DVDizzy Forum

Even though I'm still in high school, I have thinking about where to go to college. And since I want to be an animator, this is especially hard. So I was wondering if any of you guys could help me out by giving me some good animation schools (especially any in Florida since I live there).

I'm afraid that I personally don't know much on the subject, and I don't know of animation schools in Florida.... But I will say that the obvious choice ought to be Cal Arts (even if it's in California).....

Margos wrote:I'm afraid that I personally don't know much on the subject, and I don't know of animation schools in Florida.... But I will say that the obvious choice ought to be Cal Arts (even if it's in California).....

That's okay. It doesn't have to be in Florida, but I wouldn't have to pay out of state if it was. But it really can be anywhere.

I wanted to go to Cal Arts myself, but ended up earning a scholarship at a more local (and much less expensive) art school in Chicago (one that did not have an animation program, unfortunately). I still wish I'd have had the opportunity to attend Cal Arts and recommend to anyone that has a shot at the school to go for it.

I don't know of many animation schools (which is a real bad thing for me because I'm going to animation as well) but I do know Ringling is located in Florida. That is a very good school.

I applied to CalArts for Fall 2010. I'm expecting my letter this month. I haven't told a lot of people because I don't want to have to tell everyone I didn't make it.

I do have a few tips for you though:
-TAKE LIFE DRAWING. Always draw from life. And never stop drawing. Don't worry what other people are doing. Focus on making yourself better. If your high school does not have drawing, take it at a local community college. That is a huge regret of mine that I did NOT do that!
-You can pause animated movies/films/cartoons and draw the scene but try trying from old Looney Tunes and Tom and Jerry cartoons.
-A reason I didn't feel that I am going to make it is that CalArts loves sketchbooks. I only filled half of one. Learn from my mistake and take them everywhere you go. Draw trees, animals, people. Don't worry if they suck, any drawing is a drawing towards making you better.
-Explore mediums. Use pens, makers, pastels, paints, and oil. I wish I had all the time in the world to discover and get better at all of them!
-For me, The Incredibles is the film that inspired me to be an animator. What I'm doing is taking the film apart. If it inspired me, then it should also teach me. So pick the one which started it all for you apart.

I suggest you reading this very encouraging letter from animator John K.
http://www.lettersofnote.com/2010/01/yo ... ohn-k.html

I also suggest getting the Preston Blair book he suggests. Whenever I'm out of ideas, I copy the book like he says to do. It's a way of going easy on my brain if I don't want to make something up, but I also don't want to not draw.

What exactly do you want to do in the animation industry?

If you haven't already, I'm going to suggest you buy Your Career in Animation by David Levy. This book will probably answer all your questions on this industry.

Personally, in Florida, I toured Full Sail which had very cool facilities but seemed like a factory line. You were in for just a couple of years, they crammed you thorough and then you were out (not before they collected a hefty amount of money). Then I toured IADT, which was a lot nicer and seemed to take their time teaching you. Unfortunately they were even more expensive. Some of my eventual class mates went to Ringling and really liked it. Unfortunately it didn't get them a job, hence them being in school with me.

I'm going to recommend Your Career in Animation again, it will help you decide as far a choosing a school and which part of this industry you want to enter. I wish I would've read it before entering this field.

Another notable worthy art school with high reputation and fine art and animation program is School of Visual Arts in NYC. I was a student there (but for cartooning and illustration though). If California isn't available, then New York City should as it's a art heavy centered city.

There are various top animation colleges which not only provide good technical skills but also helps in placing their students in top companies. One can easily opt for undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma and certificate courses in animation as per their requirement and comfort. You can find a list of animation colleges at http://www.findyourartschool.com/ep/ani ... lleges.php