Moving towards the science behind animation?

Orange33
Thu, 17 Mar 2022 12:19:14 +0000

Hello, at the moment I am a confused on what my postsecondary path should be and the best program for it. I initially didn’t have enough information on any field and so tried to follow the advice of passion, so I tried to do well in school while focusing on animation. Now, however, I realize I’d like to move more forward the backend and how the technology that allows animation to be possible in general is made, and the science behind that technology. Most people I have heard said this move towards the technology side happens more in the industry after getting into traditional production, but my parents have insisted I should adopt some form of technology as my main major and set animation to the side to have more stable and broad opportunities, something I am worried about because:
I spent my time trying to focus on the animation industry and I’m not competitive enough to compete against people going into general engineering and science,

second being, it’s already difficult enough trying to make decisions on what I should pursue without any detailed information about industries, I don’t feel any better choosing between ‘the money’ or ‘the passion’ while blind to how the industries really work, the information being more of advertisements and slightly vague anecdotes. These factors such as ‘money’ or 'what you love’feels more like a bubble where lots of questions aren’t elaborated on: “why does this job pay so much? What is demanded and why? How much will I be worked, etc?” Less than the money or fascination I want to see the full picture of an industry and the day to day life, I want information, not pressures.

Mostly I am afraid of choosing a career where I don’t have much time to study the science, whether in ‘art’ or general ‘engineering’, having the space to study the foundational knowledge behind it all seems very important in doing new things and understanding the world around you. Not just studying the blueprints of creation but the knowledge that inspired the blueprints. I’m afraid whether I go into either path I won’t have this space to study over working, though I should be worrying about more pressing matters such as supporting my family, without any knowledge and answers why things have to be this way these worries just bring paranoia when I study, and my homework doesn’t care that I’m just doing it to buy my parents a house and ‘cant risk failure’, these are just not relevant goals to the task at hand and mastering the subject, just overinflating the fear factor of necessary trial and error for any task.

I apologize for the ramble, my two main questions can be summarized as: “how can you do more detailed research into industry, how do you break in and get honest information before you enter the industry, or are most things only accessible once you get in?”

“What would be the best way to dive into underlying science behind technology in any position/specialization?”