No question that you can get a LOT of training using online resources such as Gnomon online videos etc. When you couple this with the tremendously low cost, it makes for a compelling argument.
However, you REALLY need to be a special “cat” to be able to develop all the skills that you need solely from online programs without external feedback and crits. Moreover, other than the Gnomon Videos, most of the online materials such as Animation Mentor deal with character animation and not the other aspects of the pipeline such as rigging, lighting, particles and dynamics, skinning, texturing, etc.
For the reasons given above, I think getting an MFA or another BFA is preferable for most people. Thus, let me make some suggestions:
Ringling, which is considered to be the best undergraduate 3d animation school in the US, allows people to take their BFA program without taking any gen eds if you have a college degree. However, Ringling is very “guild” oriented in that you need to take certain courses in a very prescribed order,which can take at least 3 years. They have no graduate degrees.
I think an MFA would be better IF you have some animation and art background. Some of the better MFA programs are as follows, in no particular order:
- School of Visual arts in NY: This is probably the best 3d grad school in the east coast after Ringling. They also have a strong 2d animation program , but that is in their undergrad only. However, all courses are available to you even the undergrad courses. It also has the huge advantage, ( and the cost disadvantage) of being in Manhattan. Let’s face it: You will get more internship opportunities in Manhattan vs. Bum crap iowa or savannah.Moreover, all their professors are currently working in the industry and thus have a LOT of connections.This is one of the only 2 year programs. It is ideal for those people who already have some sort of animation background or experience.Accordingly, they want to see a strong portfolio particularly with some 3d animation.
2.SCAD: SCAD a very strong 3d and 2d grad program. They even have a sound design MFA. Moreover, you can take courses from all disciplines. However, they are in Savannah and not a great area of Savannah at that… enough said.
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USC: Very well known and strong program on the west coast. However, like their Calarts counterpart, where many prefessors come from, they are very 2d oriented including wanting a strong 2d portfolio.It is a 3 year program.
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Cal Arts: Widely considered the best school in US for animation,but is very 2d oriented. Their grad program is experimental only, which might give you reason to pause.
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RIT (Rochester Institute of Technology): RIT is the newest member of the elite grad programs offering animation. They have both a 2d and 3d program and courses can be taken from both offerings. I like their program a LOT; however, they are a 3 year program like that of USC. Also, they are in Rochester, which limits connections and are relatively new.However, if you don’t have strong animation or 3d training, they might be a great choice.
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Seneca institute in Canada: They offer graduate certificates. They have three one year programs: fundamentals, 2d character animation and VFX which is essentially 3d. I don’t know much about it,but it is reputed to be a very strong program and hard to get into.
7.Gnomon School of Visual Effects: strong school for animation particularly modeling. They have two year certificate program and an optional 1 year fundamental program,which is recommended. My daughter attended their summer program and loved it. I don’t think Gnomon, however, is very broad based. Although they offer a number of courses in the animation pipeline, they are not repuded to be strong in character animation.
