USC - Just poking around curiously

[AFaeryChild]

I was wondering what the rumours were pertaining to the University of Southern California's art program. I am currently enrolled as a Fine Arts (BA) major with a minor in animation (death by credit requirements!). From what I've heard, the Industry, as it were, has been relatively dependent not so much on portfolios as connections. I'm referring more to traditional/digital feature animation than gaming at this point. The connections that USC offers combined with the internships have been two of the things that have kept me at the school (I've toyed with the idea of transferring to an art school - either Art Center or SVA).

For now I will be continuing work at USC and most likely supplementing my education with more focused (and hopefully less pretentious) commercially geared art classes with Gnome. Any thoughts on this particular means of skill acquisition are most welcomed.

[mess]

Don't be fooled, the industry IS very dependent on portfolios. Most art directors could care less about your degree. If you do not have strong skills, you will have great difficulty finding work.

USC's art program is pretty much a joke, IMO. It is an overpriced liberal arts program with almost no technical instruction.

I studied fine art and film at USC for two years and then transferred to AC in Pasadena. It was an eye opening experience, to say the least.

Sorry if this sounds harsh but if you are serious about art and animation, I would get out of USC now. There are far greater places to spend that amount of money.

[AFaeryChild]

I have a friend that's doing that and after our last drawing class together I was beginning to wonder what I'd gotten myself into.

Subsequently, what I'd discovered on my own is further backed by your reply. It's just a matter of making this happen.

I do have a question pertaining to the transfer...

Did you feel capable or behind upon entering AC? Was the transition difficult or relatively easy? As someone who attened AC, what was the experience like? Anything would help at this point.

Many thanks
-A

[mess]

Transferring to art center is not that difficult but they offer very little in transfer credits. I would suggest making an appointment to see a counselor. Generally they require some figure drawing in the portfolio. You may want to consider taking some classes at LA figurative academy first: http://www.laafigart.com/.

Art Center’s workload is roughly 10 times that of USC. No joke. But you will adjust and learn a great deal if you work hard.

You may also want to consider looking at Ringling –their animation department is top notch.