is Academy of Arts a good school to go to

[Lyr]

For figure modeling get Cedric Wentworth.

[SpiralFace]

wow,

More then 1000 posts and still going strong!

[SpiralFace]

Hey I'm pretty much requestiing help on some class choices as to professors.

Which professor is good in these courses?

figure drawing
Analysis of Form
intro comp graphic
figure modeling

Thanks in advance guys. Oh I'll be attending in Fall '05. I should join one of the meet-ups once i'm up there.

Not to step on anyones toes, but I think that all of those classes are so basic that its going to be realy hard to find a "great" teacher teaching any of those classes. All your supposed to learn from your drawing classes is Porportion, Composition, and Form, and as far as the fig drawing is concerend you'll hear the teacher saying how important it is to take anatomy sooner then later (And beleave me it IS important to take it sooner then later) Don't expect the best teachers in the world for any of these classes becuase you can pretty much learn everything you need to know in these classes once you learn the VERY basics that I just described. The better teachers are for the higher up classes. Sometimes you get lucky and have a teacher that have just joined the academy and they test them out on the intro classes. But just keep in mind that the foundation class teachers don't reflect the real abilaty of most of the teachers that teach here becuase many of the teachers from Pixar, PDI, Blizzard, and other big studios teach very specific classes only available to the people that make it through foundations.

Foundations are primaraly made to weed out people that don't belong here becuase they can't handle the workload and are realy not devoted to applying themselves to art. As far as Intro to computer Graphics is concerend. It is usefull if you don't know any photoshop or after effects but it is an expendable class if you know what your doing. You can waiver out of it by just showing the director some photoshop work and an after effects animation or two.

[danteort]

Foundations are primaraly made to weed out people that don't belong here becuase they can't handle the workload and are realy not devoted to applying themselves to art.
That's good in theory, but in practice you still get all the C students making it through to the higher level classes. If it was truly a weeding process, then only a handful of students would be allowed to progress. The rest would have to retake the classes or leave.

Not going to name names here, but one of my former teachers was telling me about his friend, an animator at Pixar, who used to teach at the Academy and left because of all the "knuckleheads" who didn't do any work. You can infer that there had to have been a sufficient number of slackers for it to be a hindrance to his teaching.

Now, that doesn't sound like there's adequate "weeding" taking place. It could definitely be more challenging.

To illustrate what I would love to happen at the AAU, I'll give an example of a former teacher I had (elsewhere). This was a painting class, and the grading method was such that either you got an A on the assignment or it was incomplete. That is, until your work was at a sufficient level, you had to either fix it or redo it. So, if you put in the work required to reach that level, you got an A. Otherwise, you could not complete the class.

In a school with no competetive admissions, you have to be willing to fail a significant portion of the first year students, or you'll have lots of people slipping through the cracks.

[jbo]

danteort- all that teacher had to do is make it clear that those people were not going to pass his class, and they either would have transfered out or shaped up. It kinda makes me mad to hear that a teacher left because of this, when it's the teachers' fault in the first place, and the students who should be upset.

[danteort]

Oh I know, and I'm not justifying his actions in any way. I only brought it up to illustrate that despite the number of first years who drop out, many others will slip through. One reason this can become a problem is that this school is a business, and less students equals less revenue. So the school AS A WHOLE may turn a blind eye to those students who are limping through.

[Kimotion]

dont waste ur time and money doing intro to computer graphics...
if u can photoshop and play around with after effects do not take it... its a complete waste of time...

Only take it if you've NEVER touched Photoshop AfterEffects or Maya before. Actually, when I took the class, the teacher kept getting sick and we never learned AfterEffects. However, in CAPS I learned it.

Waive out of Intro to CG if you can. Show the Directors your work.

[Kimotion]

Hey I'm pretty much requestiing help on some class choices as to professors.

Which professor is good in these courses?

figure drawing
Analysis of Form
intro comp graphic
figure modeling

Thanks in advance guys. Oh I'll be attending in Fall '05. I should join one of the meet-ups once i'm up there.

For figure drawing, I had Henry Yan and he was AWESOME. With a few words he speaks many. Very zen-like.

For Figure Modeling I had Ted Zjiawinski. Very funny guy. He cares mostly on the fact you improve. He has high standards as well.

I can't say anything about Analysis since I waived out of it. However, I kinda wish I took it because I hear there are quite a few good instructors for that class.

[Kimotion]

Not to step on anyones toes, but I think that all of those classes are so basic that its going to be realy hard to find a "great" teacher teaching any of those classes. All your supposed to learn from your drawing classes is Porportion, Composition, and Form, and as far as the fig drawing is concerend you'll hear the teacher saying how important it is to take anatomy sooner then later (And beleave me it IS important to take it sooner then later) Don't expect the best teachers in the world for any of these classes becuase you can pretty much learn everything you need to know in these classes once you learn the VERY basics that I just described. The better teachers are for the higher up classes. Sometimes you get lucky and have a teacher that have just joined the academy and they test them out on the intro classes. But just keep in mind that the foundation class teachers don't reflect the real abilaty of most of the teachers that teach here becuase many of the teachers from Pixar, PDI, Blizzard, and other big studios teach very specific classes only available to the people that make it through foundations.

Foundations are primaraly made to weed out people that don't belong here becuase they can't handle the workload and are realy not devoted to applying themselves to art. As far as Intro to computer Graphics is concerend. It is usefull if you don't know any photoshop or after effects but it is an expendable class if you know what your doing. You can waiver out of it by just showing the director some photoshop work and an after effects animation or two.

Well described. The well connected teachers do tend to teach the higher ups, but a lot of times, it's a hit or miss, especially in the Animations & VFX dept. Now I won't go trashing the school since I've done enough of that. Private me if you want to know.

In my situation, there were several teachers I planned to get for class "next semester" after I do my prerequisite. But right when the next semester came, I find that he left! This happened to me three times.

So I can't emphasize this enough....take control of your own education. You really really need to be self-motivated, initiate your own projects and bug the teachers to critique your work. Most of the time they will be thrilled to do it, even staying later after class ended. If you plan on going into animation, the Animation area (I don't know about modeling, texturing, vfx...) is overcrowded with students so you really need to make an effort to get his/her attention by asking him/her to critique your work. And critiques are crucial in any art.

[Hullabaloo]

Analysis of form was great! i went into that class not being able to draw anything at all, i came out with the ability to draw alot of things i thought for myself was impossible! Anaylis has 1 of the greatest teachers, Jerry Boxley, if u get Anaylis of Form and cant draw, get him he will teach you from ground up, i hated drawing, sketching i now got some freelance work sketching because of that 1 class, who knew!

[SpiralFace]

Oh I know, and I'm not justifying his actions in any way. I only brought it up to illustrate that despite the number of first years who drop out, many others will slip through. One reason this can become a problem is that this school is a business, and less students equals less revenue. So the school AS A WHOLE may turn a blind eye to those students who are limping through.

Yeah its true that there are a handfull that slip through the cracks, but you seriously don't have to worry about those guys becuase most of the teachers in the mid to higher up classes are'nt going to stop or slow down for them. (At least in the Modeling & Textureing arc of this school. Don't know about you animators.) And if they still pass those classes? well then they still won't have the reels to get jobs out of this school anyways. They won't have the reels for any kind of good portfolio required class like the Pixar classes or the senior colabratives. So despite that, there realy is no need to worry about people like that becuase if they can't keep up, then there the ones screwing themselves over. Don't be threatened by them or bothered that the school gives them a chance still. Remember that you do have to pention to graduate from this school, and if your portfolio is'nt up to a calibur that the school conciders the norm to graduate, then they'll force them to take more classes. Although most of them I hear that don't have the reel just leave (The sad thing is that most of them think their stuff is the shit.)

[SpiralFace]

Sorry guys double post, This is happening with me more times then I want to. Do any of you guys have trouble posting on this forum with Firefox? The program tends to glitch up alot when I'm trying to post stuff.

[GrahamHRoss]

I'm staying at the Cass Hotel on Wabash Ave. I've got a single room with free parking for only $65 before taxes. It’s located two blocks away from Millenium Knickerbocker Hotel, where Academy Day is being held.



Hmmm...sounds like ur right in the loop. Tourist central man. But there's till stuff ta do. I highly reccomend u check out the Art Institute museum. It's really awesome. Millenium park is pretty cool so I hear, but I still have yet to walk through it. There's lots of shopping an d restaraunts down there...but be aware that not much stays open when it gets dark. If u want to do snything at night, head north to Lincoln Park (yuppie central) or go to Wicker Park (also yuppie central, but a little better). Michigan ave. is kinda fun to walk down too...and the water tower and the Museum of Modern art should be north of where u are staying. The sears tower should be west I think. It costs money to go up...but if u just want an arial view of the city and don't care about it being the tallest in da world, go to the hancock. It used to be free, but I think they charge a bit now...but it's cheaper that the sears tower by far.

And if ur lookin for Chicago style pizza, I reccomend Giordano's. People swear by Uno's, but I think it's just kinda okay. Local places tend to be good too...look for cops hanging out in there. That means it's a good place.

Oh, it might b e bad to post this kinda thing here, but I might as well. I need to find a new place to live...fast. The roomies I have not are hideous and I'd love to find a quiet clean place to stay...maybe with some academy students. Please contact me if u have an open room or know of someone who needs a roommate...

[Kimotion]

Sorry guys double post, This is happening with me more times then I want to. Do any of you guys have trouble posting on this forum with Firefox? The program tends to glitch up alot when I'm trying to post stuff.

What do you mean by double-post? I don't see any double posts from you.

What I don't like is when I write this long message, click [submit] and get this message that CGTalk is unavailable because it's undergoing maintenance! UUUGH!

I started to use firefox a month ago and I find it does have kinks when sending off a message. But it sure beats Explorer when it comes to security. I learned that the hard way.

[SpiralFace]

What do you mean by double-post? I don't see any double posts from you.

What I don't like is when I write this long message, click [submit] and get this message that CGTalk is unavailable because it's undergoing maintenance! UUUGH!

I started to use firefox a month ago and I find it does have kinks when sending off a message. But it sure beats Explorer when it comes to security. I learned that the hard way.

The only reason you guys don't see the double post is becuase I hit the edit key and just edit the whole thing and say to ignore it becuase fire fox double submitted my reply (It usualy happens with the realy long replys I sometimes give.) And for some odd reason its just this forum that gives me this kinda trouble. Its realy weird. Never had this problem with IE, but as you said, the security thing with fire fox is MUCH better.

[chrisp420]

The Academy is a great school. I graduated 3 years ago and I've worked for ILM, tippett, ESC and now at Cafefx.

[thebrianproject]

ya, I hate that too.

[silicate]

I talked to my Admissions advisor and he was like "ok here is what you are going to be taking your first semester" and he just gave me Anlysis of Form, Figure Drawing, Figure Modeling, Intro to Computer Animation. I talked to another guy that seemed to really want to talk to me about what I was going to be doing, but once he found out that I was asigned to another Admissions advisor, he transfered me to that guy. And that guy doesn't really seem to interested in what I'm doing. He just told what I was going to be taking and said to call if I had any questoins. I guess I'll see out it goes first semester, should be fighting to get any specific teachers for those classes? Or does it not really matter so much my first semester? Also which are better, Morning or Evening Classes? I'd rather take morning classes, but if the better teachers are at night I'll do that instead.

Well I'm just waiting for my finacial aid to go through I hope I get to see some of you in the fall.

[SpiralFace]

I talked to my Admissions advisor and he was like "ok here is what you are going to be taking your first semester" and he just gave me Anlysis of Form, Figure Drawing, Figure Modeling, Intro to Computer Animation. I talked to another guy that seemed to really want to talk to me about what I was going to be doing, but once he found out that I was asigned to another Admissions advisor, he transfered me to that guy. And that guy doesn't really seem to interested in what I'm doing. He just told what I was going to be taking and said to call if I had any questoins. I guess I'll see out it goes first semester, should be fighting to get any specific teachers for those classes? Or does it not really matter so much my first semester? Also which are better, Morning or Evening Classes? I'd rather take morning classes, but if the better teachers are at night I'll do that instead.

Well I'm just waiting for my finacial aid to go through I hope I get to see some of you in the fall.

As I said in an earlier post, the first semester classes are all hit and miss as far as the teachers go simply because good teachers quickly get promoted up to the higher end classes. Those classes are very basic classes, so as long as you get the basic principles they teach you you should be fine. If you feel like your comftrable enougth in photoshop and After effects, I whould try to get a portfolio together and try to waiver out of the intro to cg class. Your first few semesters are going to consist of your foundations while you get your feet on the ground, but after that you will have alot more flexibility with your schedual. Good luck and have fun

[Kimotion]

There are a lot of questions about housing on this thread. Here's an article from sfgate.

I don't find myself disagreeing.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/gate/archive/2004/09/14/carollloyd.DTL&type=printable

[Kimotion]

Here's a column that was written a while ago (in 2001), covering the Academy's purchase of the "Church" on Post Street. I think this contributed to the view from locals that AAU is really a real estate co. rather than a school.

Not sure if I agree with everything, but it sure is interesting.

http://www.sfweekly.com/issues/2001-04-04/news/smith_print.html

[Unled]

Here's a column that was written a while ago (in 2001), covering the Academy's purchase of the "Church" on Post Street. I think this contributed to the view from locals that AAU is really a real estate co. rather than a school.

Not sure if I agree with everything, but it sure is interesting.

http://www.sfweekly.com/issues/2001-04-04/news/smith_print.html

Interesting article. It's very true that the school housing is a ripoff and a half. I'm not sure how they get away with charging such outrageous prices for housing but they do. Oh well.
I live out on Treasure Island which is awsome, despite being surrounded by condemned buildings and abandoned military facilities this place has a million dollar view of the city and is dirt cheap.
Can you beat $1695 for a three bedroom townhouse with all utilities included? I haven't seen anywhere that can.

[silicate]

As I said in an earlier post, the first semester classes are all hit and miss as far as the teachers go simply because good teachers quickly get promoted up to the higher end classes. Those classes are very basic classes, so as long as you get the basic principles they teach you you should be fine. If you feel like your comftrable enougth in photoshop and After effects, I whould try to get a portfolio together and try to waiver out of the intro to cg class. Your first few semesters are going to consist of your foundations while you get your feet on the ground, but after that you will have alot more flexibility with your schedual. Good luck and have fun

Thanks alot Shadow Slayer, I'm unsure about the intro to computer class because I've never touched maya, I do know photoshop and a few other graphics programs really well though. I guess I'll wing it and if I feel it's not offering me anything I'll get out of it real quick.

Kimotion, thanks for those articles it was very interesting. Too bad AAU doesn't want to set an example and have realy affordable houseing. Maybe I could go to Berkly at the same time and live in their dorms ;). Maybe before I commit to the dorms I'll look through craig's list and see if anything jumps out.

[darktding]

Ok guys and gals, I just want to make an announcement that I am happy to inform you all that two really nice classes are being started
1) We are getting a basic renderman class started and I beleive Vince Dequatro is going to teach.
2) Adrian Herbez is going to teach a game programming class. This will be a little technical and will cover topics like collision detection, and also he wants to teach python but one will see what it will lead to
Both of these classes looks to be added to the cirriculum thanks to Chris Armstrong
Not too sure about the linux classes but I think we might have something going for that soon enuf.
(OO boy can wait to get my hands dirty with code... :twisted: )
Btw these classes are going to be offered for fall...

[SpiralFace]

Interesting article. It's very true that the school housing is a ripoff and a half. I'm not sure how they get away with charging such outrageous prices for housing but they do. Oh well.
I live out on Treasure Island which is awsome, despite being surrounded by condemned buildings and abandoned military facilities this place has a million dollar view of the city and is dirt cheap.
Can you beat $1695 for a three bedroom townhouse with all utilities included? I haven't seen anywhere that can.

Its becuase the demand is there. Alot of first semester students don't want to deal with shopping around for appartments. (Ecpecialy if they have never been to San Francisco before, and don't know the good areas from the bad areas.) Also, although it is cheaper to go on Craigslist, many of the people that my friends have experianced from there are VERY sub-par as far as room mates go. I know its messed up that they do that. But despite the fact that everyone knows it, people still do it becuase they know that above all else, its a safe investment. (Parents don't have to worry about land lords screwing them over on facilities / utilities, and the hundereds of other things that could go wrong when you rent an appartment.) I know the dorms are over priced, but the experiance was worth the cost to me. I won't go into why becuase I've already said it tons of times in this thread and I'm sure you guys are sick of hearing it by now.

[-Vormav-]

Yeah, there's definitely a demand for it. For whatever reason, my parents are refusing to accept that it could be significantly cheaper for me to find an apartment than to stay in the dorms. I don't get it. It's the same thing here; had I stayed in an apartment this year, I would have saved around $2000, at the very least. It's pretty much the same deal with food and meal plans.
Whatever though. It'll be good to be in that forced-to-be-around-people-and-socialize environment for awhile anyway.

I think I'm actually going to have to waive out of all of the classes I'm signed up for right now when I start in the summer time. I'm signed up for Analysis of Form, Intro to computer graphics for animation, and some sort of sound lab. The sound lab is alright, but I should definitely be able to get past the other two. Is it very hard to get into new classes within the first week or so before classes start (IE, the time when I'll be up their to meet with directors and have portfolios reviewed)? It's almost impossible at my current school...

[sloetvei]

This is a really interresting thread, I figured I'd post my questions as well. :cool:
Is it possible for one who follows the "personal enrichment"-programs (rather than a BFA or MFA) to obtain access to the pixar-classes? Could this be a cheaper opportunity? As I guess you choose only the classes you feel you need.


I already have a european Bachelor in animation (3 years), and I feel it would be a bit of a waste of money to attend all the arthistory-classes and figurative concepts etc.

Sincerely
Stein

[Morganism]

I've known people to take the Pixar classes without being enrolled in anything else...
A friend of mine who graduated last semester stuck around to take another pixar class, so I suppose that's a way to do it.

[Digiegg]

Morgan! Your shit kicks ass dude! =)

[Darktwin]

Hey guys, I really appreciate the this thread by informing people curious or interested in attending AAU. I myself am planning to attend AAU in this up coming fall as a graduate student focused on modeling and texturing. I received my undergrad in Digtal arts, but have, for awhile had a passion for 3D concept. From this forum and many other sources I understand that 2-D conceptual skills are very important or at least very helpful in developing solid ideas. With a BFA already I've experienced several drawing courses and a few figure drawing classes. I've always had a passion for drawing growing up, but I really want to take it to the next dimension(the 3rd, hehe).:arteest: I have a little 3d experience, now working some personal projects in Maya (learning what I can now, instead of sitting around) and past experiences in Cinema 4d back during my undergraduate, so its not like I'm going to be spanking new at the 3d thing.

From reading the forum I get a good idea on the animating perspective of the school, but how is the texturing and modeling areas of the program? Are the instructors pretty savvy in those areas as well? How are the students finished projects in comparison (in general) with other departments, such as illustration, animating, etc. If there are any individuals attending AAU who are grad or undergrad students who wouldn't mind me PMing them, I'd really appreciate it.:)

[SpiralFace]

This is a really interresting thread, I figured I'd post my questions as well. :cool:
Is it possible for one who follows the "personal enrichment"-programs (rather than a BFA or MFA) to obtain access to the pixar-classes?
Sincerely
Stein

The one thing that comes to mind when you say you want to take only the Pixar classes and nothing else, is that in order to get into the Pixar classes, you need to submit your reel to even apply for the classes. The problem is, is that to my knowledge, they only let you subit a reel if you are an attending student (As your Student ID # must be attached to the demo reel.) So you might have to take some other classes in order to even apply for the class.

[Morganism]

.../\...
../..\..
./....\.
...||...
...||...
...||...
...||.Hey DarkTwin, talk to this guy about texturing

[Morganism]

Thanks for the compliment, Nissan!


By the way, if anyone who is thinking about attending this school is around in a couple weeks, you've gotta check out the spring show. I was just looking at a bunch of the submissions, and there are a lot of really awesome animations this year.

[Digiegg]

AAU students should all chill together someday =)

beh... when do i get to live at the computer labs...
when's the springshow again?

[SpiralFace]

Morganism .../\...
../..\..
./....\.
...||...
...||...
...||...
...||.Hey DarkTwin, talk to this guy about texturing

Aww Morganism, your going to make me blush:blush:



From reading the forum I get a good idea on the animating perspective of the school, but how is the texturing and modeling areas of the program? Are the instructors pretty savvy in those areas as well? How are the students finished projects in comparison (in general) with other departments, such as illustration, animating, etc. If there are any individuals attending AAU who are grad or undergrad students who wouldn't mind me PMing them, I'd really appreciate it.:)

Hehe, yeah, those dang animators just dominate the entire school. Curse them!!!:twisted: jk:scream: But don't worry, there is a large comunity out there for modelers as well, but sadly not all that many texture artists.... I'm the only one that I know about trying to specialize in texture and concept art for games, everyone else wants to animate, or model. But there are some great classes for us. I'm in a texture creation class right now thats all about the procedural textres and everything, and there is a Pixar lighting and rendering class that is also very helpfull. I guess the big question that you have to ask yourself is do you see yourself gravitateing more twards games, or Movie production? As far as modeling goes, there are some awsome classes for it includeing a Z-brush class that just started up. The textureing tread is'nt quite all there yet, but its quickly gaining steam with some pretty dang good classes. But after textureing for awhile, you realy only need to know enough about textureing so you can go to highend 3d, download some shaders and disect them. The procedural stuff is realy easy once you get a grip on looking at materials and finding out what kind of properties they have attached to them and then being able to emulate them with the computer. What's realy going to help you out as far as textureing goes is your abilaty to paint. I took a fig painting class and it realy helped me out with textureing alot. From what I've seen, if your going for modeling, prepare for alot of sculpture and anatomy classes as well as alot of computer classes, if your gravitateing more twards textures, then you'll be hoping around alot from the illustration classes to the 3D classes. Iether way, both seem to be realy solid programs that I've seen alot of very good stuff come out of. If you have any specific questions, feel free to PM me.

[SpiralFace]

AAU students should all chill together someday =)

beh... when do i get to live at the computer labs...
when's the springshow again?

The spring show starts on May 24th, but I'm sure there is going to be some kind of animation festival with all the entries from the spring show for just the students sometime in the next few weeks... Just keep your eyes on the bulliten boards as your heading to classes. And good luck to anyone that entered anything....

Did anyone on these threads enter anything this year? I was able to squeeze two of my models into the games catagory at the last minute. If anyone wants to check out the submittions, go to the video drop off folder on the network and check out all the entries. There's some good stuff on there.

Once again, good luck to all those that entered.

[trence5]

Hey are any of you doing their online courses?

[Digiegg]

I'm taking online courses. mainly general education stuff.
English, Art History... but never take main foundation courses online.. that's just a waste of money.

[SpiralFace]

agreed.

I only do the online corses for the Liberal art stuff. If you do it for anything else, then your wasteing your money and your time.

Use online corses for balancing a tight schedual where you have to work like I do, or have other things you do in your life asside from school. But never use them for major corses. There are just way to many disadvantages to takeing a class like that online.

[DirtEater]

I just finished reading all 70 pages and wanted to say thanks very much to all who shared so much information! This thread has been a great help.

One thing I can't find much info on are the Certificate programs. It looks like you get out of the 42 LA credits and instead have 6 art history credits and 24 "By Advisement?" Does this mean that you can follow a BFA schedule and simply have more flexibility with the courses you take?

Also, I'm seriously considering a fine art BFA in either sculpture or drawing & painting instead of an animation BFA in modeling or visual development. I'm thinking about this route because I've already learned a great deal about Maya and digital sculpture and am confident that I can learn the tech side on my own.
-Does this sound completely crazy?
-Are there enough electives to get more fine art classes (painting, sculpture, illustration) into an animation BFA?
-What about the animation BFA "Visual Development?" It's even got some illustration classes and excludes the basic Maya courses that I think I wouldn't need.

The biggest concern I have with a fine art BFA is that I wouldn't want to be completely excluded from the CG teachers and community, as I feel that the environment of learning what you are passionate about with similar people is a large portion of the value in school.

I suppose I could even just take an extra 12 or 24 credits with an animation BFA, though I'd really like to hear other's opinions and philosophies on where to focus your study and what can and can't be self-taught.

I realize most of what I'm talking about has a lot of grey area but I'd still love to hear other's experiences, and it'd be great to get some info on the certificate programs and the Visual Development BFA.

Thanks very much for taking the time to read all this, and I hope to meet some of you guys as soon as I can get down there!

[trence5]

agreed.

I only do the online corses for the Liberal art stuff. If you do it for anything else, then your wasteing your money and your time.

Use online corses for balancing a tight schedual where you have to work like I do, or have other things you do in your life asside from school. But never use them for major corses. There are just way to many disadvantages to takeing a class like that online. Well what about for their 3D courses? I mean like you I would have to work and the chances of me gettin' to San Francisco is slim and none (I think slim died a while back:shrug: ). No fam in SF and I need to work. So about how long would it take to do their online courses is what I really wanted to know. And why do you say it's a waste? Are they cheaper or higher than their regular courses?

[jbo]

Well what about for their 3D courses? I mean like you I would have to work and the chances of me gettin' to San Francisco is slim and none (I think slim died a while back:shrug: ). No fam in SF and I need to work. So about how long would it take to do their online courses is what I really wanted to know. And why do you say it's a waste? Are they cheaper or higher than their regular courses?

if all you're after is a degree, then go ahead. they are a waste because you won't learn nearly as much as if you attend the courses in person. i've taken two classes online, both liberal arts, and they were a joke. I would never consider taking 3d classes like that... i won't even take liberal arts online anymore. they cost the same as the other courses, but you don't have to pay the lab fee. as for how long it would take, i'm not sure i understand. i guess it depends on how many you have the time/money to take at once. if you can't make it to SF, i'd recommend a different school.

[SpiralFace]

Well what about for their 3D courses? I mean like you I would have to work and the chances of me gettin' to San Francisco is slim and none (I think slim died a while back:shrug: ). No fam in SF and I need to work. So about how long would it take to do their online courses is what I really wanted to know. And why do you say it's a waste? Are they cheaper or higher than their regular courses?

Not to be cruel or anything. But if you don't concider comming out here to come to school and just want to do online corses, then I whould'nt even recomend comming to this school. Now beleave me I think this is a great school that is totaly worth the vast amounts of money I'm spending here. But in order to rake in on those benifits you realy do need to be able to utilize the facilities here.

By takeing only online classes, your going to be spending the same amount of money, but you will be loosing the personal student/ teacher training, you won't meet any sort of friends that attend this school, (Beleave me, people who take those online classes from what I've heard only do the required socializing for the classes then just leave.) You won't be able to see the many studios that come through here giveing lectures. You'll miss out on the free workshops available to the students, you won't be able to take the advanced and specialized training corses like the Pixar animation corses, the senior collabratives, or the Games Level Prototypeing class taught by the lead Level artist of Blizzard North.

All of these are big draw backs expecialy the lack of meeting contacts and being unable to take the advanced training corses. Half of the industry is what you can do, but the other part is who you know. And beleave me, your going to need both of them in order to break into this industry seeing how its completely oversaturated the cg market is at the entry level. And the best classes in this school are'nt offered online. So right there your going to be limiting yourself to the quality of classes you are going to be able to take.

My honest opinion is that if your going to be just takeing online corses, then don't waste your time or money with this school. The best classes (And often times the entire reason most people shoot to come to this school) Are'nt offered online, and will probably never be offered online (Many of the teachers working at the high profile studios only have time in their scheduals to teach one class, so its iether your hear to attend it or you get left behind.) If you want to come to this school, then come to this school. But don't sell yourself short by only takeing online corses. If thats not an option for you, then I whould recomend looking into some other school thats a bit cheaper. Because I've taken the online corses, and have seen their online ciriculum. And you whould be paying top dollar for a mediocre education solely because many of the benifits of your class tuition apply to the things you gain out of the class room.

[Darktwin]

Very much appreciated insite on the modeling and texture areas of study at AAU Shadow Slayer. I'll be definitly pming you in the future with questions.

Thanks again :applause:

:scream::buttrock:

[darktding]

I work for the online campus Department, and I sometimes get the pleasure of viewing the dvds the online campus makes for their students. The texturing dvd that was released for their texturing class was awesome IMHO. The teacher went indepth into photoshop, creating textures for games and also showed examples on how to apply them. Also he showed uv mapping and the usual texturing tricks. I, who never liked non procedural texturing before, liked the technique he was applying and how he taught.
I do not know how the inclass texturing is but a dvd from the online campus with the same material mean no notes and one has the material for future refrence. Online campus is becomming (very slowly) efficient in what they are doing.
But then again nothing beats coming to the labs and meeting up with friends and working on your projects.

[SpiralFace]

I work for the online campus Department, and I sometimes get the pleasure of viewing the dvds the online campus makes for their students. The texturing dvd that was released for their texturing class was awesome IMHO. The teacher went indepth into photoshop, creating textures for games and also showed examples on how to apply them. Also he showed uv mapping and the usual texturing tricks. I, who never liked non procedural texturing before, liked the technique he was applying and how he taught.
I do not know how the inclass texturing is but a dvd from the online campus with the same material mean no notes and one has the material for future refrence. Online campus is becomming (very slowly) efficient in what they are doing.
But then again nothing beats coming to the labs and meeting up with friends and working on your projects.

But the big question I whould like to point out for you is that do you think that this DVD is so good that its worth the $1500 dollars you are paying to get the training DVD plus the critiques, or do you think that $1500 dollars is better spent just buying Gnoman DVD's of a similar subject and possibly going to a cheaper school local to your area? I mean, you could get ALOT of gnoman training DVD's for even 1000 dollars. Just my opinion though.

[SheepFactory]

I second shadow slayer , taking online academy of art classes are pointless in my opinion. Not to mention the texturing classes in the academy are very subpar from all i know and seen. But lets not open that can of worms again.

[darktding]

But the big question I whould like to point out for you is that do you think that this DVD is so good that its worth the $1500 dollars you are paying to get the training DVD plus the critiques, or do you think that $1500 dollars is better spent just buying Gnoman DVD's of a similar subject and possibly going to a cheaper school local to your area? I mean, you could get ALOT of gnoman training DVD's for even 1000 dollars. Just my opinion though.

hey buddy I get to watch em for free so please dont kill the messenger!
all I am saying that the dvds arent so bad as they look to be. Yes Gnomon are better but Gnomon doesnt offer a degree, something one must consider when getting in the industry.

[SpiralFace]

hey buddy I get to watch em for free so please dont kill the messenger!
all I am saying that the dvds arent so bad as they look to be. Yes Gnomon are better but Gnomon doesnt offer a degree, something one must consider when getting in the industry.

I agree with the entire thing that Gnoman's don't offer a degree.

But you should'nt take offence when all I was asking is do you think its honestly worth the $1500 dollars. I was'nt attacking you, I was asking for your opinion. Don't just assume that just becuase I quote your post that I'm trying to degrade you or say "Your wrong." All I was asking is that if you where in the position that you could only attend the academy online, do you think that those training DVD's are worth the 1500 you pay for them, or should someone just spend the money on gnoman DVD's and then just attend a cheaper online program for the degree? Next time read the post and don't just assume I'm trying to attack or be-little you.

[SpiralFace]

I second shadow slayer , taking online academy of art classes are pointless in my opinion. Not to mention the texturing classes in the academy are very subpar from all i know and seen. But lets not open that can of worms again.

I would'nt say the Texture classes are sub-par, In fact, many of them save the introduction to textureing class are very good. My only complaint is that there just is'nt enough of them. Animation and Modeling have more then enough classes to last the entire stay here at the academy, but there are only a handfull of textureing corses that are offered here, so more often then not your going to be doing alot of modeling or 2D painting to make up for this shortcomming. Now, granted, I'm a guy trying to get into games, so I have to learn modeling and painting more then the movie guys do. But if someone was attempting to get into movie texture art, then there is'nt as much of a program as I whould like to see, but it is gaining steam and getting bigger every semester. This semester they added "Texture creation" which is an amazing class that was very helpfull to me, and next semester they are going to be adding a Pixar Renderman class, that will be phenominaly helpfull as well. So its not that the texture track of the school is bad. Its just very small at the moment, but is getting bigger with every semester. (If more students started to take an actual interest in textureing as a carrer instead of just modeling and animation, then I'm sure the program whould grow even more.)

[darktding]

I agree with the entire thing that Gnoman's don't offer a degree.

But you should'nt take offence when all I was asking is do you think its honestly worth the $1500 dollars. I was'nt attacking you, I was asking for your opinion. Don't just assume that just becuase I quote your post that I'm trying to degrade you or say "Your wrong." All I was asking is that if you where in the position that you could only attend the academy online, do you think that those training DVD's are worth the 1500 you pay for them, or should someone just spend the money on gnoman DVD's and then just attend a cheaper online program for the degree? Next time read the post and don't just assume I'm trying to attack or be-little you.

I never stated that u was attacking me I just said dont kill the messenger as a pun as a joke...jeez! sometimes people need to chill here in the forums...

Anyways here is my argument. Our school has all the gnomon dvds in the library and lets be brutally honest here, the spring show work that has been submitted on game dev are only a few from all the many that are enrolled in the game development classes. And out of them only a few are really good.

So if you are saying that if everyone looks at gnomon one expects to be good? If so how come not many people submitted their work? My point being is simple, Gnomon or not, educational material is something one has to take from and learn and apply. I think blaming the school for not having the classes is just wrong. Take initative and demand a new class and stuggle and try to start one then u will get what u deserve.

Our new heads are very flexible in starting new classes provided u get the backing of 14 or so students.

No education is perfect. PERIOD Yes the online department is full of crap and full of shit but the same going for some of the classes I pay here for $1500.

[SpiralFace]

Anyways here is my argument. Our school has all the gnomon dvds in the library and lets be brutally honest here, the spring show work that has been submitted on game dev are only a few from all the many that are enrolled in the game development classes. And out of them only a few are really good.

Our new heads are very flexible in starting new classes provided u get the backing of 14 or so students.

No education is perfect. PERIOD Yes the online department is full of crap and full of shit but the same going for some of the classes I pay here for $1500.

I understand what you are saying. But I beleave that what we where discussing about online corses in referance to trence5's question about is the school was worth attending if he was unable to attend ANY classes here on the school campus. And will there for be unable to reek the benifits of things like the library's very large and helpfull stock of both training DVD's and many other resorces, along with just about everything else that comes out of the tuition money here that you still benifit from being on campus.

All I was asking is from what you've seen on the DVD's at the school for the online coarses, do you find it worth the $1500 dollars that Trence5 whould have to pay per class given that the strictly online education here at this school? Despite the fact that the strictly online program is, and most likely will always be, not as flexable and as current as a class schedual you whould get from an education on campus? Or whould you find it better to just to spend money at a cheaper school (More local to where trence5 lives.) and just make up the difference by investing the money you save in educational DVD's like the Gnoman ones?

[trence5]

Or whould you find it better to just to spend money at a cheaper school (More local to where trence5 lives.) and just make up the difference by investing the money you save in educational DVD's like the Gnoman ones?
Hmmmm... Good question.

[Kimotion]

People say the best thing to do is relocate to a city where the jobs are. LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION is so true. Do not take online classes at AAU. It would take so long for me to explain, an others here have explained it a lot better than I can.

I suggest you move to CA, take classes that you think you need and educate yourself on the rest (art history, etc.). For traditional classes like Figure Drawing, there are workshops for free: as long as you are a student at AAU all workshops are free. This is AAU's greatest resource.

You can't put a price tag on the people you meet and the connections you can make. But be careful with your money since AAU is like a legalized corporate pickpocket. In other words, don't put up with their class outline that is designed to milk as much money as you can. Take control of your education. You'll find out what is best for you through experience and meeting people. Just guard your wallet and avoid giving AAU the benefit of a doubt. They treat you like overhead; so treat them like capital: grab and squeeze them for all they are worth within legal boundaries.

[SpiralFace]

You can't put a price tag on the people you meet and the connections you can make. But be careful with your money since AAU is like a legalized corporate pickpocket. In other words, don't put up with their class outline that is designed to milk as much money as you can. Take control of your education. You'll find out what is best for you through experience and meeting people. Just guard your wallet and avoid giving AAU the benefit of a doubt. They treat you like overhead; so treat them like capital: grab and squeeze them for all they are worth within legal boundaries.

Good advice. But what everyone has to keep in mind is that this is exactly what you have to do with ANY kind of Private education. Be it Stanford, Yale, or the Academy of Art. Any form of private Education is basicaly a buisness. But that does'nt mean that the education is'nt worth it. It just is'nt primarily funded by state tax money. Its funded by you the students. Be sure to always remember this.

[danteort]

Any form of private Education is basicaly a buisness. But that does'nt mean that the education is'nt worth it. It just is'nt primarily funded by state tax money. Its funded by you the students. Be sure to always remember this.
Yes and no. Private academic institutions need money, yes. And students pay tuition, yes. But the core difference between an academic institution and the AAU is that colleges and universities want students to attend their school because it will reflect well on them as an institution. They recruit the people they want, and offer them scholarships to attend. The AAU wants students because the students pay money.

My old school paid me to go there. Granted, I still had to borrow some money for living expenses, but my tuition was covered. That's not the action of a school that wants you for your money.

There are schools that are completely free for those who are able to get accepted. Again, that doesn't sound like a place that only wants your money.

[SpiralFace]

I agree that many schools screen students so the ones that get in reflect positively on the school itself, but the thing with art schools is that its a touchy thing to determain who is good enough to get in and who's not. How whould you go about screening potential candidates to attend an art school focused on buisness arts like the academy?

By grades? Some of the best artists I know where never the best academic students out there in both high school and other coleges they might attend to. Heck, one of my best friends barely made it out of highschool, never went to college, ten years down the line he's a lead level artist. But if a school was to go on academic scores like SAT tests and the like, it whould shut people like my friend out even if he was to try to go back and get an education.

So the next logical Idea is by a portfolio. The problem with this is that it imediatly makes the candidate pool very selected to kids that where lucky enough to determain early in their lives that they where artists, and subsiquentialy got art lessons or went to artist high schools, or who's family was welthy enough to get them private lessons similar to piano lessons and the like at an early age. The two major problems with this is that not everyone goes to an artist highschool or invests early in art lessons. I don't come from a wealthy family, so I was never able to get art lessons. And public school art classes are a joke. The "Advanced Placement" class at my school was nothing more then a free block on the schedual to do whatever I wanted and all I needed to do was just check in with the teacher every week. I learned nothing about art in that school. And because of it I had no portfolio what so ever when I came here to the academy. If this was a school that required a portfolio to enter, that means that me and many of my closest friends here at the academy whould have been shut out.

So what else is there that is fair to the potential artist? The way the academy does it seems fair enough to me. Admit everyone who is interested but keep up a riggorous schedual and class load everyones first year here. Those that have good artistic skills already should have no trouble getting through it, and those that are good at academics have enough time to practice their skills and get the principles down fast enough to prove their own worth. Everyone else gets left behind if they can't keep up. Yes this leaves people behind in the dust. But so whould requireing a cirtain GPA or portfolio to get through. Yes this means that some people pay alot of money just to drop out of flunk out of the school, but at least this system does'nt all out shun and outcast one particuler party for the other. Everyone has a chance. Its just up to the individual to make the most out of it.

So I guess if people seriously have a problem with the way that the academy does buisness, then how whould you guys propose an admition policy that does'nt turn away people with bad test scores and GPA's, but also not shun someone for not being privilaged enough with any form of formal art training or portfolio in?

PS: excuse the realy bad amount of Typo's. This workstation does'nt even have a program with a working spell checker, and personaly I'm too pressed for time to proof read everything.

[Kimotion]

Personally I don't see anything wrong with open admission.

However, this does not mean that an institution who is for profit should go out and treat those who are already attending like overhead costs. I believe it is very possible to maintain the open admission policy and still function as a real school. Sure, the rigorous foundations weed out slackers, but what about those students who do make it through but find themselves not being challenged enough? What about those students who are hungry for more artistic feedback, more insight into their craft from instructors, but only finds that the classes (s)he continues to take are 'jokes' or repeats of a prior class with a different class title? THIS is what is wrong with the school. There is no strong structure to nurture those students already IN. They don't spend their resources improving the programs, getting better teachers, treating teachers humanly so THEY will have more motivation to care and challenge their students.

Here's an example: I am taking a class that is supposed to be the top advanced level for that specialization. However, the teacher does not know how to teach. To give the instructor the benefit of a doubt, (s)he was asked to teach the class the Friday before the first week of class, or so (s)he claims. This person is a very accomplished artist; however this person does not know how to instruct. The instructor spends most of the class fiddling with the software, gives the class 40 minute breaks, only to continue fiddling with software, or talk to an individual student for another hour. Then the instructor realizes students were leaving because it's the end of class. Then the instructor told everyone to sign in and mark themselves as present because if the attendance roster is not handed in, the intructor's pay is withheld.

This is typical AAU. I've let those in charge aware of this months ago. Nothing's been done.

I've addressed other issues last year. I took the opportunity to explain to the person in charge, ways I thought can enhance student experience and the school itself. One example was to give every student in the Animation/VFX department individual web pages so they can show their work to the public. Since I felt I was not getting adequate feedback from my instructors (not their fault usually because classes are overcrowded), a web site can be a way for the student to get feedback from fellow students and other artists. Vancouver Film School does this. SCAD does this. CalArts does this. SVA does this.

The Director's response? It will be too costly and there are ownership, security and privacy issues. This person did not even want to consider it. This person just snickered and unintentionally rolled his/her eyes.

Every suggestion I made was followed by "it's too costly..."

"OK," I thought. "Calm down Kimotion...just because you got diplomatically cussed out does not make you a bad animator."

I've yet to see the new people in charge make any changes, despite repeating my concerns to them.

Another example: I've heard complaints at Siggraph 2003 and 2004 about how AAU's booth promotes the school, enticing people to come to pay tuition and attend the school. On the other side was another art school promoting their student work as well as alumni. I did not witness this but only heard of this from multiple students.

This shows you where the priorities are: other art schools are in it for profit and education. AAU is only in it for profit. Like I've said before: there is 'business' and there is business ethics as well.

So it is very possible to maintain the open admission policy AND nurture artistic growth of students already in.. Sure, it's all about what you put in to in, bla bla bla. But when you are paying $2000 per class (lab fee included), it is not unreasonable to ask for better instruction, more assistance in promoting student work, etc.

Notice that most other schools both public and private depend on alumni donations to stay afloat. Have you ever heard of AAU having a strong alumni community donating money? Not me.

If the students are treated better, if the student at least felt that the institutions they spent $60,000 on was out for their best interest, then maybe they will thank the institution by making donations. What goes around comes around.

Instead, AAU spends all their money on ads to attract as many students as possible, clearly knowing that many will NOT make it through while those same students are gobbling up space and time away from the serious students. Actually the administration depends on students dropping out in order to have space for upper level classes.

Also, the main reason why AAU is not accredited is because they will never release their advertising/marketing costs, and because they will never reveal the methodology to tabulate the 85% career placement rate. Notice that AAU is never ranked or profiled in those national college guide books--an institution needs to be accredited by the Western Association of Colleges (or something like that).

We can communicate to the administration til the cows come home. But I'm not paying all this money and spending all this time when it should've been done already.

I veered off topic. My point was that there is nothing wrong with open admissions. There's nothing wrong with wanting to make money. But there is something wrong if there is a complete lack of ethics and there's seemingly no feeling of need to rectify it.

[Kimotion]

Sorry, the above post may be the longest rant in CGTalk history.

[SpiralFace]

Also, the main reason why AAU is not accredited is because they will never release their advertising/marketing costs, and because they will never reveal the methodology to tabulate the 85% career placement rate. Notice that AAU is never ranked or profiled in those national college guide books--an institution needs to be accredited by the Western Association of Colleges (or something like that).



There are more types of Accredidatoin then just the WAC. This point has been argued to death both here and on other forums and all of them point to the same thing. The AAU is accredited, but not under the same accredidation as all of the state schools. So no, its not accredited under the same credentials as Berkely and Cal state. This means that if you transfer out into a state school after going here, very few of your credits will transfer. Same with comeing into this school. But none the less it IS accredited by the state by a different type of Accredidation system. Although I cannot remember what one. And no this is not unique to just the Academy. My friend that went to Cornell university had the EXACT same accredidation problems as far as transfered credits and things like that.

I personaly beg to differ as far as makeing changes in the major. And the inaccessability of the different departments. When I first came to this school the games major was next to nothing. They did'nt even have a director or even a major track. Naturaly I've complained about this. Often. First to Lorense Livingston when she took on the 3D / VFX department a few years ago, and then Chris Armstrong, and also the eventual director of games Tod Robinson. I've always been able to voice my concerns. They DO listen to the students and try to help out when they can. And I've never had the impression that they are leading me in the wrong direction. And when I do voice something that they can't do, they are more then happy to explain why, and if I feel like they are still wrong, I can always get a potition out to the students to see if they whould support an idea I had or a change to the department. From what I heard, thats how the new Pixar Renderman class got started. A student voiced a concern to the director, he felt not enough people whould take the class, a potition went out, people signed it, and now theres a Pixar Renderman class getting started up.

Also, if your not challeged, ask to be put in a higher epsilon of classes. I take it your an Animator by your tag, so you should have no problem getting to higher end classes, because there are PLENTY of animation classes here at the academy. Apply for a Pixar class, if you can't get in, then go after some of the other advanced classes, or join the senior collabrative. I'm not sure about the animation track becasue I'm not an animator, but my room mate seemed to have no problems waiving out of unessasary classes when he felt he did'nt need to take them. And I was the same way. If I feel the class is too easy, or I can get into a better class, then I submit my portfolio to the director, he reviews it, and then decides if I'm good enough to go on to a more advanced class. As far as teachers go, yeah there are some duds. But thats true for any school. Its up to you to ask your friends, do the reserch, and know what teachers you have to try to get and what ones to avoid. And by the sound of it, you've already had a few dud teachers, so if you get into a class with a teacher that sounds bad from his little intro speach, then do yourself a favor and transfer out of the class and substitute it with something else. No one should just expect any school to line you up with the perfect set of teachers. Its true in any university you go to.

As for the instructor being as bad as the one you have, that not the typical AAU teacher I've had. Although I do know that those teachers do exist. Many of my teachers have been great teachers, as well as very good artists. Just be sure to do reserch into the teachers from people who have had them before to see if they are worth takeing.

As for the personal web page thing. The school already does that. In Portfolio 2 one of the assignments is to set up your own web page and everyone has to do it. So I don't know who you talked to about the school saying its too costly. Becuase they already do it for a class that is required by all majors to take.

And the final thing is, who the heck cares about the heavy advertiseing the school does? Seriously. The main thing that you should concern yourself with is how good they are at placeing their students into studios. Which beleave me is pretty dang good. I have one Friend go to Blizzard, a handful go to EA, one go to Massive Black, a few interned at Digital Domain and Wild Brain, there's always one or two kids that right out of school get into Pixar, and then a few people working down south in San Diego and Los Angeles. So I'm pretty confident that people hire academy graduates. Which is the entire point your comming here to college right?.... So if thats the case then why concern yourself with how the academy targets incomeing students, when you should be concerned by how the companys view the graduates. And from what I've seen, almost all of the studio heads and leads I've talked to hate the way the school itself is run, but at the same time, they love their graduates, and almost every single bay area company I go to, has a very large Academy of Art graduate representation. So why should anyone care what the academy does with the money we give them if at the end of the road we get into the industry that we want? Is'nt that the entire reason we're here in the first place? To go through the school and get a job at the end?

[Kimotion]

The web page thing...the person I've talked to is no longer in the department (thankfully) and I won't name names. I think you know who though.

OK, so you need to take a class to get a web page. So a student needs to pay $2000 for a portfolio class that is one of the many completely unnecessary classes that many try to waive out of. However, other schools provide web space throughout their acedemic career. Again, other schools spend money on their students; AAU spends money on ads (ads just being an example).

I know people in the Portfolio 2 class and have never heard of this. You're the first time who mentioned anything about this class providing students with web space. Or perhaps the people I know just never mentioned it.

You are lucky that you've had decent instructors and I'm happy for you. My situation is obviously vastly different. The class that I whined about in my last post was in fact, the highest level class...most students are graduating this semester, and this class is the last class for many. However, we haven't learned a single thing. For next week, the instructor was THINKING about demonstrating a walk cycle. Yes, a walk cycle. He's done this before, only to then complain about the Hogan rig and give up the demo, followed by, "OK let's have a 30 minute break."

As for thos Pixar classes: well I'm one of the 85% who got shut out while paying the same tuition money as those good enough to take those classes. If you don't get in, then the above instructor is who you end up with. Yes, $2000.

I guess each student have very different experiences depending on major and what time the student entered AAU.

The reason why I mentioned the way AAU spends their money advertising is that all that money could've been used to promote AAU's own students. I really don't care about their ad's; doesn't effect me. However, it would effect me if the school devoted more of it's resources to its own students.

Obviously I'm very bitter. If you look at my previous posts from last Fall, I've actually praised and even defended AAU. As the year progressed I see that I've become more and more negative. Perhaps its because I've taken all the classes that will be at least somewhat useful, and see that my demo reel isn't nearly as good as those of students of other schools. I've gotten A's in most of my classes, only to see that it's sub-par with students from other schools. Or maybe I'm just too hard on myself and will never know how bad or good it is to until I actually send out my demo reel.

My current bitterness is really centered around instructors who keep telling you that you are good when you're only 'decent', not having real critiques due to overcrowded classes, and paying for it. And I blame no one but myself.

And the reason I post on this thread is to give people who are thinking about coming here, a perspective from an actual student. I wish I've seen this thread before deciding to come here. But then again, there are pros and cons so I might have been even more confused anyway, haha.

[geo5sf]

well, I just found out I got "officially" accepted to the MFA Visual Effects Program. I was told that due to my portfolio, I could take the accelerated program with 63 units, as opposed to 72 units. I was kind of looking forward to taking some of those foundation classes, though... since I have no formal art training...but I could always take those as electives If I want. Any other Graduate students here take any of the 3 foundations? ANM610, 611 & 612? Am I totally missing out or should I take some of these classes?

I start this summer..with CA3D 623(intro to modeling & Ani) & GS 601 (Aesthetics & the Renaissance) Any other grad students starting out or taking these classes in the summer?

[darktding]

heres to all those who had a miserable time at AAU
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v373/darktding/violinsjoe.jpg

[SpiralFace]

OK, so you need to take a class to get a web page. So a student needs to pay $2000 for a portfolio class that is one of the many completely unnecessary classes that many try to waive out of. However, other schools provide web space throughout their acedemic career. Again, other schools spend money on their students; AAU spends money on ads (ads just being an example).

I know people in the Portfolio 2 class and have never heard of this. You're the first time who mentioned anything about this class providing students with web space. Or perhaps the people I know just never mentioned it.


The reason why I mentioned the way AAU spends their money advertising is that all that money could've been used to promote AAU's own students. I really don't care about their ad's; doesn't effect me. However, it would effect me if the school devoted more of it's resources to its own students.



Fair enough, even in the class that teaches you how to set up a web page they don't give you a school web account. But then again, what schools do provide web space? Or at least enough to post pictures and animations. From what my friends tell me about their school web space, the only thing that you could possibly put on the bandwidth restrictions they have is a simple resume, and a simple forum page. Hardly anything that could support full animations or pictures. Even CG talk needs you to post your stuff on a photobucket server or something similar to save on bandwidth.

As for the current student promotions, well what about national broadcast to come and check out the Spring show? Its open to the public, people from many companys do come and check it out. What about the free Gallerys that they allow students to post their work so they can sell them? What about posting the works of students all over the Muni busses for 3- 4 months? What about them personaly sponsering you for internships through the carrer center as long as you hold a "B" average? And possibly the biggest question, what does every other school do that make them so much better then the academy when it comes to advertiseing student work? Personaly I think the Academy does a very good job supporting current student works. At least better then any other school I've seen. Yeah it sucks that don't choose to do more. But I have to ask what school does more that makes what the academy already do so terrible? I don't see the San Francisco Institue of the arts makeing a national broadcast to come and check out all of their students stuff at an open gallery to the public. What more can you ask for? Save mabe getting your stuff broadcasted on one of their many (But absolutely terrible) commercials.

[SpiralFace]

heres to all those who had a miserable time at AAU
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v373/darktding/violinsjoe.jpg



hehe,

very nice darktding

[-Vormav-]

Fair enough, even in the class that teaches you how to set up a web page they don't give you a school web account. But then again, what schools do provide web space?
Well...it's not exactly a private school like AAU, but the university I'm currently at has web space for any student that takes the time to register an account for it. I'm not sure exactly how much space you have for your account, but I'm up to around 80 megs of files, have used a very noticable amount of bandwidth, and they haven't come complaining to me about it yet. But then, this school really likes its internet a lot more than most places, and puts a lot of funding into it. Though I've still seen similar services offered at most other colleges.
I imagine it starts to become a different story when you're dealing with private schools though.

Anyway, I'd say Kimotion is making some pretty good points. But I'm still optimistic about AAU (I better be, for what I'm paying...;)). Pretty much every school out there tries to milk you for all your worth in some ways, even if it doesn't seem like that on the surface. Yeah, my current schools offers tons of money in scholarships. But they kinda need to. It's what draws a lot of people to the school. Then you start living in the dorms, and deal with the housing department, and find out just how ridiculous the charges can get. Every department likes its funding, and will do whatever is needed to get it.

[Empath]

Kimotion and Shadowslayer, thanks for the great debate and information! I'm stuck taking online courses for the time being (I know, it's bad, but I'm doing my best to get to San Fran!:D), but I'm willing to add my two cents or signature to any petitions put towards the school. Personally if they screened instructors not just on artistic knowledge but on teaching ability it would make the school a much better experience. As long as the people I'm actually learning from are doing something half decent I don't mind dealing with the money munching middle management.
Online courses are really hit and miss for good instructors, I'm fortunate to have three excellent ones, but to offset that I have one guy about whom the nicest sentiment among his past students I've yet heard was $#@%ing psycho.

[Kimotion]

Kimotion and Shadowslayer, thanks for the great debate and information!

Haha, no prob. Obviously I enjoy spewing out opinions. And having another counter it only makes one think more, and realize there are two sides to everything.

[jeremybirn]

what does every other school do that make them so much better then the academy when it comes to advertiseing student work?

It bugs me that they put up all those color print-outs of student work along the third floor computer lab where the tours come through, and show the work without giving the artist's name - not giving the student credit for his or her own work where it is displayed is something that would never happen at other institutions, and gives away that the school is really using the student's images in their own advertising, rather than advertising the students for the student's sake. The broadcast advertising sometimes borders on dishonest, too - I heard a radio ad that began "Would you like to work at a company such as Pixar or Lucas Arts?" and pitched enrolling in AAU, without mentioning if either of those companies were even hiring or were involved in the ad - it even sounded like a help-wanted ad, as if there were a labor shortage or something. This isn't 1995. There are some good students and teachers there and some bad, but the school's advertising is what I would call shameless.

-jeremy

[-Vormav-]

not giving the student credit for his or her own work where it is displayed is something that would never happen at other institutions
I'm not about to excuse such advertising policies, but I would definitely say that that statement is a bit inaccurate. Take my school, for example. Images shown in the studio are shown in the same exact way, and you really have to dig deep to find out who actually did them. It's hardly a practice that is utilized solely by AAU.
I'd be curious to know if any of the students have had complaints over that before, though.

[jeremybirn]

Sorry to hear that - I've worked and studied at other institutions that would never display an artist's work without credit. In fact, that's how I got my first job - I had made some renders at Art Center that were hanging on a wall, with my name next to them, and a producer from Palomar Pictures touring the school and looking for a CG artist wrote it down, called the school and asked for me, and offered me what turned into my first job after I graduated.

BTW, I'm not implying that AAU avoids mentioning artists names all the time or won't display signed work, only that they seem more interested in crediting what school or what class it was made in, and often seem to forget or not care who the artist was. If I were a student, I'd complain if hundreds of people were filing past my work and it weren't credited to me.

-jeremy

[SpiralFace]

not giving the student credit for his or her own work where it is displayed is something that would never happen at other institutions....

-jeremy

The weird thing about this is that its hit and miss. Some of the work is labled, and some of the work is'nt. I think its more of just an oversight on whomever was the person responsible for posting the work this semester, as from what I remember, the past few semesters have had the names, and grade leavels posted with the work. At least a lot more frequently then this current batch of work thats posted around the school.

but the school's advertising is what I would call shameless.

-jeremy

Not just Shameless, but down right horrible. I mean, if you where going to beat a brand name over the nations head twice a comercial break on selected channels, then at least put in the time and effort to put in commercials that are'nt down right horrible. Whenever I talk to my freinds back at home the first thing they always ask is "What the hell is with the Academy comercials?" I guess haveing rediculously bad commercials is a part of getting their brand name out. But I can do without haveing that same comic book illustration comercial broad cast twice a comercial break with the Cartoon Network Adult Swim block.

[darktding]

"And now welcome to the bluesky area. Here we see some sgi stations that are outdated and taken over new technology HP computers! Here we see some student works on the visual effect shots. As we can see students use latest technologies to get the results they need in their project! Many of our students make it to the big industry in the bay area like PIXXXXAAAAARRRRR and IIIILLLLLLLMMMMMM" when those 2 words are spoken everyone in the tour is mesmerized somehow. Like mosquitoes to bulb lights.

Through-out the forum I have been telling people how bad the school is but then I must say its all about you taking up the challenge and well working the best through the situation. I got crappy teachers, you know what I did? I went up to them and I told them straight on their face that I am not learning nothing in your class and next day wrote a grievance report to the AAU and got my money back.



TAKE INITIATIVE! Don’t expect someone to feel pity for you just because u got a sucky teacher. AAU is a BUISNESS not a public school. YOU are their CUSTOMERS. Don’t like the service, then complain. I did it and now everyone knows I mean business when I take up classes. I can take any class I want because I troubled them so much that they are FED UP of dealing with me.



And when many of you graduate don’t think you will not experience the same thing in the company as you are right now. Learning and practicing how to deal with people now will help you tackle similar problems when ur out there.



So all in all AAU is a practical training ground. Meet friends, network, and also know how to deal with authorities. There are really awesome teachers here example Jeremy Birn who posts here and others who do a great job in teaching.

[SpiralFace]

Through-out the forum I have been telling people how bad the school is but then I must say its all about you taking up the challenge and well working the best through the situation. I got crappy teachers, you know what I did? I went up to them and I told them straight on their face that I am not learning nothing in your class and next day wrote a grievance report to the AAU and got my money back.



TAKE INITIATIVE! Don’t expect someone to feel pity for you just because u got a sucky teacher. AAU is a BUISNESS not a public school. YOU are their CUSTOMERS. Don’t like the service, then complain. I did it and now everyone knows I mean business when I take up classes. I can take any class I want because I troubled them so much that they are FED UP of dealing with me.


Great advice, and I totaly agree. If you find yourself in a bad situation, no one is going to take pitty on you. You need to act, not complain. And yes this school is a buisness where you buy your education, PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENT. If a problem comes up, its up to you to fix it. No one is going to hold your hand to do it. This is just real life. And as darktding said, this is just the tip of the iceberg for your real life in the actual industry.

But there is one thing I do want to ask. People constantly complain about the state of the Lab computers and how they are'nt all up to date. Now I came from a Highschool who's only computer lab was run on old Apple 2's (And I graduated in 2000, so yeah, thats realy bad.) So when a school updates a few labs every year or so, but there are still some systems left behind, I personaly view it as something that is'nt all that bad. I've heard people complain that the Blue sky's systems are already built on technology thats TWO years old..... yeah thats right TWO years. Even my friends workstation at EA is well over 4 or 5 years old. Is it just me, or does anyone else feel that sometimes people are just asking too much of this school sometimes. Now granted there are some classroom computers that I find no practical reason why there around (The Nintendo labs on the 8th floor HAVE TO BE REPLACED! ALL OF THOSE SYSTEMS ARE ON THEIR LAST BREATH, AND THE MONITORS DIED LONG AGO! That and why do we still have those SGI's, yeah they where cool at the time, but now their just colecting dust.(Must be a marketing schimatic to bring in all the ignorant freshman.)) But for a school to upgrade to new systems every year whould be ludicrous. But I've seriously run into some students that just natrualy expect that of the school.
I guess my question once again is, What schools are better then the academy when it comes to keeping up with frequent hardware updates? Becuase I hear people constantly complain, but I never get a solid awnser to any place that actualy is better about keeping up with their hardware updates. I hear people scream Gnoman everytime I mention this question, but the Gnoman school has only been around a good 5 or 7 years, and clearly alot of our systems are from an older time then that. So I don't view them as a school that has been around long enough to realy stand the test of long term hardware maintenance and replacement like the Academy has. That and I know no one that knows for sure. Just people who think they do.(The grass is always greener on the other side, is'nt it guys:)) I just can't support an argument or complaint that tells of a schools short comming without someone actualy supporting a fact that there is a school that does a better job of it. Becuase just like Kimotion's complaint that the school does'nt advertise their students stuff enough, well what school does a better job that makes the academy look so bad?

[danteort]

This is turning into a neat discussion, in my opinion. I think it's important for people considering this school to get the WHOLE picture of what it's like. This way, they can make a more informed decision about whether or not this is the right place for them.

For me, it's not the right place. This has nothing to do with facilities, or computer hardware, or even whether or not the teachers are all that great. I came to the realization that for what I want to accomplish, it isn't necessary that I attend this school. That's really what it boils down to: is it worth the $30k per year (tuition + living). If yes, then that's fantastic. If no (as in my case) then there's nothing wrong with going somewhere else.

For Kimotion, and others like him, it's unfortunate that he had to pay two years worth of tuition before realizing that it's not the right place. THAT's one of the "dangers" with this school. People have certain expectations based on the school's printed materials, their web site, and samples of student work. In some (perhaps many) cases, things don't work out this way at all.

For example, a HUGE draw for many people is the highly regarded Pixar program. What's rarely mentioned, though, is that there are probably around 300 people studying character animation at any given time. There are 14 spots available in each Pixar class (3 of them) per semester. So each semester, 42 out of 300 people get to take these classes. This doesn't take into account the fact that (correct me if I'm wrong) MFA students can take the Pixar classes as part of their Directed Study course.

Now, it wouldn't be such a big deal if there were viable alternatives to the Pixar classes. However, as Kimotion has stated, there are none. The "advanced animation" classes that he's in are not comparable. By the way, Kimotion isn't the only person expressing dissatisfaction with this situation. I heard the exact same sentiments being expressed a couple of months ago. (In fact, I would have sworn that Kimotion was this person, except for the fact that Kimotion is a guy).

So the point of all this is that if you're thinking of coming here, I hope you REALLY understand what it is you're getting yourself into. Come here with your eyes open.

On a side note, one of the school's marketing points is that it's cheaper than all the other private art colleges in the area. This is true; if you make a side by side comparison of price per credit hour, you'll find that the AAU is about half the cost. However, something to keep in mind is the fact that this school offers ZERO scholarships. Everyone pays FULL tuition. So while the other schools may have higher tuition, most people who attend expensive schools like that only do so when they're offered enough scholarship money to make it possible.

[jeandenis]

"For example, a HUGE draw for many people is the highly regarded Pixar program.

Now, it wouldn't be such a big deal if there were viable alternatives to the Pixar classes. However, as Kimotion has stated, there are none. The "advanced animation" classes that he's in are not comparable."
________

Well, I don't know what classes they are offering now, but don't tell me that every other animation class besides the Pixar ones suck. Yes, some teachers are better than others, but it's not all up to the teacher. See previous post:


"TAKE INITIATIVE! Don’t expect someone to feel pity for you just because u got a sucky teacher."

___

It's also up to you. If you get great teachers, sweet. But you must have the drive and motivation in you. And don't expect huge job opportunities just because you attended the Pixar classes. There is always a lot of work behind a great reel.

[SpiralFace]

However, something to keep in mind is the fact that this school offers ZERO scholarships. Everyone pays FULL tuition. So while the other schools may have higher tuition, most people who attend expensive schools like that only do so when they're offered enough scholarship money to make it possible.

The school does offer a full and partial schollarship for incomming students for a single semester, but after that they don't offer anything. BUT......They do recognize and accept both state and Private schollarships. I know this becuase this is how I funded my first year here. You just have to apply for something like a Coca cola schollarship, or if your parents companys offer them, apply to get a company sponser schollarship. (The way I got in.) There are so many scholarships and free money floating around out there that it makes little differance that the academy does'nt offer them. Although it is disapointing, this does not mean that you have to pay the FULL tuition, you just have to do a bit more work to get private schollarships by righting companys essays and the like. Just remember that even for smaller companys, a schollarship to you, is a tax write off for them. So just be sure to try for whatever you can find out there. If you win them, the academy will recognize them.

[Kimotion]

"For example, a HUGE draw for many people is the highly regarded Pixar program.

Now, it wouldn't be such a big deal if there were viable alternatives to the Pixar classes. However, as Kimotion has stated, there are none. The "advanced animation" classes that he's in are not comparable."
________

Well, I don't know what classes they are offering now, but don't tell me that every other animation class besides the Pixar ones suck. Yes, some teachers are better than others, but it's not all up to the teacher. See previous post:


"TAKE INITIATIVE! Don’t expect someone to feel pity for you just because u got a sucky teacher."

___

It's also up to you. If you get great teachers, sweet. But you must have the drive and motivation in you. And don't expect huge job opportunities just because you attended the Pixar classes. There is always a lot of work behind a great reel.



I don't disagree at all, but for the price I am paying, competence is all I'm asking. For the price I'm paying, the teachers should at least be almost comparable, or at least try to be on par with others.

Not all animation classes suck. I loved my Intro to Animation class, as well as my dialogue class. The Advanced Anim. 1 class was a breeze but served its purpose since it's the beginning level. However, as you progress through the cirriculum, one would think there would be more challenging classes. Instead it was the other way around.

To mention the Pixar class, yet again, just look in the Pixar 1 class folder and see the amazing stuff they have in there. Now go to Advanced Animation 3 folder and see the difference. I used to say to others who didn't get in, "It's what you put into it. It's not as if the Pixar instructors give students a magic potion that automatically turns them into great animators. And because you didn't get in, use this bitterness to really work on your animation cus in the end you'll just end up with better pieces."

Well...now I think there is a "magic potion." I have friends in the Lab who are in the Pixar classes showing the methods and it blew me away at how things can be done to make animation so smooth, fluid and snappy at the same time. Right now I'm learning animation and getting critiques from other students, rather than instructors.

And then imagine sitting in the crap class full of Pixar class rejects watching the "instructor" fiddle with the Hogan rig for 1hr and 20 minutes, complaining and explaining that he's not used to this rig. This happened 5 times.

Here's another scene (true story): a guy and a girl, both on similar levels apply for Pixar 1. the guy gets in and a semester later his work improves light years ahead. Great for him. The girl is stuck with the alternatives and left clinging onto the motto: "It's all what you put into it." Both paid the $2,000 for their respective classes.

For the same price, he received grade A steak while she got White Castle burgers.

One can complain, file grievences (which has been done) all you want, but at the end of a semester, you're short $8,000 and a lot of time wasted inside very dysfunctional classrooms.

[Kimotion]

I just can't support an argument or complaint that tells of a schools short comming without someone actualy supporting a fact that there is a school that does a better job of it. Becuase just like Kimotion's complaint that the school does'nt advertise their students stuff enough, well what school does a better job that makes the academy look so bad?

To respectfully disagree, I don't think I stated that AAU doesn't advertise the student work enough. If that is how I sounded, I will admit I should've chosen my words more carefully.

My point was that things can be better when supporting the students' work, which is different from advertising. The web page idea is one example I threw out into the forum. "Support" means to help the students get their stuff out there and a web page is one of the best ways to enable one to show their stuff without having the trouble to create and pay for one's own. Support means to have the best interests of the students, and not always focussing on what is best to attract newer students.

Now I know it's not too much trouble to do this yourself, but if you see every other school "supporting" their students, then it's only natural to look at your own school and see they are not doing so. And it get more bitter when suggestions are made, only to have it thrown out because it costs too much. That may be true, but it could've been handled more tactfully.

Anyway I'm gonna stop posting for a while just to simmer down my bitterness. I guess final's week is getting to me, haha.

Good luck everyone.

[Kimotion]

For example, a HUGE draw for many people is the highly regarded Pixar program. What's rarely mentioned, though, is that there are probably around 300 people studying character animation at any given time. There are 14 spots available in each Pixar class (3 of them) per semester. So each semester, 42 out of 300 people get to take these classes. This doesn't take into account the fact that (correct me if I'm wrong) MFA students can take the Pixar classes as part of their Directed Study course.



This is true: and I know a couple of grad students who couldn't get in.

[SpiralFace]

My point was that things can be better when supporting the students' work, which is different from advertising. The web page idea is one example I threw out into the forum. "Support" means to help the students get their stuff out there and a web page is one of the best ways to enable one to show their stuff without having the trouble to create and pay for one's own. Support means to have the best interests of the students, and not always focussing on what is best to attract newer students.



Asside from the website thing, how is the academy not "Supporting" its current students? And for comparison, what schools do it better? My friend in the Art program over at CAL Berkely does'nt get half of the things that I personaly whould concider "support" here. Over here if you have a "B" average, the carrer center will add a school cover letter and try to get you internships for your breaks, and also give you studio openings and also submit your reel/ portfolio for you with their blessings. CAL Berkely does'nt even teach you where and how to network yourself, or give you any resorces to do something along that line. I concider this part of the Academy student "support" argument. There are always company's comming here giveing lectures on what they look for in reels and even take the time to look at individuals reels. Something else CAL Berkely does'nt do to "support" their students. No other school I know about have something like the senior collabrative where its essentialy a student production, and even if you can't get in, I've seen many posters for student group projects advertised around the school bulliten boards. There are plenty of extra cariculer activities that I find myself doing at this school that are school sponsered. (The paint ball and the wine tour are always fun.)

So assides from the free webspace, what else is the academy doing that you veiw as "not supporting" their current students? Becuase I can go into the flaws that other schools have that the academy has that at least in my mind, easily make up for the slight short comming of not giveing out web space to its students.

[geo5sf]

yea the closest I got to career placement at my 4 year State University was a lunchtime Job Fair... try going to a State college and I gauruntee things will be worse.

[jeremybirn]

"Many of our students make it to the big industry in the bay area like PIXXXXAAAAARRRRR and IIIILLLLLLLMMMMMM" when those 2 words are spoken everyone in the tour is mesmerized somehow. Like mosquitoes to bulb lights.

The funny thing is that, when you walk through the halls of the big studios, you find people who went to all different schools as an undergraduate, with no preference towards the schools and training centers that claim to be grooming applicants for big studio jobs. If I were giving advice to a high school student, I would tell him to go to the best school that he could get in to and afford. I would not recommend that he pay full price for an undergraduate education, but replace most of the classes with Maya training.

-jeremy

[SheepFactory]

Just pay $10 a year and get your own webspace. I wouldnt want the webspace from the academy even if they gave it considering how slow ass their servers are. "VFS does it" , yes they do and see how fast their servers are , anytime a VFS student posts something , before 50 views they are asking for mirrors.

Instead of asking everything from the school you guys should take your own initiative , i got into any class I wanted , yes they were all closed and no i didnt have the pre-requisites by any shot but i went out there and put in the extra effort to take the classes and did. You pretty much have to carve your own course in this school and fight for the good instructors.

Now I learned that Wayne Gilbert is teaching a class here , that'll be my next class regardless if its in my major , or closed , or whatever :)

Jeremy are you teaching in summer?

[Kimotion]

Anyway, another topic: remember the Games lecture at the "Church" that was cancelled because of equipment problems? Did that ever get rescheduled?

And who's going to on May 19 for the Spring Show screening? Same day as the new Star Wars release. Oh the dilemna...

[Kimotion]

Instead of asking everything from the school you guys should take your own initiative , i got into any class I wanted , yes they were all closed and no i didnt have the pre-requisites by any shot but i went out there and put in the extra effort to take the classes and did. You pretty much have to carve your own course in this school and fight for the good instructors.


To those thinking of attending here for whatever major, the above quote had been stated many times before by many persons (including myself), but it never gets old. So be prepared to fight. Just like when purchasing a car--let them know you know what is best for you and don't let them talk you into taking a class that does not serve you, but only the president's purse. Listen to the department directors but never trust the Advisors who are the one's calling you to register for class.

I have a BA from another college before this so I guess I got really spoiled with having a stable cirriculum and having advisors who actually work in their respected fields and have knowledge. So the term "it's just like any other college" does not apply to many issues with this school. If it did, then the thread "is Academy of Art a good school to go to?" wouldn't be this large would it? Or maybe it's because of all my incessent posting....woops!

If you really want to see the bright side of this, it's all part of the learning process when dealing with businesses.

[SpiralFace]

I have a BA from another college before this so I guess I got really spoiled with having a stable cirriculum and having advisors who actually work in their respected fields and have knowledge. So the term "it's just like any other college" does not apply to many issues with this school.


Its true that the ciriculum for this school (At least for the 3D major,) is no where near stable. But then again, niether is the CG industry in general. Things are constantly changeing becuase this is such a new industry that for all intensive purposes, is still in its infancy. So I whould just like to stress that not haveing a stable ciriculum is not nessasarily a bad thing for this particular major, and I whould advise to anyone that it is something that everyone should try to get used to. I applaud the academy for trying to keep the ciriculum current to whatever the requirements of the industry are, but it still disapoints me to learn of a class that I took, but will probably never need after the ciriculum changes. I still have the credit for it, but its still a bit disapointing. But thats just one of the realitys of this industry we're trying to get into. Better to learn it here and get disapointed, then to learn it in the working world and get left behind in the technological dust.

[Kimotion]

Its true that the ciriculum for this school (At least for the 3D major,) is no where near stable. But then again, niether is the CG industry in general. Things are constantly changeing becuase this is such a new industry that for all intensive purposes, is still in its infancy. So I whould just like to stress that not haveing a stable ciriculum is not nessasarily a bad thing for this particular major, and I whould advise to anyone that it is something that everyone should try to get used to. I applaud the academy for trying to keep the ciriculum current to whatever the requirements of the industry are, but it still disapoints me to learn of a class that I took, but will probably never need after the ciriculum changes. I still have the credit for it, but its still a bit disapointing. But thats just one of the realitys of this industry we're trying to get into. Better to learn it here and get disapointed, then to learn it in the working world and get left behind in the technological dust.

Agreed. This school does seem to be more in the loop with the industry than other schools. While other schools (particularly art school) seem to be bound by tradition, AAU does keep tabs. But the industry changes so much in a matter of few years that it's almost impossible for an institution as big as this to always keep afloat with the current times. Kinda scary but kinda exciting too.

[jeandenis]

And who's going to on May 19 for the Spring Show screening? Same day as the new Star Wars release. Oh the dilemna...

I would suggest Star Wars... :thumbsup:

[SpiralFace]

I would suggest Star Wars... :thumbsup:

Aw, come on,

If you just go to the midnight showing on wendsday night you can still make it to the festival and support your fellow students.

[Kimotion]

Aw, come on,

If you just go to the midnight showing on wendsday night you can still make it to the festival and support your fellow students.

HAHA, Jean-Denis, I see that you worked on some shots for Ep.3! Shameless plug for opening night, heheh.

I am excited about the Spring Show since I've missed last year's. I want to be inspired during finals week, so what better way to watch Yoda get electrocuted AND watch fellow student work in span of 24 hours. Oh no, when will I have to finish my final for Friday? :eek:

[Prototype_Angel]

Hi guys,

sorry to make this thread goes up again :p

but since i m new in here and have some question about school..

well, right now, i almost complete my AA degree in animation in the art institute,
i am thinking to transfer to somehere to get my bachelor degree..
theer 4 school in top of list:
1. academy of art, sf **applying on either new media or VFX degree**
2. Pratt Intitute, NY **applying on computer graphics experimental**
3. school of visual art, NY ** applying on computer art**
4. CalArt **animation**

i am hoping for school of visual art and CalArt ** art those two school is worth as much as the price? **
sinec pratt is quite difficult, i guess :p

basically, what i m want to look forward to study is about motion graphics and also some skill at VFX.

so far in here, washington, i havent found the right place to study motion graphic and some VFX except from books that i have been trying to read ..

[danteort]

One small thing about the AAU that I'm not sure has been mentioned much.

There's a very large international student population here, which is good. However, it should be noted that many international students attend this school because their TOEFL scores were too low to go anywhere else.

My old school had a lot of international students as well, especially in my area. They all passed the TOEFL, and their English wasn't all that hot when they first arrived. They had a basic grasp of English, yes, but passing the TOEFL doesn't mean they're comfortable speaking it in a classroom environment. So keep in mind that a student who can't pass the TOEFL will have a SERIOUS problem keeping up in class. Each of my classes has had one or two students who just did not have enough English to understand what was required.

By the way, I should mention that my recent posts about this school have been pointing out the negatives. Previously I was very positive, so I'm just trying to balance things out. I don't have a bad attitude toward the school; I just like to explore all sides. Don't think I'm simply trying to bash the school or anything like that. It's just that a good discussion needs all points of view represented.

[Prototype_Angel]

hehehehe in some point, i am agree with danteort.

i mean i, my self, is an internation stud
but! i came here also to improve my second language and feel the US environment..

but so far.. they just too many international student until sometimes when i am enter the class, i feel like "hey dude, am still in asia?" :D

also, i don't know whether it is good or bad thing, but AAC its quite layoff with the admission. they don't look so much for your portfolio..
they will definately accept you hehehehe

[SpiralFace]

One small thing about the AAU that I'm not sure has been mentioned much.

There's a very large international student population here, which is good. However, it should be noted that many international students attend this school because their TOEFL scores were too low to go anywhere else.

My old school had a lot of international students as well, especially in my area. They all passed the TOEFL, and their English wasn't all that hot when they first arrived. They had a basic grasp of English, yes, but passing the TOEFL doesn't mean they're comfortable speaking it in a classroom environment. So keep in mind that a student who can't pass the TOEFL will have a SERIOUS problem keeping up in class. Each of my classes has had one or two students who just did not have enough English to understand what was required.

By the way, I should mention that my recent posts about this school have been pointing out the negatives. Previously I was very positive, so I'm just trying to balance things out. I don't have a bad attitude toward the school; I just like to explore all sides. Don't think I'm simply trying to bash the school or anything like that. It's just that a good discussion needs all points of view represented.

I'm not familiar with the TOEFL, but I can assure you that many of the international students here are more then capable of not only speaking english, but also being very sucessful in their classes. There might be a few that are below par, but from my personal experiance, this is not the norm. I guess many of the ones that can't keep up with the class are shuffled out their freshman year just like all the americans at this school do.

[Morganism]

There's a very large international student population here, which is good. However, it should be noted that many international students attend this school because their TOEFL scores were too low to go anywhere else.


I see both those points as being positive. The "other schools" are missing out on this student population that frankly kicks ass. Check out all the high-poly modellers in the spring show this year. The international population rocked that department this semester.

[Kimotion]

I see both those points as being positive. The "other schools" are missing out on this student population that frankly kicks ass. Check out all the high-poly modellers in the spring show this year. The international population rocked that department this semester.

I heard they were going to implement TOEFL in the very near future. From my friends from Asia (specifically Korea) they will admit (graceously) that most came here because they could not get into an art school in their home country. Their country is densely populated and any college is extremely difficult to get into. Also, in that culture, having studied in the US is a status symbol once they go back and many of their peers will assume they know enough English to have survived in the US--thus adding another notch in their status.

And one reason why they study their butts off is due to their cultural upbringing. Education is everything over there. But unfortunately, so are grades. They know they have an uphill battle because of lack of English, and combined with that obsessive education culture, they tripple their studying efforts.

Of course there are some who don't fit that description. They end up going back because of their grades. I think they need to have a certain grade average to keep their student visas.

Overall it really does add a lot to the international culture, especially in this field where there are so many others in Asian and Europe.

[Empath]

Just a curiosity:
I'm taking online courses at the moment, and for some moronic reason or another the last day of the semester for students is also the last day for the instructors, so they're hacking off half a week from the time we expected to have to finish final projects. Do they do the same thing at the campus, or do you think I should bug some people about extending the teacher's deadline?

[SpiralFace]

Just a curiosity:
I'm taking online courses at the moment, and for some moronic reason or another the last day of the semester for students is also the last day for the instructors, so they're hacking off half a week from the time we expected to have to finish final projects. Do they do the same thing at the campus, or do you think I should bug some people about extending the teacher's deadline?

hmmm, Never heard of this one. And no, on campus your last day is your last class. Everything due, Period. Because the teachers have to hand in the grades to the administrators hours after the class is over. What class are you takeing online, because this is not the case with my class.

[Kimotion]

Just a curiosity:
I'm taking online courses at the moment, and for some moronic reason or another the last day of the semester for students is also the last day for the instructors, so they're hacking off half a week from the time we expected to have to finish final projects. Do they do the same thing at the campus, or do you think I should bug some people about extending the teacher's deadline?

I've experienced this too. It should state it in the syllabus but sometimes the Online Campus forgets to differenciate the student deadline from the teacher's. I went to the Online campus to discuss this and they told me it will be taken care of and admitted it wan't clear. However, this was 2 yrs ago when they were starting out. The Online campus seems to have a lot of pull. Contact them and see if they can rectify the situation.

[danteort]

My point was not that there are too many international students. Or that the quality of their work is inferior.

I believe there is a point at which the open admissions policy can be taken just a little too far. I have no problem with open admissions; I think it's great, and in principle it tells me that the school's philosophy is "Not everyone has access to a decent art education." However, I see almost no way to succeed if you can't speak the language.

This tells me that the school's philosophy isn't "Hey, we'll teach you the skills, even if you have no experience." Instead, it's "We'll take anyone, even if you can't understand what's being taught."

If I wanted to go to school in France, but I spoke hardly any French, I don't think I would do too well. I don't see how I'd be able to keep up, seeing as how I wouldn't be able to understand 75% of what was being said in the classroom. And I'd be a little weary of a school that said I'd be fine even if I couldn't understand the language.

[SpiralFace]

I believe there is a point at which the open admissions policy can be taken just a little too far. I have no problem with open admissions; I think it's great, and in principle it tells me that the school's philosophy is "Not everyone has access to a decent art education." However, I see almost no way to succeed if you can't speak the language.



I can see where your comming from, and I agree that if you can't speak the language, its impossible to suceed in THIS country. But there are many international students that have no intention of finding work in this country. Many of them, are just looking to get an education in this country, and go back to their own and work. (In many countrys, an American education is looked very highly upon.) So there for, it actualy makes it so they have a greater chance of suceeding in their own country. But yeah, if they did want to work here, English skills whould be a bare minimum if they where to realisticaly apply for a job here.

Yeah, unfortunatly this does bring up the entire outsorceing debate, but seeing as how this is a CG community, and not an american political forum, we are going to keep all that talk away from here.:).......Please

[Kimotion]

My point was not that there are too many international students. Or that the quality of their work is inferior.

I believe there is a point at which the open admissions policy can be taken just a little too far. I have no problem with open admissions; I think it's great, and in principle it tells me that the school's philosophy is "Not everyone has access to a decent art education." However, I see almost no way to succeed if you can't speak the language.

This tells me that the school's philosophy isn't "Hey, we'll teach you the skills, even if you have no experience." Instead, it's "We'll take anyone, even if you can't understand what's being taught."

If I wanted to go to school in France, but I spoke hardly any French, I don't think I would do too well. I don't see how I'd be able to keep up, seeing as how I wouldn't be able to understand 75% of what was being said in the classroom. And I'd be a little weary of a school that said I'd be fine even if I couldn't understand the language.

I thought this too, but there are certain ESL levels certain International Students are required to take if they don't have proficuency in English.

If you're in Level 1, you are only allowed to take just one non-ESL class.
Level 2: only allowed to take 2 non-ESL classes...and so on.

So I don't think their intention is "take whatever we can even though you probably won't learn anything due to language barrier."

However, I heard that the reason why they are gonna require TOEFL is because the ESL intruction is becoming too costly, even with the tution money from those students.

[SpiralFace]

However, I heard that the reason why they are gonna require TOEFL is because the ESL intruction is becoming too costly, even with the tution money from those students.

Its probably better in the long run for everyone though. I have not been in a class where a students English proficiancy drags the class down, but I have seen that their work is definatly lagging in more of the technical classes becuase of their difficulty learning english. And although I personaly have'nt experianced anyone dragging my class' down, that does'nt mean that I've heard from some friends about some of their classes getting boged down for this reason. Although, I beleave this is heavely dependent on what teacher you get.

I wonder if this means that the current ESL students at the school won't be re-admited if they don't pass the TOEFL. If that happens, I feel sorry for anyone about to graduate and gets bared from pulling of their final semester.

[danteort]

I thought this too, but there are certain ESL levels certain International Students are required to take if they don't have proficuency in English.

If you're in Level 1, you are only allowed to take just one non-ESL class.
Level 2: only allowed to take 2 non-ESL classes...and so on.

So I don't think their intention is "take whatever we can even though you probably won't learn anything due to language barrier."

Yeah, that makes some good sense.

I'm curious why it is that the ESL classes would become too costly? That seems a little strange, since it's an existing part of the program, so the cost is already budgeted in. And it's not like the school's incoming student population is dwindling, so the cost should be offset by tuition.

Plus, wouldn't it make sense to require the TOEFL and then have ESL instruction on top of that? That seems standard operating procedure.

[SpiralFace]

Yeah, that makes some good sense.

I'm curious why it is that the ESL classes would become too costly? That seems a little strange, since it's an existing part of the program, so the cost is already budgeted in. And it's not like the school's incoming student population is dwindling, so the cost should be offset by tuition.

Plus, wouldn't it make sense to require the TOEFL and then have ESL instruction on top of that? That seems standard operating procedure.

Mabe they hire tutors that speak the native languages of some of the countrys with a larger student representation. I can see how that on top of english classes can get costly. There was one girl that was hearing impared in one of my classes, and where ever she went, she had someone there to translate what the teacher was saying into sign language. I guess they might have something similar for the totaly english chalenged for some kind of tutoring program or something. I'm not sure about this. But if they did have it, I can easily see how the cost whould get realy expensive. And just because they are requireing a TOEFL now, that does'nt mean they are completely getting rid of the esl track, just that they are cutting back on the classes for the sevearly challenged english speakers.

[-Vormav-]

FOOD SERVICE:
Our Daily Chef's Table will offer soul-warming home-style foods with a california creative flair. Wholesome meals based on traditional comfort foods as well as an infusion of authentic ethnic creations. You will always find well-rounded and nutritious meals, whether you are a vegetarian or a meat-lover. Our famed Herbed Rotisserie chicken with a hot buttered corn muffin is a BIG win among our students. That will be a daily feature, along with three-cheese macaroni and garlic smashed potatoes. Our food is cooked and prepared from scratch every day in small batches to ensure freshness. You can watch your food being prepared right in front of you. the rotation entree' will keep everyone coming back to see what's cooking today!

Wow... I must be becoming cynical, as my eyes started rolling the minute they hit "soul-warming." And just incase anyone else isn't as overly pessimistic as I am, it should be mentioned that hearing the words "authentic" and "ethnic" in the same sentence, from someone that mass-produces food on a day-by-day basis for a school-funded cafeteria, should only be met with fear.
Hehe, "soul-warming." That blurb was sugar-coated with so much BS it's amusing... Looking forward to moving, not looking forward to eating. :p

But anyway, guess they've put me in 655 Sutter st. See you in a few weeks, if any of you are staying there.

[darktding]

hey Vormav trust me it isnt as "authentic" as u think it might possibly be.
Anyhow I hope you have a good time at San Francisco.
btw when r u joining? Fall? Summer? and what classes ru taking?

[-Vormav-]

hey Vormav trust me it isnt as "authentic" as u think it might possibly be.
That was my point. :p Buy hey, they try, and therein lies the problem. ;)

I'm starting this summer though. I'm currently signed up for 'analysis of form' and 'intro to computer graphics for animators', both of which I should have no trouble waiving out of. So I guess I really can't say for sure what I'll be taking yet...need to get down their and meet with the program directors. Kinda makes me worry, since I'm not too sure of how easily I'll be able to switch classes at the last minute for the summer semester...:shrug:

[SpiralFace]

That was my point. :p Buy hey, they try, and therein lies the problem. ;)

I'm starting this summer though. I'm currently signed up for 'analysis of form' and 'intro to computer graphics for animators', both of which I should have no trouble waiving out of. So I guess I really can't say for sure what I'll be taking yet...need to get down their and meet with the program directors. Kinda makes me worry, since I'm not too sure of how easily I'll be able to switch classes at the last minute for the summer semester...:shrug:

Call the school and make an apointment ASAP. Because I think the directors and what not get a break for the next two weeks after this week is over. And after that the summer semester has already kicked off, so get that info and try to at least digitize some of your work and e-mail it to them ASAP becuase it gets harder to change around once school starts because classes do fill up. Unless you want a ton of morning classes.

[Fenster]

I've been going to the Academy of Art here in San Francisco for 2 semesters, and I've found it to be much more challenging and hands on than any other art school I've been at. The dorms are very expensive, (4500 for a shared studio per semester) but when you first come to the city, it's much easier to focus on school first and get used to the city before you move to your own apt. If you have to live in the dorms, the best dorm is the Jones building on Jones and Post by far. Here are a list of teachers that are good to have for your foundation classes:

Sculpture - Mark Zyjinski (not sure how to spell his last name) A fun teacher who is a fantasic artist in the style of the old masters (realism) and is a great teacher unlike some of the other sculpture faculty.

Illustration - David Ball - He teaches perspective, perspective for animation, and a few illustration courses. He's pretty laid back, but teaches all that you need to know quickly and easily.

Computer animation, 3D - Robert Steele A veteran of the gaming industry, he designed many of the items in diablo 2, also worked for sega, virgin, and even started his own gaming company for a brief period. He also has a strong backround in traditional animation. I enjoyed his class, and found him to be a very effective teacher who was able to give us a clue about what it's like to be a working computer artist/animator/modeler.

Illustration - David Lee - teaches several foundation classes, such as analysis of form and figure drawing. I have never taken a class by him, but I've heard great things about his class. I've also seen his work, which is quite impressive.

Traditional animation -Cora Craig - Cora teaches her classes with boundless enthusiasim for the medium of animation, and respects students with unique vision, as long as it produces results. If you take her experimental animation class, be ready to think outside of the box and find something that will excite you about animation. She was one of the gumby animators, and is now one of the only people who still has working gumby puppetry ready for animation.

These are all teachers that you'll have the chance to take a class with, doesnt matter if you are a 3D modeler or a 2D traditional animator. (I think interior design people get to skip them tho)

Hope this helps,

[Gremlin]

My situation is a bit weird...

But every AAU student I've talked to has ragged on the ridiculously high price for general education classes ($550/unit I believe...) at which point they all suggested I goto community college and knock out my GE and then transfer to save money.

What actually ended up happening, is I'm attending University of California, Santa Cruz--Now, Here's my dilemma:

1. I'm not sure if I wanna finish here, get my degree from UCSC with a major in art and go from there (maybe take a gnomon class or two, finish up demo reel if its not already done...)

or,

2. Transfer to AAU after 2 years (or whenever my GE is finished) and get my degree from there...

Does anyone have any opinion on this? And also, if I do transfer--does anyone know how classes transfer from a UC to AAU? (I might have to give AAU a call for that one)

Cheers,
:beer:

- Julian L.

[Morganism]

Funny you should ask, Julian.

I went to UCSC for two years before coming here. The credits that did transfer transferred fine...but the Academy will only take a years worth of credits, so I ended up losing half of them anyway.

As for getting a degree from UCSC, that's up to you. For computer art, I felt like UCSC was very lacking compared to the academy, so I don't regret coming here without finishing there. The academy is much more specific and focused.
But a UC is much more of a traditional "college education" if you want that.

[Kimotion]

Sculpture - Mark Zyjinski (not sure how to spell his last name) A fun teacher who is a fantasic artist in the style of the old masters (realism) and is a great teacher unlike some of the other sculpture faculty.

Computer animation, 3D - Robert Steele A veteran of the gaming industry, he designed many of the items in diablo 2, also worked for sega, virgin, and even started his own gaming company for a brief period. He also has a strong backround in traditional animation. I enjoyed his class, and found him to be a very effective teacher who was able to give us a clue about what it's like to be a working computer artist/animator/modeler.



I had Marc Zjiawinski for Figure modeling, and even though I don't like sculpting, I really enjoyed his class. He was so funny, extremely helpful, but most of all, he cared that you LEARNED. His passion really spilled over into the classroom, even though you stand there for almost 6 hours straight.

I had Robert Steele for Storyboarding. For an 8:30 tuesday morning class, he was disturbingly energetic: probably because of that coffee-filled thermos he is always drinking out. I didn't enjoy the class for the first half: the last half I really felt engaged in that final project and it inspired me to really study and respect storyboarding. He also constantly gave valuable insight into how it's like to work in the industry and I wish I took more detailed notes. And like Marc Zjiawinski, he really cared that the students learned and understood the subject.

[GrahamHRoss]

Well, it's summertime and I just finished up finals. It was rough, but I passed all my prerequs with b's...so I"m officially in the school.

Brief side note...David Lee may be a good artist, but he's kinda a dick when it comes to teaching. I went to his workshop once and he got really pissed at me for just asking a question about how the workshop was run. I wouldn't reccomend him.

Let me say this much about the academy so far. They will work you hard. Let me repeat that. THEY WILL WORK YOU HARD! (stop it all you pervs out there...get over it...). Yes, the academy does have it's share of slackers. But their slackers are probably excelling mroe than any other school I've been to. It's really damn hard to get a b in any class and almost impossible to get an A (although I did it a few times...mostly through revising stuff. I shoudl add most classes allow revisions for work. Take advantage of that. And extra credit. You'll need all u can get.)

THe workshops are awesome. Take advantage of every one you can go to. THey ay that you have to be enrolled ina similar class to go to them, but it really dosen't matter. You can basically go to any workshop u want. THe figure modeling ones are great...Tuesday from 3 to 6 and Henry Yan's workshop on Friday night was my favorite.

Finaly was a very rought time for me and I must admit I got very little sleep at all. Isaid ti before and I'll say ti again, the school asks a lot of you, and you really gotta step up tot he plate. I was running on about 4 hours of sleep a night...and this was before I got a part time job! Twoards the end I was basicallyrunning on caffene. By the way, there's areally nice coffee house on the corner of Powell and Sutter near the illustration building.

If you're a grad student, take advantage of your grad status! There are certain labs you can get into that others can't...and free dinners once a month! Start networking asap...try to remember people's names too...I personally suck at that...and meet face to face with your program director...

On that note, I actually have had quite a hard time getting in touch with Sherrie or Chris. Both seem very busy...almost too busy to even send me an e-mail saying they're too busy...(that was a very confusing sentence...I apologize). It sucks cause I realy need tot alk to them about changing my classes around and they're being very non-responsive.

Teachers I reccomend:
Jason Bowen - Figure drawing and painting
*A hard grader but all round nice guy. Gives really hard critiques but hell, if I wanted peple to tell methey liked my stuff all the time I'd get my parents to critique my stuff!

Joko Bodinko - Perpective (I think I spelled his name wrong!)
* The man. A great artist really. No one can figure out why he's teaching and not working at lucasarts or somehting. He says he's lazy. Take advantage of him! He'll sit there with you long after class and teach u how to draw!

Phillip Morris - Animation
* Not much of a lecturer, but a really good teacher one on one. If you're not scared to ask questions, he's got the answers. A little bitter about stint at Disney, but really a very talented guy.

And the question you've all been waiting for...can I see a difference in my work from Janurary to now? THe answer is a big fat friggin yes! If my laptop still wasn't in the shop I'd show you some pics for proof. (I promise I will! Really! Promise!) I really feel like my drawing skills have increasted tenfold. Of course, I also worked my ass off...but it's really worth it. I can only hope the 3d classes are as good as the drawing clases I've taken so far...

Quick note...if you're a grad and want to take some undergrad classes outside your prereqs...you can do it for non-credit. After your midpoint review, you can get credit for those classes. But I knoe pwoplw who took the pixard classes or other undergrad classes before the midpoint purely for experience. I'm trying ta do that now and it's kinda been a battle, so I'll let u know how it turns out...

Ta ta,
Kungfu Hampster

[Kimotion]

Yeah, the school works you hard in the first year, or during the foundations. I know the drawing classes can get really demanding. I took Color and Design and Anatomy in one summer: not a good idea. But I work best under pressure.

And I agree about Phillip Morris. Really not a lecturer but great one on one after class. I wish I had him as a personal tutor. What was it about Disney that he is bitter about? It seems like he's certainly not the only one.

[Empath]

Jason Bowen - Figure drawing and painting
*A hard grader but all round nice guy. Gives really hard critiques but hell, if I wanted peple to tell methey liked my stuff all the time I'd get my parents to critique my stuff!


I guess he might be better in person, but I took one of his online courses (he was teaching a total of nine courses this last semester, which I think was a large part of the issue), and to put it quite simply he didn't put any time into teaching us anything. He slapped a hodgepodge of half explained information into the pages and dropped by once in a while to tell us what we were sucking at. I actually tried asking questions for clarification at a few points and after failing to answer a few of these he reffered me to the Academy's resources for people with learning disabilities, believing if I was having trouble with anything it couldn't possibly be anything to do with him. In the end I worked my butt off and scraped in an A-, but I feel I could have learned a lot more from the class. He has a wife, three hyperactive children, and was teaching nine courses, so even if he might be able to do better under other circumstances (such as in person where he's REQUIRED to actually sit down and deal with the students), but anyone looking to take his courses be wary that he might just be keeping himself too busy to do any teaching.

As for my overall experience with my first semester, it was pretty good besides the above instructor. My last experience with the drawing and sculpting mediums was with stick figures and Play-Dough, and I came out of these courses having learned an incredible amount and likely with back problems for the rest of my life (the workload was indeed insane). I ran out of time on my finals and had to leave one of them, for my Intro to Animation class, in the dust. It was painful having to turn in something I wasn't near finished with... but a good learning experience.
For anyone taking ONLINE courses:

Tom Arndt (Introduction to Animation): Mr. Oz as I like to refer to him is a great guy, fun to work with, and provides helpful feedback. He doesn't quite brandish the whip, but he doesn't put up with too much slacking either. All in all a good teacher and one I wouldn't mind taking courses from him again.
Steven Krochman (Foundations Figure Modeling): He leaves incredible amounts of helpful feedback (individual audio recordings) and if you apply yourself he'll teach you loads, but he doesn't have much in the way of harsh discipline and if you're doing horribly he'll try to be nice about his comments.
Jack Lee (Analysis of Form): Just like Tom, excellent to work with, helpful, easy to learn from and get feedback and answers to questions, not particularly harsh or easy. Simply a good teacher.

[GrahamHRoss]

And I agree about Phillip Morris. Really not a lecturer but great one on one after class. I wish I had him as a personal tutor. What was it about Disney that he is bitter about? It seems like he's certainly not the only one.

His words man. He claims he's still bitter bout working there!

[SpiralFace]

His words man. He claims he's still bitter bout working there!

I personaly am hard pressed to find 3D Artists that are'nt bitter about working there. But the 2D guys seemed to have enjoyed it while it lasted though. Personaly have no Idea why that is.

[Kimotion]

I personaly am hard pressed to find 3D Artists that are'nt bitter about working there. But the 2D guys seemed to have enjoyed it while it lasted though. Personaly have no Idea why that is.

But it's DISNEY! Yes it doesn't have that aura it once did, but I'd absolutely love to have that company on my resume. But this is coming from a wannabe animation industry professional.

I feel a lot of tension with 2d people at this school. Well, maybe not "tension," but a lot bitterness combined with worrying. I think it reflects the industry as well. Hopefully 2d is not dead, just "sleeping" like many people would like to believe. It's not the medium...they just need to release some great stories like they used to.

[Digiegg]

Yay! Finally done w/ my first year!
Now going on to Summer intercession and then Summer semester for me.
yeap, no wasting time for me... Hopefully I'll be working better now that I'm in a good apartment... not the hell hole dormatories....

For the new peeps, here are my reviews:

Dormatory: I lived on 860 Sutter dormatory. It's the Co-Ed international dorm.
Great place to make friends if you are here alone. I've met alot of cool people during the one year semester and will probably be networking w/ them later on. Try to find a roommate before sending in the application for the dorm. I've met alot of people who ended up w/ bad roommates. Talk to your administrator about it. Other then networking, it's all down hill... You can get a studio or 2 bedroom apartment w/ your roommate w/ that price you pay. They put you in a small ass room with bunkbeds. The food is HORRIBLE. You'd think it's okay to eat it first week or so... then you start feeling sick. The quality of the food is just plain shit. I've went off on the officials during the Health event they had.
One semester is fine. Get the hell out of there for the second semester.

School: Lots of people complain about how the school works w/ our(students) money. Just the unnesessary charges they make ticks me off. Charging $140 EVERYtime you register for classes. I mean come on... why? Everything eles I like the school. School buses are really convenient. Workshops are definately awsome. I do agree, Friday night Henry Yan workshop is the best. That's where all the good artists come out to play =)

Teachers: Teachers at the Academy are all very skilled artists. BUT not all are GOOD teachers. I've had teachers that demotivate me and just want to stop paying attention in class. There are teachers I HATE and teachers I LOVE. Like one of the workshop teacher said, "Hey, you're paying good money for it. If you don't like you're teacher go change it."
Here are the teacher recommendations (In my opinion):::

David Lee (Analysis of Form): Good teacher. I wouldn't say he's the BEST teacher but he's a pretty good teacher. Very honest and straight forward about students art. He told me first class infront of EVERYONE, "This drawing has no perspective what so ever. This person needs to practice alot with his drawings. I'll help him with that." That just crushed me into pieces but it motivated me to never hear those words ever again. His words are what sparked me to try so hard. He lets you draw on your own style but he does go around and give you good suggestions. Also a GREAT artist!

Karl Jensen (Figure drawing): Stresses alot about the BASICS of drawing. I highly recommend him for the first semester. Very good teacher for learning the basics. He will keep nailing your head about the same thing BUT that's the basics. You have to learn them well or you'll have trouble in the future. Good teacher! great artist!

The class Computer Animation Productions (CAPS) bull shit class if you know MAYA basics.

Haboush (Anatomy): Heard many bad things about him before going to class and I've learned by. Teaching method is very boring because he goes on and on. He's way too passionate about Anatomy. Good thing but sometimes I get weirded out. Did not like him at all. That's just me. Other people liked him... mostly females. Not much feedback during class. I know a friend that tried to fire him out of school during Fall semester. I don't recommend him.

Jane Wittmen (Figure modeling): Good artist. Bad teacher. she doesn't know how to teach period.

Rhea,William E. (Still life painting): Best teacher I've had all year. He goes by Bill. I was in the only class he taught this semester and I was lucky as hell to have him as my teacher. He stresses every single student's work. High top quality teacher that is rare. I'd definately take his classes again if I could. Awsome awsome teacher. Hilarious and very informative to every student. I mean every single one of us.


I suggest you take General education stuff ONLINE. Easier and faster.

That's about it. Work hard. Play hard. I've seen alot of students go out and enjoy their life here while paying $28 a year. Don't be like them. Make something out of yourselve while you are here.

[-Vormav-]

Dormatory: I lived on 860 Sutter dormatory. It's the Co-Ed international dorm.
Great place to make friends if you are here alone. I've met alot of cool people during the one year semester and will probably be networking w/ them later on. Try to find a roommate before sending in the application for the dorm. I've met alot of people who ended up w/ bad roommates. Talk to your administrator about it. Other then networking, it's all down hill... You can get a studio or 2 bedroom apartment w/ your roommate w/ that price you pay. They put you in a small ass room with bunkbeds. The food is HORRIBLE. You'd think it's okay to eat it first week or so... then you start feeling sick. The quality of the food is just plain shit. I've went off on the officials during the Health event they had.
One semester is fine. Get the hell out of there for the second semester.
Oh man. You just made me so excited for this summer. :rolleyes:
jk :p

Where exactly do you get info on all of the workshops though? I'm sure I'll be wanting to go to some of them.

It's good to see some teacher reviews in here now. Well, for whatever good it does. I understand why they can't post the teachers for each class until two weeks before the classes start, but it's still a pain in the ass when you're trying to get your schedule sorted out.

[mlmiller1983]

From reading this thread it seems AAU has some very good and some very bad points to it. I was thinking about going there but It would simply be too much of a hassle for me at the moment.

[ashrumm]

Originally posted by: Nissan Sexima

That's about it. Work hard. Play hard. I've seen alot of students go out and enjoy their life here while paying $28 a year. Don't be like them. Make something out of yourselve while you are here.

I'm under the assumption you meant 28k a year. Just something I thought was a bit off.

[danteort]

From reading this thread it seems AAU has some very good and some very bad points to it. I was thinking about going there but It would simply be too much of a hassle for me at the moment.
I think one of the points of all this discussion is that it's wise to have a reason to attend the AAU. I don't think too many people would deny that the school as an institution is run pretty terribly, and compared to almost every college or university in the country, it falls pretty short in many areas that constitute a true "college education."

So unless you have a compelling reason to attend this school above others, it's generally a better use of your time and money to attend a 'real' college. Some people have specific reasons for attending this school, which is fantastic, but unless you absolutely KNOW that you need to attend this particular school, it's probably smarter to go elsewhere for an art education.

A lot of people praise the foundations classes, saying how intense they are and how steep the grading is. I won't deny that many of the drawing teachers are good. But you have to keep in mind that there's nothing really "special" about their instruction that puts them head and shoulders above any other art school. Any professional artist who knows how to teach will make you able to draw just as well. There's nothing magic about the AAU's instruction, and I don't see them as being more intense than any other professional art teacher I've encountered.

So it comes down to whether or not you are willing to deal with the headaches that may arise from attending a school with an incompetent administration. If you're looking for good art education, odds are that you'll find comparable (and cheaper) instruction at a true university (or even a community college) without the extra overhead associated with the AAU.

Just be SURE that the AAU is what you want.

[mlmiller1983]

I think one of the points of all this discussion is that it's wise to have a reason to attend the AAU. I don't think too many people would deny that the school as an institution is run pretty terribly, and compared to almost every college or university in the country, it falls pretty short in many areas that constitute a true "college education."

So unless you have a compelling reason to attend this school above others, it's generally a better use of your time and money to attend a 'real' college. Some people have specific reasons for attending this school, which is fantastic, but unless you absolutely KNOW that you need to attend this particular school, it's probably smarter to go elsewhere for an art education.

A lot of people praise the foundations classes, saying how intense they are and how steep the grading is. I won't deny that many of the drawing teachers are good. But you have to keep in mind that there's nothing really "special" about their instruction that puts them head and shoulders above any other art school. Any professional artist who knows how to teach will make you able to draw just as well. There's nothing magic about the AAU's instruction, and I don't see them as being more intense than any other professional art teacher I've encountered.

So it comes down to whether or not you are willing to deal with the headaches that may arise from attending a school with an incompetent administration. If you're looking for good art education, odds are that you'll find comparable (and cheaper) instruction at a true university (or even a community college) without the extra overhead associated with the AAU.

Just be SURE that the AAU is what you want.

Your probably right. I am currently attending two schools at the moment. One a state four year university the other a community college and its not costing me that much. At the community college I am taking mostly art and animation courses working toward an AS in Digital Animation. The courses are not that bad and I ain't complaining(I don't have to pay for them). The four year university I am working toward a double major in Electrical Engineering and Physics with a minor Scientific Computer Programming. Yeah after reading this thread I've decided AAU isn't as good as it looked reading the website or catalogue. Glad I read this thread. Good luck!

I don't want to have to commute from san francisco to March ARB once a month. Yeah I am a reservist so its kind of insane to think about going to AAU at the moment. I just stick with AS degree and go from there.

[SpiralFace]

I think one of the points of all this discussion is that it's wise to have a reason to attend the AAU. I don't think too many people would deny that the school as an institution is run pretty terribly, and compared to almost every college or university in the country, it falls pretty short in many areas that constitute a true "college education."

A lot of people praise the foundations classes, saying how intense they are and how steep the grading is. I won't deny that many of the drawing teachers are good. But you have to keep in mind that there's nothing really "special" about their instruction that puts them head and shoulders above any other art school. Any professional artist who knows how to teach will make you able to draw just as well. There's nothing magic about the AAU's instruction, and I don't see them as being more intense than any other professional art teacher I've encountered.


To the first thing: Yeah administratively the academy lacks. But it also accells in many other areas that what many whould concider "True college education." I have yet to see a school with an art program that addresses anatomy for artists. At many other "true" institutions aproch anatomy from a purely medical perspective, and the artists are there along for the ride. Although they are similar, the Anatomy classes here are more geared twards artists. As is everything. Even the Acting LA's are more geared twards artists and not actors. The academy job placement and carreer center is MUCH better then any school I've ever seen. Even Ivy leage graduates don't get any help from the school trying to find a job. They much rely on their prestige gained by haveing a degree from the university to carry themselves through. Which sometimes works but more often then not does'nt. I've been to both "traditional college" and this university, and the only thing that I will still complain about this school is its attrociously high lab fees.

Everything else I've seen is pretty much the same at this school then at every other school both myself and friends have attended. All the way from the crappy councilers that don't know anything past what the administration tells them to stick freshmen in all the way up to the directors that are always too busy to listen and supposedly, (I personaly have had no problems with this,) not doing enough for the students. Yeah its easy to shoot down the Administration because everyone agrees that it truely is lacking. But then again, this is'nt highschool anymore. Your education is your responsibility. And just like anything, you should be the one doing most of the work, not them. In my personal experiance, I have no reason to deal with the administration unless I try to waiver classes. They say pretty much in plain english whats required of you in their catalogs twards the back. People just simply don't take the time to read through it and expect that the administration just automaticaly assumes that they know exactly what they want to pressue. If your going to ask about what classes you should take to pressue your goals, you should ask the teachers that are already there or the upperclassmen that are almost there where to go next. Not the dumb councelors whos entire proffession is to place people into classes. Thats not the profession you want to pressue, so don't go assumeing that they are the best people to ask for advice. Becuase they are'nt. And that rule does'nt change no matter what school you attend.

Moveing on to your next argument, Yeah the foundation stuff is pretty much the same as your going to get at anyother school. But that is only for the first year. Afterwards you have unique classes that are'nt offered at any other school. And not just the PIXAR animation ones. If you look at other schools programs, your going to find them very lacking as far as class count and the specialty classes go. This school is exelent at provideing varous specialty classes like the Pixar renderman corse, Advanced looks and Renderings, Texture Creation, Maya for Animators, Zbrush, Organic and Hard Surface Modeling, Facial modeling and expressions, Level prototypeing, all of the Games oriented classes, and the list goes on and on. Other schools have all around all purpose Maya and modeling classes, but I guarantee you that you'll be hard pressed to find a school out there thats half way decent, offers specialty classes like these, and also hands out Accredited Bachelors and MFA degrees.

That is why many of us upperclassmen on this thread always tell incoming freshman to stear clear of this school if your thinking of just jumping in here after Highschool. You should go to community college and get those General educations, and some basic art classes BEFORE you come here. You will save money, you will save time, and you will be able to hop right into the advanced stuff that the school is known for. Even if your art credits don't transfer, if you have foundations from another school, this school will waive them. I can't stress enough how many times we've repeated this.

The bottom line is that this school is a trade school that hands out Accredited degrees. Everything at this school is geared twards artists. So no this is not your "typical" college. And everyone should realy look into it and make sure that this is the right school for them because it is very different from your typical structure.

[mlmiller1983]

I don't AAU is right me given my current situation. Aside from the drawing courses I don't see why you couldn't learn most of this stuff yourself from a good book or video.

[Digiegg]

I don't AAU is right me given my current situation. Aside from the drawing courses I don't see why you couldn't learn most of this stuff yourself from a good book or video.

Sure you can do that and if you think you can keep drawing it's a good idea.
Also keep in mind that people from your class will influence you're work. It's the motivation that you get from all those classes. Plus the networking =)

[mlmiller1983]

Sure you can do that and if you think you can keep drawing it's a good idea.
Also keep in mind that people from your class will influence you're work. It's the motivation that you get from all those classes. Plus the networking =)

I pretty much took all my drawing classes at community college from 2D Design and Basic Drawing to Life Drawing and Design & Color. Drawing is best learned in a physical class and the community college instructors are really good. As for learning how to use Maya, Photoshop, After Effects, Texturing, modeling ,etc I am learning all that from my community college courses for dirt cheap and from good instructors too. Once you have all the basics down I don't see why you cannot learn by doing it yourself. I've read about digital and VFX artist who have degrees in engineering and science who pretty much taught themselves. And with places like these to post your work to be critiqued by others I don't see why you can't improve that way. i don't know is my train of logic flawed.

[SpiralFace]

I pretty much took all my drawing classes at community college from 2D Design and Basic Drawing to Life Drawing and Design & Color. Drawing is best learned in a physical class and the community college instructors are really good. As for learning how to use Maya, Photoshop, After Effects, Texturing, modeling ,etc I am learning all that from my community college courses for dirt cheap and from good instructors too. Once you have all the basics down I don't see why you cannot learn by doing it yourself. I've read about digital and VFX artist who have degrees in engineering and science who pretty much taught themselves. And with places like these to post your work to be critiqued by others I don't see why you can't improve that way. i don't know is my train of logic flawed.

Your train of logic is'nt flawed if we where in a hireing market simmilar to the early to mid 90's. Its true that many computer science and engeneering people made the jump to 3d. But also keep in mind that they made the jump before there was a real feild for it. And many of them are the pioneers of the industry. Now the computer Artists market is over saturated with workers, but not enough jobs. And although your demo reel is what gets you the work, what you have to remember is when studio's get multiple applicants with very top knotch portfolio work, Iether knowing the people who are hireing or haveing the degree is whats going to win you the job over the guy who self taught himself. Haveing a degree is more then just showing that you have the skills, but also that you can commit to something and get through deadlines.

People have to remember that at the other end of the digital training tunnel is this thing called reality. You are going to be competeing in the same market as hardened veterans that are out of work because their project was canceled or just ended their cycle. You will be competeing with all of the artists that post work on this sight that say in their signature "Looking for work, here is my website." And just like any industry, there is no prize for second place or for a good effort. The reality is that if there are two kick butt demo reels on a producers table, and one of them says "self taught" and one of them says "BFA from __________ University", I can pretty much guarentee you that they are going to go with the college graduate.

Just remember that what the industry was 4-10 years ago is not what the industry is like now. Its very competitive out there, and the reality of the situation is that although it is possible to self teach yourself all these programs and techniques, if you do its going to be a very big up hill battle competeing with the college graduates for the same jobs. Best of luck to those that decided to go that route.

[Kimotion]

Woudn't "self-taught" sometimes be a good thing? It may mean that the person has enough self-motivation, the self discipline to teach oneself the art. When a person has to choose between the graduate and the self-taught person, it may all depend on what the hiring person may prefer. Since there are lots of people who used to be self-taught, that person may in fact have a bias towards the self-taught candidate over the graduate who struggled and paid for schooling.

I still keep hearing that it's ALL ABOUT THE DEMO REEL or PORTFOLIO. It may be oversaturated, but there's still a big demand for really good artists in CG.

[mlmiller1983]

Well I wouldn't be without an art degree. I am working toward an AS in Digital Animation from a community college. In about 3 years I will have two BS degrees in Electrical Engineering and Physics. Your telling me not matter how good my demo reel is I have to have BFA degree or something like that from an major art university. If that is the case I'll get get one from Art Institute Online Game Art & Design program. My credits in drawing, life drawing, etc will transfer as well as my general education courses. They also give a 20 percent discount on tuition to those in the military. If they really look at the fact you have some art degree along with a good demo reel I'll probably go that route. Thanks for the insight.

[mlmiller1983]

If you are wondering why an EE and Physics major wants to get into the CG industry its because I enjoy art and animation and would truly want to work in the industry. But I want to play it smart and have a back up plan and a degree or two to fall back on. Just in case anybody asked me why theres my answer.

[GrahamHRoss]

From reading this thread it seems AAU has some very good and some very bad points to it. I was thinking about going there but It would simply be too much of a hassle for me at the moment.

Ehhhh......:shrug:

[Kimotion]

Well I wouldn't be without an art degree. I am working toward an AS in Digital Animation from a community college. In about 3 years I will have two BS degrees in Electrical Engineering and Physics. Your telling me not matter how good my demo reel is I have to have BFA degree or something like that from an major art university. If that is the case I'll get get one from Art Institute Online Game Art & Design program. My credits in drawing, life drawing, etc will transfer as well as my general education courses. They also give a 20 percent discount on tuition to those in the military. If they really look at the fact you have some art degree along with a good demo reel I'll probably go that route. Thanks for the insight.

In your case, I seriously don't think you need another degree. The value of a bachelor's is to show that you can learn, handle stress, and accomplish something. Having a BA or a BA in any field is enough to show you are educated.

Therefore, getting another degree is highly unecessary. I seriously doubt that a recruiter will say, "Hmmm....I see you have two BS but NO BFA! It seems like you have discipline when it comes to engineering and physics, but no discipline or work ethic when it comes to art!"

Oh, and don't listen the admission office of AAU that you actually need a second bachelor's degree. If you need to come here to get yourself educated through schooling, then declare a second bachelor's only if you need financial aid. There's no contract that says you need to finish it.

[SpiralFace]

In your case, I seriously don't think you need another degree. The value of a bachelor's is to show that you can learn, handle stress, and accomplish something. Having a BA or a BA in any field is enough to show you are educated.

Therefore, getting another degree is highly unecessary. I seriously doubt that a recruiter will say, "Hmmm....I see you have two BS but NO BFA! It seems like you have discipline when it comes to engineering and physics, but no discipline or work ethic when it comes to art!"

Oh, and don't listen the admission office of AAU that you actually need a second bachelor's degree. If you need to come here to get yourself educated through schooling, then declare a second bachelor's only if you need financial aid. There's no contract that says you need to finish it.

I agree on both counts.

If you have a single degree, that should be enought to show that you can work under scheduals and can finish what you start. And don't listen to the Admin office, listen to the students.

[mlmiller1983]

Okay now I understand. I think with the BS in EE and Physics and the AS in Digital Animation. Thankyou for your insight.

[mlmiller1983]

I agree on both counts.

If you have a single degree, that should be enought to show that you can work under scheduals and can finish what you start. And don't listen to the Admin office, listen to the students.

Judging from the students who have gone to AAU it doesn't seem like a school I want attend. Being my geographical location I think a Art Institute would be better. I'll we need to contact students who have been there and graduated from their and see how it is. I've visited the campus before and from what I have seen it was not bad at all. From the students I have talked to while I was there they didn't have anything really negative to say. But I'm still debating.

[geo5sf]

Also keep in mind that people from your class will influence you're work. It's the motivation that you get from all those classes. Plus the networking =)

exactly, that's one main reason I'm attending, is the networking. You're in an environment where you are surrounded by artists in your field and you also meet people in the field. That is pretty priceless if you ask me, especially if you have little connections.

[darktding]

Judging from the students who have gone to AAU it doesn't seem like a school I want attend. Being my geographical location I think a Art Institute would be better. I'll we need to contact students who have been there and graduated from their and see how it is. I've visited the campus before and from what I have seen it was not bad at all. From the students I have talked to while I was there they didn't have anything really negative to say. But I'm still debating.
If you are technically driven try Texas A and M or ACCAD(Ohio State Univeristy)
Also can you please be more specific as to why you got the impression from AAU students that AAU is not ur kind of school?
Becuase AI is close to you, I wonder if you are willing to take the risk of distance over education...

[mlmiller1983]

If you are technically driven try Texas A and M or ACCAD(Ohio State Univeristy)
Also can you please be more specific as to why you got the impression from AAU students that AAU is not ur kind of school?
Becuase AI is close to you, I wonder if you are willing to take the risk of distance over education...

Well I live in southern california. I attend California Polytechnic University Pomona which is within driving distance from where I live as well as less than $5000 a year for tuition. AAU is on the other side of the state, a good 300 miles away. Another reason is that as an Air Force Reservist the base is simply too far away AAU. I live like 6 blocks from the base right now and the school is only 30 minutes from the base and thats just too convient for me. AAU sounds like it has good instructors and a solid program but it sounds like the Administration there is just trying to get everybody they can to enroll no matter if they are qualified or not. I don't want to go there and find out all the basic stuff I took in community college won't transfer and I have to pay $2000 for class I only spent $40 to take in community college. By distant over education you mean online right. I got no problem taking onlince classes now. I have already taken basic art classes and 3D modeling & animation classes at community college. I am almost done with an AS Degree in Digital Animation from Cerro Coso Community College. The art institute of ca orange county is only a 45 minute drive(depending on traffic) from my house and even less than that from Cal Poly Pomona. The thing is right now my focus is on my two BS degrees and finishing my AS degree. I can't over extend myself. I might consider Online once I finish my AS degree. Thanks

[mlmiller1983]

I've been told from various artschools that the median salary for animators who graduate from their schools is $28,000 a year. There is no way I paying $2000 a class to only make $28000 year starting out. Not when its possible to learn it yourself and get a degree or two with a much better paying salary than $28000 a year median. I think at the moment I'll just stick to my EE and Physics major and AS in Digital Animation at the moment and go from there.

[SpiralFace]

Where did you hear 28000 a year? I've only heard about salarys that low with the bigger companys that are notorious for hireing students and then just droping them after a project and going to the next batch of fresh out of school graduates (*cough cough EA cough*) The only other time that I ever hear you get something this low is when they put you on a kind of "Probationary Salary." And the only reason I usaly hear about them doing that is when you don't have any professional experiance in your reel or resume, but once you prove your worth for about 6-12 mounths then you get a higher standard pay. Now I don't have any frineds that are animators, but I do know a handfull of modelers and enviorment guys in games, and I can tell you that the wage you just provided is no where near what they get. I can't tell you how much, but I can safely say that its higher then that. I belave that this # also highly depends on the area you live in. Wages out here in SF bay area are much higher then out east becuase the cost of liveing is much higher, but also becuase there are many companys around the area, and they are all competeing for the same tallent.

That and for comparison, what professions let you start out on a higher pay scale then 30-40 k starting that does'nt require an expensive education. Yeah doctors and lawyers get more. But they have to pay for ALOT more schooling that costs ALOT more then just 1500 a class and they get alot bigger class sizes. ( Our schools average is about 18-20 kids per class. Most universities have it at 40-70 a class.) Computer Science majors do start out pretty high from what I've seen. But it seems like its make or break in that feild, and that there are not enough jobs to go around and out sorceing is beggining to realy hurt that market. But even then, their pay rate is no where near what they earn down the road. Thats why its called a "Starting Sallary." So what other fields in your experiance give you a higher start up wage then a 30-40k average that makes this school so bad? I see people go to Ivy league schools to get an English degree and then only make alittle more then 20k a year writing a book that gets over looked by best sellers and the like.

Also, you have to understand, and I know that this has come up ALL the time here on these forums. Animation and Art are not carreers you go into for the money. You go into it because you love to do it. So I can tell you right now that if you go in with the premonition that your going to be makeing a steady wage at a company, get hired and stay with them for 10 years to become a art director or something, then you are going to be VERY disapointed. So not to be cold or anything. But if you seriously want a steady income and want to be making 100k a year by the time your 30, then just get out now. Becuae I can tell you that it most likely won't happen in this carrer, no matter what school you go into. The Academy is expensive, but it also gives you opertunities not offered at anyother school that in my opinion, easily make up for its cost. The administration might try to get alot more people enrolled in this school then they should, but as I said a few pages back, I find this acceptible, as it does not discriminate against incomeing students Artistic or Academic background, it puts everyone up on the same pedistal. And as for the non-transfering credits, Its been said many times, General eds transfer as long as they are of a UC level. Art eds will iether transfer as electives or won't transfer at all. BUT, what you can do is submit a portfoilo to have beginning level classes waivered. So it is possible to come here with Comunity college art classes, and just waive right up into the advanced classes here at the school and not waste your time or money in the beginning foundation classes. You just need to show your compidency in the arts before you do it.

[mlmiller1983]

Where did you hear 28000 a year? I've only heard about salarys that low with the bigger companys that are notorious for hireing students and then just droping them after a project and going to the next batch of fresh out of school graduates (*cough cough EA cough*) The only other time that I ever hear you get something this low is when they put you on a kind of "Probationary Salary." And the only reason I usaly hear about them doing that is when you don't have any professional experiance in your reel or resume, but once you prove your worth for about 6-12 mounths then you get a higher standard pay. Now I don't have any frineds that are animators, but I do know a handfull of modelers and enviorment guys in games, and I can tell you that the wage you just provided is no where near what they get. I can't tell you how much, but I can safely say that its higher then that. I belave that this # also highly depends on the area you live in. Wages out here in SF bay area are much higher then out east becuase the cost of liveing is much higher, but also becuase there are many companys around the area, and they are all competeing for the same tallent.

That and for comparison, what professions let you start out on a higher pay scale then 30-40 k starting that does'nt require an expensive education. Yeah doctors and lawyers get more. But they have to pay for ALOT more schooling that costs ALOT more then just 1500 a class and they get alot bigger class sizes. ( Our schools average is about 18-20 kids per class. Most universities have it at 40-70 a class.) Computer Science majors do start out pretty high from what I've seen. But it seems like its make or break in that feild, and that there are not enough jobs to go around and out sorceing is beggining to realy hurt that market. But even then, their pay rate is no where near what they earn down the road. Thats why its called a "Starting Sallary." So what other fields in your experiance give you a higher start up wage then a 30-40k average that makes this school so bad? I see people go to Ivy league schools to get an English degree and then only make alittle more then 20k a year writing a book that gets over looked by best sellers and the like.

Also, you have to understand, and I know that this has come up ALL the time here on these forums. Animation and Art are not carreers you go into for the money. You go into it because you love to do it. So I can tell you right now that if you go in with the premonition that your going to be makeing a steady wage at a company, get hired and stay with them for 10 years to become a art director or something, then you are going to be VERY disapointed. So not to be cold or anything. But if you seriously want a steady income and want to be making 100k a year by the time your 30, then just get out now. Becuae I can tell you that it most likely won't happen in this carrer, no matter what school you go into. The Academy is expensive, but it also gives you opertunities not offered at anyother school that in my opinion, easily make up for its cost. The administration might try to get alot more people enrolled in this school then they should, but as I said a few pages back, I find this acceptible, as it does not discriminate against incomeing students Artistic or Academic background, it puts everyone up on the same pedistal. And as for the non-transfering credits, Its been said many times, General eds transfer as long as they are of a UC level. Art eds will iether transfer as electives or won't transfer at all. BUT, what you can do is submit a portfoilo to have beginning level classes waivered. So it is possible to come here with Comunity college art classes, and just waive right up into the advanced classes here at the school and not waste your time or money in the beginning foundation classes. You just need to show your compidency in the arts before you do it.

Thankyou for the lengthy response. I just wanted to know for sure if the $28,000 a year was true and juding from your response it isn't true, unless your working for certain companies(like EA). As for a lack of steady work environment in the CG industry I knew that already(hence why I always said you should have back up plan). As for the transfer of credits you the AAU rep I talked two had two totally different answer( go figure). The rep told me that very few art classes transfer to AAU and general ed courses as well. If what you say is true( and I have no doubt that is) then the rep was feeding me BS to get my money and get me to enroll. The rep never even told me about the whole porfolio for being waived thing either.

Just a littel note though. I did meet an ex EA game programmer when I was at Air Force Basic training and tech school and he said to avoid working at EA like the plague. He even showed me the code is has written for some of his games too. Very interesting person to talk to. He was the one to tell me to get a degree in something else other than animation cause he said its always nice to have something to fall back on.

Well thanks for info. I learned things I didn't even know before. Later!!

[BluePulse]

I listened to a lecture by Jeremy Birn and he said it isn't all that important to go to a college like that. If your good enough on your own and have a good demo reel, you'll get picked up. Jeremy was so good he was in his soph. year when he was being looked at by a major studio. I don't know, maybe I was star struck throughout the lecture.

[DirtEater]

I listened to a lecture by Jeremy Birn and he said it isn't all that important to go to a college like that. If your good enough on your own and have a good demo reel, you'll get picked up. Jeremy was so good he was in his soph. year when he was being looked at by a major studio. I don't know, maybe I was star struck throughout the lecture.

Talk to a lot of people in the industry and you'll find that quite a few either didn't finish school or just didn't go. It's still very hard being self-taught, but it's not impossible.

The number one reason why I want to go to school is because right now I have 4-6 hours a day and weekends to put into this whole love-of-my-life thing, and I still need to fit eating and fresh air in there somewhere. So the opportunity to go to school full time makes it an easy decision for me, but this is just my case.

[SpiralFace]

I listened to a lecture by Jeremy Birn and he said it isn't all that important to go to a college like that. If your good enough on your own and have a good demo reel, you'll get picked up. Jeremy was so good he was in his soph. year when he was being looked at by a major studio. I don't know, maybe I was star struck throughout the lecture.

The problem that I find with this mentality is that its a bit dated becuase of the time that Jeremy got into the industry. He was being scouted becuase there was'nt enough qualified people that fit the bill as far as proper training went back then. The problem now is that there is alot of realy top-notch training. So there is no need to scout talent anymore becuase the talent goes to them. (When was the last time anyone here has ever heard of a student being scouted by a studio when their in school?) And from an HR person's view, when they look at two good demo reels in the same ball park of eachother, with one of them being from a graduate and one thats not, more often then not, the HR person is going to chose the college graduate for many reasons.

One is that a college graduate has already proven by getting a degree that he's FULLY trained in the ciriculum of whatever school he graduated from. Where if you just say that you self taught yourself Maya, then they have no idea of just how much you REALY know about the program. Just that you can preform to the point that you can get what you can on the demo reel. But the Degree usualy hints at the fact that you know more then whats just on your demo reel. I'm a modeler/ texture artist, but I can still Rig, animate, Light, and render a scean as well. Mabe not as well as someone that is getting into that thing, but the fact that I know the basics on how to do it regardless of whether position I'm going into makes me more flexable then someone that specializes in modeling and then does'nt know how to animate or rig a character.

The next thing is that a degree says that you can work within a schedualed deadline (A big thing in the industry.) From a HR person's point of view, someone who is self taught will have a very hard time convincing a Human resorces person that they are capable of filling this bill. Seeing as how if your on your own time, you can pretty much take as long as you want with a model, animation or whatever. Most of the time, the self taught people getting positions in this industry these days are the ones that have been in the industry for years now.

Although it is posible to get in, its not going to make getting in easier or more affordable, its going to be a very big up hill battle becuase your going to be competing with people who are getting their degrees.

[jeremybirn]

I listened to a lecture by Jeremy Birn and he said it isn't all that important to go to a college like that. If your good enough on your own and have a good demo reel, you'll get picked up. Jeremy was so good he was in his soph. year when he was being looked at by a major studio.

I'm sorry I didn't get to hear that lecture myself. ;) Now I feel as if I have to respond to clear up a few what sound like mis-recollections.

I finished a 4 year bachelors at Northwestern University and a 3 year MFA at the Art Center College of Design before I started working anywhere full-time. When I was getting out of school (in the 1990's), the job market was red hot (unlike now), so yes I had people from studios including the one I ended up working at contacting me before I finished my MFA program, but that was a good bit after my Sophmore year, and I still finished my MFA before taking my first full time job. I'm mostly self-taught in computer graphics, I started it as a hobby on my Amiga, I never had courses in Maya or Shake or any of the software I use now, and didn't major in computer arts or any curriculum directly targeting graphics production (not that there were many - these things have mostly sprung up recently.)

Looking through most studios I've visited or worked in, you seem to find employees with all sorts of backgrounds, most went to college and many went to grad school, but they majored in all sorts of different things, some in fine art or illustration, some in computer science or electrical engineering, others in things that don't seem really related to computer graphics at all. My impression is that even though most at least got a four year college degree, most didn't go to specialized training programs that focused on computer graphics, and probably picked up some or all of their 3D software skills on their own or on a job.

Anyway, education pays, and I'd never tell anyone as they come out of highschool not to go to the best school they could get into and afford if they have half a chance to go to college. Sometimes specialized training in a highly competetive career is the exception to the "education pays" rule though, so don't specialize too early, and think carefully before you replace the bulk of your undergraduate education with Maya training - you can always learn Maya on your own, but you never know what else you'll never know you never knew.

-jeremy

[jeremybirn]

more often then not, the HR person is going to chose the college graduate for many reasons.

One is that a college graduate has already proven by getting a degree that he's FULLY trained in the ciriculum of whatever school he graduated from.

Agree, there are many reasons being a college graduate is a plus in getting a job. However (and this isn't a knock at AAU or any other school), simply having graduated certainly doesn't prove you're "fully trained" in anything. No school in the world has a reputation good enough that people will assume a graduate has mastered any skillset beyond what's demonstrated on his demoreel.

The next thing is that a degree says that you can work within a schedualed deadline (A big thing in the industry.) From a HR person's point of view, someone who is self taught will have a very hard time convincing a Human resorces person that they are capable of filling this bill.

Next time you're talking with an HR person, ask her if she thinks anything like that. Going to school makes it a lot easier to learn some skills and get a reel together, especially the structured nature and assignments with due-dates to keep you moving and keep you motivated. It is still a rare individual who is motivated and disciplined enough to actually learn the software and then go on to make noteworthy work with it on his own time - it's far too easy for things that are just personal projects to languish and go unfinished. Sadly, I know this from personal experience. ;) But I wouldn't want to imply that any HR person would look down on an equally good work just because it's something someone managed to do on his own, or assume that the person who managed to make the great personal project was somehow less effecient or motivated, if anything the implication would be opposite.

-jeremy

[mlmiller1983]

I'm sorry I didn't get to hear that lecture myself. ;) Now I feel as if I have to respond to clear up a few what sound like mis-recollections.

I finished a 4 year bachelors at Northwestern University and a 3 year MFA at the Art Center College of Design before I started working anywhere full-time. When I was getting out of school (in the 1990's), the job market was red hot (unlike now), so yes I had people from studios including the one I ended up working at contacting me before I finished my MFA program, but that was a good bit after my Sophmore year, and I still finished my MFA before taking my first full time job. I'm mostly self-taught in computer graphics, I started it as a hobby on my Amiga, I never had courses in Maya or Shake or any of the software I use now, and didn't major in computer arts or any curriculum directly targeting graphics production (not that there were many - these things have mostly sprung up recently.)

Looking through most studios I've visited or worked in, you seem to find employees with all sorts of backgrounds, most went to college and many went to grad school, but they majored in all sorts of different things, some in fine art or illustration, some in computer science or electrical engineering, others in things that don't seem really related to computer graphics at all. My impression is that even though most at least got a four year college degree, most didn't go to specialized training programs that focused on computer graphics, and probably picked up some or all of their 3D software skills on their own or on a job.

Anyway, education pays, and I'd never tell anyone as they come out of highschool not to go to the best school they could get into and afford if they have half a chance to go to college. Sometimes specialized training in a highly competetive career is the exception to the "education pays" rule though, so don't specialize too early, and think carefully before you replace the bulk of your undergraduate education with Maya training - you can always learn Maya on your own, but you never know what else you'll never know you never knew.

-jeremy

Interesting. So you there are people who self taught themselves CG but also went to a regular four year college/university and got a degrees in science and engineering or art. How do studios look at those who don't have degrees from CG/animation schools, say like EE or physics or fine art, but have excellent CG skills(as shown in a demo reel). Are they treated differently than those who got say a BFA degree from AAU. Just curious to know.

[jeremybirn]

How do studios look at those who don't have degrees from CG/animation schools, say like EE or physics or fine art, but have excellent CG skills(as shown in a demo reel). Are they treated differently than those who got say a BFA degree from AAU.

I'd assume an EE or Fine Art degree, especially, would be a plus - not that people are often treated differently because of a thing like where you went to school. Even when job ads mention wanting a particular degree (which isn't often), they usually are flexible, so you see things like "Requires BS in Computer Science or equivelent experience" in some listings.

-jeremy

[mlmiller1983]

Thanks for the feedback.

[malcolmvexxed]

i didn't go because it was overpriced imo as is living in San Francico but if you can afford to just commute on BART the resources are very good there. It's somewhere inbetween the 'sales pitch' and the people who don't like it imo.

[geo5sf]

Agree, there are many reasons being a college graduate is a plus in getting a job. However (and this isn't a knock at AAU or any other school), simply having graduated certainly doesn't prove you're "fully trained" in anything. No school in the world has a reputation good enough that people will assume a graduate has mastered any skillset beyond what's demonstrated on his demoreel.

-jeremy

As far as experience on a resume goes... I have over five years working at a well established, national ad agency. I quit, and decided to devote the next 2 years going for my MFA at AAU.. in Visual Effects. My experience at my agency, is not very relevant to Visual Effects... but I feel it shows I can handle working in a highly demanding, fast paced and deadline driven position.

Is this experience going to help me out in my job search? Or should I just assume, I am starting from zero again?

[jeremybirn]

As far as experience on a resume goes...

Experience on a resume goes a lot farther than which school you went to. Think about if you were on the other side of the table, interviewing candidates for a job: wouldn't some years of professional experience matter to you? Didn't it help you personally and professionally?

-jeremy

[geo5sf]

yea it totally did... :)

Experience on a resume goes a lot farther than which school you went to. Think about if you were on the other side of the table, interviewing candidates for a job: wouldn't some years of professional experience matter to you? Didn't it help you personally and professionally?

-jeremy

[darktding]

Experience on a resume goes a lot farther than which school you went to. Think about if you were on the other side of the table, interviewing candidates for a job: wouldn't some years of professional experience matter to you? Didn't it help you personally and professionally?
-jeremy
.... and that is one of the main reasons for joining AAU. It’s kinda reputable enough to get a foot in the industry even if u lack some experience. I for one, consider as one of the lucky persons, only because I have been *cough* lectured *cough* by really knowledgeable teachers like Mr.Jeremy and my friends.
Getting in the industry is the key, degree will only help you out with the journey. The rest is pure hardwork and a little bit of luck. If you feel AAU is not for you and you can do it by watching Gnomon dvds, then fine.
But realize this, there is always going to be someone less better than you out there who has made all the connections by going to a school and is working in a studio getting experience while you are trying to figure out what Alecs is doing in a session of his dvd…..
I dont know what is the situation in AI, but I do know I am having the best time of meeting the best in the industry and making friends who might land a good position later in the future here at AAU.

[-Vormav-]

Finally got moved in. I must say that so far the dorms aren't half as bad as you guys have made them out to be. Compared to every other dorm I've ever been in, these rooms(@655 Sutter) are freaking huge! Divide the size of the room by 8, and that's about the size of the rooms that I've had to stay in in the past.
The only thing I'm not too thrilled about right now is Analysis of Form. I've taken 2 semesters of drawing and design classes at my last university, all of which I got As in, I'm teaching myself digital painting on the side, the animation department is all for moving me past analysis of form, and yet the foundations department won't let me waive out of it. I mean, I'm fine with taking the storyboarding class, color design, figure modeling and figure drawing, but I'm a bit bitter that I have to take that basic introductory 'analysis of form' class...
Oh well...a lot more of my 3D credits than I thought would transfer transferred over just fine, so I guess it balances out. :shrug:

Anyway, look forward to meeting anyone else that's still at AAU.

[SpiralFace]

The only thing I'm not too thrilled about right now is Analysis of Form. I've taken 2 semesters of drawing and design classes at my last university, all of which I got As in, I'm teaching myself digital painting on the side, the animation department is all for moving me past analysis of form, and yet the foundations department won't let me waive out of it. I mean, I'm fine with taking the storyboarding class, color design, figure modeling and figure drawing, but I'm a bit bitter that I have to take that basic introductory 'analysis of form' class...
Oh well...a lot more of my 3D credits than I thought would transfer transferred over just fine, so I guess it balances out. :shrug:

Anyway, look forward to meeting anyone else that's still at AAU.

Get a portfolio together and discuss it with the director of foundations. If you have a one on one sit down, at least you can hear from the man WHY that kind of desision is made. If anything, it will iether push you to improve in that area, or tell you what you need to demonstrate to them in order to waive the class. Sadly, if you don't have a portfolio of work, then its going to be very hard to convince them to waive out of any kind of class. Iether way good luck, and hopefully you can get out of it. Because it sounds like you have the experiance, but like anything in this school, and in turn, the art industry, showing your work is going to be the main thing that gets you places. Not just your Paper resume.

[mlmiller1983]

After Checking out the AAU Catalog my whole opinion of the school has changed. They offer alot of animation/visual effects classes I have never seen at most other schools. I would attend if I didn't live over 300 miles from the city and I am dirt poor. From a student view how is financial aid from AAU or is it mostly student loans. If you have good credit how easy is it to borrow money to attend AAU.

[-Vormav-]

Get a portfolio together and discuss it with the director of foundations. If you have a one on one sit down, at least you can hear from the man WHY that kind of desision is made. If anything, it will iether push you to improve in that area, or tell you what you need to demonstrate to them in order to waive the class. Sadly, if you don't have a portfolio of work, then its going to be very hard to convince them to waive out of any kind of class. Iether way good luck, and hopefully you can get out of it. Because it sounds like you have the experiance, but like anything in this school, and in turn, the art industry, showing your work is going to be the main thing that gets you places. Not just your Paper resume.
Right, but I had emailed her (Adrianna, I think?) some samples of my work. Though I may still be pushy about it (at the price of this school, I should be pushy), and go meet her in person - sizing 18x24 drawings down to 800x600 images, with choppy jpeg compression (not to mention the problems of shooting with digital cameras) doesn't exactly do the work much justice. It kinda annoyed me though how I made a point to mention in my email that I "understand the necessity of good traditional artwork abilities"...and she still took the time to explain to me why I need a good understanding of 2D art.:wip:

[Digiegg]

we should have a get together during summer.. for those who are here studying ^^

[SpiralFace]

Right, but I had emailed her (Adrianna, I think?) some samples of my work. Though I may still be pushy about it (at the price of this school, I should be pushy), and go meet her in person.

I agree, be pushy and see her in person. If she does'nt give you an explanation, then ask for one. More often then not, they will give you an honest opinion. But don't feel like all is lost if they don't let you waive it. In all honesty, eveyone needs the practice, and many of the fine art and illustration classes are simply the same class over and over, but with higher expectations for your work with each class. So if meeting with this person still does'nt yeald any results. Don't be discorraged, just roll with the punches and use it as an oppertunity to improve on your work. Your only as good in 3D as you are in 2D. So use the class to realy try to nail down form and composition. Beleave me, its going to come up ALOT in your education. Even if you are just presueing animation.

[BluePulse]

Hey Mr. Birn!I'm sorry I didn't get to hear that lecture myself. ;) Now I feel as if I have to respond to clear up a few what sound like mis-recollections.

I finished a 4 year bachelors at Northwestern University and a 3 year MFA at the Art Center College of Design before I started working anywhere full-time. When I was getting out of school (in the 1990's), the job market was red hot (unlike now), so yes I had people from studios including the one I ended up working at contacting me before I finished my MFA program, but that was a good bit after my Sophmore year, and I still finished my MFA before taking my first full time job. I'm mostly self-taught in computer graphics, I started it as a hobby on my Amiga, I never had courses in Maya or Shake or any of the software I use now, and didn't major in computer arts or any curriculum directly targeting graphics production (not that there were many - these things have mostly sprung up recently.)

Looking through most studios I've visited or worked in, you seem to find employees with all sorts of backgrounds, most went to college and many went to grad school, but they majored in all sorts of different things, some in fine art or illustration, some in computer science or electrical engineering, others in things that don't seem really related to computer graphics at all. My impression is that even though most at least got a four year college degree, most didn't go to specialized training programs that focused on computer graphics, and probably picked up some or all of their 3D software skills on their own or on a job.

Anyway, education pays, and I'd never tell anyone as they come out of highschool not to go to the best school they could get into and afford if they have half a chance to go to college. Sometimes specialized training in a highly competetive career is the exception to the "education pays" rule though, so don't specialize too early, and think carefully before you replace the bulk of your undergraduate education with Maya training - you can always learn Maya on your own, but you never know what else you'll never know you never knew.

-jeremy
Hello Mr. Birn!
I wasn't trying to misquote you, and sorry if I did. I was a tad starstruck at a lecture of yours during a career day at Sac state CA. You did a great job and your book is amazing. Any plans of a new book, or are you in a vortex of overworkness? :)

[-Vormav-]

we should have a get together during summer.. for those who are here studying ^^
I'm all for doing something, if anyone else is. Bored out of my mind, atm.

[Empath]

Hey there, one of those annoying useless correspondence people here, still racking my brain about how to get my ass out to San Fran. Anywho, I happen to be living in a motorhome at the moment, and realized that with a little fix up this beast might make it to California before dying at an RV park. I've done a little searching around looking for opportunities and rates on RV parks and just about anyplace else with hookups, and am finding very little information on anything close enough to be feasible. I'll keep searching, but in the meantime, anyone known someone who's lived out of a motorhome or know of anyplace I might look into in the way of relatively permanent RV space?
Any comments or bits of wisdom on the subject would be appreciated, if there is some way to make it work I think it might be a good way to go...

[RCAIN2]

Hi AAU students....anyone know if Steven Vargas or Edward Katz is a better teacher?

Thanks.
Rebecca

[darktding]

Ed KATZ! what an amazing teacher... be prepared though he knows a LOT so be prepared for some good wholesome maya education...

[Rumr]

I just took my first step to getting into school, If all goes well Ill see some of you out there soon.

[-Vormav-]

Okay, the housing department just pulled their first complete dick move. It's 10pm the night before our first classes, I have to be up fairly early, and what do they do? Move two more people into my room, right at this very time. No nice warnings, no "by the way, we're going to conveniently move two more people into your room late sunday night, so forget about getting to sleep early." And then there's that small matter of both my roommate and I having paid for a double room. I guess they just conveniently forgot about that.
There are plenty of other rooms in this building with more than enough space for more people, of course, but they decided to try and squeeze 4 people into a single room sunday night before classes. Thanks a bunch, housing department.

Needless to say, this has increased my desire to escape from campus housing very significantly. And it should also go without saying that I have a fair amount of bitching to do tomorrow.
The sad thing is, the campus housing here is still better in many regards than at my last dorm. But still, what a bunch of assholes...

[SpiralFace]

Okay, the housing department just pulled their first complete dick move. It's 10pm the night before our first classes, I have to be up fairly early, and what do they do? Move two more people into my room, right at this very time. No nice warnings, no "by the way, we're going to conveniently move two more people into your room late sunday night, so forget about getting to sleep early." And then there's that small matter of both my roommate and I having paid for a double room. I guess they just conveniently forgot about that.
There are plenty of other rooms in this building with more than enough space for more people, of course, but they decided to try and squeeze 4 people into a single room sunday night before classes. Thanks a bunch, housing department.

Needless to say, this has increased my desire to escape from campus housing very significantly. And it should also go without saying that I have a fair amount of bitching to do tomorrow.
The sad thing is, the campus housing here is still better in many regards than at my last dorm. But still, what a bunch of assholes...

yep. Something simmilar to this happened to me when I was with the housing. I had a single room mate, but they cramed us both into a single person beadroom so we where majorly cramped up while everyone else was liveing in these huge rooms with no one else. It took both of us splitting up to move into the rooms, which can be done, but beleave me. I hear you when the entire annoyance factor is taken into play. And yeah, this school is bad, but still not as bad as some of the schools I've seen. Well good luck with getting those guys kicked out.

[Empath]

...I'm not going to survive this next semester. Does anyone know of a way to work 10-15 hours a day, seven days a week, and NOT have a nervous breakdown on a daily basis? Any advice would be much appreciated...

[SpiralFace]

...I'm not going to survive this next semester. Does anyone know of a way to work 10-15 hours a day, seven days a week, and NOT have a nervous breakdown on a daily basis? Any advice would be much appreciated...

Well the best way is to not get into that kind of situation to begin with. But if you find that you are in one, then find a way out of it before you loose your sanity. No one can operate for long in that kind of enviorment. And if your going to school as well as work, you are putting your school work in serious jepordy simply becuase, correct me if I'm wrong, your going to naturaly, and unfortunatly, put work before school simply becuase it is the means of supporting yourself. This is why loans exist. They are a means of getting money that will allow you to support yourself. Yeah they gain interest. But Its better then haveing your school work, and expecialy your portfolio, suffer. In the end your going to be makeing more money with your education then you ever will with whatever job you have. So prioraty 1 should be school, prioraty 2 should be your over all demo reel (Because thats whats going to get you the work after school is over.), And Prioraty 3 is your own personal well being in order to get prioraty 1 & 2 done with satisfactory results. If you can handle a job and do all of this fine, but this is not a school that is very outside worker friendly. And I have yet to see anyone graduate from this school with their first degree and a top notch portfolio that was also supporting himself through a full time job. Sure you will probably live the same lifestyle you do now after you get out of school and make alot more money till you pay your loans off, but at least then you are living your life and advancing your carrer at the same time. So never factor loans out.

Best thing I can say is ask yourself what your prioraties are in life and do what you have to do to get your main prioraties done even if it means doing something you don't nessesarily want to do. Becuase I can tell you this. No one is super man. No one can keep up with that kind of work schedual and expect to do well in this school. And since it is so expensive, if you are attending you should do what you have to do in order to get your work done with results that you can be proud of. Otherwise you are just wasteing your money.

[meta87]

So is anyone starting at the academy this fall?

I'll be coming from Austin and am very excited. Hope to see you guys there. :)

[Empath]

Well the best way is to not get into that kind of situation to begin with. But if you find that you are in one, then find a way out of it before you loose your sanity. No one can operate for long in that kind of enviorment. And if your going to school as well as work, you are putting your school work in serious jepordy simply becuase, correct me if I'm wrong, your going to naturaly, and unfortunatly, put work before school simply becuase it is the means of supporting yourself. This is why loans exist. They are a means of getting money that will allow you to support yourself. Yeah they gain interest. But Its better then haveing your school work, and expecialy your portfolio, suffer. In the end your going to be makeing more money with your education then you ever will with whatever job you have. So prioraty 1 should be school, prioraty 2 should be your over all demo reel (Because thats whats going to get you the work after school is over.), And Prioraty 3 is your own personal well being in order to get prioraty 1 & 2 done with satisfactory results. If you can handle a job and do all of this fine, but this is not a school that is very outside worker friendly. And I have yet to see anyone graduate from this school with their first degree and a top notch portfolio that was also supporting himself through a full time job. Sure you will probably live the same lifestyle you do now after you get out of school and make alot more money till you pay your loans off, but at least then you are living your life and advancing your carrer at the same time. So never factor loans out.

Best thing I can say is ask yourself what your prioraties are in life and do what you have to do to get your main prioraties done even if it means doing something you don't nessesarily want to do. Becuase I can tell you this. No one is super man. No one can keep up with that kind of work schedual and expect to do well in this school. And since it is so expensive, if you are attending you should do what you have to do in order to get your work done with results that you can be proud of. Otherwise you are just wasteing your money.

Thanks for the advice ShadowSlayer, but I already threw the idea of having a job out the window, soon after gave up on having a social life, tossed all my hobbies, and am now focusing solely on schoolwork, but am still struggling. I don't see how you guys manage...

[Darktwin]

Hey Meta87, My bro and I will be starting there in the fall also as grad students, in July we'll be flying out to SF to find a place to live. Looking forward to meeting everyone.

[meta87]

Wow darktwin, that's neat that you and your brother are going at the same time. It will be my first time in San Francisco and I won't know anyone. Should be fun. :)

Oh and I have a few questions I'd love for someone that goes to the academy to answer.

Is a nice laptop pretty important or do you mostly only use the school computers? I have a really nice powerbook, but might consider selling it to pay for some of tuition if everyone just uses the labs. I have a really nice desktop I will be sure to bring so I will definitely have something for my dorm room at least.

Is it even possible to bring a vehicle? I would like to bring my truck so I can drive back to Texas during vacation and such, but I know the school is right in the city so parking is probably tough to find.

Thanks! (Sorry if some of this has been covered, I read as much off this post as I could, but it is friggin' huge.) :)

[darktding]

hey meta87! welcome to aau!...
well if you are in the vfx stream, especially in the compositing track you might want to think about holding on your lappy. You might want to use shake to do comps. The computers are pretty good... its got everything. I got thru a whole semester on those comps and they served me well.
Parking is easy to find but expensive I beleive. The school doesnt have its own parking areas so you got to rely on a parking place.
Well I hope to see you meta87, Im going to start my 3rd year now and so far its going GREAT.

[geo5sf]

sell your car.. don't forget Insurance in California is really pricey for young males and you have to have it. With the money saved, Fly to Texas.. It's so easy to get around the city, without a car. The BART goes to both Oakland Airport and SFO.

My roomie has a car, and I borrowed it once, thought I read the sign correctly and it ended up getting t owed, i parked on the wrong side of the street... $200! Its really hard to find parking too.. street cleaning violations are $40 a pop (and going up). Also My roomies car gets broken into like once a month, I SWEAR! so make sure to keep ALL valuables and change out of your car. I come from Low Cal where cars are must.... and I have to admit, I love not having one now. Transportation (Bus and Muni) and walking is sweet. My legs are totally in shape too! ha ha

Too much of a hassle to keep a car, trust me on this one.

oh yea, and get an ipod to add soundtrack to the beautiful city you are gonna live in...

[meta87]

Thanks for the replies!

Sounds good about the car. It will be nice not to worry about it.
To Bad, it's such a beatiful aqua-marine ranger. lol.

And the ipod is already taken care of. :) I don't go anywhere without mine!

[-Vormav-]

meta87 - definitely hold onto your laptop. It seems like the computer lab completely fills up when everyone has projects due (despite the fact that they have a crapload of computers), and I don't think you're going to want to sit around waiting for a seat to open up when you have a lot of work to do as well.
Besides, it's just nice to have a computer that you can take with you to do work on, because I doubt you're going to want to go to 180 NM every day. It's not worth it for what you might get for it.

And I'd definitely agree about the issue on vehicles. Apart from just being a major hassle, you'd easily spend more money on parking within a semester than a plane ticket to Texas would cost you. And as others have said, it's easy enough to get around the city without it.

[ashrumm]

Originally posted by: Meta87
Wow darktwin, that's neat that you and your brother are going at the same time. It will be my first time in San Francisco and I won't know anyone. Should be fun. :)



Hey Meta, it will be my first time in S.F. as well, me and Darktwin (brothers) are going to S.F. next month to look for a place. I look forward to meeting all of you guys when school starts in the fall.

I talked to the graduate admissions rep and she told me I wouldn't need my desktop, due the the open availability of the labs, but I think it would be wise to have my own personal computer at home, I mean truthfully it can't hurt.

[Kimotion]

Originally posted by: Meta87


I talked to the graduate admissions rep and she told me I wouldn't need my desktop, due the the open availability of the labs, but I think it would be wise to have my own personal computer at home, I mean truthfully it can't hurt.

LOL!

Around midterms and finals and the hours before class times, you WILL be shut out due to overcrowded labs.

You are wise to have your own computer: desktop or laptop.

Admissions reps don't know squat. Never trust them, with the exception of department advisors like Grace Johnson.

[mlmiller1983]

After much debate I've decided to attend a local state university, Cal State Fullerton. They have a pretty good BFA degree program in animation and film and its alot cheaper than going to Academy of Art University. One semester worth of tuition at CSU Fullerton is cheaper than taking one class at AAU. I'm sorry but $2000 a class is simply way too much money to spending on an education. And I know all the courses I am taking now at a community college will transfer over into their program.

[Michael5188]

Hey there! I never knew so many people on this forum were going to tha tschool, I'm heading out to AAU for the fall semester, and I'm really excited! Hope to meet some of you all there!

-Its weird being a part of a forum for a while and then having the possibility of actually meeting people from the forum in person.

[mlmiller1983]

Hey there! I never knew so many people on this forum were going to tha tschool, I'm heading out to AAU for the fall semester, and I'm really excited! Hope to meet some of you all there!

-Its weird being a part of a forum for a while and then having the possibility of actually meeting people from the forum in person.

Yeah that is weird isn't it.

[ashrumm]

I'm going to have to agree it is a bit weird to actually attach physical personality to everyone's cgtalk identity. I look forward to meeting all of you guys in the fall,
see you guys on the flip side.

Thanks Kimotion for the genuine advice I thought she was a bit crazy telling me i woudn't need my own computer.

[Kimotion]

I'm going to have to agree it is a bit weird to actually attach physical personality to everyone's cgtalk identity. I look forward to meeting all of you guys in the fall,
see you guys on the flip side.

Thanks Kimotion for the genuine advice I thought she was a bit crazy telling me i woudn't need my own computer.

You're very welcome. Advisor's aren't crazy, just doing what they are told to say while still trying to maintain a shred of dignity. Believe me, I worked with an ex-AAU advisor. Their main role is to sell the school, be good reps. When she told you that you don't need a computer due to plenty of computers in the lab, she was trying to make the school look like a technical paradise while trying to woo you in. Advisors don't like doing this, but they need to pay rent and pay bills too.

So for the new people, once you got the admission process over with, ignore all advisors. Don't even think they exist. Just go to the department directors or Department Advisors like Grace Johnson: she'll tell you like it is.

[Darktwin]

Thanks for the info Kimotion, putting that into my memory bank now, I completely agree with what you on the matter of reps just doing they're jobs. But now that the admission part is over, time to move on to the next phase of things. :)

[Dillion]

Yes. Absolutely.

[omega3d]

Hey there!

I was wondering, for those of you who are currently attending AAC, which programs they use for 3d animation. Maya or 3Ds Max, or something else...

Great help.

Jonathan

[jjcoolio]

Hey there!

I was wondering, for those of you who are currently attending AAC, which programs they use for 3d animation. Maya or 3Ds Max, or something else...

Great help.

Jonathan

They use maya mostly like other schools. Some classes use max too.
They usually had XSI classes but I don't think they have any now.

[geo5sf]

nevermind... ;)

[Michael5188]

Yeah, I've been working in Max for sometime, and at first I was kind of disapointed to hear they used mostly Maya, but then I realized thats good, cause now I can get to know Maya also which I've always been curious to try...

-doesn't mean I won't go back to my dorm and start up Max, just to feel at home for a bit :)

[SpiralFace]

The classes here are usualy not program specific. You usaualy have the choice of going with iether Max or Maya when you get past your foundations classes. The thing is though that there is more student and faculty support for Maya then max for the most part (Unless you are with the game guys in which case its Max over Maya.) After your Program specific classes, there are classes that are not nessesarily program specific, but because the students at this school primarily use maya, there is naturaly more support for it here.

If your into Max, talk to Todd Robinson or Robert Steele. They are both heavy Max users that are actively trying to start a cross over workshop for showing Maya heads some stuff to win them over to Max.

So there is support at this school for multiple programs, Its just that many people that are just learning will fall twards Maya, simply becaue there is more people here trained in it to make training yourself in it easier.

[Michael5188]

ok, thanks for the info!

[qwertyhuh]

`ok for the past month or so i have seen alot of van arts demo reels on the main page. dont remember the last time i have seen a aau demo reel, come on guys, stop complaining about the (teachers, classes, campus, dorms, labs, fees, software, etc). for student reels van arts has some impressive stuff. any one know if a link to some good aau reels.
thanks AAC grad 2001.

[-Vormav-]

`ok for the past month or so i have seen alot of van arts demo reels on the main page. dont remember the last time i have seen a aau demo reel, come on guys, stop complaining about the (teachers, classes, campus, dorms, labs, fees, software, etc). for student reels van arts has some impressive stuff. any one know if a link to some good aau reels.
thanks AAC grad 2001.
Umm.. Check the front page links right now. The animation reel that's up there is from an AAU student in his last semester. There's also this past front page reel, http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=237075 (http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=237075&highlight=aau+reel) which is from an AAU grad.
If you look around, you'll see great work coming out of both schools. :shrug:

[Kimotion]

`ok for the past month or so i have seen alot of van arts demo reels on the main page. dont remember the last time i have seen a aau demo reel, come on guys, stop complaining about the (teachers, classes, campus, dorms, labs, fees, software, etc). for student reels van arts has some impressive stuff. any one know if a link to some good aau reels.
thanks AAC grad 2001.

Here's a link to their portfolo site that has demo reels on many of them:

AAU Alumni Portfolio (http://www.academyart.edu/alumni/portfolio.asp)

[Kimotion]

Umm.. Check the front page links right now. The animation reel that's up there is from an AAU student in his last semester. There's also this past front page reel, http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=237075 (http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=237075&highlight=aau+reel) which is from an AAU grad.
If you look around, you'll see great work coming out of both schools. :shrug:

There are always stuff from the Academy on the front page. I think about a couple of months ago, there was another AAU student reel featured. It's usually Hogan that is featured. I wonder why? :shrug:

[GrahamHRoss]

http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?threadid=267906

[GrahamHRoss]

Originally posted by: Meta87


Hey Meta, it will be my first time in S.F. as well, me and Darktwin (brothers) are going to S.F. next month to look for a place. I look forward to meeting all of you guys when school starts in the fall.

I talked to the graduate admissions rep and she told me I wouldn't need my desktop, due the the open availability of the labs, but I think it would be wise to have my own personal computer at home, I mean truthfully it can't hurt.

Bring your own computer...nothing like being able to work on a workstation until 4 in th emorn if u have to...for my animation class I bought a lighttable and it svaed my ass on numberous occasions...

Oh, btw...I just finished up my two online classes...two reading and rhetoric classes I took voer the summer tog et out of the way. The online stuff was pretty easy, btu I really learned a lot at the same time. Glad I didn;t take those classes in person thou...it would've sucked. Learned much more going through the material in the nude...

[GrahamHRoss]

Talk to a lot of people in the industry and you'll find that quite a few either didn't finish school or just didn't go. It's still very hard being self-taught, but it's not impossible.

The number one reason why I want to go to school is because right now I have 4-6 hours a day and weekends to put into this whole love-of-my-life thing, and I still need to fit eating and fresh air in there somewhere. So the opportunity to go to school full time makes it an easy decision for me, but this is just my case.

The reason why I decided to go to school was to focus myself an dmy studies...something I personally can't do with a full time job. I also knew that the way my brain works I learn much quicker when someone is teaching me than if I'm doing it on my own. And finally, I know a lot of people are going to AA with the same interests as me and it gives me an opportunity to network and meet people that I wouldn't have met living in Chicago...

So there...

[geo5sf]

yea, i already feel after finishing the short summer semester.. i'm already networking a bunch.. meeting lots of fellow artists, from my department and from others... and ive only taken two classes so far.. thats priceless

[-Vormav-]

BTW, if any of you are looking to take a figure modeling class, take Earl Enriquez's class if you can. He's...just a little good. It definitely helps if you can take a class like that during the summer time (fewer students, so you get a lot more direct help from the instructor), but I imagine it'd still be a great class in the fall and spring. While I was there, I heard from other instructors that wanted to take one of his classes. ;)

[GrahamHRoss]

I said this before...Jason Bowen is a good figure drawing instructor...gives good constructive criticism....

[silentsamurai]

Bowen was my figure drawing instructor when I did the school on line for my first semester last year. Yeah he did a wonderful job. I don't remember off the top of my head who I had for figure modeling. I wish I could remember his name, it wasn't the one mentioned two posts above. I had Tad Leckman for Computer Graphics for Animators. I liked his class as well. Though, I didn't think he interacted with us enough.

I had Tom Arndt for my beginning Animation class, Xavier Barbour for Anatomy, Rob Gibson for Computer Animation Production, and I can't think of the guy's name that I had for perspective.

I did my first year online. I loved it. For an online set up for classes, I think it is one of the best ways to be set up. Since my wife and I moved, I get to attend classes on campus which I am really looking forward to.

If you happen to have Maya Modeling and Animation 1, or Intro to Storyboarding on Thursday or Intermediate Figure Drawing on Teusday, I'll see you in class.

[-Vormav-]

On a similar note, I'll by in the Renderman class this fall, if anyone else is taking that. They didn't want to put me in it, but...well, I'm persuasive. ;)

[geo5sf]

why didn't they want to put you in it?

[silentsamurai]

I really want to take the texturing class. It will probably be later in my school career, but that's an area that I really don't have a handle on that I would like to get one in.

[-Vormav-]

why didn't they want to put you in it?
Because I just transferred in this summer, haven't waived out of classes like Maya 1 (though I will next semester), and there's all sorts of intro level classes that they still want me to take (Editing with FCP, for example). I guess they're just thinking that I'm getting in way over my head.

[GrahamHRoss]

Classes for next semester:

Vis. elements of story - Arnold Doong

3d modeling and animation - Steven Vargas

Traditional Animation 2 - Tony Claar

ANy comments on these teachers?

[danblomberg]

I just found an airplane ticket to SF on the 25thAUG on my desk... dunno wtf im doing but it seems like ill be attending AAU soon now //fall semester... just wanted to say hey and thanks to everyone who posted in this thread.. its a heavy bastard but i got through it..
it has helped me greatly.

Suppose i got a few questions... classes/teachers/housing etc... but im too tired to think of any now.

oi, later! //Dan

*edit* damn new page.. theres a guy on the previous page who has some questions.. didnt wanna run him over.

[WiSe]

Classes for fall semster:

Intro to Comp. Graphics for Ani - Pafnutieff,George

Analysis of Form - Deanda, Ruben

Figure Drawing - Deanda, Ruben

Figure Modeling - Whitten, Ellen Jane

Anyone have any comments on these teachers??

[GrahamHRoss]

I just found an airplane ticket to SF on the 25thAUG on my desk... dunno wtf im doing but it seems like ill be attending AAU soon now //fall semester... just wanted to say hey and thanks to everyone who posted in this thread.. its a heavy bastard but i got through it..
it has helped me greatly.

Suppose i got a few questions... classes/teachers/housing etc... but im too tired to think of any now.

oi, later! //Dan

*edit* damn new page.. theres a guy on the previous page who has some questions.. didnt wanna run him over.

Sneaky bastard!

Classes for next semester:

Vis. elements of story - Arnold Doong

3d modeling and animation - Steven Vargas

Traditional Animation 2 - Tony Claar

ANy comments on these teachers?

[silentsamurai]

3D Modeling and Animation 1 (Maya) - Edward Kats

Intermediate Figure Drawing - Christopher B. Newhard

History of Animation (I'm taking this one online) - Steve R Segal

Intro to Storyboarding & Anim - Jin An Wong

[Digiegg]

ha~ silent i had teachers like urs... but i made adjustments...
I never heard anything about Newhard guy so I switched to Henry Yan... kick ass teacher!

and im tryhing to get out of kats, edward maya 1 class... i heard he's not a good teacher...
so lucky to get leandro K on the spot for perspective!!!


Any recommendations for MAYA 1?

[geo5sf]

ha~ silent i had teachers like urs... but i made adjustments...
I never heard anything about Newhard guy so I switched to Henry Yan... kick ass teacher!

and im tryhing to get out of kats, edward maya 1 class... i heard he's not a good teacher...
so lucky to get leandro K on the spot for perspective!!!


Any recommendations for MAYA 1?

i had the MFA Ed Kats, intro to Maya class this summer, and he was a great teacher. really knowledgable, and very friendly. i had never used maya before, and I am very comfortable with it now. Whoever told you he is not a good teacher is wrong, IMHO.

[Digiegg]

yeah, recently i heard relaly good things about him so im not going to change...

i heard henry yan doesn't teach that well... but his drawings are just so awsome..
so im going to give newhard a chance and go to henry's workshops.

[aatur]

Hi,
My name is Aatur, and I am from Mumbai, India. I am interested in joining the AAU. I am more inclined towards the visual effects degree.
I have completed my Bachelor's in Commerce here in India and then did some training in 3ds max and Combustion. I am interested in lights [thanks Jeremy for the wonderful book :)] and compositing rather than modelling or animation.
I am confused as to what i should take up if i want to get into AAU. Should I go for a BFA or MFA. It would be great if someone could even help me out with finance details.



THanks

[-Vormav-]

i heard henry yan doesn't teach that well... but his drawings are just so awsome..
so im going to give newhard a chance and go to henry's workshops.

Where did you hear that? This thread is filled with Yan-praising. I had Yan, too, and he was a great teacher. I'm sure there's a lot of people that don't like him just due to the difficulty of the class, though...

[DoctorMonkeyFist]

yeah, recently i heard relaly good things about him so im not going to change...

i heard henry yan doesn't teach that well... but his drawings are just so awsome..
so im going to give newhard a chance and go to henry's workshops.

I had Katz for Maya 1. I wouldn't recommend taking him. He's a super nice guy but it felt alot like they let a labtech teach a class. He wasn't particularly knowledgable with anything besides very basic stuff and a couple times I heard him teaching misinformation. We only had to show our work two times the entire semester, once at midterms and once at finals. If you already have a basic knowledge of Maya, I would recommend a more challenging teacher but If you have no knowledge of maya and want a super easy class Katz might be good for you.

[silentsamurai]

I had Leandro for Perspective. Yeah, fantastic teacher. good work too. of course I did that one online, so it was kind of a double team with another teacher, because some of the videos were of another instructors work.

I'll probablly stick with Kats this semester since it's my first time on campus at AAU, I know Maya pretty comfortably, and I should be able to spot misinformation if he does so. When I take my other Maya classes, we'll see at that time.

What kind of misinformation did he teach?

The only online class that I thought the teacher could have done a better job was Tom Arndt's Intro to Animation class, because he just used all of Ken Hamm's stuff that was already done. I didn't get Tom Arndt's perspective on animation, I got Ken Hamm's, although Tom did give us good feed back on our animation.

[Kimotion]

I had Katz for Maya 1. I wouldn't recommend taking him. He's a super nice guy but it felt alot like they let a labtech teach a class. He wasn't particularly knowledgable with anything besides very basic stuff and a couple times I heard him teaching misinformation. We only had to show our work two times the entire semester, once at midterms and once at finals. If you already have a basic knowledge of Maya, I would recommend a more challenging teacher but If you have no knowledge of maya and want a super easy class Katz might be good for you.

If you know maya pretty well and comfortable with its interface, you do not need Maya 1 or Maya 2. Maya 2 is basically a repeat of Maya 1 and is merely a way for the school to make more cash.

Try waving out of both if you can. I learned the most by asking other students in the lab, as well as the lab techs.

[GrahamHRoss]

I had Joko for perspective and he was awesome. Henry Yan is a great artist...but I don't know how he teaches....

[aatur]

I came across a webste named http://www.internationalstudentloan.com which provides loans to students who wants to study abroad. It says you can repay the amount after the degree program is complete.
Has anyone tried this. You comments and experiences are welcomed.

[GrahamHRoss]

See if u can get a hold of darkting...I think he might have soem advice for u....

[SheepFactory]

I came across a webste named http://www.internationalstudentloan.com which provides loans to students who wants to study abroad. It says you can repay the amount after the degree program is complete.
Has anyone tried this. You comments and experiences are welcomed.


"he program offers financing up to the total cost of education in US dollars, flexible repayment options and up to 20 years to repay the loan. Students are required to have a US citizen or permanent resident as a co-signer to guarantee the loan. For additional information, visit the "Loan Terms" (http://www.internationalstudentloan.com/intl_student/loan_terms.htm) section or "FAQ's" (http://www.internationalstudentloan.com/intl_student/faq.htm) section for answers to some common questions. "

its the same with every loan. You can get any loan here as long as you find a eligible co-signer , which is next to impossible. So you can forget about loans unless you have a relative living here willing to cosign for you.

[darktding]

I had Katz for Maya 1. I wouldn't recommend taking him. He's a super nice guy but it felt alot like they let a labtech teach a class. He wasn't particularly knowledgable with anything besides very basic stuff and a couple times I heard him teaching misinformation. We only had to show our work two times the entire semester, once at midterms and once at finals. If you already have a basic knowledge of Maya, I would recommend a more challenging teacher but If you have no knowledge of maya and want a super easy class Katz might be good for you.
I have a different opinion about Ed. I learnt maya through the gnomon dvds before taking his class, so i knew a lot about maya. So when I took his class it was all about asking a lot of questions that would solve many questions i had and also some doubts....
Is it true that the particle effects 1 teacher Herdum (did I spell that right!?!) is not teaching anymore?

[Michael5188]

well I am officially moved into the dorm here in San Francisco! I really like it here, and I am excited about starting classes here soon.

[geo5sf]

I am still a year away from my midpoint, but I was wondering if any former or curent Graduate students have taken 3 direct studies classes in the Fall or Spring Semester... or 2 direct study classes in the summer. My student advisor mentioned they don't
"recommend it". If I could do one of the aformentioned scenarios for a semester then I could graduate one semester sooner. (yes I am definitely planning way ahead!)

one more question - I am thinking of taking the FA 606 Composition class - has anyone taken it? I figure the knowledge in thatclass could help in my matte paintings skills. Any other recommended classes?.

oh yea.. has anyone taken the CANM 619 course? What's that all about, will someone with really good PS skills need it?

[silentsamurai]

Yeah school starts on Thursday. So weird feeling for some reason. Maybe that's because I just moved here from Texas at the first of July. I live in Mountain View so I have to ride the train in. Thankfully, the 3D Animation building is only about 15 minutes away from the station.

I am thinking, with all the talk about people dropping the Maya 1 and 2 class. Since, I am mostly self taught with using Maya (books and stuff), I'll see where the Maya 1 class takes me, then I'll see if I need the Maya 2 class.

I'm looking forward to it.

Another question for you people who have been at the school longer than I. Since my first class is in the 3D animation building, do I need to head on down to the administration building to get my ID or can I get in the 3D animation building? Because I tried to get one when I went up to find out where my classes would be, they said they give them out on the first day of school. So, I'm just wondering if I need to go a little early, or I can do so afterwards.

[Morganism]

it's best if you get your ID first, it saves a little extra hassle, although they are more lenient the first week or so. The Admin building is close, so it shouldn't take too long.

[3DChobo]

Hiya all :)

I live in england (but i'm german) and i'm going to attend "Kent institute of art and design" (Campus Maidstone) to do a diploma in Mutlimedia, and then do a BA in animation. This university-college got rated a "1" from the government on the education there, so i'm quite pleased that its reputation is very good.

I was just wondering if anyone has done a Multimedia diploma or a BA in animation (in the UK) and could tell me how it's like, and any tips if possible. ( i know that each university/college dilivers the courses differently)

Thanks in advance.

Marcel. G.

[jbo]

Another question for you people who have been at the school longer than I. Since my first class is in the 3D animation building, do I need to head on down to the administration building to get my ID or can I get in the 3D animation building? Because I tried to get one when I went up to find out where my classes would be, they said they give them out on the first day of school. So, I'm just wondering if I need to go a little early, or I can do so afterwards.

if you decide to not get the ID til later, make sure you bring your schedule with you, and any other papers from the academy, or they will not let you in the building. the two building are very close to each other, so if you just get there 5-10 minutes early, you should be able to get your ID before class.

3dchobo- this thread is specifically about the academy of art in san francisco. you should find somewhere else to ask your question. there are other threads about 3d schools in general.

[silentsamurai]

Thanks for that, since my class isn't until noon, I'll just show up early and get it. That would probably be easiest.

[Niyana]

I have a question and I figured maybe you guys would be of some help to me about this. :} I was considering going to AAU but mainly because it seems like the only decent art school I can find that has a full program available online. :/ I was just curious how good the program was and some more information about it. Please let me know. :} thanks


Cheers
Niyana

[mangolass]

I vote this thread deserves its own forum ~ darkding for mod!

I still don't know about that school either ~ on one hand, it's everywhere, you can't go for a walk without passing an Academy building. On the other hand, you hear such mixed things about it...

LT

[Michael5188]

Well I'm attending the Academy of Art and I love it! I have improved so much in the short time I've been here.


Honestly, you could argue over which school is the best to go to all day, but the truth is a school doesnt make an artist, the artist does. Great people have come out of this school, great people have come out of other schools or no school at all. I say you choose a school, go to it, enjoy life, work hard to improve your skills, and do what you love. Maybe even sing some songs along the way :thumbsup:

[enygma]

I'm going to be enrolling in their BFA online program hopefully for the winter semester. Does anyone have any experiences using their online program? How is it?

[jbo]

I'm going to be enrolling in their BFA online program hopefully for the winter semester. Does anyone have any experiences using their online program? How is it?

i'm pretty sure it's been discussed quite a bit in this thread(not that long ago). the online program isn't great. it's ok for an online program i guess, but no substitute for attending class. seeing as it costs a lot, i don't think you'd be getting your money's worth.

[Kimotion]

I'm going to be enrolling in their BFA online program hopefully for the winter semester. Does anyone have any experiences using their online program? How is it?

My advice: please don't.

[enygma]

Sorry, I hadn't had a chance to look through the rest of the thread (82 pages), so I wasn't sure what had been said about online courses.

The reality, I need to try and get schooling, however, I just don't have the time or situation to move to SF for school, which is why the online option seemed appealing, so I was just wondering if the online portion was any good and why or why not.

[silentsamurai]

Honestly, I didn't think the online courses were all that bad. I thought they were pretty good. But yeah, now that I am on campus, there really is no substitute for being in class. I did like the work-at-your-own-pace aspect. That's nice, but that's also not the real world either. And that's something you'll get to learn here, is that you have to work at a faster pace, which is how the industry is going to be.

But it's great if you can't come out here. The main drawback to me, was when working on a project, if you needed quick feedback, sometimes it could take a couple of days for an instructor to get back to you. And that's partly because they have students and classes on campus to deal with too. So, that's what I really thought the major drawback to it was. I liked the program other wise.

I guess it's going to be up to personal taste, because you might do it, and love it, and then you might do it and hate it.

[enygma]

Hey thanks for the info. Good to know. I plan on trying to tackle these things in my free time as much as I can.

Man, I wish I could make it out there though. Having a wife and a boy and a full time job during the days and a mortgage to pay really limits my options, so I was just hoping that it is worth the effort, seeing as I'll be spending less time with the family in the evenings and weekends.

[silentsamurai]

Know that it will eat up a lot of time. But for your situation it really sounds like online is the best option.

[Niyana]

Hey thanks for the info. Good to know. I plan on trying to tackle these things in my free time as much as I can.

Man, I wish I could make it out there though. Having a wife and a boy and a full time job during the days and a mortgage to pay really limits my options, so I was just hoping that it is worth the effort, seeing as I'll be spending less time with the family in the evenings and weekends.

Yeah, I was/am considering the online BFA in Illustration but I was wanting to find out the review on it. I am pretty sure at this point that my job would be paying for me to attend the school, so money isn't an option. I just wanted to make sure that I wouldn't be wasting my time AND that I would be encouraged to learn and experiment in my own style. A lot of art teachers at community colleges and normal universities around where I live only want you to paint or draw as they do. Like if they paint all abstract, they want you to create art the same way. :/ The main reason why I do not really want to go to a school around here.

I agree with Enygma though, I mainly want to make sure it isn't a waste of time and effort to go through the online degree. :} I wish I could go to the campus and I may end up taking some life drawing classes at schools near by to make up for it. But overall I just want to be taught by good teachers and have a good time learning.

As for critiques....all of us online students could keep in touch and crit. each others work to help each other out. :} Not to mention you have so many people on cgtalk all the time that love to help others out by crit. their work.

Cheers
Niyana :p

[-Vormav-]

I agree with Enygma though, I mainly want to make sure it isn't a waste of time and effort to go through the online degree. :} I wish I could go to the campus and I may end up taking some life drawing classes at schools near by to make up for it. But overall I just want to be taught by good teachers and have a good time learning.

As for critiques....all of us online students could keep in touch and crit. each others work to help each other out. :} Not to mention you have so many people on cgtalk all the time that love to help others out by crit. their work.

Cheers
Niyana :p
Honestly, for anything more related to traditional art (IE non-CG work), I'd say that the online program would be a complete waste of time. The traditional art classes here are superb, and I'm constantly learning tons from them, BUT it's only good if you're actually physically there, to get help directly from the instructors. If you're looking to improve your illustration skills, your money and time would probably be better spent starting a thread over at conceptart.org

I just wanted to make sure that I wouldn't be wasting my time AND that I would be encouraged to learn and experiment in my own style.
A lot of the instructors here will want you to stick close to their style at first. They have a specific way of building up the process for whatever you're working on, and it just makes things more difficult when you start drifting away from that process. At the same time though, all of the instructors I've had here certainly do encourage you to develop your own styles, just as long as you understand how to break the process down for any situation, and given that you can produce good results with your own style.