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Animation Professionals

A

Amplifier

Banned
My friend (freshman in college) wants to become an animator, computer 2d/3d. If anyone is in computer animation or working as a professional right now he could use your advice.

Should he transfer from his current college to a college that specializes in animation or should he just get a copy of the latest Maya and practice hard?

What can he do to improve his skills? Are there websites akin to Anandtech for people who love animation?

Thanks ahead of time,
Amp
 
There are some colleges with excellent animation programs. A friend of mine is in his last year at Pratt in NYC, and he's made amazing progress since his freshman year. He's learned traditional 2D animation, as well as 2D/3D using Maya/3DSMax/Magpie/Adobe programs, and also stuff like audio dubbing. I believe he's got a job lined up with ILM next semester.

One book that I think is indispensable for the animator (I have a copy) is The Animator's Survival Kit. The techniques were originally for hand drawn animation, but the concepts carry over to every field.

If he's serious about becoming an animator, I don't think there's a substitute for a good animation curriculum.
 
Oy, where to start. I am going to college full time for 3D animation. It's been a passion of mine since like, 7th grade, and I could see myself doing it for my own company which I will own one day.

Sure you could teach yourself how to animate on your own, but there's a big argument over what will get you a job. You either need a college degree to get your foot in the door, or a bad-ass portfolio. Computer animation is not something to be taken lightly. It is hard work and long hours, especially at crunch time.

Does he want to do video games or film animation?

Check cgtalk.com and find the threads about the ongoing debate over what will really get you a job in 3D


My recommendation: if he's really passionate about it, go to school for it. It is not something you can pick up and become an expert at in your spare time. It takes years of practice, from foundations in tradiational animation, to even modeling and rigging (stuff you need to do before you can even animate)
 
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