I’ve seen some pretty good stuff come out of AFTRS.
btw: Im from Australia, and I’m self tought. That said, I would probably look to one of the O/s schools as well, there really isnt that much here. Gnomon(USA) and Escape (Uk) also look like good options.
Also check out the CG Workshops here, they are really good (i am a little bias though).
Hi,
No problem. The harsh reality is Australia does not have a vfx industry of note. The couple of firms that do exist live hand to mouth by out sourcing work from the US and now that’s all going to Vancouver slowly but surely.
So if you stayed in Aus and studied the chances are even if you were good there would be nothing to go to. Hence this why I say go to Bournemouth in the UK its a top ranked degree and if your any good you will get picked up by one of the large UK vfx houses. That will give you the best start to your career as you would be working with the top talent and get lots of choice to go and work on different grade A shows.
Its a big move I know but if you want to work in the industry and give yourself a chance you just will have to do it. Its sad to say if you stay in Aus you will end up scratching around for work and not really getting anywhere.
Bob
@ Rob
That is a harsh reality, I would pick up and move tomorrow if I could. It sounds like if I want any chance I must look overseas.
Did you study at Bournemouth Rob?
@ ndeboar
Thank you for your reply I have had a look at those sites they look good but are a bit pricey. The biggest hurdle would be finance. In Australia I can get away with a HECS debt. I think A stint in the mines could help me accumulate the funds I need.
Def have a lot to think about.
Please any Australian success stories a welcome in this thread 
Thanks
MD
@ ndeboar
also I am doing Robert Chang’s Becoming a better artist here at CG Society. And it is definitely money well spent. Later down the track I will look at other courses.
MD
Yes it’s a very competitive field at the moment in Sydney. I wouldn’t say Australia’s completely out of the market though, there’s a lot more opportunities happening in Melbourne then there are in Sydney.
My background, I graduated from Qantm Sydney College in 2010 I was the lowest performing student of the class. Came out and got into a completely different career for about a year, realized how much life had sucked so I self-taught myself animation. I wanted to become an animator, got small gigs here and there but nothing too solid. I also had to walk away from my full-time gig to go for freelancing position. (Very risky if you have a mortgage). I applied for a gig at Gameloft as animator, never stopped looking back.
Yes it’s a very competitive field at the moment in Sydney. I wouldn’t say Australia’s completely out of the market though, there’s a lot more opportunities happening in Melbourne then there are in Sydney.
My background, I graduated from Qantm Sydney College in 2010 I was the lowest performing student of the class. Came out and got into a completely different career for about a year, realized how much life had sucked so I self-taught myself animation. I wanted to become an animator, got small gigs here and there but nothing too solid. I also had to walk away from my full-time gig to go for freelancing position. (Very risky if you have a mortgage). I applied for a gig at Gameloft as animator, never stopped looking back.
That is interesting.
It sounds like you have had many ups and downs. It is good to hear you are still fighting the good fight though and that you have chosen a life of uncertainty over selling yourself out and settling for second best.
Best of luck to you man.
Did you get the job at Gameloft?
I have given up to much to turn back now so I am endeavoring to find out what the best course for me to study would be. sounds like in Australia self taught is the way to go.
I believe never say die and persistence will prevail
Yes, I’m currently working full-time at Gameloft with a certain future. One thing is I couldn’t guarantee my future and that of my family moving from one job to the next. The market is very unstable in Sydney, and it’s gotten a lot more competitive in recent years due to the closures of big studios.
Character animators are in high demand but not in Sydney, so as a student I was always in constant competition with professional artists who were laid off from company’s like team bondi and Dr D studios for jobs that just hit the market.
Well it’s not entirely true… I didn’t really go through self-taught I had assistance from overseas professional animators. www.animschool.com Studying and talking daily with these guys really gave me a leg up on competition here. Online option, no degree, but your in a field where skill exceeds a piece of paper.
@ agk3d
That’s great, I’m glad things worked out for you.
Yeah I will have a look at that site.
thanks for your posts they have been very helpful and motivating. Me and my partner have both agreed to go and live overseas at one point or another but I want increase my knowledge base and have a solid demo reel before I do.
And you are right about the skill out weighing the piece of paper. The whole peice of paper thing is really just to keep my partner happy. I think she gets some sort of security from it. 
Thanks again mate and I will check out that site you recommended.
Cheers
MD
One minor detail about working overseas is it’s a lot easier if you have a degree in your related field. Other then that good luck with everything (: see you in the industry one day.
That is a harsh reality, I would pick up and move tomorrow if I could. It sounds like if I want any chance I must look overseas.
Did you study at Bournemouth Bob?
Yup its harsh, Im an Aussie myself and just giving it to you straight. I got into this racket before Bournemouth and vfx courses ever existed infact before even training dvds ! . I really would say if the debt / money is an issue do a skilled trade and work on your self learning in your own time as a hobby and if it works out great, if it does not at least then you have something to fall back on. Or even better go and do a general engineering degree or computer science degree. As all that maths is handy for being a TD ! .
b
Thank you, I appreciate your up front attitude. The CSc or engineer degree could be an option thanks for the advice. I have a lot to think about now.
And if anyone else can shed some more light in the issue that would be great
Thanks
MD
The ‘big’ Australian studios are:
Animal Logic
Rising Sun Pictures
Illoura
Fuel
I’m currently at Animal Logic, and they have quite a lot on, at 500 now but that will go up a lot over the next few months.
Don’t get into this field of work if you don’t want to travel for work, or want a steady career.
@ ndeboar
Thanks for post
I love the idea of change, instability and travel. These 3 elements can only lead to one thing and that is personal growth.
Questions (If you don’t mind)
What courses have you done relative to the industry? and what school held the course?
What courses/degree would you recommend completing?
It was recommended that I would be better off getting a technical degree such as Computer Science or engineering under my belt rather than any of the 3d animation and VFX courses going in Australia. Would you agree?
What advice would you give to me or any other aspiring 2d and 3d artists/Td’s in regards to getting into the industry?
Thank you again for your post
MD
What courses have you done relative to the industry? and what school held the course?
I did an Arts Degree majoring in Multi-Media. Waste of time.
What courses/degree would you recommend completing?
Escape/Gnomon, only ones that come to mind.
It was recommended that I would be better off getting a technical degree such as Computer Science or engineering under my belt rather than any of the 3d animation and VFX courses going in Australia. Would you agree?
If you want to be a TD, sure. If you want to be a creative, don’t bother.
What advice would you give to me or any other aspiring 2d and 3d artists/Td’s in regards to getting into the industry?
Make stuff. Like, now. No excuses. And specialize.
I couldn’t find the right post, but this VFX veteran has some very useful information for to wannabe and professional artists. You might find what your looking for here.
Hey thank you for the reply guys, I read through the article, great read
@ ndeboar
Thanks for answering my questions. The feedback from this thread has been a greater help than I expect.
So thanks again for your time and advice.
Time to get to work lol
MD
To me personally formal education i got (in this field anyway) is an expensive confirmation that I was actually travelling in a perfect path doing it on my own, knowing enough and progressing perfectly fine without the stupid teachers and wasted classes.
It took me all those years and all those money to realize that I did not need them to be where I am today. Sure I learnt about 1 or 2% but still the level they are vs the money they asked is insane. I constantly telling teachers how to do things in Maya and Photoshop. I never planned to spend $xx,xxx (yes, more than 10K real money) to have a moron asking me how I did things. I should get paid to do that
As in for advice whatever you choose:
Never ever ever pay the whole fee at the same time. Talk your way to try it for a day, a week or a month before you commit and pay as little installment as you possibly can so you can pull out if you think the whole thing is a joke.
This one I wish I did it when I was studying: Just rock up to the course and try to enter a class (harder) or a lecture in a big room (easier). You will get ejected in some but you will be surprise when you can sneak in and find out the truth. Sometimes they have en evening session with industry professionals or free seminars. This is so easy to get in and a lot to absorb than the classes
They need you much more than you think you need them.
Hi F3rry,
Thank you for your input. I agree with you there I feel I am teaching my self just fine and a hell of a lot more than the teachers are teaching me.
The decision I am most contemplating about is transferring to a computer science degree majoring in multimedia and game design. Giving me a strong foundation in technical skills as I find there is enough resource out there to satisfy my creative desires. But also gaining this degree will open up a lot of doors for me as well, keeping my options open.
What are your thoughts?
MD