School Woes

[C14H22N2O]

So yeah, I am very frustrated right now in terms of school. I am approximately halfway through my Japanese degree at University of Maryland at College Park. But here's why I'm having such a hard time...

Before even contemplating going to UMD, I wanted to go to art school. However, I talked to people at Rhythm & Hues studios in California and was advised to go to art school after completely an undergraduate degree in something completely unrelated to art. Of course, my parents didn't really make my decision easier 'cause they wanted me to heed such advice. Anyways, I figured the only thing I could go to school for besides art was Japanese.

Now, I'm finished with the formal, six credit Japanese classes, and I am really losing my drive to stay at this school. Yeah yeah, it was my decision to take all of my "fun" classes early. Now all that's left is some core (liberal arts) classes and 400-level major classes... like craptastic literature classes. What's even worse, budget cuts have caused classes in my department to vanish into thin air, completely limiting my options for completing the classes I need for my degree. For example, I dropped Japanese 498 because I planned on taking Business Japanese--only to find out it won't be offered after this semester.

So, I was thinking that now would be a good time to switch schools. At first, I was thinking about going to Art Institute of Washington for graphic design. But upon talking to someone (one of those... online live chat whatevers) I found out that in order to do what I really want to do (Visual Special Effects), I would have to go to the AI in Ft. Lauderdale. Ummm...

See, I really don't want to leave the DC/Metro area, but there are no schools around here even offering classes in special effects. Which kind of annoys me... So, I started looking at Academy Art in SF. I had been thinking about going there since my junior year in high school, but I don't really want to have to move to SF. No offense to anyone, but I really do not like the West Coast. I prefer my East Coast. lol (I live in southern Maryland, by the way.)

But anyways, I'm just really frustrated. I've tried to search for books and whatnot on special effects, but most of the books I've found are "look at my pretty pictures" type of books. And to make matters worse, I'm not 100% what I need to start working on this stuff on my own. The only reason I hesitate to go ahead and buy anything is because I don't want to waste a bunch of money on something to find out it's 1/2 of what I need... or something I never needed in the first place.


I'm kinda at a loss for what to do right now. Should I stay at UMD? I don't want to because I'm really not happy here. I'm bored. I don't even want to go to class. And even worse, I'm pressured to keep a 3.0 so my car insurance will be discounted. Meh. I don't see why I should be working to get anything above a C in anything right now.

And lastly, I am not pressed over a piece of paper... which, in my eyes, is all an undergraduate degree is. Even for Japanese, passing level 1 or 2 of the language proficiency exam is worth more than a bachelors degree.

But anyways, let me stop rambling on and hear what you guys think.
Anything and everything is appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[Seedling]

Transfer. You are unhappy with where you are at. Even professionals can give bad advice (such as getting into debt studying something you don’t like), and parents rarely have a decent understanding of what is necessary to make it as an artist.

I’m afraid that most of the jobs you will be looking at after graduation will be in California, and in other areas far away from DC. It is a niche market, and you will likely have to relocate to find the job you want.

While their may be some books out there covering VFX, you aren’t likely to find them in the library, and anything older than a few years is likely to be out of date. Use the internet for your research and to make connections.

You are right about not worrying over getting a degree. What is necessary is that you learn the skills you need. Get ‘em in whatever manner works for you.

Check out my games industry thread (the link is in my sig). Most of the info there isn’t directly applicable to the VFX industry, but there might be some nuggets in there that help you out.

Good luck.

[C14H22N2O]

Actually, your games industry thread might help me a lot. I figure that knowing Japanese is definitely plus in terms of working for a video game company--which was my first ambition before I even knew what "special effects" were. I'll go read that after I post this.

Thanks for you advice. My problem makes me feel bad because I don't want to waste my parents money, but the way I see it, I haven't there money thus far. If I continue to go to UMD, it will be a waste of money.

Yes it will cost a whole lot more to transfer to an art school. And I know that most jobs would require me to relocate. However, in the future, I don't think that would be a problem. But for right now, I really don't want to. I was looking at AAU's online programs and it seems like something that would fit my personality. Mind you, I've also read other threads in this forum about the universty, and majority opinion seems to be to physically go to the school and attend all the free workshops etc etc.

It's really weighing on my mind with what to do right now. I just know that in terms of University of Maryland... I really don't want to go back. I'm already continuing my Japanese somewhere else starting in September. By next year, I should be prepared to pass the level one JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test).

[nilaffle]

So... why don't you want to move? I feel you, though. I live in Anne Arundel County, near Baltimore. I like Maryland, but I'll be going to Ringling in Florida in the fall (computer animation major). Unfortunately, as far as an education in the entertainment field, Maryland simply doesn't have much to offer - just AiW, and like you said, it's not a good fit for what you want to do.

I can't offer much advice, but if you're so unhappy at UMD, then that 2 years or so you have left to finish the program are going to be agonizing.

[C14H22N2O]

Tell me about it... I'm already waitlisted for 4 out of 5 of the classes I registered for next semester. And the only one I got in is the 400-level history class for Japanese majors that you must take, but everyone fails.

[Storyboard Dave]

I hear of so many people who were afraid to start into what really made them happy. To which I reply, why wait? Transfer into something you really dig and feel passionate about. Why go into a field just to make money?

I literally wake up every morning and can't believe I get paid to draw for a living. And even through the roughest of deadlines and snarliest of clients, I can muster my way through it because it's something I feel passionate about.

Sometimes these things aren't exactly about "wasting money" regardless if it's scholarships, parents' money or whoever ponies up your bills... what about YOUR long term happiness? What's that worth in dollars and cents? Take the Japanese skills that you've learned now and still find a way to apply that culture to your eventual art.

Good luck with everything and find your happiness and satisfaction. It's never too late.

[C14H22N2O]

Well, it's good to know that I'm not being stupid in wanting to transfer right now... it's still gonna be a bitch to talk my parents into it. I mean, otherwise, I'll go to UMD getting crappy grades until I feel like graduating with a 1/2 crappy degree in a foreign language.

I know that even though VFX, I'm definitely going to get back into drawing and sketching. I'll probably start a sketchbook thread here, or at least post some stuff in the critique forum.


Also, more comments and questions and opinions are still welcome. Please people, give me some insight. (And, of course, thanks to those of you who have already given me your input. It's greatly appreciated.)

[ironorchid]

Hey, I graduated from UMD with Japanese, so I feel like I am kind of in the same boat as you. I suggest transferring as well. However, finishing a bachelors degree and then doing the JET program or teaching at one of the English schools like AEON would probably be a better move if you want enough Japanese proficiency for business. The pay is pretty good for coming out of school with an arts and humanities degree and the housing is subsidized. You could even think about doing art school in Japan if you really think you can pass JLPT 1 at this point. Have you taken advantage of study abroad yet?

As far as art schools go, MICA wouldn't take you all that far from where you are at now, and they have and Illustration program and some digital. If you haven't looked into them yet I think you should.

[C14H22N2O]

I looked at MICA before I considered UMD, and I long decided I didn't want to go there. I just... didn't get a good vibe from there. No offense to anyone who goes there, I just didn't feel like I'd enjoy being there.

I don't want to do the JET program. I have no desire to teach English to anyone... nor do I really want to teach Japanese to anyone (at least, not as a job). See, even if I did finish my degree and do the JET program, that would only be further putting my art on hold. And I've done that for so long, it's really starting to hit me.

I used to play around in 3D Studio Max R2 (Yes, ya'll... R2!) but I stopped. Why? School. I don't really have the time to devote to modeling or the like because school has become so damn demanding. It makes me not want to do anything but sit around and be a lazy-ass.

I have LightWave 7.5 and I made a pen and a soccerball in it like 3-4 years ago. I kinda kick myself for not keeping up with just playing around with modeling 'cause it was fun. I just didn't really know what I was doing (though I did make some nice swingblades using that free modeler from Discreet... now Autodesk, G-something, I think.)

Anyways, yeah. But as I said before, getting back to Japanese, I'm going to further my Japanese language education somewhere else in September. Mind you, this is solely for Japanese as a language. And yes, I've already taken advantage of the study abroad program and had a blast. But I also realize that I could never live in Japan, primarily. I'd love to visit often for vacation and even for business, but I couldn't live there.

As a matter of fact, I just got home from the club not too long ago, and I couldn't help but try to analyze the process by which certain effects were done in the music videos played in the video room. It bugs me even though that I feel like I should be doing that kind of stuff with my time... but currently am unable to.

Hummmmm...

[C14H22N2O]

As a relative update, it's pretty apparent that if I were to go to AAU and be able to get the most out of the school, I'd have to physically go to the school.

Now, the school is expensive enough as it is, but to incorporate housing costs into that... I have no idea how to even go about that. I've read that their student housing is a no-go. Why? I'm not 100% sure. I was looking for posts I had read earlier, but I got tired. lol

So I guess, now my questions/concerns have shifted, and I am looking for opinions, suggestions, or anything in terms of housing at AAU in San Fransisco. And also, are there any other school you would recommend for visual special effects, motion graphics, etc?