Animation Training :
In terms of training , few actually get the " right "
training . They go to a crash course program like Mesmer f/x (which teaches you
about brand X software in just 3 weeks) which are put together in a rather weak demo reel , in the same timeframe, and then people hit the streets looking for a job . These
people , in my opinion , have no training at all , because they know nothing of
the art of animation , nothing about lighting , nothing about story telling .
They just " think " , they
know the software . Majority of the failures , occur amongst these individuals .
Sounds a little disheartening ? It should . You are attempting to break into
the film industry . You are just like an actor , auditioning for a part .
Everyone wants the part and you have to want it more than anyone else , so much
so that they couldn't cast anyone else , but you for the role.
If you go to a prestigious and reputable school and do well
, your chances of attending an interview increases ten-fold . The recruiters
know what is taught at these schools and can assume that you are well versed in
a lot of things , that most other candidates are not , but it’s not always like
that though . A person who has been trained in cinematology will present their animations differently , than those who
have not. It's called framing a scene . Every scene or shot is framed , so that
it has the maximum impact on the audience , in other words , it tells a
compelling story . Students who do crash course programs , tend to mimic what
they've seen before , they don’t know whether it’s good or bad , which shows a lack of creativity
on their part. It's like copying Mona Lisa and saying , you did it . Yes , you
may be able to technically copy something , but without the original there for
you , to work from , would you be able
to paint it on your own ? There are a lot of choices to be made : what canvas
to use ? what medium ? what hues ? what poses ? etc ...a lot of questions .
Granted , you won't be responsible for
every question that needs to be answered , but you will have to be aware of
them . That's the difference , between a good education and an adequate one.
There is no guarantee in this business. It's one part talent and two
parts luck. The old axiom.. " It's not what you know , but who you know "
, rings true here . Once you get into
the business world , you're on the edge . From then on , you're one of the
players , who move from one studio to the other , looking for
better job opportunities . But you have to survive that at first . Some
people find work , but can't keep up with the pace . They end up burning out or
getting fired . These companies are looking for the best , and you'll have to
stay on top , if you want to work for big boys : like ILM, Disney, or Pixar .
Animation Schools and
Colleges :
Schools are very
expensive. You can expect to spend about 6K for a crash course in animation as well , but I highly advise you
against attending such programs for the above mentioned reasons . You get what
you have paid for. Private schools such as Ringling , Sheridan , etc. will cost
you a lot more than state run schools ( twice as much or more ! ). They're a bit
more choosy about who they accept and take pride in themselves , by producing top quality graduates . They are
not just in the business of making sure
"X" number of students graduate each year , they have their
reputation to maintain. Hence , there is
a dramatic increase in the quality of education . You will most likely be paying the
state tuition fees at one of these
schools , but federal aid is available for you , at most accredited institutions , so always
look into that , before you choose school " A " over school " B "
. I'm not going to suggest , that you can't find the education that you
want , where you want to live , etc as the education curriculums keeping change all the time and more and more schools
are offering Animation programs . Just be sure , that the schools you attend ,
are the right one for you , because in all likelihood , you won't be able to
afford another education , at another school , after that . A lot of information on
different schools , is now available on
the Net. Check them out.
Demo Reels and
Choosing a School :
Demo reels , should be done while you are in school itself . That's something , you'll want to check out . Some places , provide no means for putting a student's work
, on to a tape ! Avoid these places , as
digital to video transfer , can cost a
fortune ! It also shows that they aren't as "hip" , as they claim to be . Also understand that a
good demo reel takes more than a couple of days to be to put together . Good
work takes time . Some folks , spend
years refining their reels .
If you are interested in Animation , then don't go to a
school that doesn't offer programs in
Animation , electives don't count . A lot of schools , offer electives , in using animation
software, and that's not the same thing as being educated in Animation.
Get in contact with schools and ask for a free info packet ,
they should be more than happy to provide you with one and this will give you good opportunities to see what they offer and teach . If you can ,
visit these schools and get in touch with former students . There's nothing
like seeing a school first hand and touring the facilities , but if you can't
do that , contacting former students , will give you a good idea of what the school
is like . Just make sure , you talk to more than one person as different people have different opinions !
