if you couldn't tell, I'm a freshman in highschool that has been drawing for years and wants to become an animator when he grows up. I just don't know anything about animation and was going to take some animation classes that my school has. but I was wondering if i should take and art class instead to make my drawing skills improve. please give me some advice since this is the only thing that I am passionate for in my life. thank you. :D
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I promise myself i will become an animator :D
You should take art class first, then take animation class. Not only to improve your drawing, as you say, but also to acquire a knowledge of different artistic mediums and styles. Remember to keep an open mind and expose yourself to a wide variety of animation styles -- traditional, stop-motion, CG, etc.
Off-Topic: Who are your favorite animation directors? Mine are Hayao Miyazaki and Yuri Norstein.
Konan is right, the fundamentals of animation should be accuired at a prestigeous art institute, remember to pay close attention to "tones" and keep an open mind, but I do not think you should restrict yourself to only animation, please, find another prospect and build upon it just like the aptitude you possess for animation.
Like many, you are going down a dangerous path, you can become a specialised worker, (economic term), so as long as you know in your heart you have something special, that no one else can vie against, other wise, you will become obsolete.
Adopt another skill, I beg of you, do not feel or be restricted, your presence adds life to this world, never doubt yourself, cause you are just as good as anyone, believe in your self, there's nothing YOU CAN'T DO!
I hope you at least consider what I have to say, ALL of you, adopt another skill, something to "fall back on" or fail, and clean floors or serve food, don't say I didn't try to enlighten you :)
We have too much highschool dropouts and too much "frictional unemployment" (economical term) happening in our society, although we need the waiters and cleaners, to you ALL, this is not for you, I want better from you as I know.................................YOU CAN ;)
He who seeks the truth, must first empty his heart of a false pursuit.
Diemeras Dark Angel
Drawing is the key fundamental to animation. If they offer a life drawing class by all means take it. It will always, always be useful. Any classes you can take to get a better grasp on using the pen/pencil/brush will always be helpful, even if you decide you want to do stop motion or 3D.
That being said, if you can fit in the schedule to take a class or two on animation it wouldn't hurt. It might get you even more excited, nothing quite like striking while the iron is hot. It may also teach you some things about drawing that you might not get from traditional art classes (like learning to draw quickly and consistantly).
Whatever you do, be sure to have fun. It's the one thing that will always show up in someone's work, reguardless of their skills.
Good luck! And welcome to the boards.
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Welcome to the Forums Swavo1. While Konan and Kdiddy both have great points, I'm going to say take the animation class first. While you will need art and life drawing skills as an animator, take the animation class now to see if you animation really is for you. Just because you really like animation, doesn't mean it's for you. Once you learn the basics of animation, you can build on that and do it on your own. Also there aren't too many animation classes, so I'd say take it while you can. There are usually way more art classes than animation ones. But yes, you will need art skills and be able to draw if you want to become an animator be it traditional, 3D, stop motion or what ever. Good luck.
Aloha,
the Ape
...we must all face a choice, between what is right... and what is easy."
Also, in high school take classes in anatomy and physiology, as well as required courses such as biology.
thank you all for being so nice to someone who is new here. i just wanted to know, is it to late for me to start animation, or should i have started earlier.
I promise myself i will become an animator :D
i have been wondering on what you all have said and i was thinking if there were any classes to help you draw backrounds like forests and oceans and other backrounds because the more cartoons that i watch have some great backrounds and i don't think that i should just be learning how to draw and animate people only, or should i :eek: , again I'm not an animator or an expert on this, but someone who is going down this path, please give me some more advice :D
I promise myself i will become an animator :D
Look, just have fun with a pencil and paper.
Go draw--explore, learn, enjoy.
There's lots of time to get serious about the stuff later on.
You'll kill the love if you start adding the angst of a goal to it this early in life.
"We all grow older, we do not have to grow up"--Archie Goodwin ( 1937-1998)
your age is fine, i started my sophomore year in high school, and I didn't have any problems keeping up with those kiddies who claim to have been animating since in diapers.
Don't do nothing because you can't do everything.
I'm going to have to agree with Ape. Take the animation class. Either you will fall in love with animation or you will swear it off forever. That is far more important than any drawing class.