Hi guys,
like many of you, it has been my greatest desire to become an animator since I was a child. Now I'm grown-up and wanna fulfill my dream. I've always been interested in animation films and fascinated about animated images, so I'm making use of my artistic abilities and drawing skills to aim at an animators career.
After I've finished school (2004), I begun to work at several filmproductions as a trainee and got many illustration- comic- and storyboard jobs as a freelancer.
Although I wanna become a 2D animator I know about the bad cicumstance in this field, so I also dealt with 3D: In my leissure time, I've taught myself some programms and now I can handle Cinema 4D and I'm familiar with Maya.
Now I'm looking for animation schools, not only in Germany, but also abroad. The thing is, my parents aren't very wealthy and so I'm not able to pay high fees.
Can you tell me the names (and if possible the URL) of good animation schools? It doesn't matter where the school is, I'm flexible ;)
What do you know about foreign applicants and scholarships?
What kind of experiences did you make? How did you became an animator, where've you studied? Can you succeed in being an animator without studying?
It would be soooooooooooo cool, I've you could answer some of my questions!!! Thanks in advance!
Best regards,
Viola
http://www.edupass.org/
www.fastweb.org
Here's a new one for German students:
http://www.deutsche-kultur-international.de/dir/sat.html?dir_id=92&lang=en
What you need to do is to contact animation schools in the US to check for
scholarships available to foreign srudents.
http://www.pixar.com/companyinfo/jobs/schools.html
http://schools.awn.com/
http://www.animationarena.com/best-animation-schools.html
Thanks a lot, these links are great!!! I hope, I'll find my favorite schools!
Can anyone tell me about experiences with application-films? What kind topics are preferd? I guess the most schools like something short and funny.
Is it sufficient to send a linetest or are the standarts simply too high today?
http://violabaier.blogspot.com/
It would defeat the purpose. Animation is hard work that you excel at by engaging in additional hard work. It's actually a lifestyle, to adapt to being incredibly observant and making sure you're continuing your education formal or otherwise in the way things move and live. I wouldn't say it's impossible, but for me evaluating that circumstance is difficult. It's like asking if the basketball will make it in the hoop from the three point line without ever leaving your hands.
I should say your background sounds like a cool lead-in; I'll bet there's a lot you could contribute once you get on your feet.
For the distance and the money concerns, I would suggest giving AnimationMentor.com a look-see. If you like the idea of being self-taught but could use the structure of a school's organized format, it's an excellent blend and a good start at 13 grand for 18 months total. Any citizen of any nation can apply, being based on videoconferencing, but it is not a conventional institution so at this time it lacks things like scholarship program.
Can you succeed in animation without studying? No. Can you succeed without going to a formal school? Abosolutely.
The reel's the thing. That you've gone to school matters little if your reel contains nothing to excite the potential employer. By the same token, if your reel rocks, the "new boss" won't care a whit if you're self-taught.
School's great for accelerating the learning process and making contacts that will serve you well during your career. But you'll also make contacts when you start working that will serve you just as well.
In this day and age, resources for studying animation abound. Web sites, books, organizations that support and promote animation, trade shows, seminars - it's mind-boggling.
The most important element is desire. You appear to have that in abundance, so pick a route that works best for your learning style and financial situation, and start laying down the pencil mileage. And above all - have fun. It's not brain surgery, it's animation! :D
Very nicely put, everyone. I'm essentially going to repeat most of what's been said, but it's sometimes nice to find that you weren't getting just one crazy dude's answer.
Skills and contacts tend to be what matter most. How you get them is up to you.
Many people have done very well from themselves being self-taught. They are highly motivated (often extremely talented to begin with) and hard working people. It takes an extreme amount of dedication to go this route, as you'll often have to balance work and life with your "studies." Definitely possible, but not necessarily easy.
School (and just so you know where my "bias" lies, I went to an animation school), offers a more guided approach. I wouldn't classify it as easy, but it does make some aspects of the learning process a touch easier for many. Your studies are widely accepted to be your "work." So it's a bit easier to find the time to work on your animation chops (otherwise it just looks like a time consuming hobby to outsiders).
You can also get loans to cover living expenses while in school, thus allowing more time to practice. Getting loans to be self-taught at the University of You, is a tougher sell for the banks. Yes, it costs money and time. Alot of both, typically.
You'll also get guidance and instruction that will address your specific problems. Self taught is a bit more difficult, although boards like this help by providing outside guidance.
But most importantly, you'll make a number of contacts through school. My first two jobs were directly a result of a friend from school's help. My subsequent jobs were as a result of my first two jobs. A reel is great but good networking can really make the difference between being steadily employed and just scraping along. School is a great leap into a networked community.
But reguardless of which direction you go, it isn't easy, and you're going to have to work extremely hard. But if you enjoy it, it doesn't really seem like work. And that's what everyone wishes of their career.
Good luck!
Producing solidily ok animation since 2001.
www.galaxy12.com
Now with more doodling!
www.galaxy12.com/latenight
Thank you so much for your feedback.
Being an animator is a life style and very hard work, I know. Actually I've also made experiences yet by giving up many things, by working till night everyday, by moving every half year... In addition, there is a fierce rivalry. It's not always easy, but that's how it is, and I'm taken up with this lifestyle. ;)
I don't want to live in another way, I WANT TO BECOME AN ANIMATOR, and somehow I will, I'm sure. :)
Yes, I definetly want to study and have the right education. I'm also aware of that Connections-thing, but I'm so overwhelmed by the big amount of international schools and so confused by the application requests. Has anyone of you moved into another country for studying?
Do you know any good schools which doesn't require a (high) fee? Which schools are best for traditional animation?
Greetz,
Viola
http://violabaier.blogspot.com/
hi
there is a collage in canada called centennial collage i don't know much about them but they have started teaching in india they have tied up with a private venture firm called picasso u could look up at www.picasso.co.in ,they are offering the same courses taught by canadian faculty at 1/4 th price :) ....pl check that out if u are interested let me know i can help u.
bye ;) l