Career change into animation

I recently graduated with my second Bachelor's in Animation. I read your post and found many similar questions I had before I started my path towards animation. I was 31 years old at the time and didn't know if going back to school would be the best choice for me. I mean, I have a good job and descent living but deep inside me I wanted to learn how to animate. I don't know your situation but if I could share any advise it would be to do it if you really love animation and all it's aspects. Don't do it for the money. When you start off it's not what you think. Working in animation won't make your rich and wealthy. At least not right away. You have to prove yourself that you have the determination and skill to make great animation. Plus animation takes years to master (at least for the average person).

I did a lot of research before selecting a school to attend. I thought about Dave school but there are many more schools to choose from. There's Full Sail (Orlando, FL), Ringley (Florida), Savannah and many more but honestly if I had to do it over again I would go with AnimationMentor.com. That’s just my opinion. It’s not a sales pitch. It's an online school taught by the industry's best animators like Victor Navone (pixar) and many other great artist. They teach nothing but animation. But keep in mind if your looking for a foundation like modeling, texturing, and fine arts then maybe Ringley or Savannah (expensive but very good schools) would be a better choice.

Check out Victor Navone's advise on becoming an Animator. Here is a link to his site http://www.victornavone.org/HTML/3dadvice.htm.

Well, I hope this helps and best of luck.

I'm a student at AnimationMentor.com. We do have other students in their 40s and older, so I wouldn't let your age be the deciding factor. The more life experience you can bring to animation, the better. One of the founders at AnimationMentor.com mentioned that a person switched careers in their forties and got hired at ILM--it's the quality of your work that is the most important factor.

- Tom ;)

hello there. Well I am a person who has been eating his own head at the age of 26 because i am doing new media and it has animation only in small parts but i knew this is what i really really want to be doing. That is storytelling.

and though what ive done before has NOTHING to do with animation i still want to consider this as a career now. im a fresher and i have several friends in my school who are rpetty skilled animators. Character animation is a long process, takes like maybe 3 yrs. Yes, but age is not a barrier at all. In fact if after experience with theatre and other forms of art one realizes where the heart exactly lies, then its even better. I am a bit romanticized in my thinking but it has helped me achieve a lot of unreasonable things in india here. I am not sure of the market scenario but I am sure your wealth of background in the perfoming arts and your passion for storytelling; more than just "genre" specific concerns taht are echoed by the majority, will lead you into a good future in this.

So I would say 42 is all the more important to get to do something NOW that will fire all cylinders. I was sound tech before and i know that working on your passion always leads to harmony and good pay has to follow through INEVITABLY.

Hello all,
I have been reading some of the posts and they have given me a wealth of information as I research the field of animation. I have to main inquiries that perhaps someone can answer or comment on.

I am currently 45 and have graduate degrees and experience in other forms of enterteinment (theatre, production, directing, etc. ) Nonetheless the jobs and the salaries are way below par. I have been considering furthering my skills and am looking into animation and special effects as an outlet for my creativity, since I do have a passion for the artistry and visual richness of animation and most of all for the story telling and the vast opportunities to have the story go beyond boundaries in "live" productions or even regular film.

My concern was if I am too old to study and then start in this field. I feel I bring with me past experiences that will enhance the new skills I acquire, but are recruiters and persons hiring looking at the fresh "young" faces coming out with their first degrees or is there a chance for us more ripe contenders.

Also, has anyone outh there had any experience or know of any good or bad comments regarding The Dave School in Orlando, FL. I have considered this school over the art institutes (although there is one closer to me in Miami) and to FullSail, also in Orlando.

I would appreciate any input, thank you. ;)

GioG
Miami, FL

My my how times have surely changed, please sir, do not let your age be a deciding factor, although times are now swinging into the young generation, where if it;s hot it's success, time will never grow dis interested in the veteran styles of the well experienced.
I really think you still stand a chance, this is my encouragement to you :D