no idea how/where to start!

[mrboom]

i am thinkin about goin to an art school, but i hav no idea where to start. i sketch comic characters/video game characters/my own characters, but i hav no idea wut to do with my sketches, so pretty much i have a whole bunch of unfinished work. i live in las vegas, and im lookin at UNLV's dept of art. should i apply to unlv if i wanna create characters for video games/comics? am i majorin in illustration or animation? hmm im quite lost..

[rpace]

I just took a quick look at the UNLV website and didn't see anything potenially useful to an illustrator or animator -- all they had that I could find was what looks like the typical BA/BFA/MFA degree mill that teaches people how to talk art better than make art.

I googled up this link http://www.animationschoolsindex.com/ - -which allowed me to check these two links:

http://www.animationschoolsindex.com/animation_schools_in_las_vegas.asp
http://www.animationschoolsindex.com/animation_schools_in_nevada.asp

Simply put, I know nothing about either of those two schools -- if one of them (International Academy) is actually affiliated with a local school and teaches to the same level, you should give that one a wide berth.

However, if they offer free information, take it -- same with tours. Don't give in to any hard sales techniques, take your time and see at least one place that has a serious reputation (ask here) before commiting.

Stay away from schools that are software training facilities with little to no serious attention paid to real drawing or painting teaching.

Using the first link will allow you to do a pretty quick search for a range of schools offering a variety of programs.

Do a little research on the local and closest schools - -see the quality of work their students produce. Talk to the students and ask if you can talk to some alumni. After you start asking some questions, you should start to get the feeling about what you're really after.

You also should have a sense of how far afield you're willing to go and spend, since these are serious considerations.

Of course, asking more questions here is also a good idea.

A little tired as the holidays bear down, so I'm hoping that was helpful and coherent.

~Richard

[mrboom]

i was going to hav an interview with the international academy, but later on i found that the school is mad small, and my friend told me to stay away from those kinda schools. they kinda creeped me out cause they kept callin me. looks like they need money. by the way thanks for info.