on a tape, but otherwise leave them out. Ringling is more
likely to accept you if you draw from life. Try drawing from live human
figures. Put in some gesture drawings (quick sketches of up to 5 minutes
that capture the human form--it's not quite as specific as that, but it
works). Even if you do the five drawings, include two or three sheets of
figure drawing. Put in only what you feel proud of. If you have your
doubts, leave it out. If you know an artist or have an art teacher, have
them critique it. I actually met the Ringling admissions dean on a
Portfolio Day. If you ever have the chance to go to one, it will be helpful
to your portfolio. Also keep in mind that you have to have your portfolio
in earlier for Computer Animation (sometime in January or February).
> Lastly, If I were to turn in some work done in 3ds Max would I get
> further in the program? WHat I mean is that would I get any credits
> for knowing how to do the work already or would they just look at my
> work to decide if I get accepted.
No. Unless you have a Bachelor's of Arts degree, you're going to have to
take the full four-year course. If you have previous college classes (or AP
classes from high school), then you will get credit for some classes.
> Would I be expected to already know
> how to do the work that I submit?
No. I didn't know the first thing about animation when I was accepted.
> If you have the time and are willing to share could u please describe
> to me your experiences on applying and what you turned in for a
> portfolio?
I had about four years of community college (a degree in two years my ASS!)
before I applied to Ringling, so I had plenty of still drawings and figure
drawings to choose from. I had an equal mix of life drawings and freehand
drawings. It would have been better to have maybe just one or two freehand
drawings and have the rest be life drawings. You shouldn't have more than
fifteen pieces. Admissions gets tired after reviewing a few thousand
porfolios. You will probably be required to have everything on slide film.
If you're in school now, you should be able to get someone to help you
photograph your portfolio. If you have to do it yourself, you need a
stationary camera suspended over a flat surface. Use flourescent lights to
light the portfolio from both sides until it looks evenly lit (no dark
corners). Use Tungsten film. You'll have to buy it from a specialty
photography shop. Learn how to use the film, too. You'll probably need a
light meter.
On second thought. Get someone to help. Doing it yourself only works if
you've taken a few photography classes.
It took me two years to get into the program. And they called me at the
very last minute to let me know I was in the program, so I lucked out. It
helps if you're a Florida resident, though (which I wasn't). Honestly,
sometimes I wonder what the hell admissions is thinking when I see other
students' work accepted straight out of high school.
GumbyDammit
"Dale Mulcahy" <mrre...@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:WhML9.2061$c52.2...@newsread1.prod.itd.earthlink.net...
> Honestly,
> sometimes I wonder what the hell admissions is thinking when I see other
> students' work accepted straight out of high school.
Meaning they are not very impressive?
Dale Mulcahy
> > sometimes I wonder what the hell admissions is thinking when I see other
> > students' work accepted straight out of high school.
>
> Meaning they are not very impressive?
Some of them, yes. It's a small percentage, but it's still present. On the
brighter side, there are plenty of students with phenomenal work.