Came across animationmentor.com---how about that, an online school! What do you think---can I get my money's worth learning online? Is animationmentor.com worth every penny?
Animationmentor is quite possibly the best way to learn animation via the web. I start the program this fall and ask anybody who is enrolled now will say just how great it is. Where else on the net can you have career animators show you how animation is done as well as critique your work?
I am no expert on how online programs are viewed by the industry but its not the degree that gets you job, its the demo reel. You can judge a school's quality by its student's demo reels and the reels from Animation Mentor students are simply amazing.
I've never heard or seen anything directly but from what the mentors and secondhand people have said, the studios are optimistic but guarded about AM graduates. Sort of a 'wait and see,' but in situations where they've viewed some of the work before anyone's had a chance to graduate they've seen novices and existing professionals alike turn out good enough stuff to have faith. I predict 10%, just like anywhere else =)
How would you compare the credibility in the industry of the AM program and other non-academic programs such as those run by for-profit organizations, such as ITT Tech or The Art Institutes?
AM is a school so it's definitely not non-academic. And all schools are for-profit.
I've never gone to ITT Tech (I actually didn't even know they taught art-related things) or the Art Institute chain so I can't say.
I can't speak for credibility either because I'm on the student end. I personally think it's going to be like above...'let's see what good the people that come out of there are going to be to the industry.'
It might help that there's a more direct industry connection since you're being taught by guys and gals that only deal with you after getting home from actually doing the work, but that wouldn't matter (In my opinion) to the studio itself...It might comfort an individual person that they're hearing about strong teaching or something but nothing to the point where it would influence any decision-making because of the circumstances or how things are set up. Like I said though, -zero- clue.
Animation Mentor is not an art school Catherine21. They only teach animation. So if you have no real art background aside from drawing in highschool, I would recogmend you go to an brick and morter ART school that also has an animation program. That way you'll learn basic art skills along with animation. Not that you can't do AnimationMentor with out going to art school, but you'll probably have an easy time if you have a fairly solid art background.
As for how the industry views the school, all the major studios are eagerly awaiting to see what comes out of the school. All the mentors work at those studios so the studios are highly aware of the school.
The best example of this is PIXAR was recuruting at a job fair at my wifes school. She went over to talk to them and they told her they were looking for programers only. She told them about me and that I'm a 2D animator at Cartoon Network and went to school for traditional animation. They were semi interested and said, it's very hard to get into, blaa blaa blaa. When she said I was taking AnimationMentor, they suddenly perked up and told her that's a great program and that I'm going about it the right way, and they've seen some great work already from students. That was about a year ago. So they know about us.
Aloha,
the Ape
—
...we must all face a choice, between what is right... and what is easy."
What would you think of taking fundamental art classes from a local state school in conjunction with the program? My major obstacle right now is financial considering I just finished school... I'm trying to figure out a way of obtaining the education I need without breaking the bank.
Thanks again for everyone's help!:)
That's what I did, albeit with a gap in time. State and mostly community college, because we're relatively poor =P That armed me and helped me grow to a point where if I need those skills now I tap what I learned then and apply it to current classes.
Mew would be the best person to ask, though, since she's done university and AM together (and both really damn well)...
I know it depends on the person, but I'm curious about how much time on average one needs to take the class and complete assignments. The reason I ask is that I was just offered my first full-time position outside of college (although my employer says the hours may be flexible between 30-40 hours/week), and I'm curious if those currently enrolled in the program generally feel that it is compatible with a full-time job.
I think there are more people in AM with a full-time job than any other circumstance. In my experience the average answer you'll hear is about 10 to 20 hrs a week, some less some more depending upon how quick people work, what they can contribute and what they -want- to contribute.
I know it depends on the person, but I'm curious about how much time on average one needs to take the class and complete assignments. The reason I ask is that I was just offered my first full-time position outside of college (although my employer says the hours may be flexible between 30-40 hours/week), and I'm curious if those currently enrolled in the program generally feel that it is compatible with a full-time job.
I think taking AM and having a full time job is easier than doing it while going to school full time. If you are also going to another school, you have classes to got to along with homework to do for that school, then for AM as well.
I work full time in the animation industry and I'm in my last term at AM. It got alittle rough here and there, and I could feel burn out setting in, but it's do able. I spend around 20 hours working on AM just on the week ends, and sprinkle in around another 10 hours durring the week. You'll have no life for the next year and a half, but you'll learn way more than you'll ever have about how to animate.
Aloha,
the Ape
—
...we must all face a choice, between what is right... and what is easy."
What would you think of taking fundamental art classes from a local state school in conjunction with the program? My major obstacle right now is financial considering I just finished school... I'm trying to figure out a way of obtaining the education I need without breaking the bank.
Thanks again for everyone's help!:)
I start Animation Mentor as well as an the Animation program at Cal State Fullerton this coming fall. I think its an great idea. I hope to better both my cahracter animation skills as well as my drawing skills this way. If you can afford it and have the time it couldn't hurt to try.
Thanks for the advice mlmiller. I'm taking a 2D and 3D animation class at my local state university in the fall and winter, and will likely begin animationmentors in the spring. I'm REALLY looking forward to it!
Thanks for the advice mlmiller. I'm taking a 2D and 3D animation class at my local state university in the fall and winter, and will likely begin animationmentors in the spring. I'm REALLY looking forward to it!
I think for the price Animation Mentor can't be beat and going to a local state university isn't as expensive as say attending Academy of Art University ( tuition for one semester at CSUF is less than one 3 unit class at AAU). My approach it spend at less money as possible.
It's worth every penny and more. One of the best animation schools out there.
Aloha,
the Ape
...we must all face a choice, between what is right... and what is easy."
Animationmentor is quite possibly the best way to learn animation via the web. I start the program this fall and ask anybody who is enrolled now will say just how great it is. Where else on the net can you have career animators show you how animation is done as well as critique your work?
Software: TVPaint Pro, Harmony Standalone, Storyboard Pro, Maya, Modo, Arnold, V-Ray, Maxwell, NukeX, Hiero, Mari, RealFlow, Avid, Adobe CS6
Hardware: (2) HP Z820 Workstations + 144-core Linux Render Farm + Cintiq 24HD Touch
I've always been curious about how online programs are viewed in the industry...how do they compare to traditional programs?
Thanks!
I am no expert on how online programs are viewed by the industry but its not the degree that gets you job, its the demo reel. You can judge a school's quality by its student's demo reels and the reels from Animation Mentor students are simply amazing.
Software: TVPaint Pro, Harmony Standalone, Storyboard Pro, Maya, Modo, Arnold, V-Ray, Maxwell, NukeX, Hiero, Mari, RealFlow, Avid, Adobe CS6
Hardware: (2) HP Z820 Workstations + 144-core Linux Render Farm + Cintiq 24HD Touch
I've never heard or seen anything directly but from what the mentors and secondhand people have said, the studios are optimistic but guarded about AM graduates. Sort of a 'wait and see,' but in situations where they've viewed some of the work before anyone's had a chance to graduate they've seen novices and existing professionals alike turn out good enough stuff to have faith. I predict 10%, just like anywhere else =)
How would you compare the credibility in the industry of the AM program and other non-academic programs such as those run by for-profit organizations, such as ITT Tech or The Art Institutes?
AM is a school so it's definitely not non-academic. And all schools are for-profit.
I've never gone to ITT Tech (I actually didn't even know they taught art-related things) or the Art Institute chain so I can't say.
I can't speak for credibility either because I'm on the student end. I personally think it's going to be like above...'let's see what good the people that come out of there are going to be to the industry.'
It might help that there's a more direct industry connection since you're being taught by guys and gals that only deal with you after getting home from actually doing the work, but that wouldn't matter (In my opinion) to the studio itself...It might comfort an individual person that they're hearing about strong teaching or something but nothing to the point where it would influence any decision-making because of the circumstances or how things are set up. Like I said though, -zero- clue.
Thanks! It has been a bit daunting looking through all the different options for schooling -- so it's nice to have an outlet for questions. :)
Animation Mentor is not an art school Catherine21. They only teach animation. So if you have no real art background aside from drawing in highschool, I would recogmend you go to an brick and morter ART school that also has an animation program. That way you'll learn basic art skills along with animation. Not that you can't do AnimationMentor with out going to art school, but you'll probably have an easy time if you have a fairly solid art background.
As for how the industry views the school, all the major studios are eagerly awaiting to see what comes out of the school. All the mentors work at those studios so the studios are highly aware of the school.
The best example of this is PIXAR was recuruting at a job fair at my wifes school. She went over to talk to them and they told her they were looking for programers only. She told them about me and that I'm a 2D animator at Cartoon Network and went to school for traditional animation. They were semi interested and said, it's very hard to get into, blaa blaa blaa. When she said I was taking AnimationMentor, they suddenly perked up and told her that's a great program and that I'm going about it the right way, and they've seen some great work already from students. That was about a year ago. So they know about us.
Aloha,
the Ape
...we must all face a choice, between what is right... and what is easy."
What would you think of taking fundamental art classes from a local state school in conjunction with the program? My major obstacle right now is financial considering I just finished school... I'm trying to figure out a way of obtaining the education I need without breaking the bank.
Thanks again for everyone's help!:)
That's what I did, albeit with a gap in time. State and mostly community college, because we're relatively poor =P That armed me and helped me grow to a point where if I need those skills now I tap what I learned then and apply it to current classes.
Mew would be the best person to ask, though, since she's done university and AM together (and both really damn well)...
I know it depends on the person, but I'm curious about how much time on average one needs to take the class and complete assignments. The reason I ask is that I was just offered my first full-time position outside of college (although my employer says the hours may be flexible between 30-40 hours/week), and I'm curious if those currently enrolled in the program generally feel that it is compatible with a full-time job.
Thanks!
I think there are more people in AM with a full-time job than any other circumstance. In my experience the average answer you'll hear is about 10 to 20 hrs a week, some less some more depending upon how quick people work, what they can contribute and what they -want- to contribute.
I think taking AM and having a full time job is easier than doing it while going to school full time. If you are also going to another school, you have classes to got to along with homework to do for that school, then for AM as well.
I work full time in the animation industry and I'm in my last term at AM. It got alittle rough here and there, and I could feel burn out setting in, but it's do able. I spend around 20 hours working on AM just on the week ends, and sprinkle in around another 10 hours durring the week. You'll have no life for the next year and a half, but you'll learn way more than you'll ever have about how to animate.
Aloha,
the Ape
...we must all face a choice, between what is right... and what is easy."
Thanks Scattered, lol. :D
"Animation isn't about how well you draw, but how much to believe." -Glen Keane
I start Animation Mentor as well as an the Animation program at Cal State Fullerton this coming fall. I think its an great idea. I hope to better both my cahracter animation skills as well as my drawing skills this way. If you can afford it and have the time it couldn't hurt to try.
Software: TVPaint Pro, Harmony Standalone, Storyboard Pro, Maya, Modo, Arnold, V-Ray, Maxwell, NukeX, Hiero, Mari, RealFlow, Avid, Adobe CS6
Hardware: (2) HP Z820 Workstations + 144-core Linux Render Farm + Cintiq 24HD Touch
Thanks for the advice mlmiller. I'm taking a 2D and 3D animation class at my local state university in the fall and winter, and will likely begin animationmentors in the spring. I'm REALLY looking forward to it!
I think for the price Animation Mentor can't be beat and going to a local state university isn't as expensive as say attending Academy of Art University ( tuition for one semester at CSUF is less than one 3 unit class at AAU). My approach it spend at less money as possible.
Software: TVPaint Pro, Harmony Standalone, Storyboard Pro, Maya, Modo, Arnold, V-Ray, Maxwell, NukeX, Hiero, Mari, RealFlow, Avid, Adobe CS6
Hardware: (2) HP Z820 Workstations + 144-core Linux Render Farm + Cintiq 24HD Touch
Animationmentor is fantastic! If you are 100% serious about becoming an animator, I say go for it!
"Animation isn't about how well you draw, but how much to believe." -Glen Keane