ok I am now very old, 30yrs of life on this rock.... feeling as if I wasted my life.. i.e. not havin a JOB i absolutely LOVE to do…

I always knew I wanted to work in animation but NEVER even knew how to begin...i..e.. always wondered HOW they made those movies..dragon’s Lair, Hoodwinked, Surf’s Up. and always wanted to be a part of that since I was a shorty, i.e. 5yrs old…

Until just a few months ago I discovered the internet and the wealth of information, I know have a small inklin and understandin of how movies are made, 3d modeling and its programs like Maya, 3ds Max, Lightwave..ect, ect..

I want to be a part of this so bad… SO BAD in fact, that I just quit my full time job and enrolled and got accepted to the only school in the state of WI that even offers an animation degree.. one that pretty much thru its curriculum ALMOST verbatim sums up what I want do with this whole world of 3d modeling.. i.e. work in either games or movies or in general anything that allows me to use my 3d model skills, as I know and hope that with time and my skills improving the games and movies will come in time… its a 2 year program and its an associated degree..which is perfect as the commitment is not TOO great, i..e. less then 2 years and by default cheaper and more obtainable.. the goal being that i love it so much and learn enough that I can continue later on… all thats good and dandy..

thing is I have bills and a family...so REALITY must be addressed..

Give it to me raw… am I just chasing a PIPE dream or better yet someone give me the REAL low down DIRT on this life I am trying to make for myself and family?

OBVIOUSLY it can’t be easy or EVERYONE and their mama would be doing this…

so break it down for me..

this is what I’m counting on… school starts this jan 09’
I expect that I will go to school, learn this 3D model stuff and then one day soon get a job doing this.. or even in the next six months… so my dream would be do to gaming or movie animation..while working and living in chicago, THINK Midway or EA Urban, and yes I wouldn’t mind startin at the botom of the totem pole and I actually expect that.. my worst case scenario other then NOT getting a job doing this, would be working at a company that designs corporate training materials and using my 3d modeling schools for that purpose..

so thats my dream and wish and goals. but LIFE is not like that nor that easy.. 

please set me up for reality and what I should really expect..

thank you in advance!!

oNe

You didn’t state what your background is or what industry you have previously worked in. Got talent? If you do, your compressed time line may work, if not, you’ll have a longer road ahead.
I think the rest is up to you. No one can say if you will find a job, be successful or like what you are doing. And be prepared for that “worst case scenario”...it’s where many of the jobs are.

thanks for reply! me well spent the last 5 years in tech support for a cell phone company.. till just now..BRAND new to 3D modeling and web development....

anyone else have any input or feedback, or some general, IF i knew THEN, what i know NOW type of advise.. please FEEL free to add..

thank you kindly!!

oNe

Wow Sean,
I applaud your hutzpah. If you plan to aim for the Entertainment or the Gaming industry you need to be aware that although they get the most press, they are relatively smaller than the 500 lb gorrilla that represents need for practitioners in the general business community. 3D Animation is becoming more and more in demand by the Oil & Gas, Heavy Industry, Architectural, Medical, Advertising, Law, etc., etc. This art form even has application in the military developing virtual training for our men and women in uniform (not too far removed from games only more seriously intended).

Whether you have a degree or not behind your name, the thing that is going to matter most of all to most Entertainment or Gaming Employers is your reel (animation samples on CD or DVD). If you have a knockout reel but no degree you stand a better chance than having a degree but with a mediocre or weak reel. Of course the degree and a knockout reel is a super combination.

If you are thinking of getting involved in the industry in a more creative capacity then it is imperative that you get a solid art background in addition to your 3D training. Any 3D college course worth it salt will mandate that. Please remember that this is an art form its not about pushing buttons or Buttonology as some put it.

Be prepared for extremely stiff competition and lots of rejection. Those two little gems are the main reasons why most people give up on their dreams. Are you prepared to relocate?

Lastly stay in touch with forums such as this and many others so that you stay current with what is going on in the 3D world.

Be happy to answer any other question that you may have,
All the best in your magnificent quest,
Alan

Hi Sean,
well I just realized last week that im going to be 40 next year, and I only started to learn 3d programs and how to use computers about 3 years ago.  It is funny to hear you say your old and to think that I remember what it was like when i hit 30.  Anyways, I’m new here too and so all i can offer is perspective.  if you live to be 90 years old you still have 60 years to do something with, which is twice longer than the time you’ve already been here.  dont know if that helps any, but there it is :)

Sounds cool Sean, and good luck at school. I don’t know if this is 100% true, but I’m pretty sure it is, that most of the film and vfx work happens in California, so when you graduate, make sure you have some possible jobs outlined, depending on your industry. I’m not sure where games and advertising stands, but I’m sure there is more of it in the other states. And really make sure the program you are attending will be able to give you experience that you can get a job right when coming out of school.
I just read an article in 3D world, that many colleges are not properly teaching 3D, and focusing on nonsense courses, make sure you have reviewed the school curriculum you will be following, and if the classes seem proficient.

One school that seems to stand out, is the Gnomon School of VFX in Hollywood, while attending there you create connections and get a ton of hands on experience being taught by industry professionals, and 98% percent of people get jobs right out of the school (solid and settled jobs, not here and there projects).

And as Brian Bradford told me (the head of the admissions department, and the only person in the department), the industry does not rely on degrees, they want to see how good your work is. A demo reel is a must in most industries, and you want to make sure your college prepares you for that. I know the chances of you attending Gnomon are nil, but compare it with your school by visiting their website, and see how they compare.

Also a traditional art background for 3D is necessary, I’m assuming you already have one, to get accepted into the school, but if you don’t make sure your school teaches traditional art as well.

Good luck, and do you mind posting your curriculum and school name?

-Austin

-Austin: Using Maya 2009
My CGSociety Portfolio
IRC Nick: AustinZ

Hey Austin, how did you contact Brian Bradford?

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Longboarder1 19 December 2008 01:11 PM

Hey Austin, how did you contact Brian Bradford?

I contacted him through e-mail, and asked if they had tours. So he responded saying
Hi Austin,

You can come take a tour of the school anytime we are open.  We have tour guides here and I would be happy to speak with you about your goals and what Gnomon has to offer.

If you’d like to set up an appointment, let me know.

Thanks,

Brian

So I set a date, and had an interview, and we talked about the industry and what the school has to offer, and I got a tutor as well.

Try e-mailing him.

-Austin: Using Maya 2009
My CGSociety Portfolio
IRC Nick: AustinZ

Awesome.  Maybe one day I’ll see you there?:)
That’s my dream school, to go there would be awesome.  How much is the tutor?

22in Samsung T220 flatscreen and 17in. Dual Setup
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6700 2.7 Ghz
4gb DDR2
NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GT
Wacom Intuos 3 Tablet and Pen
Windows Vista Home Premium
Maya 2008 Unlimited
Combustion 2008
Photoshop CS4 Extended
Cleaner XL

(Start you own thread, please)

.

-Austin: Using Maya 2009
My CGSociety Portfolio
IRC Nick: AustinZ