Training & job prospects in animation/Digital Arts: 2D, 3D, Visual Fx?

College Majors Visual Arts and Film Majors
1

<p>Son will soon be choosing among 3-4 colleges and is majoring in digital arts (freshman in fall 2012). He is wondering about the various tracks available within the programs: 2D, 3D, Visual Fx, etc. His love is 2D, but he is aware of the ‘Animation Ghetto’ and increasing degrees of out-sourcing overseas. He has had little exposure to date in 3D or VFx. He wonders where the best options might lie for future employment. Are there more jobs (or better paying ones) in 3D and VFx? Is there a heirarchy in pay scales and, if so, is 2D clearly on the bottom? </p>

<p>Also, are students tracked narrowly into one of these pathways early in college programs? Or is it possible to experiment a bit to find a niche/determine what area one loves best and excels at? It seems that the skills sets for 2D, 3D and VFx would be quite different. He is thinking ahead to the future, and wants to pursue what he loves, while being informed and proactive. </p>

<p>Thoughts?</p>

2

<p>Not sure what the ‘animation ghetto’ is but I’ll take a shot at answering some of your questions. </p>

<p>Availability of 2d vs. 3d will depend a Lot on the school of course. Some may be more focused in a specific area while others will give a broader education. Is your son interested primarily in becoming an animator or all aspects of animation, eg design, characters, story boarding, backgrounds etc for 2d. </p>

<p>There are definitely more jobs in 3d than 2d. A lot of today’s 2d animation is very stylized stuff done in flash for both web and tv. There’s no pay hierarchy but often 3d gets paid more if your expertise is in an area of demand. Top 2d artists are paid well also but those folks often come from a solid traditional art and illustration background. Check the California local animation union pay rates PDF for an idea of general union wages. </p>

<p>Maybe clarifying areas of interest and artistic vs technical leanings will help with replies also</p>

3

<p>Thank you, pumkinking!
By animation ghetto, I think he means the marginalization of 2D animation versus film and the idea that animated works are of a lower tier, artistically, or “for kids.” Perhaps that notion doesn’t even apply anymore, but it’s something his animation teachers have mentioned. </p>

<p>He is neither a computer-gamey 3D kid (grew up with no TV and has never owned a video game) nor a technical virtuoso (doesn’t come from a fine art/illustration background). He IS a story-telling and idea machine! He loves story-boarding and conceptualizing, inventing characters, and has done several minute long hand-drawn animations that won awards. He has a natural story-telling sensibility, with sharp, observant humor and a strong artistic voice. </p>

<p>That said, he loves <em>all</em> aspects of visual story-telling. He is driven and obsessed, lives and breathes it. Has been this way since he first picked up a pencil at 18 months old, LOL.</p>

<p>He is a high school senior and must choose now between USC School of Cinema Arts (if we can afford it), Chapman-Dodge (giant merit/talent scholarship) and LMU (nice scholarship). All three offered him the animation/digital arts major. The first two, in particular, seem to offer depth/breadth in 2D, 3D and Vis Fx. A 4th option is UC San Diego, where the Visual Arts/Media major seems more academic/experimental and not industry-based. </p>

<p>Thank you for your thoughts. Much appreciated!</p>

4

<p>I know next to nothing about art or animation. I do know D at LMU in film said they have been trying to upgrade/improve/support animation more recently. Have you visited all three? LMU is definitely the smallest of the three. Pretty nice set of choices, he must have lots of talent and will thrive in any of these programs, they are all good.</p>

5

<p>Yes, JT, we’ve toured all three and he loves all three! He feels each one is a good fit. I think that’s why he’s now honing in on program specifics and possible job prospects upon graduation. Cost will factor in, too, of course–but he’s still waiting on 2 of 3 final FA packages. </p>

<p>We also read about LMU’s recent investment/upgrade of their animation facilities. They were very proud to show son the new motion capture set up on his last visit! </p>

<p>It’s a tough choice…three great programs. :)</p>

6

<p>Here’s the inside view DS got from a current digital arts student at Chapman-Dodge. She speaks to the balance of 2D/3D in their program.</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/chapman-university/1312909-animation-digital-arts-chapman-great-inside-view.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/chapman-university/1312909-animation-digital-arts-chapman-great-inside-view.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

7

<p>Unfortunately I don’t see American society’s perception of 2d animation as a “children’s cartoon medium” changing anytime soon. </p>

<p>From the link you posted the Chapman program sounds really good, especially if your son is looking for classes taught by industry veterans. </p>

<p>Becoming an actual animator it doesn’t matter too much what medium you learn in - 2d, 3d, stop motion, etc. But “animator” is just one of many, many specialized jobs in the animation field. Some require more technical skills (math, physics, biology, etc) on the 3d end, some more traditional art skills (sculpting, composition, etc) and some more filmmaking skills (editing, camera). </p>

<p>Career-wise there are 2 ends of the spectrum for any filmmaker/artist in this medium. Specialize in an area (for example: storyboarding, character design, production, 3d modeling, fx) and work as an artist helping someone else create their vision, or strike out on one’s own as a storyteller to create one’s own IP, stories and characters.</p>

<p>Different artists will find themselves comfortable at different parts of the spectrum range, and there’s no reason that someone who starts out storyboarding for a studio doesn’t eventually become a director some day. </p>

<p>Honestly though, every student has stories to tell and many dream of one day directing their own films, games, stories, etc. And often every student thinks they have the next great idea. Ideas are a dime a dozen, but what matters is the execution of the idea. What’s great about film school is that you really get to explore and execute those ideas and figure out what aspect of film making you really love. If your son’s ultimate goal is to become a great storyteller then make sure the school also offers more traditional filmmaking courses in editing, sound, cinematography, lighting and story. </p>

<p>Job-wise the industry is very specialized and competitive these days, so it is definitely advantageous for students coming out of school to have a targeted and focused reel/portfolio and knowing exactly what they want to do.</p>

8

<p>Spot on advice. </p>

<p>Yes, son is really enjoying editing, foley work and practicing his story-boarding. Lots of avenues and skill sets to explore in this field! </p>

<p>Thanks so much, P-King. This info will be no doubt be useful to other aspiring animators and digital arts kids out there.</p>