I am 20 yrs old and set on becoming an Art Director (AD) in the Hollywood Film industry but I am very torn and overwhelmed on how I would initiate such career…
Art Direction I know consists of a lot of visual development so Film school is maybe not ideal, I would need an art degree instead. Academy of Art University has a pretty fascinating Visual Dev. degree but I hear the school is BAD (but cheaper than average). The Entertainment Design program at Art Center in CA seems very solid but it’s very expensive and I’ve heard the campus life/facility is pretty boring. Gnomon doesn’t offer degrees but they DO have the contacts, though I can imagine this hindering financial aid grants. Additionally, I’ve heard about “the film connection school” which is basically an Internship for 8-12 months and they’ll actually help you job hunting. it’s a MUCH lower investment as well, but then again I would be left without the art foundation.
So which would be the surest way to get me where I want to be?
NO SCHOOL WILL GUARANTEE THIS! My daughter works on movies and in a big studio. Those that make art director, division director etc., have been working in the field for at least 8 years , have great work, great work ethic and usually know how to play the political game. The school that they attended is totally irrelevant!
Hello! Nice of you to share your information, I would love to know how your daughter got into the Industry. Did she have a degree of some sort, how did she launch out her career (what entry level position did she start as for example?) Thank you so very much, your help is greatly appreciated!
Her undergrad was in Digital Design ( which is a combination of primarily web design, motion and some animation) She got a masters in Computer Art with an animation concentration at the School of Visual Arts. She was VERY methodical and directed towards getting a job with a big studio that does movies. She made sure to take courses with professors who worked in those places and worked very hard with them when she had them as teachers. She then took an independent study from people who worked in these places and impressed them. She also applied for and took an internship with them and made as many connections as possible. As I said, she was very driven and methodical about the way she handled it.
She started as an entry level technical director.
She also, by the way, was offered a job with a big game studio without any contacts there. However,she is very driven,has great grades in both undergrad and graduate studies, had a good portfolio and interviews VERY well. She is also VERY smart and knowledgeable ,which shows in interviews. I guess all of the very hard work that she did in school paid off.
As mentioned above, course work, whatever your major and whatever school you go to, is just the start. Your actions, your contacts, your hard work and motivation is what will bring you success. Good Luck!
