I don't know where to go... SVA or UCF (or Ringling) for animation? Help!

gouf78
Tue, 25 Apr 2017 18:03:37 +0000

“And I am SURE I want to animate. I can’t imagine myself doing any other career. I aspire to work in the animation industry either as a storyboard artist or character or background designer.”

That’s great with Ringling offering you money–is it one year only? Again, don’t get stuck being able to afford one year only of schooling. DON’T DO IT.

Let’s step back a bit though and look at what your actual goals are…
.The actual process of ANIMATING means sitting in front of a computer and making characters move on the screen.

CA at Ringling prepares you for the entire spectrum (pipeline including story and character) but turning out that final reel (movie) will be your final goal. It is a 24/7 computer project by final year. It is NOT drawing sitting on the park bench designing characters. (It will be YOUR project however that you take through the entire spectrum). It’s more like sitting in the dark 24/7 hoping you beat a deadline (because that is the industry). It’s tough.

Industry-wise there are few jobs available to do ONLY that final “animating”. Which is why Ringling focuses on the entire spectrum (they focus on careers). Many students find they like other aspects better than animating before they are through.

The industry is NOT limited to just those few who learn to animate. You do NOT have to major in CA to get into the industry. Which is why Ringling has motion design and gaming majors also. I know illustrators who are also in the industry. All of these will give you great skills to get you to where you want to go depending on your focus.
The “background artist or storyboard artist” may have (quite likely has) a background in illustration.
There are many avenues into the industry–you don’t HAVE to be in CA to get to your particular career goal.

The animation INDUSTRY has a ton of artistic and technical careers associated with it. People have all types of backgrounds. If you don’t want to sit in front of a computer 24/7 but are drawn to the art side of things perhaps illustration is better for you. Call Ringling and ASK for some real direction career-wise.
Motion design or gaming or Illustration might be even better choices for you than CA.