The thing is, I've never be to school for it. I need to start in junior college and a part of me is telling me that should have started on this after I graduated high school. But I didn't want to go to school back then. I also had no idea what I wanted to do. But my love for Pixar has inspired me to want to go back and pursue animation. But now that I'm ready to go back, I feel like I've waited to long. Has people decided to go back to school to be animators when they were around my age with no prior schooling? Can it be done while I'm working full time? And if it can be done, where does a person with no prior schooling for this kind of work start?
I'm 26 years old and I want to be an animator. Can it be done?
By spongebob03 | Monday, June 1, 2009 at 10:56am
#1
I'm 26 years old and I want to be an animator. Can it be done?
I feel like I have responded to this kind of thread before.
And I have.:p
C'mon, 26 is too old???
Sorry, that's like assuming you are looking at a life expectancy of only 30. :rolleyes:
Naaaaaaaah, 26 is not waiting too long.
I've had students that we learning animation and starting animation careers in their 50's.
26 is nothing.
Look, your question is this: " Can it be done?"
The first answer is another question: "Do you draw?"
I'm not talking little doodles here and there. I'm talking do you draw daily, and to at least a semi-professional level. I'm talking do you draw cartoon characters, comic book characters, real-life stuff, animals, objects like vehicles, locations and environments? Do you draw out ideas of your own, or do you just copy other images.
See, the simple answer to your question :" Can it be done? " is "yes, but......".
Yes, but..........
So much depends upon things no-one answering this can know right now.
We don't know your level of artistic ability, or how prolific you are as an artist, or how disciplined you are.
Those are all unknown variable that greatly affect the answer.
The other question that needs to be asked is: " Is this a genuine career path for you to take, based upon your skills, or is this an affectation sparked by a whim?".
The reason that needs to be asked is that a LOT of people look at the product and think it must be cool to make film like Pixar et al. makes--and that doing so would be a spiffy career.
But getting to that kind of place depends on what the aspirant is doing right now, and what they have done for the past while (say, 5 years or so).
If someone is doing animation drawings, doing animation footage on their own, creating designs and characters at a level that approaches the kind of work that Pixar produces, then I'd say "yes, go for a career in animation".
If they are not doing AT LEAST THAT, then I'd advise them to not even try.
The business is now so competitive, and so many schools are churning out a lot of half-baked talent that the numbers of people vying for the same jobs is very large.
The most merciful answer possible for you is that if you don't feel ready to swim with the "sharks", then don't jump in.
Otherwise, take the plunge.
"We all grow older, we do not have to grow up"--Archie Goodwin ( 1937-1998)
Being an animator is something thats been in the back on my mind for years. But I never wanted to go to school. For as long as I could remember, I loved to draw. Honestly I use to draw everyday, but I haven't done much drawing in the past six months. But thats only because I've been reading a lot during my free time. I have gotten better at it over the years, but I know nothing about the fundamentals of drawing. I don't know how to properly draw any of the things would mentioned. And I don't know how to draw real life at all. That's why I asked is it to late. I can draw humans and animals, but I don't know anything about anatomy. I'm sure proportions are wrong. But I'm ready to start working on a career, I've always loved to draw and I don't want to work a mundane job where I go punch in and work 9 to 5, puch out and do the same task day after day for the rest of my life. So that's why I asked if it's to late. I know there's a lot I need to learn about the fundamentals of drawing. So I wanna start looking into classes soon. Can you give me some advice as to what I should look into first? Thanks! :)
I'm going to do something I've never done before to anyone on these forums.
I'm going to tell you point blank that I think this kind of career is not for you.
I'd be doing you a disservice if I said otherwise.
Its not a matter of it being "too late", its a matter that you do not do this kind of stuff at all.
Schooling is not going to help you at all, if you have not done the requisite self-development as an artist on your own BEFORE enrolling in school.
As I said before, if you had said that you were the kind of person that was zealously drawing cartoons already, I'd say that this is a career path to take.
But since you have done things like spent more time reading in the past six months than drawing, my belief is that the idea of a career in animation is an affectation for you.
This isn't something to have "at the back of your mind"--to really succeed at this sort of thing, with your described level of ability, it needs to be an all-encompassing obsession.
I'm talking a nigh-fanatical focus on the crafts of drawing and animation.
You don't have that, what what I sense.
If you enroll in school, you will be going up against students who do have those kinds of obsessive traits, and who will likely have far greater developed talent. Come graduation, they will very likely be leagues ahead of you in terms of job potential.
Remember this: upon graduation, they cease to be classmates, and become your competition.
Animation, as a career, is based upon demonstrated ability, not the paper pedigree of the school you go to.
Regardless of where you go to school, if you cannot demonstrate the ability to produce work at the level the studios require.....you will not be hired.
Its that simple.
There are NO schools ANYWHERE that can train you to a professional level in terms of artistry- without the student having a healthy amount of self-development under their belt. Most school place far more emphasis upon the technical procedures in animation--which is by far the easier part.
If learning the technical info was all it took, then far more than the average of 1 in 10 graduates would be suitable for employment in the industry.
If that does not dissuade you, then all I can provide you is general direction, because you are literally starting at the very bottom rung..
Take drawing classes. Put every example of the very best kinds of animation art under your nose and study, copy and extrapolate it until you are doing work at that level. Learn anatomy, perspective, volumes, the value of line, composition, the whole gamut of the craft.
Use the vast wealth of information resources now available on-line and in books to learn technique, principles and theories.
And draw.
( You can also read the thread here " So you want to be an Animator", as there's a lot of info therein from myself and others, as well as many great questions put froth from folks like yourself.)
"We all grow older, we do not have to grow up"--Archie Goodwin ( 1937-1998)
What you told me hasn't changed the way I feel about what I want to do. It hurt like hell to read that, but im still determined to put in the work that it takes to make it. I'll start drawing more and if I have to I'll put off going to school to develop the skills you told me I need to know so I won't be starting at the bottom. Like I said I've been drawing for as long as I can remember. I don't know how to draw any characters by heart, but I have drawn scenes from cartoons Ive watched over the years by pausing the tape a drawing what I saw. And I've drawn things based on cartoons I've watched things based on cartoons I've watched over the years. I wish I had a scanner so that I could draw something and send it to you or post it but I have no scanner. And the only reason why it was in the back of my mind is because I wanted to be a dancer. But a knee problem killed that dream. But I was still drawing. I know it may seem like b*** a*** because I stopped drawing for months but I really want to pursue it. It's not like I can't draw hardly at all. There's been something I've picked up over the years just by what I've seen. And what you've told me has given me a kick in the butt to purse this. Even if I have to dedicate most of my time to improving my drawing. So with that said can u recommend to me to help me out on learning the fundamentals?
It would help to actually see some of your drawings. At Max the Mutt we DO have a skill building first year. However, the course of study is demanding and what I'm not sure about is your ability to dedicate yourself and allow yourself to be taught.
I went to a community college at 25 to study animation with okay drawing skills. It wasn't until the 2nd semester I realized I had terrrible art skills. I think that it was the actual going to school that helped push me to draw better. I have made huge improvements since last year.
It was not easy. It is not easy. I have sacrificed a great deal to do this, time with friends, relationships, money, work,...just to name a few. It just comes to how much are you willing to put into this and for how long?
Read and reread the rest fo the forums, I'm not going to repeat what has already been said. I'm just here to let you know that you aren't the only one.
I've been reading that thread about wanting to be an animator. Can you help me out on what I should be taking when I start picking classes?
So I have to give up things I enjoy doing like going to the movies, playing videogames, going to the gym and reading books that aren't about animation in order to succeed in this business? That's the impression I'm getting by all the stuff I 've read. I'm going to use what Ken said to me as a catalyst to help push me to do what I gotta do to succeed. I may not know the fundamentals of drawing, but I want to learn them. I'm ready to start thinking about a career and there's nothing about there that interest me other than being an animator.
Sacrafice some things, not everything. Like I stated before, read the the other forums, I haven't been at this long enough to start preaching. Except for what I've read thru other forums and articles.
Take a few classes, the advisor can help you with that. Start joining life drawing sessions. You will meet lots of artists, face to face.
And of course we expect to see you posting your drawings in the Daily Sketch thread :D
liebestrauma - http://rach3.animationblogspot.com
There is some great advice already on this thread, but I thought I'd add my two cents.
ALWAYS follow your dreams! It's never too late. Make a decision, stick to it, and you'll succeed. If animation is your passion, there is SO much information out there on how to get started, and what steps to take.
Be sure to always develop and grow as an artist. Show your work on sites like this, youtube, or http://www.movielocker.com. Get feedback, take crits, and grow and learn.
I can't wait to see your stuff!
Spongebob03;
You asked the question, "Can it be done." You inquired if you could be an animator at age 26.
Here is my take on your question.
I am age 45. I have just graduated with a BA in Computer Animation in 2008. I have two small children and work a job that I feel is beneath me. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not above my coworkers. The job just isn’t using my talents. I work there to pay bills but I am constantly elsewhere in my mind.
You see you're either an animator or your not. I have some drawing skill but I'm certainly no Divinci. I can draw whatever I see. I may not like the results but I can draw it. You see, nothing is ever good enough for me. I can never draw well enough to please myself. I can however, model in 3d anything I see or is described to me. I have worked long hours modeling and studying. I have left friends to wonder where I am. I have no life outside of my immediate family and work. BUT!!!! "I AM AN ANIMATOR!!!"
I have my imagination, I merely close my eyes or hold a pen/pencil in my hand and I am there. I am in the zone. I have an entire universe from which to draw inspiration. I Sir am an Animator. I may be an unemployed Animator but I am one none the less.
My screen name here is Azmodi I am however, Robert (Bob) Cole. Remember that name. You will come to know it one day. I don't care if you ever come to recognize my face or even see it. You will however come to know my name and it will be synonymous with Animation and Gaming.
Yes Sir, I am an Animator. The question you have to ask yourself is, “Are you an animator or aren’t you.”
You see, you either are or you aren't an Animator. No one can tell you, you just know. Now that doesn't mean your a good one yet. Just that you are. State of mind is everything.
Visit http://azmodi.webs.com to view my latest work. :)
Find me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/azmodi :D
At twenty six you can pretty much still be whatever you want to be. If your question is can I make money at it? Then that's a different ball of wax. Have you even attempted a basic animation? I would think that would be a first step.
Pat Hacker, Visit Scooter's World.