Drawing/Painting or Specific Animation?

[Aozora-Hime]

I'm currently taking pre-req courses at my local CC and CSU for the San Jose State University Animation program (however I have not visited the school; I merely based my opinions about the program from good reviews of it and nice internship opportunities) however I'm coming to the conclusion that I really have no desire to live in the San Jose area.
Additionally, I also long to go to CalArts for their animation program. However I know I do NOT have the life drawing skills yet to even have a chance to apply there. If I was to state my future goals (I'm gonna come right out and say it, regardless how "dreamer" it sounds) it would be to ideally work with Walt Disney Animation or Pixar/Dreamworks. I'm now considering just staying at my current CSU and majoring in Drawing/Painting. I don't know how wise this is, as CG is becoming so popular. I am currently taking traditional art classes as well as digital painting/2D animation and 3D modeling courses. This has been a great learning experience, and has given me a WHOLE NEW RESPECT for 3D. Its' both terrifying and interesting. My CC offers 2-year long, 3D Animation certificates as well as Digital Illustration certificates (no AA's, sad) and their classes are really great. I think I would try to continue taking a few courses there for extra education. I've even heard of a student who only took a few 3D modeling/animation classes there (he was GENIUS with the work he did though), NEVER finished the certificate program, and later got a job with DreamWorks. Just goes to show its all about talent, I guess?

I guess my main question is: could I still have a future as a character animator/designer with a BFA in Drawing/Painting from a state school, or do I really need to go to a school with a specific program in animation? SJSU is the closest one, but I'm just not in love with the area nor do I have contacts with anyone out there. CalArts would be better as it is in Southern California, where I have friends and family and I appreciate the area. Again I don't have the skills to apply there--yet.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

[mundanity]

however I'm coming to the conclusion that I really have no desire to live in the San Jose area.
My heart, she bleeds for you. :|

[thesinfulsaint]

Personally, I'd tough it out and go to SJSU. The program is great, and it's very cheap if you're a California resident. Most animation programs keep you so busy that you rarely see the light of day as it is. :) You won't have much of a chance to even see the surrounding area if you're doing things right.

CalArts is wonderful as well..but $50k a year is pretty steep just for nearby family.

And also... Why don't you want to live near the Bay Area? Pixar is there! ;)

[Aozora-Hime]

CalArts is wonderful as well..but $50k a year is pretty steep just for nearby family.

And also... Why don't you want to live near the Bay Area? Pixar is there! ;)

I absolutely agree about the price of CalArts. But SO many successful people have come out of there (many Disney affiliated, and others who made their own name as well)!! Also, don't most of their students get scholarships/funding? I've read a few posts of people who have been accepted to the character animation program and they received $20K+ for that year. I now that doesnt quite cover half of it, but still.

I also fear that SJSUs program will be too 3D heavy. I'm quite turned off to 3D at this point (after one class!) I'm not a fan of the Bay Area in general. It's just not my place, that's all! Although I do respect the fact that Pixar IS nearby, and often have their eyes out for potential talent at SJSU. However, if I'm not aiming to do 3D stuff, and just stay with illustration/2d animation/concept art, its not going to help to go there, right? Might as well just study drawing/painting at a home college...?!

[Aozora-Hime]

My heart, she bleeds for you. :|

I'm sorry, but it's true! I have no happy memories of the area!

[mundanity]

You missed my point completely. Some people (such as myself) would kill for the chance to have the choice of schools you are privileged with access to in one state alone. You have no idea how good you've got it, even being able to consider going to SJSU. To hear you dismiss one of the best animation programs in the US - and probably the world - just because the San Jose area has cooties or whatever just shows you're obviously not ready to go to any art school, and you need to grow up a lot before you are.

[mbarq]

http://conceptart.org/forums/showpost.php?p=2702082&postcount=28

Agreed.

If you're a Cali resident and you have the chance to apply to SJSU for the residential price, I would seriously put aside any animosity you have towards the bay area and go there.

Also...Calarts alum are SO successful because well...it did after all start as a training ground for Disney animators. It would actually be quite odd if they weren't as successful.

Yeah it's great but, as I posted in your other thread make sure you're good with the banks for taking out three more loans for the total of $200,000. Most people end up taking loans for half of that though when they include pell grants, work study, subsidized loans, etc. If you get their Disney Scholarship (think it's 15k, perhaps 20k a year now) it'll be significantly lower.

Also:

I've even heard of a student who only took a few 3D modeling/animation classes there (he was GENIUS with the work he did though), NEVER finished the certificate program, and later got a job with DreamWorks. Just goes to show its all about talent, I guess?

Think I read this somewhere on this board, don't remember:

you practice your ass off and then people blame the results on 'talent'

[Aozora-Hime]

You have no idea how good you've got it, even being able to consider going to SJSU. To hear you dismiss one of the best animation programs in the US - and probably the world - just because the San Jose area has cooties or whatever just shows you're obviously not ready to go to any art school, and you need to grow up a lot before you are.

I understand where you're coming from. However, I unfortunately wasted many years completing pre-reqs and co-reqs for an entirely different degree that was insisted upon by my family. At this time this particular educational program is VERY compacted and VERY popular, making it pretty damn difficult to get in to. I wasn't allowed to think about getting a degree in something that is considered a "hobby" by my family. Studying art would have earned me (and still will) a one way ticket to the nearest gutter. I have no support in the Bay Area nor Central California; in Southern California exists more support by friends and distant family members, as well as more opportunity in my mind, and not just in terms of the industry. I personally believe the happier you are in your environment, the better your work and attitude, yes? Even if its a great school, spending three or four years living in an area you're not in love with will weigh down.

So don't speak as if you understand what my situation is. I again see what you're saying, but speak in neutral.

[mundanity]

You can make shiny new friends in school, and I don't understand - do you not "love" the SJ area because your family is there and disapproves or isn't there? If it's the first - it's a career in art, your family is supposed to disapprove, that's their job, you can either just ignore them or tell them to buguck off. There's always going to be haters and if you don't learn to deal with them now you're never going to have a career in art for your family to disapprove of. If it's the second, well, if they disapprove, what's the problem?

[thesinfulsaint]

Actually, SJSU has a great program if you are interested in concept art or storyboarding in animation. I've seen a fair amount of graduates go on to work in Pixar or Disney's art department. They are also partially funded by Dreamworks, so you'd have great connections there.

Check out this guy, for example:
http://paulabadilla.blogspot.com

Or this guy:
http://imageblock.blogspot.com/

Or this guy:
http://pavementmouse.blogspot.com/

Or this guy:
http://timheitz.blogspot.com/

I mean... not to put down Calarts, but for the price of the program there vs. the price of SJSU... I think you're definitely getting more bang for your buck there. There are so many people out there interested in concept art these days that it really helps to have a background in 3D. Being able to create designs with 3D knowledge makes a big difference.

Not only that, but you would have to do some 3D at CalArts anyway. Since animators are primarily working in 3D these days, you need to know some to get a job. I think they are just animating in 3D--no modeling, lighting, texturing, etc, but you would be in Maya.


Also... On another note. I go to Ringling in Sarasota, Florida. I am from Ohio originally. I knew NO ONE coming down here, but I have lots of friends now. It's scary at first, but the jump was worth it. :)

[Aozora-Hime]

You can make shiny new friends in school, and I don't understand - do you not "love" the SJ area because your family is there and disapproves or isn't there? If it's the first - it's a career in art, your family is supposed to disapprove, that's their job, you can either just ignore them or tell them to buguck off. There's always going to be haters and if you don't learn to deal with them now you're never going to have a career in art for your family to disapprove of. If it's the second, well, if they disapprove, what's the problem?

My disapproving family lives in central California--my approving family lives in southern California--no one lives in SJ (western California). No matter where I go, there's going to be disapproval--even if I stayed in central California. I've sort of made an agreement to continue applying for the previous degree program; that way I'm allowed to study art locally--as long as I keep applying.

But I do need to learn how to deal. And make the jump, as thesinfulsaint also said. Still, support is nice. Makes you doubt yourself a little less! ;3