www.animationmentor.com

[Bentagon]

Bobby, three things you should know (or I should know ;))

1. I've subscribed for the newsletter a long time ago on my hotmail address, and received all newsletters, and just received the resend of issue #3 also. On my gmail address, though, which I only own for a couple of weeks now, I haven't got any newsletter, not even the resend. Still problems I suppose?

2. Will we be able to registre in December for the course that starts in October? Or will this be addressed in NL#4 ?

3. This might be explained in the catalog, but what about child care? Here in Belgium, if I'm not registred at a school, my parents lose the money they get from the governement for me... will AM Online be a legit school for these kinds of things? I will probably be getting a job, but if I can keep the pay just below the maximum pay to keep child care, that might turn out most profitable for both my parents and I.

thanks!
keep on rockin' our worlds :D

- Bentagon

PS: I've just seen the incredibles in avant-premeire here in Belgium :applause: I was so extremely stunned, words can not describe what I was feeling! An almost flawless film!

[alexandrecollac]

Hey AM Online Guys

Don´t know if you are going to give a certificate and when you could be able to provide it, but supposing that i enter in this first roll, at the end of the course i won´t have a certificate, then two years later you start to provide it, i´ll have the rights of getting this, even if when i finish the course you were not giving it??


Just want to know, a certificate is a good thing to use to convince my parents.

[super_mouse]

What! they sent it again and I still haven't received it. I'm getting worried that i'm not on the list anymore, which sucks as i signed up for it when it first started.


Could Bobby or any of the animation mentor crew confirm that i'm on the list?

my e-mail is lee_mouseuk@hotmail.com
cheers

[king21]

People at AM plese set this news letter right i still didn9t get it, but i sent my mail among first.

Please my mail is prek@invida.tv

I woud really like to come in in january, but i have to be informed.


I hope the problem is solvable.

Bye Jure

[keenasmustard]

Yep, me too. I haven't received either send.
michelle_hallam@hotmail.com

[crazy3dman]

aaaaargh! :argh: Still no newsletter in my mail box either. And yes, I tried resubmitting my e-mail address.

[vizjac]

aaaaargh! :argh: Still no newsletter in my mail box either. And yes, I tried resubmitting my e-mail address.
Me too,.........HELP!!

[super_mouse]

Yep, resending your email address doesn't seem to work either, as mine has been resubmited twice now.....still no email.

man, i hope i don't miss out on registration.:sad:

[mikefidelish]

even I did'nt get the 3 rd newsletter. How do you know we are still in the mailing list. Boby Can you confirm that we are still in the list. thanks

[Paul F Diaz]

I'm in the same boat! I also rebsubmited my eamil and no newsletter yet. It would be such a shame to miss this out.:sad:

my email paul@paulfranciscodiaz.com (paul@paulfranciscodiaz.com)

[olioli]

unfortunately, I'm also in the same boat.

I'll resumit my email just in case.

[mayakindaguy]

Hmmmm...that is strange. I haven't recieved the newsletter either and I signed up for it quite early in the thread. However, I'm going to wait to see if it's the best idea to resubmit my e-mail towards the system. Don't want to bog down the server or exacerbate the problem. Hopefully Bobby will clear it up soon http://cgtalk.com/images/smilies/smile.gif.

[maninflash]

I resubmited my address and got the newsletter. For the people this doesn't work, try submitting a new email address, maybe the system checks the resubmited address with the database and thinks it's already been sent, it did worked for me thou. Just a thought, but I think their mailing list has some issues.

[BadMange]

Hmm, I wonder if resubmitting your email address puts you further down the list for the pre-registration newsletter AMonline is sending out later on?

Anyway, BOOM stated about 5 pages back that he's aware of the problem and is working on getting it corrected. Until then, I'd be cool if everyone and their brother who haven't rec'd the newsletter stop posting that they haven't rec'd the newsletter either. All that does is keep making this thread longer with useless BS. And it's quite long enough with that already, isn't it?

-Bad Mange

[mojodesign]

oh no I haven't received the newsletter either.

[crazy3dman]

Anyway, BOOM stated about 5 pages back that he's aware of the problem and is working on getting it corrected. Until then, I'd be cool if everyone and their brother who haven't rec'd the newsletter stop posting that they haven't rec'd the newsletter either. All that does is keep making this thread longer with useless BS. And it's quite long enough with that already, isn't it?

-Bad Mange

OK OK you're right. I'll try to be cool.......But it's hard!! :scream:

[alexandrecollac]

:sad: don´t need to say nothing.

[clockwerkz]

Don't worry if you didn't recieve the letter. Trust me, everyone here will get a shot at the pre-registration. I never recieved the letter from AM, but if you're like me, constantly checking cgtalk, the AM website, and every other site that even mentions AM, it's highly unlikely you'll miss out on any new info, or info on registration.

cW :)

[Dimebag]

The launch of AnimationMentor.com is scheduled for the second half of 2004, and students can join at any time until seats are full.

Info from CGnetwork is old?

[mmkelly011881]

Yes, Ali (SheepFactory) wrote that article back in june...

for most recent information (ala November 22, 2004) click here
http://www.cgnetworks.com/story.php?story_id=2603

[alexandrecollac]

Don't worry if you didn't recieve the letter. Trust me, everyone here will get a shot at the pre-registration. I never recieved the letter from AM, but if you're like me, constantly checking cgtalk, the AM website, and every other site that even mentions AM, it's highly unlikely you'll miss out on any new info, or info on registration.

cW :)

Yeah but they said that the ones that are registered are going to receive an email with the codes to enter in the site and subscribe. Checking here is not going to make you in

[MikeRhone]

I havent read if this has been answered, but what kind of hours are the classed going to be each week? Like is each AM course the equivilant to taking part time school? (Not including homework, that is where Im sure 99% of the time is spent.)

I'm just curious if its something that would be do-able next to a full-time 50 hours a week job.

This is very exciting news.

[clockwerkz]

Yeah but they said that the ones that are registered are going to receive an email with the codes to enter in the site and subscribe. Checking here is not going to make you in
You're right. But I'm sure they'll get this whole thing worked out. There are quite a bit of people who didn't recieve the newsletter.

cW

[Dimebag]

Ayayaye !

mmaybe i'll buy a book instead...

I can't believe I'm at school and the only things they thaught us is how to create keyframes...

[Rabid pitbull]

Yes, Ali (SheepFactory) wrote that article back in june...

for most recent information (ala November 22, 2004) click here
http://www.cgnetworks.com/story.php?story_id=2603
Is there anything in the newsletter that is not covered in that article?? I have still not recieved the e-mail.

Thanks,
James

[SheepFactory]

The article is quite old.

If you didnt get the newsletter yet , check out the news link at cgnetworks which has all the pricing and class info in the newsletter.

the newsletter has the mentor list and bios in addition to that.

[monstersauce]

woowoo!

I can't wait !!! :buttrock:

did I understand correctly that the next newsletter (#4) is comming in December and that will be the one that will trigger the early registration onslaught?

[Phearielord]

i expect so, cuz they said that registration would start early december :)
woot! :bounce:

[alexandrecollac]

Just to remember, i didn´t got the newsletter yet. Clockwerks, yeah they will fix it, for sure, but i´m nervous anyway.


Another question for the mentors, i´ll have to pay for the whole class U$2000 or can i divide it in 3 months???

Repeating this one - if i finish the course, but just some time later you start to provide a certificate,will i have the rights to get this certificate or not??

See you later,
Alexandre Collaço

[Bentagon]

and what about registrating now for the course of october? I know I've already asked this a lot of times, but it hasn't been addressed yet... :D

- Bentagon

[skelly6]

sorry everyone - wish I had time to go back and find all the questions to answer, but I have a sec, so I thought I'd hit the ones I see right here anyway!

Certificates - we're still pinning down how these work, but I would assume that if you finish the school before the official state-sanctioned ones are available, you would receive an official one as soon as they are. That's my guess - we'll have definitive info on this soon, though.

Signing up for future classes (such as in October) - we kicked around the idea of allowing people to sign up in advance for classes down the line, but it creates a situation where we'll need to have waiting lists, and these would be stretched way too far into the future to manage. Mostly for that reason, we'll only be allowing people to register for the upcoming start-date. If you'd like to register for the October class, you would do so in September, I believe.

As for Dimebag's comment that his school is simply teaching him how to save keyframes - that's *exactly* why we created this school. His situation is unfortunately far too common, and the reels we receive consistently prove that to us... At AM:Online we're dedicated to teaching you how to truly bring something to life, not just how to move it around and save a translation key on it... :)

As for Mike's question about the hours involved, I do think that the more time you can put into the school, the better off you will be, but I honestly feel that our program makes a great companion to any art-school program and that students of art-schools will benefit dramatically from *also* enrolling in our course. So time-wise, that would be similar to your situation, Mike - so I think you'd be more than fine.

If you are worried about it impacting your work deadlines, I'd encourage you to consider the second "slower" pace, as it was designed with exactly your situation in mind. The whole point of the 6-month pace was to give people who have jobs a way to take the classes without the pressure of doing an assignment every week. If you find that this pace is too slow for you, simply change to Pace1 when you enroll in the second class...

Also, students in the slower pace still have full access to all of the website's features throughout both weeks, so you can still use the site, forums, chat, live Q&A, watch other people's critiques/work, guest interviews, etc., during the in-between time... :)

Also, we're still ironing out the newsletter situation, but you will all be fine for pre-registration, no worries... :)

see you guys at AM:Online! who hoo! Your excitement is inspiring us like crazy, by the way!!!

shawn ;)

[alexandrecollac]

Wol, everybody dissapeared.
They are all hided in an ambush just waiting for the right time attack to make the inscription

[Lukkyb]

Hi shawn, if you are still online, I have a couple of questions that you may be able to answer for me.

I desperately want to get involved & enrol in AM but I only have funds for the first section also I work (in the simulation industry) & sometimes have to travel abroad, rarely but it does happen. My questions are:

can you enrol in the first section then take some time to save up some cash & enrol in the next section etc. I know this will lengthen the duration to finish & may break the continuity,
but at present I just don't have the money...

secondly if I was to enrol in Pace2 (1 assignment every 2wks)
& have to travel/work abroad for over 2 weeks, would I miss that particular assignment or be able to extend/double up to complete the course by doing 2 assignments in the following 2 weeks so 2 weeks at pace 1 .... if you get what I mean
or would this be a logistical nightmare for those at AM...

[Bentagon]

Signing up for future classes (such as in October) - we kicked around the idea of allowing people to sign up in advance for classes down the line, but it creates a situation where we'll need to have waiting lists, and these would be stretched way too far into the future to manage. Mostly for that reason, we'll only be allowing people to register for the upcoming start-date. If you'd like to register for the October class, you would do so in September, I believe. :(
This really brings up serious problems... this means that if I really want to do this, and prefer it over regular college, but for one reason or another don't get in in september, I'll have no school at all?
My parents won't like to hear that...

- Bentagon

[clockwerkz]

Hey Bentagon:

Why don't you enroll for college, and take AM along with the classes you'll be taking? Just don't take a full plate load of classes.. sign up with one class less than planned, and use that time for AM. Maybe do the slower pace option. You'll probably have to bust a move with work, but if you only go to school full time, I'd say it should be manageable.

cW

[maelstrom]

i'm so wanting to get in... can't wait. :bounce:

[vanlicht]

Hey Bentagon:

Why don't you enroll for college, and take AM along with the classes you'll be taking? Just don't take a full plate load of classes.. sign up with one class less than planned, and use that time for AM. Maybe do the slower pace option. You'll probably have to bust a move with work, but if you only go to school full time, I'd say it should be manageable.

cW Bentagon,
Clockwerkz's suggestion is worth considering. Plus Shawn mentioned "that students of art-schools will benefit dramatically from *also* enrolling in our course." So if you have chance to do two things at the same time with harmony, man, you'll definitely grow jump and bounce!

[Jozvex]

Hmm I'm sure you've probably thought of this AM guys but do think it'll ever occur that, say I just finished Class 1 then signed up for Class 2 but didn't get into Class 2 because there were so many extra applicants who had done Pace 2 or had just taken a while to save up for Class 2?

I guess I'm asking is there priority for those people who just completed the previous class?

:shrug:

[Dimebag]

As for Dimebag's comment that his school is simply teaching him how to save keyframes - that's *exactly* why we created this school. His situation is unfortunately far too common
Well you see I already am in debt of over 10 000$ I don't think I can do that again. I don't mind spending even more money in my career but there is a part of stuff I definitly aspire to teach myself. Baby's coming soon I couldn't even think of spending another 10 000 bucks for a 40 min/week course of which I would spend most of my other spare time animating anyway, I'm afraid I have to bring money home soon I guess... I have an 8 month project in devlopment so I'd take MAX 2 sessions, probably the first two but most probably only the first one I guess...

we'll only be allowing people to register for the upcoming start-date. If you'd like to register for the October class, you would do so in September, I believe.
So what does that mean, I guess you won't be able to send thousands of newsletters the month you're recruiting will you? This month is going to be one crazy month for you guys!

[Bentagon]

Hey Bentagon:

Why don't you enroll for college, and take AM along with the classes you'll be taking? Just don't take a full plate load of classes.. sign up with one class less than planned, and use that time for AM. Maybe do the slower pace option. You'll probably have to bust a move with work, but if you only go to school full time, I'd say it should be manageable.

cWI definitly have thought about that too, but time to animate for AM Online is very rare if you have to work for college and for money. Another problem is that Belgian colleges don't work like American do. We choose a certain direction (from civil engineer over medicine to animation) and we have to take all classes in that. You could skip some, but the teachers don't appreciate that.

[olioli]

Well, it looks like december is right around the corner.


Best of luck to everyone who enrolls. I'm sure you all will have a blast in the next year!

[Bentagon]

bobby, any news about the e-mail service problems?
I just can't wait for next (school)year to come!:bounce:

- Bentagon

[andy_maxman]

would we have access to the mentors even after the course is over?
is there a tentative date as to when the registration begins in december?
i heard that we need to re-register for the enrollment, is it right?
i'm sorry if this is been asked earlier...would we be certified eventually?
- thanks
andy

[Chris_Static]

My only question is what skill levels that this caters for, is it from the absolute beginner upwards, intermediate and upwards etc?

[philippeduvin]

Didn't receive the #2 and #3 !!! I'm startin' to freakin ' out !
It's gonna be very difficult to check the forum every hour of the day and the night without sleeping... believe me, i would do it if i could ! :-)

Bobby ? some news about the newsletter/email issue ? please tell us some news !!

[alexandrecollac]

Chris, They answered it long time ago, but anyway it is tough to go back and look at all this pages. The course is for everyone, from begginers to advanced.



Don´t want to bother but, i didn´t received the 3rd newsletter

[MikeRhone]

Thanks Shawn.

I would definately be looking at the slower pace class. It's good to know that the courses pace is such that they can be a suppliment as well as standalone schooling.

Looking forward to it...!

[Bentagon]

would we have access to the mentors even after the course is over?
That is, of course, entirely up to you. If you become friends with them, why on earth wouldn't you be able to contact them?

is there a tentative date as to when the registration begins in december?
Issue #3 said Issue #4 would give the registration date and time.

i heard that we need to re-register for the enrollment, is it right?
This might be happening, because there's a possibility a lot of people subscribed for the newsletter without planning to get in the classes. The next newsletter will probably give more information about this.

i'm sorry if this is been asked earlier...would we be certified eventually?
They're looking into this. It might be possible. If they don't get it now, but only after you "graduated", you would probably still get the degree.

- thanks
andy
- no problem
Benjamin

[animboom]

Haa haa, you guys are hungry! I love it. As for the newsletter update, we just switched to the best list service we could find. I just sent out the message again to all the current members as of 11/20/04. If you do not get this message I'm sure I will hear about it and look into it further. So far so good.:thumbsup:

NOTE: It does not send it all at once to everyone but rather in chunks and can take a few hours to get to you at most.

As for peoples tax concerns, we're looking into this currently and will give an update on the next newsletter. So far there is no bad news for students regarding this issue.

-BOOM

[alexandrecollac]

I got it, I Got it, i got it :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: Yahoooooooooooooo

[lhvio89]

me too!! yipee! :bounce::bounce:

[Smartypants]

Hey, just a message for all you AnimationMentors worrying about the snafu with your email list:

I just got your email. Looks like this new service works.

Now, for a question:

Can students enter Animation Mentor classes at any level they want?

I'd be interested in entering the level 3: acting in animation classes.

[olioli]

Oh yeah! I got it I got it

[clockwerkz]

I recieved it as well. :-)

cW

[alexandrecollac]

Smartpants - Can students enter Animation Mentor classes at any level they want?
They talk about this, for this first roll it´s not going to happen, but for the next one they were thinking to allow people to enter in other levels but some reel or tests were goiing to be needed to enter in other level

[aijoe]

I just got the latest newsletter. Thanks. It's very exciting. I just have a few questions.

1. Do I have to pay all at once or can you pay in installment? This would help me financially if I can pay monthly for the courses.
2. Just incase I get accepted. Is there any things I should do now to get ready for the classes? for example, which book I should read, movies I should watch ect.
3.I have maya demo version. Will your file work with it?

Thanks

[MikeRhone]

aijoe: You can open regular Maya files with Maya PLE, but you can not open PLE files with a full version of Maya. As for the other questions, Ill leave those to those who know. :p

[FunBucket]

I JUST now received newsletter #3. Man, I hope the next one isn't this far behind, lol.

[Bentagon]

Both of my e-mail adresses have received the newsletter now. Seems to be working flawlessly :)

good job!

- Bentagon

[andy_maxman]

hey bentagon...thanks for answering all my questions mate!;-)


yup!!! i got the mail too......feelin'Good!

[mmkelly011881]

woohoo... got it too.. thanks for straightening this out guys...i could feel a heart attack building up inside me

[RayenD]

Haa haa, you guys are hungry! I love it. As for the newsletter update, we just switched to the best list service we could find. I just sent out the message again to all the current members as of 11/20/04. If you do not get this message I'm sure I will hear about it and look into it further. So far so good.:thumbsup:

NOTE: It does not send it all at once to everyone but rather in chunks and can take a few hours to get to you at most.

As for peoples tax concerns, we're looking into this currently and will give an update on the next newsletter. So far there is no bad news for students regarding this issue.

-BOOM
I got newsletter. I am sure everything is ok, listserve.com is really the best service, I think old cg-char ran on it and many other mailing lists are using it.

Regarding taxes, I am sure you have very good financial staff..

Now waiting for my registration code!

[philippeduvin]

I did'nt receive it in the night...
Im in france and nothing in my mailbox this morning ! I'm freakin' out ! Could someone put a link to the newsletter for the #3 and for the future #4 ?

[king21]

Uhaaaaaaaaa go it too.

Thx for efford AM team.

See you all.

[philippeduvin]

Sorry about that ... I GOT THE # 3 ! I had a mail checking problem..
so bobby, get rid of my PM. it stinks ! :-) GREAT !

[maninflash]

I just got the latest newsletter. Thanks. It's very exciting. I just have a few questions.


2. Just incase I get accepted. Is there any things I should do now to get ready for the classes? for example, which book I should read, movies I should watch ect.

I believe The Illusion of Life would be very helpful and I've read in one of the newsletter someone from AM recommended it. Also, Carlos Baena recommended The Animator's Survival Kit to me specialy for walks/runs, but it's a really good book for all aspects of animation. Other than those, you might want to look into Cartoon animation by preston blair.

hope that helps :)

[maelstrom]

for some odd reason i received all the previous newsletters, but don't get them from the new service :(

[Rabid pitbull]

Yessss!! Finally got the email and it was quite nice to look at the bios of the mentors. A very exciting group there. I am now more woried though, seems that the possible number of students will be quite low. Is there any word on the total number of students being accepted?? I have my credit card ready, just hope that i can use it in December!

[PixelTales]

Yipppeee!!! I finally got the newsletter on both of my email addresses. Now anxiously awaiting the registration code.:buttrock:

I had one question reguarding the Short Film section of the classes. I asked this earlier on in this thread but haven't received an answer yet.

Does anyone know what they have planned for the Production side of the short film classes? Will we be expected to already know how to model and rig our characters for the short, or will this instruction be included? Some of us, myself included, have very little or no experience with modeling/rigging and this type of instruction would be vital in this case. Or, is the plan that we will be using the provided AM characters for the short? I know that modeling/rigging is not a part of the previous classes, but I wasn't sure if it came into play here. I read the class description thoroughly and it didn't seem to make mention of this. Either way it looks like one amazing program, and I can't wait to be a part of it. Whether it be during the first round or one of the following rounds.

[philippeduvin]

Animation mentor is just about one thing...ANIMATION :)

[aijoe]

Thanks MikeRhone and Maninflash for the reply. Good luck everyone.

[PixarFanatic]

why is it that I can't seem to find a dollar figure and when asked how much AM will cost you get something that should have been spoken by a presdential aide not a web school?

is this some big secret?

I mean wow, I saw a lot of company names fly by, it looks to be a dream team school, but hmmm costly? who knows?

please don't tell me it's comperable to other art schools when asked what it costs This tells me nothing, they all have very different prices.

Heck, I'm still paying for Art center 20 years later.... but at least they posted there prices, it wasn't a big secret.

Excited but.. um skeptical.

[Jozvex]

The price has been announced already, $2000 per class (4 to 6 classes) if you do it over 3 months (the normal length) or $2500 for 6 months.

[Jozvex]

Sorry I should have explained that better, just read the info for yourself:

http://www.cgnetworks.com/story.php?story_id=2603

No big secrets. It's gonna be great!

[Dimebag]

Is this strictly online or will I'll be able to actually talk with someone before putting money upfront?

[anex700]

hey BOOM--

I was wondering if you all at AM would have any shirts to purchase like the ones you passed out at SIGGRAPH? Every time I wear it everyone asks me where I got it or where they could get one....

http://img83.exs.cx/img83/2245/silly.png

^ this was on the front of the shirt with www.animationmentor.com (http://www.animationmentor.com) written across the back.

Who came up with this fun character?

Thanks

--dinky--

[Bentagon]

it looks like one of bobby's crazy designs to me :)
I could be wrong, though...
Great idea about the t-shirts! I'd definitly buy one!

- Bentagon

[animboom]

Hey folks. It looks like the new newsletter went out with great success. Yeah!
Here's some answers:
PixelTales: Does anyone know what they have planned for the Production side of the short film classes? Will we be expected to already know how to model and rig our characters for the short, or will this instruction be includedNo one will need to model or know how to rig at AnimationMentor.com. As far as the short film production I can't mention much about it at this time as it's currently on the burner in development. :)

Aijoe:Is this strictly online or will I'll be able to actually talk with someone before putting money upfront?Our goal at AnimationMentor.com is to provide the most personal learning experience we possibly can. For this reason we now have a crew of Customer Support Reps to handle all your questions and concerns you may have. They are beta testing our site as well, so their knowledge of AnimationMentor.com will be first hand!

PixarFanatic: Heck, I'm still paying for Art center 20 years later.... but at least they posted there prices, it wasn't a big secret.The big "secrecy" about the price was not meant to be a secret at all. We had MANY people involved in the pricing structure of AnimationMentor.com and I'll just say that us waiting for so long saved our students a lot of money because it was our goal to make it as affordable as we possibly could, even though we were urged to do otherwise.

Anex 700: I was wondering if you all at AM would have any shirts to purchase like the ones you passed out at SIGGRAPH? Every time I wear it everyone asks me where I got it or where they could get one.... We just got a fresh batch of T-Shirts in last week. Depending on the demand we may offer them on the website?

Anex 700: Who came up with this fun character?Spike is our mascot! The three of us got together to create a fun character that represented the essence of what we were creating. Even though I created Spike's design he's really a compilation of all our attitudes. :)

This particular drawing was done by Mega talented Ninja Animator and Mentor: Rick O'Connor! Rick is a lead animator at Industrial Light + Magic and will be one of our mentors at AnimationMentor.com!

-BOOM

[titaniumdave]

We just got a fresh batch of T-Shirts in last week. Depending on the demand we may offer them on the website?

Count me in as one demand. :)

[molson67]

We just got a fresh batch of T-Shirts in last week. Depending on the demand we may offer them on the website?
-BOOM
I would love to have one of those T-shirts!
Please make them availible online.
This whole AnimationMentor thing is so cool.
I can't wait to get started!




Thanks,

mark

[agreenster]

I already have one--in fact I'm wearing it at work right now!! Ha ha! Neener neener neeeeener!

:D

Hey, I'll sell you mine for 1999.99 USD. I'll even get Bobby to sign it for you. Gotta cover the cost of AM somehow...takers? :D

[vizjac]

We just got a fresh batch of T-Shirts in last week. Depending on the demand we may offer them on the website?



Bobby I want one XXL please, Thanks!:thumbsup:

[philippeduvin]

Bobby, A XL for me would be fine :-) :-)

[mmkelly011881]

medium here... guess im in the minority :)

[SheepFactory]

I already have one--in fact I'm wearing it at work right now!! Ha ha! Neener neener neeeeener!

:D

Hey, I'll sell you mine for 1999.99 USD. I'll even get Bobby to sign it for you. Gotta cover the cost of AM somehow...takers? :D

Bah , I have two :P

[IanBlackford]

hi
you can add me to that t-shirt list too :D :thumbsup:
groovy lil character
really looking forward to seeing how animation mentor goes down :applause:
regards
monsieurblack

[Phearielord]

me too!!! :bounce:
i was so jealous when i saw the ppl at siggraph wearing those t-shirts.... :D

[zBarracudAz]

Hey folks. It looks like the new newsletter went out with great success. Yeah!
Here's some answers:
No one will need to model or know how to rig at AnimationMentor.com. As far as the short film production I can't mention much about it at this time as it's currently on the burner in development. :)

Our goal at AnimationMentor.com is to provide the most personal learning experience we possibly can. For this reason we now have a crew of Customer Support Reps to handle all your questions and concerns you may have. They are beta testing our site as well, so their knowledge of AnimationMentor.com will be first hand!

The big "secrecy" about the price was not meant to be a secret at all. We had MANY people involved in the pricing structure of AnimationMentor.com and I'll just say that us waiting for so long saved our students a lot of money because it was our goal to make it as affordable as we possibly could, even though we were urged to do otherwise.

We just got a fresh batch of T-Shirts in last week. Depending on the demand we may offer them on the website?

Spike is our mascot! The three of us got together to create a fun character that represented the essence of what we were creating. Even though I created Spike's design he's really a compilation of all our attitudes. :)

This particular drawing was done by Mega talented Ninja Animator and Mentor: Rick O'Connor! Rick is a lead animator at Industrial Light + Magic and will be one of our mentors at AnimationMentor.com!

-BOOM

Hey Bobby, could you check your pm? I've pm you regarding some questions.. =D

[Bentagon]

Hey folks. It looks like the new newsletter went out with great success. Yeah!
Yeah, good job!

Here's some answers:
No one will need to model or know how to rig at AnimationMentor.com. As far as the short film production I can't mention much about it at this time as it's currently on the burner in development. :)
Really looking forward to how this turns out... I've got a great idea for a script (at least I think so :D), and can't wait to create it!

Our goal at AnimationMentor.com is to provide the most personal learning experience we possibly can. For this reason we now have a crew of Customer Support Reps to handle all your questions and concerns you may have. They are beta testing our site as well, so their knowledge of AnimationMentor.com will be first hand!
Great! Now how can we contact them?? I'm sure my parents have loads and loads of questions for them, since they're not as confident in you guys as I am... Mind if we keep them busy for about a week :p ?

The big "secrecy" about the price was not meant to be a secret at all. We had MANY people involved in the pricing structure of AnimationMentor.com and I'll just say that us waiting for so long saved our students a lot of money because it was our goal to make it as affordable as we possibly could, even though we were urged to do otherwise.
And you've done an incredible job! I was guessing this would be the lowest price possible, and one of the few I'd be able to afford. A HUGE thank you!

We just got a fresh batch of T-Shirts in last week. Depending on the demand we may offer them on the website?
I'll definitly buy one... or two... or three... or 87, depending on how many colours you're offering:D

Spike is our mascot! The three of us got together to create a fun character that represented the essence of what we were creating. Even though I created Spike's design he's really a compilation of all our attitudes. :)
I knew it was your design! I love it! It's quite the perfect mascot for a character animation program.

This particular drawing was done by Mega talented Ninja Animator and Mentor: Rick O'Connor! Rick is a lead animator at Industrial Light + Magic and will be one of our mentors at AnimationMentor.com! Soo many ninja animators are on that list... wondering who you might get as a mentor will make it twice as exciting!

:applause::applause::applause::love:
Eagerly awaiting site updates! :bounce:

- Bentagon

[lhvio89]

oooooo.....i'd buy a t-shirt too....it'd be great if you'd offer them for sale on the site!

Logan

[Jozvex]

[b]wondering who you might get as a mentor will make it twice as exciting!

So very true!


:thumbsup:

[andy_maxman]

just an REQ to the newsletter team -

As far as possible pls mail the newsletter on weekdays so i can check them immediately at work. Since weekends are off and i do not access the net i would feel completely left off to get back on a monday morning and find this thread's pages are 'boom'ed up like crazy.

so pls....
-thanks

[vizjac]

Bobby,
It's me, the guy who asked for the XXL T-shirt, anyway I live in the San Mateo area, and I will wear it every weekend so you guys will get plenty of exposure. I am sure that everyone else will wear theirs just as much.

Also if you need anyone to wash the floors or cars at the Animation Mentor Office/building for tuition let me know.:)

vizjac

[mikefidelish]

HEY BOBY,

do we get to play with 3d spike , if we join the animation mentor course . Like Hogan" by the Academy of Art College

[caco]

Hi everyone,

I'm very interested in this program. I'd kill to be a part of it. Can someone please PM or email me the newsletter? I signed up on the website but I have not received any further info. Any additional info than there is in this thread as far as enrollment dates and such would be greatly appreciated.

caco_la@hotmail.com

Thank you very much,

CaCo

[Jozvex]

Not a problem caco, sent.

[caco]

Thanks a bunch... really appreciate it!!!

CaCo

[Bentagon]

why didn't you just look at the newsletter online?

- Bentagon

[vanlicht]

Talking about the T-shirt...I'd love to have one too...ha ha....Does the AM require students to wear "uniforms" on the virtual campus? :scream:

Donno when the newsletter is to come......is it okay, Bobby, to disclose a bit about a range of time of the 4th newsletter arrival? A fish would rather be drowned than be dying of thirst.

[olioli]

If I were looking to enroll in March, do I register now in Dec.

[philippeduvin]

sweet jason !!

read this !!

http://jonhandhisdog.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=1152

[PixelTales]

And this one from Ethan Hurd. :)

Link (http://persistenceofvision.blogspot.com/2004/12/animation-mentor-meeting.html)

[alexandrecollac]

Wol, now it is enough.

How am i suppose to sleep now, damn. :eek: :eek:

stay awake, stay awake. buing tons of coffee

[Mojo Rizen]

I won't be able to make the first round, but I'm targeting a later entry date, I would guess in the fall. It should be interesting tracking the first group.

[andy_maxman]

would a VISA debit card do to pay for the classes? please let know what way payment needs to be made for someone residing in India?

[robcat2075]

Does anyone involved with Animation Mentor know if I would get a "grade" at the end of a course?

My company might reimburse me for part of a continuing education expense like this depending on what grade I got, but if there's no grade to show for it that would be difficult.

Any clues?

[Jozvex]

would a VISA debit card do to pay for the classes?

I hope so because that's what I'm planning on using! I don't think that'll be a problem because I've used mine for tons of online shopping etc and it just acts like a regular Visa credit card, only no credit.


;)

[SheepFactory]

As long as it has the visa logo on it you can use it everywhere that accepts visa.

The only time they dont let you use visa checkcards is when renting a car.

[philippeduvin]

Does anyone involved with Animation Mentor know if I would get a "grade" at the end of a course?

My company might reimburse me for part of a continuing education expense like this depending on what grade I got, but if there's no grade to show for it that would be difficult.

Any clues?
Do I get a degree or some form of certification on completion of the AM course?

I can only say that we are looking into these issues. Bentagon (a CGTalk user), I understand that you need a degree in your country for security reasons. That's the exact reason we are looking into it. Although we strongly believe that your portfollio and attitude are the #1 keys to getting a job in this industry and with AM being full of professional animators, the Networking possibilites are very high.


For more informations : http://home.netspeed.com.au/mlanham/am_faq.html#Q12

Cheers !

[bentllama]

MENTORS,

I may have missed this question already being posed within this gigantic thread, but what criteria are you reviewing when a professional animator would like to get the ball rolling with level 2 or 3, etc...

I do not mean to sound like I have an ego, and level 1 would be great as a refresher to help kill possible bad habits...but I do not see myself slapping down all that cash against 4 years of schooling and 5 years of professional experience...

Is there an equivalency test, or list of qualifications?

[philippeduvin]

Is there a screening process to see which level (A, B, C or D) I should start on?

For now, AM students will be starting in Level A and move forward from there. We really feel like that will create the best possible learning environment for the students, as all of the classes build on one another. However, in the future we are planning to offer a review process for professionals who want to skip a level or two...

That said, I have to say... the "Level A" classes do have a *lot* to offer to all but the most advanced animators. I'm constantly surpirsed (in a great way) by how much I've personally learned from the animators we've interviewed for various classes about concepts that I thought I had a complete handle on! Which, to me, is one of the coolest things about animation - you can never know it all.


Most informations you're searching for are here :
:bounce: :bounce: here here look !!:bounce: :bounce:
http://home.netspeed.com.au/mlanham/am_faq.html#Q28 (http://home.netspeed.com.au/mlanham/am_faq.html#Q28)



You saw the link ??? Yeah ? GREAT !!! :thumbsup:

[RayenD]

I may have missied this question already being posed within this gigantic thread, but what criteria are you reviewing when a professional animator would like to get the ball rolling with level 2 or 3, etc... Here is a quote from Shawn Kelly (http://cgchar.toonstruck.com/forum/index.php?act=ST&f=10&t=2957&st=15)

In the future (I would guess early 2006) we'll be implementing our portfolio review system, where people can apply to skip the first class or two, but that's a ways off, and will likely be reserved for fairly established/experienced animators.

I am kind of in the same boat like you, but I am going to start from scratch (level 1) with AM. I think that because they mentor you 1 vs 1 they can adjust to your experience level (like you said killing bad habits instead of teaching you how to do bouncig ball or basic walk).. Just my thoughts.

[bentllama]

You saw the link ??? Yeah ? GREAT !!! :thumbsup:
What link? I could not see anything past your bold, big font...and bouncing smilies.

[philippeduvin]

that's the best I could :)

http://home.netspeed.com.au/mlanham/am_faq.html#Q28 (http://home.netspeed.com.au/mlanham/am_faq.html#Q28)

[bentllama]

Here is a quote from Shawn Kelly (http://cgchar.toonstruck.com/forum/index.php?act=ST&f=10&t=2957&st=15)

In the future (I would guess early 2006) we'll be implementing our portfolio review system, where people can apply to skip the first class or two, but that's a ways off, and will likely be reserved for fairly established/experienced animators.

I am kind of in the same boat like you, but I am going to start from scratch (level 1) with AM. I think that because they mentor you 1 vs 1 they can adjust to your experience level (like you said killing bad habits instead of teaching you how to do bouncig ball or basic walk).. Just my thoughts.I would love to break myself of bad habits, and if taking the level one course will help that, I am for it...

...however, much like others, I still have yet to see a list of the excercises/curriculum in each course. hopefully a summary - unabridged - is forthcoming. i cannot feel comfortable ponying the money carte blanche...even when I see/know/trust the talent behind the mentoring... ;)

edit: i only state this, because if enrollment is to start this month, will we be given a curriculum summary simultaneously with the start of enrollment? if so, that is a lot of information for people to discern and digest under the pressure of a flux of other people taking up spots in the course while you try to make an educated descision.

[Bentagon]

Will you be offering a degree in animation or some form of certificate upon completing all the classes? - Andy Johnson Bobby Beck Writes: Yes we will. We're excited to announce here first at CGW that one of the big things we've been working on has been getting acknowledgment our school in the eyes of public institutions. Our potential students have asked for it and we see the importance of such a need. For that reason we are in the final stages of being approved by the Bureau for Private, Postsecondary and Vocational Education. Once approved (before we launch the site) we will be offering a Certified Diploma in "Advanced studies in Character Animation."
Hi Animation Mentors, I am a professional animator/3D artist interested in the courses you are offering. I have a few questions regarding the courses etc. 1. Do you look at our current work to decide where it is we will be placed (novice, intermediate, advanced, professional)? 2. Are enrollees required to take all the courses or would you recommend we take certain courses depending upon where we are on the continuum and what our interests are? 3. Why does it cost more for pace two? 4. How many mentors will be looking at and critiquing our exercises? 5. Can we take breaks between courses? 6. How many hours would each exercise take? The reason I am asking is that I might be working a contract while I am taking the courses you are offering. I want to make sure I could do justice to them. - Brian Brotherston

Shawn Kelly writes:

Hi Brian! I'll try to hit all your points:


For now, all students will begin in our Basic Foundations class. We strongly believe that it will be a huge benefit to all but the most talented professionals, and while some of it may be review for someone like you, I'd be amazed if you didn't find it to be an enjoyable, exciting, and educational experience. Personally, I was truly surprised to find myself learning so much about topics that I thought I had down cold, just by helping to create the classes over the last three years. Stuff like "anticipation," I really thought I knew like the back of my hand, but hearing about these topics from the perspectives of so many different animation ninjas really did help me to see even such basic ideas as squash and stretch in a whole new way — and while I'd never pretend that I'm the best animator around, my work has definitely improved lately, and I know it's because of helping with AM:Online!

That said, we are planning to roll out our portfolio-review system as early as late 2005 (mabye 2006), at which point professionals will be able to submit a resume and/or demo reel to apply to skip the first class or two.
Students who want to graduate with an official certificate will be required to take the whole program, at least until the portfolio review process is begun.
The extra cost of pace 2 is to cover the extra 3 months of overhead on our end, plus the necessary extra mentors, the added bandwidth charges, etc. Ever since the beginning, creating this school has been solely out of a love for the art we are so passionate about, and the hope of somehow helping to push our art further. It's never been about making a bunch of dough and selling the company as fast as we can or something. We've gone very far out of our way to ensure it is as fair and affordable as humanly possible while still being able to attract top mentors to our school. If you've seen the lineup of mentors in our newsletter, hopefully you can see how successful this tactic has been, as the stable of mentors is even better than I had dared hope it would be!

I know you guys might not know the reputations of the mentors in the newsletter and can only really judge them based on their mini-resumes and silly caricatures, but they're truly an amazing group of animators — all at the top of their game, but too humble to say so. They all have stellar animation reputations, and love their art and are chomping at the bit to pass on that love to their first group of students!
You will have one dedicated mentor per quarter. This mentor will stick with you through all 12 classes. We felt it was important for you to have a chance to actually get to know your mentor, and for the mentor to be able to accurately track your progress through the course. More than likely, you will have a different mentor each quarter, though it is possible that you may have the same person more than once!
Yes, you will be able to take breaks between courses. More will be revealed about this in the coming weeks.
I always say that you'll get out of AnimationMentor whatever you put into it, and I think that's very true. The more time you can dedicate to it, the better, obviously. However, we recognize that people are busy, and that many of our students are working professionals, and this is exactly why we went out of our way to create the "Pace 2" program. It's set up for someone in exactly your situation, and is flexible enough to allow AM:Online to not interfere with your work deadlines.
Because everyone animates at different speeds and is coming to us from different backgrounds, it's impossible to say how many hours any given assignment will take. In general, there is nothing that can't be done in a few nights, but again, the more time you can put into it, the better it will probably turn out.




from www.cgw.com (http://www.cgw.com)

- Bentagon

[andy_maxman]

thanks Jozvex....

Bentagon.....the way you've been helping everyone out with their queries....you just might land up a job with the AM:Online help crew........;-)
thanks for all the help mate! it's rather difficult to follow different forums covering AM....

[Bentagon]

Bentagon.....the way you've been helping everyone out with their queries....you just might land up a job with the AM:Online help crew........;-) HA! I wish! Would make it a lot cheaper ;)

thanks for all the help mate! it's rather difficult to follow different forums covering AM.... ... whilst also studying exams :D
not too difficult material atm, though, so it's no biggie :), I just don't want to miss any news, even if I only want to get in the october class... so I don't want to keep that news from the rest eather.

- Bentagon

[philippeduvin]

thanks for all your news Bentagon !!:thumbsup:
As andy_maxman said, it's pretty hard to look at all the forums at the same time and especially when you're from a different time zone. :)

[Bentagon]

You should definitly look out for that www.cgw.com "ask the animation mentor" thing! Some absolutely great advice is on there, and it isn't something that is updated daily... I think there are some questions answered every week, but that's about it. And they only choose the most interesting questions asked, so you also won't waste time on reading things that don't interest you.

- Bentagon

[RayenD]

I would love to break myself of bad habits, and if taking the level one course will help that, I am for it...

...however, much like others, I still have yet to see a list of the excercises/curriculum in each course. hopefully a summary - unabridged - is forthcoming. i cannot feel comfortable ponying the money carte blanche...even when I see/know/trust the talent behind the mentoring... ;)

edit: i only state this, because if enrollment is to start this month, will we be given a curriculum summary simultaneously with the start of enrollment? if so, that is a lot of information for people to discern and digest under the pressure of a flux of other people taking up spots in the course while you try to make an educated descision.
Hehe stop reading my mind...

Seriously, I'd like to have week or two to reviev catalog/curriculum of the school without pressure of missing the registration. If this is going to start in January... today we have December 10th, then there are Christmas....

I have the feeling that there may be a delay though..

[andy_maxman]

i do agree with what bentllama & RayenD have to say...
there will be lot of things to abosrb when the catalog/curriculum is released out......


just one more query...
it was mentioned that subscribers would be allowed 3 days of priority registration over the general public...what i want to know is would they give out a date when the registration begins and how could i manage to be among the first in regards to the different timezones?

[Jozvex]

Well I'm sure they'll release a date, and then all you have to do is drink LOTS of coffee or some other stay-awakey drink until the instant registration starts.

:thumbsup:

[Phearielord]

Jozvex!
dont go posting 'staying awake' methods man! :D
we have to beat the crowd, but if you go and give away all the secrets...well.....there will be little hope! :D


anyway
j/k

[andy_maxman]

...yea right! and i believe there are talks with the mafiosi to stop supply of coffee for a few days when the newsletter is out.....

....and some geek is agreed to jam the refresh key on the keyboard......keep.it.tight.people...

[maelstrom]

Well I'm sure they'll release a date, and then all you have to do is drink LOTS of coffee or some other stay-awakey drink until the instant registration starts.

:thumbsup:

i swear 30% of my bloodstream consists of caffeine ;)

[clockwerkz]

Staying up all day and night is no longer a problem for me. My wife just gave birth to our son a week ago! Sleep? What's that??

Actually, it's been a huge event for us. We feel blessed.

Now, bring on January! I'm really excited and stoked about this program. It seems worse now that we're so close to January.. the waiting, that is. It's like when you're driving and you have to go to the bathroom.. the farther away you are, the less it seems. But when you're around the block, you swear your cheeks are playing peek-a-boo! lol. :-D


cW

[vanlicht]

Clockwerkz, Congratulations to the good news for having a newborn in your family!

And right, it's more and more drastic waiting fot the date to come, like running marathon, the last mile seems the fatherest.

A tiny tiny question here, will the webcam and microphone be required in some activity in AM?

[Bentagon]

Staying up all day and night is no longer a problem for me. My wife just gave birth to our son a week ago! Sleep? What's that??

Actually, it's been a huge event for us. We feel blessed.

Now, bring on January! I'm really excited and stoked about this program. It seems worse now that we're so close to January.. the waiting, that is. It's like when you're driving and you have to go to the bathroom.. the farther away you are, the less it seems. But when you're around the block, you swear your cheeks are playing peek-a-boo! lol. :-D


cW CONGRATULATIONS, MAN!

Why haven't you posted this on our community forum yet? Do so, and be sure to add some pictures ;). I've got two dreams, one is to work at pixar - or another praised animation studio -, and the other one is having a beatiful family. I hope I'll get the chance to make them both come true :)

Once again, congratulations!

@vanlicht: 16. Is a web cam necessary for students to have?

It would be very useful. It's not a must but it would be extremely useful.From the second newsletter. **edit** ... and from the official FAQ. I guess it'll be the same for a microphone. When you don't have a microphone, it'll probably be your mentor taping herself with critique, or chatting with you.

- Bentagon

[dmonk]

Staying up all day and night is no longer a problem for me. My wife just gave birth to our son a week ago! Sleep? What's that??

Actually, it's been a huge event for us. We feel blessed.

Now, bring on January! I'm really excited and stoked about this program. It seems worse now that we're so close to January.. the waiting, that is. It's like when you're driving and you have to go to the bathroom.. the farther away you are, the less it seems. But when you're around the block, you swear your cheeks are playing peek-a-boo! lol. :-D


cW
That is super big news! Congratulations!

[maelstrom]

congratulations!! :love:

[Rikki]

Hi all :) I don't post much but I've been lurking for a fairly long time and following AM. I'm really looking forward to applying if I get the chance.

Congratulations clockwerkz :)

[clockwerkz]

Hey thanks a lot guys, very much appreciated! I know this is off-topic, but it really is a terrific experience. But very, very, VERY exhausting! This was the biggest event I was waiting for. It also was the only thing that would have probably prevented me from signing up in January if things hadn't gone smooth, or if he would have had some problems. Thankfully, he was born good and up to now, we are doing great.

Some may think that with the responsibilities of a newborn, it may be difficult or impossible to devout a lot of time to AM. On the contrary, I have a very supportive wife who really wants me to succeed in animation, and now I have a little one that I need to strive for. :-) Besides, the lack of sleep is good training. Hehehe.. I have my coffee pot set up right next to the computer now!

cW

[animboom]

Hey, folks just a quicky update. No need for a newsletter quite yet.

We are waiting for approval from the California Bureau before we open our doors. We've been in their application process for over 3 months now and we are currently working on meeting all of their criteria. This will ultimately mean GREAT things for our students. For now, however it means waiting a bit longer. I myself am not 100% sure of the date although I know we are still shooting to begin our first class on January 10th. Keep your fingers crossed and just keep swimming. When we have more news you will recieve a newsletter. Thanks for being supportive and patient.

Oh, and about our catalog. Our catalog is done and ready for download, however we cannot "Publish" it until we receive approval from the Bureau. We are not trying to withhold any information, we just have to follow "the rules" on this stuff.

Clockwerkz: Congratulations on your new baby! That's the best news on the planet.

-BOOM

[mmkelly011881]

Thanks for the update Bobby, and also yours CW :) Congratulations!!... post some pictures over on AS (http://animationgroup.proboards30.com/index.cgi) in the community section

i almost tripped over myself when i saw that you had updated and was screaming at the internet to speed up!!

Any idea about when the newsletter will be coming out so i can make sure i have access to my Outlook account? (eg.. quit my job... put in those eye crutches to keep myself awake)

[RayenD]

That's good news Bobby, thanks for update.

Congratulations on you new child Clockwerkz, it will change your life forever (father of 7 months old girl here : ).

[d_jnaneswar]

hey andy,

u too in for this?? till now I had a 9pm to 9am internet connection. this month, I took a full time 128kbps connection from sify. and im not sleepin well these days with am lurking around the corner. Got the money ready?? Ive got myself covered. selling my bike, most prolly.

seeyaround.. by the way.. hows bang these days?

[Bentagon]

A big thank you for the update, bobby! It's good to know that you're actually aiming and working for being able to give a degree, instead of creating your thing and hoping it'll get certified.

keep us updated! :bounce:

- Bentagon

[bentllama]

Thanks for the update Bobby. I look forward to seeing the catalogue.

Congrats clock, with fingers crossed I will be feeling the same as you in a little while...

[clockwerkz]

Thanks for the update Bobby. I look forward to seeing the catalogue.

Congrats clock, with fingers crossed I will be feeling the same as you in a little while...
Coffee, my friend...that's all I can say. Start drinking coffee and appreciate what sleep you get now. :-)

cW

[andy_maxman]

hey andy,

u too in for this??
hi jnaneswar,
yea....i'm counting on all the luck i have. if things go well....i should be onboard. all the best to you too.

Coffee, my friend...that's all I can say. Start drinking coffee and appreciate what sleep you get now. :-)

Congrats! clockwerkz....apart from coffee you need a strong back too mate!!
And video capture all those moments. Something you will cherish forever. cheers!!

[Mojo Rizen]

Congratulations clockwerkz, as a father of two, currently 3 and 6 while coffee is your friend, get sleep when you can. Sleep denervation can bring about a loss of patients. The more you give to your child the more they will grow and develop.

With that parenting tip over be prepared to start your work around 9:00 PM. It’s when the sun is down and the house is quiet that your time becomes your own.

Best wishes.

[vanlicht]

Wow, I really like this thread. containing lots of discussions and including Father talks...somehow like the scenarios in "Three Men and a Baby." Clockwerkz, your good news really brought up a new fad in the thread!:thumbsup: I can't quite imagine the happiness and sweet burden of being a father, hope someday when I really become a member of father's club.

Okay, here's another seemily stupid question I am to propse. Bobby mentioned about getting the approval from California Bureau ,and said this would ultimately mean GREAT things for we the students. I don't quite get the whole idea though, of the possitive profits the certificate would bring about. Is it a recognition equal to certain degree in US education system; are some students from States or Euro or Asia would thus get subsidized on accordance to local educational law; a recognition of achievements in some way; Does it do help to find a relevent job afterwards; will the certificate help to bypass some credits for students in school? Or any more other factors that makes it so important?

I don't get the whole idea if someone else does, would be appreciate if any could share their comments, thanks.

[philippeduvin]

Yep ... same question for me :) I'm from france and was really excited about the certification and the diplomate...but I don't actually know what does it represents in US education system..

Could we have some explanations about that ? :)

Thanks a lot

Congratulations Clockwerk !! Im' not already in the father's club.. I was about having a lil girl this last summer but unfortunately my wife and I lost her... But we're trying again and i hope i could have this happiness in my life. It's one of my dream with becoming an animator at Pixar :)

[mike33]

Hi Vanlicht,

If Animation Mentor becomes an accreditted school it would be recognized as
a legitimate school for education in the US.

For myself the benefits of AM being accreditted to one of these associations (HINT):

Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
New England Association of Schools and Colleges
North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Western Association of Colleges and Schools


Would probably allow me free tuition because the company I work for pays for college
courses to accreditted schools only.

I'm curious if AM ever considered working with a college or university to help
get accredited?

Mike

[Rikki]

This isn't so much a question for the AM guys but for anyone that knows... What value does an American qualification have abroad? Would (for example) British studios recognise it as an award?

I'm just not sure how it would translate to another country :)

[vizjac]

Some may think that with the responsibilities of a newborn, it may be difficult or impossible to devout a lot of time to AM. On the contrary, I have a very supportive wife who really wants me to succeed in animation, and now I have a little one that I need to strive for. :-) Besides, the lack of sleep is good training. Hehehe.. I have my coffee pot set up right next to the computer now!

cW
Congrats Clockwerkz, Things are hard the first couple of months (at least it was for me) but you will get use to and it will get better AND it is all worth it. :thumbsup:

[clockwerkz]

Wow, thanks again for the good wishes guys (and gals)! It is hard work, but very exciting at the same time. To me it's like becoming a kid all over again.


Congratulations Clockwerk !! Im' not already in the father's club.. I was about having a lil girl this last summer but unfortunately my wife and I lost her... But we're trying again and i hope i could have this happiness in my life. It's one of my dream with becoming an animator at Pixar :) Modus, I'm really sorry to hear that. May she rest in God's glory. We almost lost my son in the 10th week of the pregnancy. We had a threatened miscarriage. Fortunately, he hung on.
I don't know you personally, but I would still like to offer you a prayer and wish the best for you and your wife in your attempts. Hey keep at it! You can't say that that type of work isn't enjoyable! ;-)

cW

[philippeduvin]

Thank you clockwerkz.

Your prayer is really touching me, we lost her after 35 weeks of pregnancy, it was hard.
But we fell that 2005 is gonna be a better year :) ...not too difficult to do better :)

a new baby and a sign up to AM !! sure everything is gonna work !! :thumbsup:
Just keep swimming, just keep swimming :)

[olioli]

well said, clockworks

[vanlicht]

Modus, you have my prayer too. You will have a much profound year in 2005, and good to set the target at pixar, that's admirable. Another topic non related to AM, that often I found animation works from France are quite appealing and creative in diverse way. Don't know is it the culture that breeds the people that way or?

Mike33, thanks for your timely reply.

Btw, currently i am in the layout/ animatic team and guess it will last quite a while due to the project. Is it giong to help developing the sense of timing and learn animation a big deal?
I heard epxerienced colleques commented this way, though i still kind of wonder. I thought there's still a big difference between layout and animaton.

[dimension10]

The history of the moving image has it's roots in France. They have had a lot of practice :)

[Bentagon]

They've also got great schools. There's one in Paris (forgot the exact name), there's Supinfocom Valenciennes (Pfffirate, Tim Tom, etc.) and some others too. I've recently been to a festival held in Valenciennes, and they just had the greatest shorts! "Overtime" and "**some pirate**'s lair" were fabulous (note that **some pirate is supposed to be a name, which I've forgotten. It's based on a real song, maybe somebody knows it?)
Pitty I couldn't find them on the net.

- Bentagon

[judeb]

I think it was called 'Hernando's Hideaway' and it used the tango song of the same name. Very good.. as was 'Overtime'. http://cgtalk.com/images/smilies/smile.gif

[Bentagon]

yep, that was it! Where have you seen it?

- Bentagon

[judeb]

Shelley Page from Dreamworks gave a talk at our university about showreels and getting a job etc. and she showed us both of those as examples of good work! She has also shown them at the recent London CGI festival. Also, La Migration Bigoudenn was another very good one, from Les Gobelins, Paris. Definitely some good stuff coming from France!

[bluka]

hi

I'm very interested in this program
and I'd like to be a part of it
and I`m on the newsletter list and I want to sign up
and I don`t know how to do it......
please help

[philippeduvin]

you should read 2 or 3 last pages of this thread..it's full of good links to answer all of your questions about AM..hope to see you on the program:)


hope that they'll not open the doors just during the christmas vacations...it would be a big mistake..bobby ? any information about that...it would be even better on 1st or 2nd january than 25 december...

[Bentagon]

Shelley Page from Dreamworks gave a talk at our university about showreels and getting a job etc. and she showed us both of those as examples of good work! She has also shown them at the recent London CGI festival. Also, La Migration Bigoudenn was another very good one, from Les Gobelins, Paris. Definitely some good stuff coming from France!Yeah, that one was great! But although there has been doubt, I'm still going for AM Online instead of Supinfocom;) (I was going to apply there before this news got to me). I doubt I would've gotten in anyhow since I'm not francophone, although I speak it quite well.

@bluka: you can't apply yet. Later this month, they'll send everyone a personal code that fits with their e-mail address. You'll be able to apply with that.

- Bentagon

[Iced_Eagle]

Wow huge thread :D

This may have been answered, but I really suck at drawing (my hands don't produce what I want them too :P )... Is this class still for me? Like will I have to draw things for AM?

My drawing skills haven't improved since the first grade, it's embarassing! :P

[Bentagon]

Do I need to be an a good artist in drawing in digital art? What if I don't know how to draw at all? Carlos Baena writes:

The advantage of computer animation is that you don't necessarily have to be a good artists to become a good animator. Think of it as a marionette puppeteer, or even the people in charge of moving the Sesame Street puppets. Maybe some of them know how to draw, but maybe they don't. The truth is, they understand movement, acting and comedy in such a level, that they don't need to draw to be a good animator. Now, if you want to become a classically hand-drawn animator, that's a different story. In that kind of job, you are required to draw characters and animate from almost every single camera angle possible. So you have to draw really well, and understand perspective and being on model when drawing this or that character. So, basically, it all depends on what you want to do, and what exactly you want to specialize in.

from www.cgw.com (http://www.cgw.com)







Should I take AnimationMentor courses instead of traditional college classes?
AnimationMentor has been designed to be an all encompassing source of character animation instruction for our students. However, traditional art classes such as figure drawing, sculpting, etc., would be extremely valuable companions to our program. from FAQ and Newsletter 1.
Do you provide figure drawing classes?

We definitely stress getting yourself a sketch book. We also have "sketchbook" pages for you to up load for review and for other students to see including thumbnails etc. We don't offer Online Drawing classes but have some GREAT things in the works that will help give people a good opportunity (phase 2). In the mini FAQ we posted last week we said we definitely see AM as a full animation training program, but taking classes at a local JC or public workshops for drawing would DEFINITELY complement our program. from unofficial FAQ.

Should I take local college classes or full-time college at the same time as AM?

Local classes on figure drawing are definitely recommended. However, going to art school FULL TIME would require your full time attention, in our personal opinion. AM is really designed as a complete character animation program.from unofficial FAQ.


hope that helps!



- Bentagon

[seven6ty]

Honestly, just personal opinion but I don't think anyone has any business referring to themselves as an artist without being able to draw, that's the most basic building block of ALL of the visual arts. Baby steps... Don't jump into the deep end before you even know how to swim.

But, then again... That's just personal opinion.

[textureyes]

Well being able to draw posses in extremes and showing weight i would say is necessary. Maybe not photorealistic,,,, but sketch, sketch and sketch again and you will improve all the time in 3d and 2d animation.

I wish some news would come soon. The suspense is killing me..... or is it the coffee....

[bluka]

big thanx guys

[alexandrecollac]

Are there any news from the animaion mentor guys??
Would be good to have news soon, usually before christmas people travel on vacation an d it is starting to became hard this long wait. The coffee stock in my town is almost ending.:)


Clockwerks, good news, congratulations for your new family member. Didn´t notice in the last posts, but is your son a boy or a girl?? Good luck with your kid and i hope to meet you in january inside animation mentor.

see ya

[immerzeelpictures]

I have been camping in front of my computer for a couple of days.




Last toilet break lasted 30 sec.
Have bend all tent pins on concrete floor before duck-taping the tent.
Must shave.
Every time mail nofication pops up I get a near hart attack.
Sleeping is for the weak.
F5 button text has worn out.
Email refresh set to 30 sec interval.
Memorized my credit card number by heart.
Dug up my groin protector for registration day (against the dirty players)
Please AM guys, hurry up with the mailing so I can get a normal life again (or at least less freaking hermit like) LOL.

[andy_maxman]

this is gonna turn into an animation woodstock....lol

[judeb]

Just out of interest, are people who are hoping to get into animation mentor currently:

-without a job and going to spend all their time on it
-in a job and going to spend all their free time on it
-at college/university and hope to have some free time to spend on it

I'd love to participate in it but I am already doing a degree in computer animation and I don't reckon I'd have enough hours in the day to give time to both without coming out at the end with an average degree and some average mentor animations...

How much time do you think someone on the course would be putting into it?
(I'm sure it will vary greatly, but what are people thoughts...?)

[alexandrecollac]

JudeB - I´m currently in a college on the architecture course, but i don´t like it so i´ll spend all the time in AMOnline.

[Bentagon]

I think all 3 kinds of people are joining. At least that's whay I believe was the intention. There were some questions asked about already going to college, and they said it would be hard. You've got pace 2 for these kinds of things, but even then, it's not sure you will be able to make it:
Should I take local college classes or full-time college at the same time as AM?

Local classes on figure drawing are definitely recommended. However, going to art school FULL TIME would require your full time attention, in our personal opinion. AM is really designed as a complete character animation program. Search the FAQ, unofficial FAQ and www.cgw.com (http://www.cgw.com) if you want to know more, there's some info about colleges and working etc, but I didn't know if those were the answers you were looking for. This one's the most obvious.

- Bentagon

[clockwerkz]

JudeB: I'm married, just now have a baby boy, and I'm working fulltime. I would have loved to have gone to an awesome art school for animation, but I can't, so AM is a Godsend for me. So I fall into the category of working stiff trying to break into animation.

As for the amount of time I'll be putting into it. Every waking minute that I have to spare. I'll probably start with about an average of 3 hours a day/evening. On my days off, I'll put more time in. Luckily for me, my days off are during the week. Weekend days off get boggled down with family visits and stuff.

I've put the mechanical swing for my son in the office, plus some other of his toys will go there. I'm building a learning environment here for both of us. :-)

Bent: thanks, bud. That's what's been keeping me busy these past months. I figured I'd help out my wife now before AM starts.

[vanlicht]

In my case currently I usu. get off from work around 00:00 a.m., so guess there's not much time left during the week days. Only in weekends the time be spared, should the project is not in a hurry...
I manage to not to work on Saturday and Sunday next year, hopefully. If this humble wish couldn't be granted or I realize it is not going to follow the AM course pace, maybe it's time to switch track. I will work on both sides (company and AM) as experiment see if i can handle. If not, I guess I'd rather choose AM. It's better to charge the knowledge before I can be more ceratively productive for the company and myself.

Some colleques of mine suggested that i don't be so impetuous. Some other suggested that working in the field would learn more than I thought I'd have in school.
I am not sure of how it will turn out, guess I have to think hard and to get a balance of these two delima.
Yet comparing to father's club members, my delima is probably nothing. Gotta learn to embrace pressure much more!

Ps. I am not sure if the working hour described is just like everwhereelse around the world, i.e. it's typically the working style in cg/ vfx. If it is, then i will take back my complaint and learn to face the fact.

[maelstrom]

Ps. I am not sure if the working hour described is just like everwhereelse around the world, i.e. it's typically the working style in cg/ vfx. If it is, then i will take back my complaint and learn to face the fact.

our field of work tends to be ill fated with loooong working hours. i think its the price to pay, if you choose your hobby as a profession. ;) at least we have fun at work.

[andy_maxman]

Just out of interest, are people who are hoping to get into animation mentor currently:

-without a job and going to spend all their time on it
-in a job and going to spend all their free time on it
-at college/university and hope to have some free time to spend on it

i think we should put a poll up here on CGT about AM aspirants........

[philippeduvin]

Great (http://www.cgtalk.com/member.php?u=36879) idea !!

[philippeduvin]

Great idea !

It could help the peoples who really want to sign up in January if they can realx a lil bit :) or freak out a lil more :scream:

We could edit our signature and put the following mention or something else with a better english :shrug: :


AM applying in January 05

What do you think ? :)

[agreenster]

What?

??

[philippeduvin]

argh bad english ?

To significate that you're gonna apply in January to AM, just put AM applying January 05
in your signature...

just to see how many peoples are gonna apply... :)


was better ? :shrug:

[Bentagon]

not everyone applying hangs around this forum ;)

besides, it's yellow:argh:

- Bentagon

[Guiliguili]

Hi all,

I am new on this list. I leave in Tahiti (french polynesia) and I make 2d animation since a few years now. it's a part of my job. I edit also children books and works in muiltimedia.
Since the firt announcement of Animationmentor, I am waiting the start of the courses.
No lagoon, no beach, no sun : just in front my computer watching for the enrollment form.

AM applying in January 05 !

[alexandrecollac]

8 day to Christmas, think i´m gonna write a letter to Santa Claus asking a inscription in the Animation Mentor for January.:beer:

[Bentagon]

Haha! Best idea I've heard this season! :beer:

- Bentagon

[vanlicht]

All I wish is tha AM's application for approval from the California Bureau would go fine and the Bureau be kind to let it pass as a great Christmas present not only for AM but for all of us!

[Jozvex]

I second that wish! I wanna start in January too!

[PixelTales]

I third that wish! We've all been chomping at the bit for January to come around. And, it only gets even more exciting as the beginning of the year approaches.:bounce:

Good luck to everyone in getting in, hopefully I will be able to get a spot as well.:shrug:

[Bentagon]

I bet no-one has ever looked forward to the new year THIS much ;)

- Bentagon

[vanlicht]

GregRinaldi's post: http://mag.awn.com/index.php?ltype=pageone&article_no=2329&page=1
don't know anyone has any comment about it?

I know animators have to know 12 rules by heart before they can discusse further about the newer apporach, but this article really made me feel something of equal importance, if i am to be an animator.

And...............when will the newsletter come...?:sad:

[Jozvex]

Hmmmm, I'm not really sure what to think about that article. It seemed pretty contradictory in a few places. I haven't seen Ryan yet.

Somehow I don't think we're all doomed quite yet.

[maelstrom]

that was a very interesting read and i think he has some points... 3d animation IS different from 2d: we got more control, more space to move in (literally). but on the other side we don't have the same freedom as 2d animators, being able to alter form of characters at will.

maybe we are constraining ourselves to formulas, developed decades ago, built for another medium....?

[PixelTales]

Definitly an interesting read, and certainly some good points. If you haven't yet you guy's should check out the CG Talk thread started about this topic.

Link (http://www.cgtalk.com/showthread.php?t=195708)

Back to AM does anyone know if any other forms of payment will be acceptable other than credit card. For example a cashiers check or money order. What happens to those people who have the money and are ready and willing to sign up at regisration time but do not have a $2000 or $2500+ spending limit on their credit card?

[vanlicht]

[QUOTE=

Back to AM does anyone know if any other forms of payment will be acceptable other than credit card. For example a cashiers check or money order. What happens to those people who have the money and are ready and willing to sign up at regisration time but do not have a $2000 or $2500+ spending limit on their credit card?[/QUOTE]

I checked with my credit card company, they said if I deposit the amount more than my spending limit, then the spending limit would expand to the amount I deposit. so if the limit is 2000 but i deposit 2500 then I could pay the amount of toally 2500 at one single purchase. But don't know whether this rule applies to all the credit card company, you might want to check it out.

[vanlicht]

that was a very interesting read and i think he has some points... 3d animation IS different from 2d: we got more control, more space to move in (literally). but on the other side we don't have the same freedom as 2d animators, being able to alter form of characters at will.

maybe we are constraining ourselves to formulas, developed decades ago, built for another medium....?
Maelstrom,
I guess somehow pixar has acchieved adjusting the form of the character at their own will by posing the charcter into exact pose by means of their newly developed sketch tool.

here's the article link once provided by RobertoOrtiz about the tool that helped Brad Bird along the production of the Incredibles.
http://preview.millimeter.com/mag/video_tool_time_pixar/

[alexandrecollac]

This Sketch tool seens very usefull, tanks for the link vanlicht.


Bobby, Shawn and Carlos, i know u are probably very busy at this moment and waiting for the aproval in the bureou but this waiting is killing us, must of us are waiting since june, the month is ending, we have 5 days to christmas and another 11 to 2005 and i´m in vacation from the college too, i´m affraid of being out on the weekend and then when i return i find out that the seats are full. Please give us some light about what is happening and any prevision.

thanks, and sorry to bother but every day i´m getting more and more anxious.:thumbsup:

[textureyes]

well i did a quick search and this i assume is the web site of
The California Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education
http://www.bppve.ca.gov/
but no clue as to when they close for christmas.
Is this where they are waiting for approval?:shrug:
I hope it is before because im away for a while after christmas and wont be able to camp in front of a computer.
roll on enrollment

[animboom]

Haa haa. Thanks Textureyes. Yup, that's the Bureau that we're waiting for. All I can say at this point is we are waiting for their approval. We're very sorry to keep everyone waiting however we are not allowed to open our doors until they say so.

Thanks for hanging tight everyone. We will announce more as soon as we find out anything, but for now we're all just waiting around... der... :eek:

We're still working hard to make things even better in the meantime and have over 40 beta testers in the site currently banging on it looking for bugs and such. So the time is not ill spent.

As for Payment we will also accept Check, money orders etc. I will send a newsletter soon with some of the new "legal" requirements that are involved. It's actually pretty mellow stuff and something people can at least start preparing for ahead of time. Talk to you soon, and thanks for having faith in us.

PS. Pixar's "sketch" tool is only having the ability to draw over the pose and then print that out. It's very similar to that of drawing with a dry erase marker on the monitor.

-BOOM

[fluffybunny]

Haa haa. Thanks Textureyes. Yup, that's the Bureau that we're waiting for. All I can say at this point is we are waiting for their approval. We're very sorry to keep everyone waiting however we are not allowed to open our doors until they say so.

-BOOM Bobby,

I hope this (http://www.bppve.ca.gov/religious_exemption.pdf) is the form you filled out. Even though it's not required by the course, I'm sure you could just tell them we're all Mayans and they'd buy it ;) If it helps to sell it, I'm sure we can all wear ceremonial headdresses while animating just to go the extra mile. Making them lightweight and breathable, however, will be important factors.

eric

[davpunk]

interesting posts. A few things to think about, especially about education. And I am in no way making a pro/con judgement or endorsement for these guys. I went through many thoughts and ideas during my search for education.

1) If in fact you are seriously interested in doing animation for feature films or big movies- you have to think about location. You NEED to move to an area where that industry lives. AKA Hollywood, or other main urban cultural areas that have the opportunities. You probably wont be animating for Pixar, Dreamworks or Disney living in Bumloaf, Idaho - or places where you cant even get a DSL connection. Thats just the way it goes.

2) If you do make the decision to pursue your dream of working on feature films, and decide to move-look at educational institutes in that location. The program might sound fantastic, but what is more important are the instructors. Where are they from? Where are they working? What have they done? Obviously if yer in Bumloaf, Idaho your instructors professional work might be sliding a BBQ chicken Leg across the screen for a local eatery, but its a commercial on TV, so that is considered a 'professional' experienced instructor that is working in the 'industry'...

3) In Hollywood, or LA the industry lives and breathes. There are all sorts of user groups and cg community functions to network-which is probably the most important aspect of your education. If you physically attend a school, all of your peers are a connection, your instructor is a connection. The experience of the classroom and learning from others is invaluable. Theyre youre way "in", not to mention friends that you meet, and the overall school exprerience.

If you learn from home over the internet- despite how excellent the program is, youre still just that- a dude working at home. You wont really have those 'personal' connections to help you get into a studio.

However, if you want to learn the trade, and youre not around a decent school, online education is very valuable, but see #1. It all depends on the intereaction between you and their instructor lineup, which is very impressive I might add. That is a plus. They all work-long hours Im sure, so how much of their 'time' do you actually get?

4) Resources. If it is online, how do you get specific one-on-one help? An Email? Forums? Do you get to keep the videos that you download? Can you get a DVD? What are the specifics? How is this different from a Forum? There are many working professionals on forums.

5) Cost effectiveness. What are you getting for your cash? Is it better to just buy some educational DVDs? If the cost per month is more expensive, or just as expensive as taking a class-or perhaps a location change, is it worth it?

Its just food for thought. These days education is quite expensive, and fortunately we live in an age that offers different learning options. Schools, Online Schools, Tutorials and Products etc. So if youre serious about education, just take the time to research your options based off of your situation. Good Luck!

[textureyes]

I see your point davpunk.

but i think a lot of your answers will come as the school grows a reputation from experienced graduated students.
An online school like this offers a lot of people the opportunity to not learn from bumlaof chicken sliding "animators". Especially those who cannot afford the tuition frees and living expenses of the US.
And there are also many many animators that want to use new technology to start to fund there own storytelling techniques in there own countries. Pixar are good but there inspiration all over the world will generate effort to produce and learn more about animation.
I will certainly pass on anything i learn about animation in my own traveling and teaching.
only time will tell.
Lets hope this school can help movies and cartoons to improve world wide for a long time.
Animation isnt hollywood. it just does it well.

[davpunk]

Oh I agree. It has the resources to be very successful, so we will see how it unfolds.
Im not saying that Hollywood is it for animation, there are plenty of animation opportunities all over the world, Like I said, if a person chooses to move to a location, to research education IN that location...

[andy_maxman]

it does not hurt to be skeptical sometimes......

as mentioned textureeyes - 'An online school like this offers a lot of people the opportunity to not learn from bumlaof chicken sliding "animators". Especially those who cannot afford the tuition frees and living expenses of the US.

Back home i'm yet to come across a reputed school giving quality training. And travelling overseas to do a course would be almost out of question. i'm looking up and forward to AM.
cheers! bobby!!!

ps-
hi carlos, bobby - incredibles just released in india 4 days back. it was super - super incredibly awesome. i want to be a part of such quality work some day. i loved the intro short film too. it was very sweet.
and i screamed when i saw the animators credit list starting off with Carlos and Boom. man we love you all for all the effort and time.

[fluffybunny]

Think about this too: From what I have seen, two of the major elements of AM are the animating and the live webcam based critiques. Now I have nothing to do with animation other than watching the behind the scenes stuff on all the Pixar DVDs, but it seems to me that this captures two of the most important aspects of working as an actual animator. Of course the camraderie and one on one personal interaction are lessenned, but you could theorize that Animation Mentor is being setup as close to how you might do things if you were an adjunct animator working for an animation production via 'telecommuting'. One nice benefit is that you don't have to pay the guy in Bumloaf, Idaho (which is actually only about 40 miles from where I live) the same amount as someone in SF or LA and they have just the same or a better standard of living. Perhaps more importantly, it builds from a potentially much larger talent pool than just those who live in SF or LA.

I'm not saying this is where they are going, just where it could lead.

my 2 cents

eric

[Bentagon]

and i screamed when i saw the animators credit list starting off with Carlos and Boom. man we love you all for all the effort and time.HAHA! Me too! My friend was wondering why I was gazing at those credits and suddenly smiling :D

Thanks a lot for keeping us updated bobby! I can't wait till it's approved!:thumbsup:

@davpunk: Good to hear a skeptical post for once ;)
I believe it is going to be very different then forums, even if we haven't got any proof but the webcams. I just trust bobby, carlos and shawn, because they're so superexcited about this and their vision of it. Don't forget they've spent over 2 years now getting everything ready. I also believe the video's we see are going to be of tremendous quality. For one, it are video's created by more then one person, interviewing a whole lot of people so we get all the best parts of every one of them. Two, looking at the sneak peak, it will teach us a lot about how using reference and planning, more then I think DVD's will.

And about different education: I am confident that most people here have tried to get the knowledge elsewhere. As for me, I have been thinking a lot about going to Supinfocom, Vallenciennes, or even moving to California for CalArts. - If I even got in one of those - , but at this point of my life I'm not just about ready for moving elsewhere. I'm still 18, and would die missing all my friends. I bet in a couple years, when I'm a bit more "adult", I'll have the same problem, but I think I'd be able to cope with it better then. Let alone that I would be able to afford CalArts. I'd have to pay (so I've heard) about $60,000 a year to live and go to college there. And this for three or four years. My parents (or I) just don't have that ammount of money. And even if we had it, we wouldn't have been able to spend it on that anyways. That's why AM Online is nothing but a gift from heaven for me. I'm dieing to get into this.

- Bentagon

[philippeduvin]

Yep... its like you would like becoming a guitar player, and you find a school where jimi hendrix will be your teacher... :) same to me with AM :scream:

[Bentagon]

hey, I actually have used that exact same example to make clear to a friend of mine why I was doing this :p
maybe it was said before and it slipped in my subconciousness?

- Bentagon

[philippeduvin]

for me it's was just because i'm a guitar player :rolleyes:

[alexandrecollac]

Yeah spend U$240.000 in four years for education is very very expensive, AM is the opportunity for the ones that can´t afford it or move to have classes in other countries.
I believe too based in what i´ve seen, asked and heard since now, and i´ve heard lot of things i´m looking for this course since june, that this course is going to be a high quality one and most of the mentors effords till now was to make it with the most interactive possible for a online course. I just have to thanks Bobby, Shawn and Carlos for this opportunity:thumbsup: .

andy_maxman - i saw the incredibles some days ago and i have only one word to describe it, it is INCREDIBLE. I saw it two times and i´m waiting for the next opportunity to see it again.:thumbsup:


Bobby Boom - Thanks for the reply, it is not very reconfortating news but at least it is some news.
I´m a little bit concerned about how the application process is going to be, i know that probably it will be rush and i will need to fill it fast, but i would like to have some time at least to read the catalog and all the license agreement, so Are you going to send us this information before the mail with the link and password to inscription??


I hope the Bureau don´t make our waiting longer, if it was in Brazil i surely would not expect to see this approval before 2005, damn bureaucracy and government laziness.

[RayenD]

Hehe bureau of what.. ?

I hope Bobby, that you and AM crew considered moving enrloll date to something more practical, like middle/end of January, considering that now we have Christmas and then New Year.. lots of people on holidays with family and friends.. I don't think waiting 2 weeks more would do any damage and it will give time to make educated and no rushed decisions for lots of us - patience is one of the most important things in animation ;).

Anyway... Merry Christmas and Crazy New year to everyone!

[Bentagon]

The opening date is the 15th, as far as I can remember, so I think that should give just the right amount of time to get ready.

- Bentagon

[Lukkyb]

Hey, folks just a quicky update. No need for a newsletter quite yet.

We are waiting for approval from the California Bureau before we open our doors. We've been in their application process for over 3 months now and we are currently working on meeting all of their criteria. This will ultimately mean GREAT things for our students. For now, however it means waiting a bit longer. I myself am not 100% sure of the date although I know we are still shooting to begin our first class on January 10th. Keep your fingers crossed and just keep swimming. When we have more news you will recieve a newsletter. Thanks for being supportive and patient.

Oh, and about our catalog. Our catalog is done and ready for download, however we cannot "Publish" it until we receive approval from the Bureau. We are not trying to withhold any information, we just have to follow "the rules" on this stuff.

Clockwerkz: Congratulations on your new baby! That's the best news on the planet.

-BOOM

The first class is penciled in for January 10th but I feel that the schedule may well slip on that, waiting on Bureaucraticred tape ...

[philippeduvin]

I remembered something around 10th january.. :) any quote of the boom boom post ?

[Bentagon]

Yes, you were right. It's the tenth.

quoted by mr. boom himself:
I myself am not 100% sure of the date although I know we are still shooting to begin our first class on January 10th. Keep your fingers crossed and just keep swimming
- Bentagon

[davpunk]

I totally understand all that stuff. But its about HOW serious you are. If its your passion and your dream- youll have to make a sacrafice. If yer gunna cry cos youll miss your friends-and you will, trust me. But Thats the way it goes, and thats what it takes-some big balls to chase what you REALLY want. So many people dont even try, or wish they could, or sit and dream, or just live in their comfort zone. Its up to you to do what it takes.

60K for Calarts is a stretch- like any school there is reputation and quality- jeez look at Art Center, I think its 100K for their program. As with any school youre going to have to take out loans, ya might have to do that even with the online educators. LA is expensive, but you can find cheaper rent, and it all depends on your lifestyle. If youre trying to do the Livin La Vida Loca there and go to school, its prolly not gunna work out. :P And depending on what youre trying to achieve, Calarts may or may not be the school for you either. There are ways to 'trick' the system, like teachers at Art Center teach at other schools-that are cheaper. Essentially that is the same education-just without the Art Center name-so its yer choice again to have the education, or the name. Overall, talent prevails.

As for the Guitar/Hendrix comment its like. Well you can watch Hendrix on tv and try to learn, or you can sit in a room next to him and have him teach you. :P

LA has its ups and downs, but the interesting dynamic is mostly everyone who lives there is trying to 'make it', or they have made it. All of the individuals there are trying to chase a dream or better their career. That the unique part of it. Just a little insight.

[Bentagon]

Yes, you're right. It's all about how much we want it. But if we get the chance to get specific education on the thing we like best, which we are able to complement with (here, low priced) night classes in sculpting, life drawing etc, WITHOUT having to move just yet, why shouldn't we risk it and take that chance. If needed, we can still go to another college after that. When the course is over, I'd still be only 20, so there would be plenty of time to study elsewhere if needed.

- Bentagon

[alexandrecollac]

Animation Mentor is only another choice, and for lot of people like me it is the best choice for now. For me going to US now and pay lot of money in education there is too expensive and would be very sacrificating to me and my parents.
The why we are so excited about is is becouse it is the best choice and for some the only choice to learn what we like most, Animation.

[agreenster]

I totally understand all that stuff. But its about HOW serious you are. If its your passion and your dream- youll have to make a sacrafice. If yer gunna cry cos youll miss your friends-and you will, trust me. But Thats the way it goes, and thats what it takes-some big balls to chase what you REALLY want. So many people dont even try, or wish they could, or sit and dream, or just live in their comfort zone. Its up to you to do what it takes.
Dude, this is sooo true. I up and moved across the country to chase down my dreams of being an animator (as many of you have) and let me tell you, it can be very scary. New city. New people. New responsibilities. Its not about the money, and its not about the recognition--but about the love of the art. So if you dont throw away caution and go for it, you'll never know if you could. Many of my friends gave up on being an animator (or any artist, really) and it's kind of sad. The comfort zone is one of the most deadly traps to fall into. Even Pixar understands to not get complacent-thats why they brought on Bird-to shake things up.

Animation Mentor is an incredible opportunity, but don't think it wont take guts and determination and lots of time spent to learn the craft. School is still school, no matter if its taught by Bobby Beck or an unknown. It's all about what YOU do with it. Do the best you can with what you have, right where you are.

And yeah, its a tough balance between personal life and career sometimes...you have to surround yourself with supportive people. (so take yer wife/girlfriend out on a date every once in a while, and not just to the latest animated film)

[maelstrom]

AM is about animation and animation alone... there's people with firsthand experience which can't spend the amount of money required to go to CalArts or Art Center, nor have the TIME to do so - nor need 3 years of basic art training (again) before getting their hands at animation.

i have to work hard to pay my rent as a cg artist: i do post production work, modelling, texturing - you name it. the one thing i enjoy most though is character animation and i feel it's the hardest craft by far - something you can't really teach yourself from a book (unlike many other things in cg). i get a lot of compliments from people for my animations, but i know i still suck A LOT and i would love to learn from the masters themselves - to become a decent animator someday.

i'm not interested in going to LA at all. there's other good places to be and Bumloaf, Idaho could well be the place for the next cool studio... ;) animation can be done literally everywhere on this planet, you don't need Hollywood.

AM is like a dream come true and i really hope to get a spot among all the other regulars on this thread. i wish us all luck and thanks again to Boom and all the other guys giving us this chance!

[agreenster]

I didnt mean to imply you have to be in LA or CA or NZ or wherever to be an animator, or that if you dont uproot you arent chasing your dreams! I just mean you have to be determined, and if it takes moving, then do it. (I had to move if I wanted any type of real opportunity, and I wouldnt have moved if I hadnt gotten a job offer, and I wouldnt have gotten the offer if it hadnt been for tons and tons of time away from family and friends tuning my reel) Many people see obstacles and quit, and that's what seperates the do-ers and the watchers.

You're right--animation can be done anywhere and thats the beauty of AM. But my point is that those people who do manage to get in, expect to work your butt off, get critiqued, get discouraged, and then get back up on the horse--because you CAN BE and WILL BE a great animator. It's the drive to succeed (and the leaving of the comfort zone, and the potential to get embarassed and discouraged) that is important

[maelstrom]

that's certainly true. but for some people AM is an opportunity they would never get elsewhere. and consider this: there's people from economically not so gifted countries who "move" a lot coming up with the cash for this course. they are surely leaving their comfort zone financially.

teaching this on the internet is a new concept and i'm pretty sure it will work when Bobby and his gang pull it off right. we also get top guys working in top studios who wouldn't consider leaving their jobs and going to be school teachers. they don't have to move, get some (considerable i hope) pocket money and can still work on their exciting projects. it's kind of a 2-way deal.... :)

[maelstrom]

if you want to be good, you have to work your butt off, even sitting comfortably in your chair at home - no doubt about that though.... :p

[andy_maxman]

And yeah, its a tough balance between personal life and career sometimes...you have to surround yourself with supportive people. (so take yer wife/girlfriend out on a date every once in a while, and not just to the latest animated film)
;-) lol mate!! bangOn!
_______________________

Friends why do i feel this thread is almost fallen into a vicious circle. We are spinning round and round making very obvious points.
Let's simply wait for the newsletter. And not keep popping up ' when is it coming? '. It's obvious that the AM crew is working on it.
I suggest make the most of the free time you have now cos' when you get onboard, you might as well be buying yourself a one-way ticket.
lookingUp!
-andy

[keenasmustard]

Isn't it funny how you can get motivation from different places at the most unlikely of times?

I've just moved from Australia to USA for two years, and things have been quite daunting since I've been here. (Beaurocracy, culture shock, homesickness etc) I was feeling really flat until I came across your post agreenster, and the answers that followed. Thank you for helping me to keep my perspective and unknowingly cheering me up!:)

[daraand]

It is so wierd how you can get motivated at hte most stranngeest times! I know I've been there. angreenster and davpunk make excellent points about this wonderful life that is animation :D

I do want to point this out real fast, I dont know if its been mentioned before, and I've already heard mixed reviews from it but:

http://www.acmeanimation.org (http://www.acmeanimation.org/)

apparently does something similiar to AMO, just on a lighter scale. It has some good challenges at the very least to keep you moving.

I do too hope AMO comes out soon. I actually wore the shirt a few days ago in celebration of hearing I might be able to do it :D And yeah, I too sat throug hthe credits to point some names out of people I recognized (and even met while at SIGGRAPH this year! Great little show you guys put on (; )

[Bentagon]

great posts, agreenster! I agree 100%!

And talking about those T-shirts, any news on whether they will be sold or not?
Can't wait for the catalogue and newsletter!

- Bentagon

[vizjac]

great posts, agreenster! I agree 100%!

And talking about those T-shirts, any news on whether they will be sold or not?
Can't wait for the catalogue and newsletter!

- Bentagon
I also agree with agreenster!

Also do we need to start an Animation Mentor T-shirt pre-order post? I will glably where my T-shirt around the S.F. Bay Area. I can only help marketing, not that Animation Mentor will be hurting, with all the posts and interest.:buttrock:

[Phearielord]

wow!!
we're just about on 100 pages!!
awesome!

as for the registration, i cant wait!!!
though lucky for me, i have to work over christmas and new years, so i'll be at my comp 24/7 anyway! :)
so i'm ready no matter the time!

and as for the AM t-shirt!!
i want one!!
*adds it to his christmas wish-list*

[Tom N.]

Dude, this is sooo true. I up and moved across the country to chase down my dreams of being an animator (as many of you have) and let me tell you, it can be very scary. New city. New people. New responsibilities. Its not about the money, and its not about the recognition--but about the love of the art. So if you dont throw away caution and go for it, you'll never know if you could. Many of my friends gave up on being an animator (or any artist, really) and it's kind of sad. The comfort zone is one of the most deadly traps to fall into.

Great post, pretty motivating too and its kind of just what I was looking to hear from fellow animators. I've been at the Art Institute in Pittsburgh for about a year now, and ever since I heard about AM, I've been seriously thinking about leaving AIP and doing AM instead. Now, I just got a job offer at my 'part time i need spending money' job, they want me full time on salary (actually a pretty big promotion) and its a really great oppurtunity but I could never do 4 classes at once and work at the same time, so I'm seriously considering taking this promotion and just doing AM. Ahh the decisions!

So anyways, I just wanted to say that I'm glad someone spoke up about falling into a comfort zone because I was debating on whether or not I should stay at my school and be in that zone, or take the obvious oppurtunity of a lifetime. Its nice to see when people step aside and make it by going a different path.

Can't wait for AM!

-Tom N.

P.S. - I haven't gotten any newsletter about registration, wasn't is supposed to be this month so classes could start in January? (sorry, i haven't read all 148 pages of this post if the answer is already in there somewhere).

[textureyes]

P.S. - I haven't gotten any newsletter about registration, wasn't is supposed to be this month so classes could start in January? (sorry, i haven't read all 148 pages of this post if the answer is already in there somewhere).[/QUOTE]
well the answer to your query is sit tight. They are waiting for clearance from the education board to get an official qualification sorted. I guess it will be after christmas some time now.
Which is really unfortunate... I am living in Taiwan but have to go to LA and SF for the new year. and i wont be near a computer for instant registration. (work not fun either) :rolleyes:
Oh the irony of being so far away and able to sign, but moving so close to the source and will miss it.:sad:

On the subject of leaving the comfort zone... i left to go to an animation school in the UK. found my wife, gained a carreer in CG and its taking me around the world. If you get a chance to be around other animators for real, then it IS WAY better than online.
But my school was not that hot at teaching the art of movement. So AM is an added bonus to keep me on my toes.

Dan

[Bentagon]

:applause:
Congratulations with the #11 spot in the TOP20 things of 2004, Bobby, Carlos and Shawn (and the other mentors)! To me, you deserved a higher spot, but it's still great ;)
Now let's turn it into the #1 spot of 2005/2006! "To infinity, and beyond!"

and if I don't post here anymore in the next few days, Merry Christmas! :beer:

- Bentagon

[andy_maxman]

Merry Christmas everyone! And wish you all a happy new year with loads of love and luck!
peace,
andy

[philippeduvin]

I'm leavin' tomorrow to London for Christmas break... so I wanted to wish you guys a merry christmas...hope to see you on AM...if I don't miss it since my return on december 30th :)

Cheers :)

[vanlicht]

Merry Christmas to all of you. Wish you enjoy this great holiday.:love:
As for me have to work on Chirstmas though...:sad:
And congradualtions to AM into top 20 of 2004, Bobby, Shawn, Carlos, mentors, and rest of unheard heros contributing this wonderful platform for AM school. :thumbsup:

[Jozvex]

Yeah merry christmas to all AM people everywhere!

:thumbsup:

[alexandrecollac]

Merry Christmas to everyone, and for those that i´m not going to see here till 2005 Happy New Year too.:beer:





wait wait wait wait

[vizjac]

Merry Christmas to all and yours, stay safe. And happy holidays to everyone.:thumbsup:

[PixelTales]

Feliz Crismachanukquanzica to everyone and a Happy New Year! :D

Just thought I'd try and cover all bases. And for anyone I might have missed, Happy Holidays, and see you all in the new year :thumbsup:

Oh yeah and WoooHooo!!! We have offically made it to page 100 in this thread :bounce: I wonder how high the page count will go?

[liquidik]

Hey Guys, don't eat too much...hope to see you next year at AM. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

Liquid

[stewartjones]

MERRY CHRISTMAS all prospective AM students!!!

Looking forward to the start... The number one Christmas present on everyone's list this year methinks!!! :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[lhvio89]

Merry Christmas (happy chanukkah, happy kuanza, and happy holidays) and a happy new year to everyone!

[barclan]

Hi, yes, happy Christmas for you all. Wish this coming year to be a good year in your way to make true your dreams to become animators (with AM of course!)

[philippeduvin]

Hey guys, just to say merry christams from London where finally i can check AM arrival...and what a funny surprise... I'm staying in an appartement in EMERY HILL street :) Emery hill, Emery ville, that's a great sign for the new year, don't you think ? :thumbsup: Merry Christmas yall

[animboom]

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from all of us here at AnimationMentor.com. Thanks for all your support and encouragement over the last 6 months. We're nearing the "beginning" and it's a very exciting time. We promise to send out a newsletter as soon as we get more information. Thanks again and we look forward to see you soon.

Happy New year ahead to all.

-BOOM

[olioli]

hey everyone, hope all is going well.

Quick question,
I'm not sure if this will be discussed in the newsletter, but will there be a payment plan to go alone with these classes or do you have to pay in full the first day of class.

[philippeduvin]

We're nearing the "beginning"

-BOOMdo you mean that you still waiting for the bureau approval ?
Bob , thanks and merry christmas to all the AM team !! You rocks guys :thumbsup:

[keenasmustard]

Hope everyone had a good Christmas. Best wishes for the New Year.

Not sure if we have anyone here from that region, but my thoughts and prayers are with those who went through the terrible tsunami in SE Asia. I know Pee Pee Island (near Phuket) well- I was only there 12 months ago. I am terribly saddened to hear of what they and others just went through. Best wishes to you all.

[Bentagon]

Yes, it's horrible. While we were having fun on Christmas, thousands of people were dieing. It's just so incredibly sad... my prayers go their way too.

- Bentagon

[assafk]

Can anyone please post me a direct link here to the sneap peek classes video??
I cant get the link cause its FLASH. And, from some reason, I cant download it from the flash site :shrug: , but maybe if i'll do "save target as" Ill be able to...
I really want to see this video :drool:

[Bentagon]

it doesn't load in flash here...
anywho, my christmas present to you: http://www.animationmentor.com/AM_sneakpeek.mov

- Bentagon

**edit**eek, just noticed this is my 100th post in this thread:eek: Am I being too excited?

[assafk]

anywho, my christmas present to you: http://www.animationmentor.com/AM_sneakpeek.mov

:love: :love: :love:

[philippeduvin]

eek, just noticed this is my 100th post in this thread:eek: Am I being too excited?I think ours 3 guys of AM are not doing a SCREENING process to get into the level A but more something like a STRESSING process :) !!!