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View Full Version : NYU Maya certificate...worth the dough?

GRMac13
01-11-2003, 10:28 PM
I live near NYC and the job market here is real small and very hard to break into (esp with little or no professional experience and hardly any real contacts in the industry). I know that moving to the West Coast is the smartest thing to do, and I have every intention of doing so, but it's just not feasible right now. I am still living at home and my parents expect me to haul ass after graduation, plus I'll have a shitload of student loans to pay off. The cost of living in Cali is insane from what I've heard too. Anyway, my plan is to try and get a job at a small production studio or game studio in the area for about a year or two, build up my skillset (and save some cash) and then take the plunge into Californication.

So I've been in school for 2 years learning the ins and outs of 3Dmax. With graduation looming (I'm gone in June), I've come to the realization that to compete in today's job market, one should know more than just one animation package (I was denied an internship last year because I had no experience with Maya). Unfortunately, my school teaches only max. I've been wanting to learn Maya for a while now, but just haven't had the time between classes. Anyway, I've heard of a course given at NYU which teaches Maya and awards a certificate to those who complete the 4 Maya courses. So what do you guys think, is it worth the money?

I have 6 months before graduation. In this time I have to not only finish my classes, but complete production on a short film which I am working on with a few fellow artists. Taking the Maya course will definately take it's toll on me, but I'm worried that my reel and film may not be enough to guarantee me a job in this area considering that most of the studios here are smaller shops which produce work at a fast rate. They are going to look for people who have experience using the package that they use, aren't they? Hopefully someone here knows alittle about the curiculuum and faculty and can give me a review (good or bad). The course is offered by NYU's School of Continuing and Professional Studies.

here's a link:

http://www.scps.nyu.edu/departments...?courseId=29769

by the way, it ain't cheap.
dmcgrath
01-12-2003, 02:41 AM
Maya knowledge will certainly help you but your demo reel is going to get you hired. That is the way it is almost everywhere. If you show talent and skill, lots of places will have no problem taking you in with little or no Maya exp.
I am sure that if you took a couple of classes in Maya it would help. But the cost of getting the certificate might be too much.
Just curious, how much is the school? Im at the AAC (http://academyart.edu/) in S.F. and we are paying $550/credit. Its so damn expensive I pray I get a well paying job when I get out.
GRMac13
01-12-2003, 02:48 AM
Originally posted by dmcgrath
Just curious, how much is the school?

It's about $2100 per class for 4 classes (i know it's frickin expensive). I'm seriously considering just taking the one Introductory course for now, to sort of get my feet wet and then trying to explore the app on my own. I'm fairly comfortable using max, so it's just a question of learning how Maya is different and what I can do with it. I've heard most of the teachers are industry pros, some have worked at places like Blue Sky. So it's a good opportunity to learn from some established talent and do some networking. Man, I wish I were rich.
dmcgrath
01-12-2003, 03:00 AM
There's always Financial Aid.
Most colleges have connections to govt. and private financial aid. Plus grants and schlorships. It's worth investigating. Save yourself as much money as possible.

Good Luck, GR
Ed Lee
01-12-2003, 03:19 AM
Hey there,

In reply to your senior jitters I feel for your apprehensions. The industry climate these dayz are not hard to gauge. What I mean is that I think beside the film effects..most of the work is going outside the US...to Canada, not necessarily CG but live-action shootings and 2D effects, along with animation work like voice-overs and such. Some CG work do go over to Canada like TV animation stuff but not film effects. And certainly the game biz is still healthy compared to other types of work. What I'm trying to stress here is not so much what apps should one use, but can he or she draw and do 3D?. One has to shoot from both barrels. Do you have any drawings and paintings that can help a studio? It doesn't matter whether you know Max or Maya, tho certainly helps if you're thinking of going to Blue Sky but since you don't have much work experience I suggest you take some life drawing courses so you can show both drawings and CG. Alot of studios now require it..game studios as well.

Most companies only want to keep small staff, so if you can do storyboard and concept stuff, and do 3D...you're that much more valuable to the company heads. Think about it....with all the down sizing..it makes some sense.

There are some small to medium studios in Manhattan..like Tape House has small 3D team that uses Max. I can point you to other 1-5 person studios if you are interested. BTW, I'm from NYC originally.

Ed--

www.edleeart.com
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