Hi first time poster here, though Ive been on and off the boards and website for a few years.
Ive started thinking in the last few days about taking some form of short course, say 6-18 months either in the UK or North America and was hoping for some input from anyone with some advice or opinion.
I live in England and have already done 3 years at Lincoln University,( it was Hull School of Art and Design or Humberside and Lincolnshire when I started) with 1 semester spent in the States at Minnesota State University Moorhead studying animation. I came out with an upper second class degree (2nd highest degree) so I was pretty happy, though being totally honest my work varied too much in quality. My big problem was that I never focused on a single area to develope into and now 2 years later I still dont know where I want to go with it.
I either am looking for something that covers a wide range of areas to help me choose or if I can narrow it down myself some specialised courses. I suppose I want something thatwill do 2 things.
First tell me by the end of it if Im good enough to continue, if its worth while ( I think I do and since leaving Uni Ive done a little work experience on a short film on festival circuit that encouraged me. Also I did some work as a runner for a London post production company, Peerless, which went well enough to convince me I could work in that area, but that it wasnt my first choice.
Second the piece of paper I get to be worth something to people in the industry.
Ok, thanks for reading, especially if you made it all the way down here:)
Andy
PS apologises for any spelling mistakes I've missed, my keyboards not working very well.
The piece of paper they give you upon completing an animation program is next to worthless, if you do not have the demonstratable ability ( re: talent) to give it some value/potentcy.
The degrees and what-not that are issued are meaningless if you cannot do the work to the industry standard--or meet the needs of ther studio or client you plan to work for. A student can complete the course to the full-term and to the ACADEMIC standard of the course, but STILL lack the requisite talent levels to gain work in the industry. The student can have all the technical instruction possible, but lack the intuitive developement necessary.
This is one of those "hidden" things that no animation school will ever tell you.
I've taught in animation programs that were 12 month, 18 months, and ( intended to be) 36 months and I've come to realized that a MINIMUM 24 month course is the best. 36 or more months is ideal for a course in animation.
See, students need processing time to absorb and apply the lessons they take--something you've indicated was needed in your case.
This is why I've maintained for years now that schooling in animation helps, but self-exploration remains the stronger learning aid.
"We all grow older, we do not have to grow up"--Archie Goodwin ( 1937-1998)
Thanks for the reply Ken, your opinions sound like one of my tutors at university who made similar points about what university actually was good for.
I know that the paper itself is of little use but some courses obviously have a better reputation than others. Either the sucess of former students or respected teachers and lecturers give some course an edge. I probably should have phrased the point differently.
I agree that a longer course is better but Ive already gone through such a course which depending on who you ask is pretty decent. And it was effective. As I said in my first post my problem is that I didnt narrow down to a single discipline during the course, so I'm now looking for a course that can help me get moving towards a career. I'm already working on my own stuff and have been since uni but it doesnt seem to come together without the pressure of deadlines.
Like I said, I only began thinking about this a few days ago so havent found out much. I found the Vancouver Film School which does classical animation as a 1 year course as well as a few other courses and mention of places in Toronto, California and I think Florida amongst others but its difficult to know if Im looking in the right places or if they will be of any use which is why I hoped some people here would have some kind of concensus about a few that are worth the time and effort. I have always put in plenty of effort and produced good work and am certain I can do better which is why Im now looking into this idea.
Andy
How About a 1-Year MA?
How About a 1-Year MA? I can recommend the University of Teesside. There is some minor funding available through ESF and bursaries.
The courses are good, they have a lot of international industry contacts that descend on the University for the Animex Fesitval in Jan/Feb. Cost of living is low but unfortunately the Middlesbrough area isn't very desirable (I commuted there from Newcastle).
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