Good Animation Colleges

[evilagram]

This is a really unnecessarily long post. So that you don't have to sit through it all, here's the gist of the thing:

In brief, are there any local colleges with a strong 2d animation program? And How can I get a good look at the work of 2d animation students at *insert college here*?


I'm currently a highschool junior living in the New England area, in the state of Connecticut. I have the resources to study a fair distance from home, but my parents are recommending against it for the purpose of convenience.

I read the thread at the top about degrees and the realities of art colleges. Quite frankly I wasn't considering the idea of a degree at all. After reading the thread on top, I'm still pretty decided on going to art college, even if it's not for the degree. Quite frankly I can't work without some sort of structure.

Anyway, I figured as long as I want going to basically waste thousands of dollars for some sort of structure that I need to produce, that I might as well spend it on one where I'm not basically being babysat by an incompetent instructor who's only there to badger me about working on projects (which is an accurate description of my high school animation experience.) I'm joking about the wasting of thousands of dollars of course.

The trouble is that very few schools have an animation course at all. And those that do focus on 3d animation over 2d, which I dislike for personal reasons, but wouldn't mind taking, as it's necessary in today's industry.

I've gotten a few reccomendations online, but most of them are really far away, and I have no way of looking at the products of their animation courses. Most of the recommendations I have are either in California(CalArt), or Florida (Ringling, Savannah, okay, not quite, but close enough). The Art Institute presented at my school just recently, boasting their amazing, "92% placement rates, SOMEWHERE in their field of study", and wowing the crowd with a show of one of their guys on Iron Chef America. They're much more local, but their 2d animation was worse than lackluster. Quite frankly their 3d was rather poor too. Their only real advantage is that they're much more local than any of the others.


This post has gotten really long and strung out describing my situation, I'm sorry.

In brief, are there any local colleges with a strong 2d animation program? And How can I get a good look at the work of 2d animation students at *insert college here*?

Thanks in advance!

[lowercase]

Firstly, Savannah College of Art and Design (presuming this is what you were referring to) is not in California, it's in Savannah, Georgia.

Secondly, I think the Art Institutes are widely received as bad schools, so ya, I wouldn't recommend going to one.

Thirdly, I can't help but to feel you have a misunderstanding of what computer animation entails, and what role the computer plays in the animation process. Moving and object from A to B is not animation, no matter how you accomplish it. Animation is characterized by possessing life, and I think you'll realize that moving objects from A to B effectively is the least of your concerns.
Moreover, the animation industry is by and large 3-D computer driven, and I think you would benefit in understanding it's process in terms of getting a job.

Other than that, I'm not sure of any colleges that teach explicitly traditional animation, probably due to the job factor mentioned above. Maybe someone else here knows of some.

At any rate, I hope you find a college that suits you.

[evilagram]

First
HAHAHAHA! I grabbed that one at the last second and skimped on research.

Sorry, big mistake on my part. Big stupid mistake.


Third
Yeah that wasn't what I meant at all. You know, just ignore that. I understand how 3d animation works. I was oversimplifying things with the A-B thing. I'm going to delete that from my post because it makes me look like a massive moron.


Finally, not looking for something that specializes in traditional, because it's a depreciated artform and I know it. Just something with a strong enough program that I'll be learning more than I could in an independent study. Or better, if possible.

[Meloncov]

Their aren't enough animation programs in the country for you to be able to afford to be picky about location. SVA in New York is the closest you're going to find, and I've never been particularly impressed with their work.

[Maxine Schacker]

What do you consider "local"?
PS Classical skills are still valuable both in themselves (the predictions are that with a computer assist, classical will be making a comeback) and as a necessary prerequisite to becoming a skilled computer animator.

[thesinfulsaint]

One thing you should consider before pursuing a career in 2D animation is that the mainstream market is very, very limited. Yes, Disney 2D is making a comeback, but the people who are being hired to these jobs are the Disney artists that were laid-off in the early 2000's. No one is being hired right out of college.

There are jobs in TV and the internet, but the way you animate and design for this is much different from the way that you animate for a feature film. There is no way that a television production studio could afford for its employees to create feature-film quality motion for a weekly series.

Not trying to scare you or be an annoying nagger... Just re-emphasizing the facts that you already seem to be familiar with.

And, as others have said, you really don't have much selection. If you are really interested in 2D, CalArts is probably your best bet. I'm a sophomore at Ringling, and we do a bit of traditional animation. However, you will not be encouraged to put more time into it than your computer animation work.

I'll also say that going to school 1200 miles from my home town has been an amazing experience. I was scared to move far away from home, too, but I've grown in ways that I never would have had I stayed close by. It's normal to grow apart from high school friends once in college, and I've found this to be especially true for art students. The way we spend our time is so drastically different from how friends at home are spending their time, so location becomes completely irrelevant. Besides that, the majority of the animation industry is focused on the west coast, so you'll need to move out there eventually if you want to be successful. Get your feet wet now.

[Kismet]

If your parents aren't paying for your education, then you shouldn't really care if they want you to stay local. However, if they are, then you should try your best to convince them otherwise. You will be an adult soon, and they'll have to grasp the fact that you won't be there forever sooner or later. If that's been hard up until now, well then college is the best place to start.

Now, if you actually want to stay local, then... That's unfortunate, I'd say. There are many opportunities and valuable experiences open to you by traveling farther than expected out of your area.

[5coop]

I think you would really enjoy living in a different place. We probably have different views, but to me state to state is nothing :D I moved 9,876 kilometers for high school and now 11,692 kilometers to Ringling if i get in :)

I guess it depends on who you are, I for example have no problem making new friends and can fit in pretty much any group of people. I dont know if it applies to you, but yeah. I get bored easily of places after a while. Plus with the internet you really can always keep in touch and meet up again. I think you should leave your "shell" and explore a little. Have you ever left the U.S.A?

[Maxine Schacker]

It isn't accurate to state that " No one is being hired right out of college."
Disney is actively seeking classical intern applications, and did hire at least one young man right out of school and had him mentored by an experienced classical animator! What an opportunity!

I also know of other companies using Toon Boom programs for classical projects, with young animators (one of them is a Max the Mutt graduate) animating by drawing on Cintiq tablets.

An industry report by Animation Mentor states that classical skills will be in more and more demand in the next decade. In fact, we are now adding an additional classical course to year one of the three year Diploma Program in Classical and Computer Animation Basics,, and planning to offer a fourth year Advanced Diploma in Classical Animation. We currently offer an Advanced Diploma in 3D Computer Animation and Production, but find that our students are split between those with a stronger interest in classical, and those who really want 3D.

My guess is a broad range of animation skills is your best bet.

[Kozak]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Sheridan College to you yet. I know it's Canadian and maybe you want to stay within the U.S.A. but Oakville, ON is way closer to Connecticut than California is.

Also, as far as people being hired out of school I know of a few sheridan grads from last year who are currently working at Pixar, one who is working for Disney, one who is working at Dreamworks, and most of the other grads I had the pleasure to befriend last year are now working at studios in Toronto.

I'm currently in year one (of 4) in this program and would highly advise that you look into it. If you have any questions i will try my best to help you out / get answers first hand.

[Maxine Schacker]

N.Contemporary, do come to our final show in May! We will definitely suggest that our students attend your final show. if you do visit, please say hello!