colleges

[dan]

I'm a junior in high school and am looking at colleges. Do you have any suggestions about what colleges I should look at as a fan of classic animation? Maybe some people could share their experiences with the animation courses or communities of classic animation fans at their colleges. Thanks.
-Dan

[Thad]

Hi Dan,

The top animation schools are CalArts and Canada's Sheridan. I do know that the latter's animation program is extremely difficult to get into, particularly for US students. Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) is a great school with an animation program if you can get into it.

THAD

[Steve Stanch]

I'll answer a little piece of that! I teach animation and animation history at a college, as well as owning a small animation studio. I'm not in LA as so many folks I know that teach and work in animation are, but I think I can offer some good advice... here are a few of the basics I would look for in a school's philosophy. It's very easy to go on at length about this subject, but I'll attempt to keep it to the bare bones for an easier read....


First, look through the way the courses are described. I'd stay away from schools that offer courses that are the names of the 'software' being taught- you can tell a lot about the philosphy from that to start with. Learning the tool does have to be part of the equation of course, but it shouldn't be the main focus- what you're able to create using the tools IS the main focus. I think the best animation programs keep looking at this and keep a balance. If you're studying animation, basic principals of weight, good posing and timing (acting!) are the groundwork that everything else must be built on. Film (cinematic) language needs to be understood. If you are interested in animation as a career, These are things that you need to know and understand. There are many jobs in the field in various areas with different concentrations- understanding basics should always be first. I can't tell you how many reels I've seen where it's obvious within a few seconds that the artist doesn't understand the basics! The best schools seem to focus on what you are able to produce rather than what software you know. For 3d and gaming work these days, often the skill set can be very specific- I wouldn't concentrate on just the specific skill and area you want to go into while in college- I would work on many of the foundation skills as well.

It's hard to squash even the basics into a four year program- and we haven't even talked about basic drawing skills! Each college will have their own set of what they consider to be the most important aspects. I would suggust boning up on your drawing skills before going to any art school- having a fairly good foundation before even entering a program.

Animation is a field that keeps changing- some basics of the system stay the same, but for the most part the new news determines the direction until the next piece of 'new news' comes along. Your own talent and adaptability are two major things that will keep you going, along with being friendly and easy to work with and willing to learn new things. I know many very talented people in this industry that are working and not, and I know lots of folks that are not as talented working and not- it's very much about your ability to adapt, continue to look and how you are to work with. Sometimes I've found working continually means you have to adapt what it is you like to do- but you don't want to work on stuff that's soul draining! If you choose to work in just your own style, often your professional jobs will be limited (unless that's what the studios are looking for at the exact time...). It's easy to have events bruise your ego in this business too- how you react and deal with other people determines what comes your way next, though from people who don't understand this very basic thing you'll hear every possible reason why it's always someone else's fault!

I know several people I would have hired in a second had it not been for their poor attitude. It travels too- this is a tiny industry in many ways, and it's job to job, so chances are you'll end up knowing a lot of people that are at all different places. You don't want them saying that (insert name here) is hard to work with!

Good luck!