A career in animation

[Spoooze!]

I am really thinking of seeking a career as an animator (either 2D or 3D). I'm only 15 but it's never too early to start thinking about it. Does anyone have any suggestions on any good animation colleges?

[jcollins]

I am really thinking of seeking a career as an animator (either 2D or 3D). I'm only 15 but it's never too early to start thinking about it. Does anyone have any suggestions on any good animation colleges?

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Get in your car.
2. Drive to I-4 West.
3. Take I-4 West to I-75 South.
4. End at Ringling School of Art and Design.
5. Pay lots of money.
6. Work very hard.
7. Become a famous animator.

[Spoooze!]

That sounds cool. I've actually been considering going there.

[Ken Davis]

Draw.

Draw all the time.

Before college, draw your face off--even if you are going into 3D.

Grab every book, every magazine on Drawing you can get your hands on.
Copy, copy, copy and learn from those you copy--then carry those lessons on into your own work.
Experiment, explore, and experiment some more.

Even at 15, there's no reason (or excuse) for not developing great draughtsmanship.

Colleges will take you part of the way after that, and after the colleges, you can take it the rest.


--Ken

[Spoooze!]

cool thanks :D

[EustaceScrubb]

Ken Davis has it right .

The one constant in animation is to learn how to draw really well.

Draw from life . Keep sketchbooks. Draw people, animals, places that you see. Get some formal instruction if you can .
Study live action film frame by frame for how things move . Don't copy other cartoons, but get to know real life , then you can caricature it .

After you've got some proficiency with a pencil , do learn the digital tools : PhotoShop, AfterEffects, Final Cut , Maya , etc. should all be things you know how to use . But remember : they're only tools,
just like a pencil .



Animation books:

The Illusion of Life by Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston

The Animator's Survival Kit by Richard Williams


Animation reference on the web:

http://www.animationmeat.com

has some great material for download.


If you happen to know someone who has worked in animation for awhile you might want to ask them for their advice.