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Animation for MBA Graduates

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Animation for MBA Graduates

Hi All,
Before raising my query let me tell you something about my background.

I am a 26 year old post graduate, currently working as a business analyst in Chennai, India with a leading IT company. I have a management and an engineering degree (quite common in India :D). I am good with engineering drawings, programming, marketing and project management. I have good observational skills, a creative mind and a healthy dose of curiosity :p.

Since my childhood I was terribly attracted towards animation. I am mesmerized by the beauty of animated movies, astounded, amazed and excited by the possibilities it provides with stories and characters. I did not do it until now because even though I love animation, I was never good with drawings (life is full of ironies :mad:). I can draw decently but cannot call myself talented. I know this was a huge shortcoming for a career as an animator and so, shelved the idea and carried on with my studies.

But at this stage of my life I cannot ignore my childhood dream anymore. I am not at all satisfied with my current work. I constantly have animated day dreams about my life, about my day in office etc. I try to convert anything and everything into animation and imagine how it would look when animated. I have good eye for animation and instinctively well versed with the principles of animation.

I believe a career in animation is a worthy pursuit for me and I am seriously considering being a part of this amazing world (even though it might be a little late for me). I know it will be difficult but I am ready for the hardships.

I wanted to know if there is a place in an animation company for people like me.

In what capacity can I be a part of animation?

Can I go into animation production? Can I work as a project manager for an animation project?

What kind of animation courses should I take?

Is there an animation course which complements management degree?

If possible can you suggest a good course or a college in India?

Thanks for reading this long post :o

waiting for your reply

Forgive me for being brusque, but this has been asked dozens of times before and the answer is really always the same:

Why on Earth would you seek out to enter into an art career if you have no talent or propensity for art?

Its been said before as well: without good art skills, what do you have to offer?
What do you bring to the table in this kind of field?
Being a animation project manager probably means having animation skills yourself giving you qualifications to direct others--without them, why would anyone listen to someone unqualified?

Lacking art skills IS a shortcoming--as art skills, are, in my professional opinion ESSENTIAL.

If this is just an affectation.......don't get into the field.
Do it as a hobby, on your own time, by the means that you have, and with no pressures. If you are not already technically predisposed to doing this, by drawwing cartoons etc already.......when do you think that is going to kick in?

Look, if you are already drawing animation/cartoon/comicbook characters frequently ( and I mean daily), if you are already making animated films with whatever means you have, if you are obsessed with doing all that and actually creating stories and art--then....sure, give this kind of career a go.

Otherwise.......,man.......you've got what sounds like a recipe for heart-ache.

"We all grow older, we do not have to grow up"--Archie Goodwin ( 1937-1998)

Why not go to your old school and ask a counselor for a list of schools. Most of your questions should be address to those schools. I am sure each school is a little different but you should be able to find a good fit for your self.

As an option some art schools have majors called The Business of Art. It is for the student who wants to be in the art industry, who might have an eye for art but lacking in the talent to create.

Ringling College started the major a few years ago. The student receives a BA and not a BFA. I don't have much details on it but it's proving to be good alternative for many students.

It's an option.

ed

Department of Computer Animation
Ringling College of Art and Design
Sarasota Florida

Thanks guys for your responses :)

@Ken:
I really appreciate your candid response and I cannot agree with you more. This shortcoming is the only reason why I never pursued a career of an animator. But my aim in asking the question was to find out if there is any other area of animation where I can contribute. An area where a lot of drawing skills are not required. I do not lack in creativity or imagination. I would be very grateful if you could suggest such an option.

@Wontobe:
Thanks for the advice. I am trying in this direction. I hope I can find something which suits me.

@Ed:
I went through the curriculum of the course you mentioned. I liked the course content a lot but most of the subjects such as accounting, marketing etc were already covered in my management course. Other subjects such as art history, writing studio etc are really interesting. I will look for such subjects in a course here in India. Thanks for the excellent suggestion.

Hi Danish1984, I came across

Hi Danish1984, I came across your post and my story is very similar to yours. I am an MBA but have a deep rooted love for animated movies/series. I was hoping to learn from your experience if you ever ended up pursuing your love in some way? Would really really appreciate!