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What’s the #1 School of Animation?
Idealistic and woo-woo believing me says that the #1 SCHOOL OF ANIMATION is in your heart.
When you roll your eyes, I would then say that the #1 School of Animation is whatever
Animation School you choose.
ANY School of Animation is better than NO School of Animation.
Learning is your first step. Even, the simple act of taking action- picking up an Animation
book, watching the interviews with Animators on special features, taking an Intro to Computer
Animation course- is a short distance closer to becoming an Animator. It will all add up!
No matter what institute you end up choosing, half of your education is what YOU personally
put into it. Just because you sit through a Animation class doesn’t mean you are going
to absorb the lectures. Just because you do what is necessary on an assignment to get
a decent grade will not help you hone your skills.
Challenge yourself. Learn more than necessary for an assignment. Speak with your teacher
and ask questions to really pick his or her brain for her expertise.
Now that you know where the real #1 School of Animation is… let’s review: however
and wherever you choose because you are going to ace it’s butt with your hard working
and talented chops… I am going to give you two Animation Schools that are the tops.
Again, keeping in mind that no matter what School of Animation you choose, half of your
education is what you put into it- time, sweat, lead, and/or Maya finger clicking- here is
CalArts offers many opportunities to
workshop and learn from professionals who currently work in the industry with guest
lecture and demonstrate their vast worlds of knowledge at this place. Hollowed ground?
There is one other place that I can say that might take the cake away from CalArts… and
that would be Gobelins L'Ecole de L'Image in Paris. Like CalArts’ alum, many Gobelins
graduates are heavy hitters in Animation and in the Design world at large. They really
think outside the box. Just look at their student work! It’s amazing!
So there you go. The REAL #1 School of Animation, and the two runner-ups. I’m not good at
gold smithing so I have no gold medal to give to you, but please know that you have what
it takes no matter where you choose to study Animation. If you find yourself at CalArts
or Gobelins, lucky you! (I’m jealous!) If not, don’t sweat it. Also, don’t be jealous,
it’s not healthy.
You have what it takes.
Successful Animator’s very own, Mike L. Murphy, graduated from Cal Arts and has this
to say…
“Simply take action to become an animator. Animating is like riding a bike, and if you're
not willing to jump on and skin your knee every now and then you'll never cross the
finish line. A great school like CalArts is only good if you absorb the info and do something
with it. I saw too many artists attend and then lose interest, or give up.”
Don’t give up, Animation jedi, you are your only hope!