BilbyD
10-20-2009, 04:45 AM
Update:
Here's a couple of other questions for you guys in the know (i know some of them might've been answered in other threads):
Is the level of schooling (for 4-yr programs) in the US worth working and saving up years to attend? I know ateliers are an option, but you also need deep pockets for them.
I've come to believe that production artists are usually quite limited in terms of creative freedom, and it seems like concept artists are only limited to their imagination. So how much freedom do you really have, as a production artist, and how much freedom do concept artists usually have?
I know this next question is frowned upon by a lot of people, but how much money do production artists, concept artists and/or animators make?
And just to be straight up about it, i'm definately not in it for the money, but when the decision comes this close, anything will help close the book on it.
How hard is it to transition from film to games and vice-versa?
A lot of questions :eek: i know. But yea, it'd be immensely helpful, if anyone could answer any one of those questions. Thanks in advance, you guys are awesome. :thumbsup:
Original Post:
Okay, here goes.
I'm at a crossroads in life right now. I'm certain I want to do some form of CG, but I don't exactly know what, and I don't know what options to take (or what options I really have for that matter). I was hoping some of you could help me, or shine some light on your own life changing decisions, in terms of choosing your line of work, regrets, your route of learning whether self-study or school (or both), etc.
A little about me:
I'm still young, turning 21. Born and living in Australia. Finishing a diploma in digital media that I’ve studied for the past 2 years. Still in doubt as to what i should do and where i should go. Work and save up for a decent art college over in the states? or study locally? or self-study?
If I study over in the states the hefty fees for esteemed art colleges and living expenses that are required, I’d need to work roughly 3-4 years to save up enough. Is it really worth it?
The following is pretty mundane to read through, so if you're a busy person then you can skip the long dribble and read the summary below that. Any help is very much appreciated.
My dilemma:
The concept artist in me:
I love concept art, the whole concept of concept art has really inspired me to want to be one, and i really do hope to end up being one some day. But I know realistically it's a tough aspect of the industry, the competition from what I’ve gathered is quite fierce (in terms of talent and skill). I've been drawing my whole life, but not seriously drawing, serious as in those 8 hours a day people. I know my ability to draw and digitally paint is below mediocre at best. Is it worth investing some years to get to where I want to get, despite the fact I know I don't have any real talent and despite the fact it's a tough industry and I’m happy to take another route. I know I don't enjoy theory so much (but I don't mind it), and degrees don't mean much to me, I don't have much formal training in a traditional sense though, is college the route to take, or should I self teach and practice. If college, then should I work for a couple of years and save up for a decent art college in the states (conceptart.org atelier?), or go locally and cut out the work for years bit?
Visual effects, games, technical artist, and the likes:
I think I’m more adept in this area. I'm quite technical as some of my classmates have told me. I wouldn't mind going down this road at all, I know it's a broad field, but most visual effects and 3D courses are broad also. But honestly, it's to put bread on the table, i would really hope to end up as a concept artist in the long run. So is visual effects (and etc.) for me? Should I do vfx and study traditional and concept art on the side? should I work (for a couple of years) and save up for a decent college in the states (gnomon, vfs, scad, lost boys, etc.)? or should I study vfx locally and save having to spend a few years working to save up? So many questions.
The animation bone:
I've gained quite an interest in animation recently. I've bought a couple of animation and drawing books to rummage through. I know animation is also a tough industry, but I’m not so discourage at going down this route as it is something that can really be taught from the ground up much more easily. But it's still early for me to decide to want to do animation for the rest of my life, but if I do, then I’d be most inclined to do 3D animation. So the questions are should I still give it a shot? Should i practice traditional animation first? Should I go to an art college and decide from there? Should I do go and do animationmentor(.com) (something I’d love to eventually do if I was to be an animator).
The summary:
1. Concept art - i love it the most but also least talented in it and need to put bread on the table.
a) study in a local art college
b) work for a few years and save up for a decent international art college (self study in between working)
c) pure self-study in concept art
2. VFX - I enjoy doing it and find that I’m quite adept at it.
a) do a local VFX course (includes some animation) and focus on concept art on the side
b) go to a local art college to focus on concept art and do vfx on the side
c) work for a few years and save up for a decent international vfx college (self study in between working)
d) pure self-study in vfx
3. Animation - very interested in it recently. Know little about it. It is something I wouldn't mind doing for a long time. Confident in my ability to animate well one day.
a) do a local VFX course (includes some animation)
b) go to a local art college to focus on concept art and forget about both animation and vfx
c) local art college + animation/vfx on the side
d) work + international animation/film college
e) self-study, animationmentor.com and books.
4. Fail life
Those are the options I’m faced with. I know it's really something i should decide for myself, but i hope you guys could help shed some light about it. Any of your own experiences and how you tackled them would also be appreciated.
Here's a couple of other questions for you guys in the know (i know some of them might've been answered in other threads):
Is the level of schooling (for 4-yr programs) in the US worth working and saving up years to attend? I know ateliers are an option, but you also need deep pockets for them.
I've come to believe that production artists are usually quite limited in terms of creative freedom, and it seems like concept artists are only limited to their imagination. So how much freedom do you really have, as a production artist, and how much freedom do concept artists usually have?
I know this next question is frowned upon by a lot of people, but how much money do production artists, concept artists and/or animators make?
And just to be straight up about it, i'm definately not in it for the money, but when the decision comes this close, anything will help close the book on it.
How hard is it to transition from film to games and vice-versa?
A lot of questions :eek: i know. But yea, it'd be immensely helpful, if anyone could answer any one of those questions. Thanks in advance, you guys are awesome. :thumbsup:
Original Post:
Okay, here goes.
I'm at a crossroads in life right now. I'm certain I want to do some form of CG, but I don't exactly know what, and I don't know what options to take (or what options I really have for that matter). I was hoping some of you could help me, or shine some light on your own life changing decisions, in terms of choosing your line of work, regrets, your route of learning whether self-study or school (or both), etc.
A little about me:
I'm still young, turning 21. Born and living in Australia. Finishing a diploma in digital media that I’ve studied for the past 2 years. Still in doubt as to what i should do and where i should go. Work and save up for a decent art college over in the states? or study locally? or self-study?
If I study over in the states the hefty fees for esteemed art colleges and living expenses that are required, I’d need to work roughly 3-4 years to save up enough. Is it really worth it?
The following is pretty mundane to read through, so if you're a busy person then you can skip the long dribble and read the summary below that. Any help is very much appreciated.
My dilemma:
The concept artist in me:
I love concept art, the whole concept of concept art has really inspired me to want to be one, and i really do hope to end up being one some day. But I know realistically it's a tough aspect of the industry, the competition from what I’ve gathered is quite fierce (in terms of talent and skill). I've been drawing my whole life, but not seriously drawing, serious as in those 8 hours a day people. I know my ability to draw and digitally paint is below mediocre at best. Is it worth investing some years to get to where I want to get, despite the fact I know I don't have any real talent and despite the fact it's a tough industry and I’m happy to take another route. I know I don't enjoy theory so much (but I don't mind it), and degrees don't mean much to me, I don't have much formal training in a traditional sense though, is college the route to take, or should I self teach and practice. If college, then should I work for a couple of years and save up for a decent art college in the states (conceptart.org atelier?), or go locally and cut out the work for years bit?
Visual effects, games, technical artist, and the likes:
I think I’m more adept in this area. I'm quite technical as some of my classmates have told me. I wouldn't mind going down this road at all, I know it's a broad field, but most visual effects and 3D courses are broad also. But honestly, it's to put bread on the table, i would really hope to end up as a concept artist in the long run. So is visual effects (and etc.) for me? Should I do vfx and study traditional and concept art on the side? should I work (for a couple of years) and save up for a decent college in the states (gnomon, vfs, scad, lost boys, etc.)? or should I study vfx locally and save having to spend a few years working to save up? So many questions.
The animation bone:
I've gained quite an interest in animation recently. I've bought a couple of animation and drawing books to rummage through. I know animation is also a tough industry, but I’m not so discourage at going down this route as it is something that can really be taught from the ground up much more easily. But it's still early for me to decide to want to do animation for the rest of my life, but if I do, then I’d be most inclined to do 3D animation. So the questions are should I still give it a shot? Should i practice traditional animation first? Should I go to an art college and decide from there? Should I do go and do animationmentor(.com) (something I’d love to eventually do if I was to be an animator).
The summary:
1. Concept art - i love it the most but also least talented in it and need to put bread on the table.
a) study in a local art college
b) work for a few years and save up for a decent international art college (self study in between working)
c) pure self-study in concept art
2. VFX - I enjoy doing it and find that I’m quite adept at it.
a) do a local VFX course (includes some animation) and focus on concept art on the side
b) go to a local art college to focus on concept art and do vfx on the side
c) work for a few years and save up for a decent international vfx college (self study in between working)
d) pure self-study in vfx
3. Animation - very interested in it recently. Know little about it. It is something I wouldn't mind doing for a long time. Confident in my ability to animate well one day.
a) do a local VFX course (includes some animation)
b) go to a local art college to focus on concept art and forget about both animation and vfx
c) local art college + animation/vfx on the side
d) work + international animation/film college
e) self-study, animationmentor.com and books.
4. Fail life
Those are the options I’m faced with. I know it's really something i should decide for myself, but i hope you guys could help shed some light about it. Any of your own experiences and how you tackled them would also be appreciated.