Monday, September 28, 2009
National Portfolio Day
Went to Portfolio Day yesterday. It was...different.
I expected it to be crowded so that was no surprise. It was kind of organized in some areas and not so organized in others. Some lines had chairs, others didn't.
I received the best review from Academy of Art. I say best because Frances was the friendliest person I spoke with, gave me plenty of advice on how to improve the art and was actually interested in getting me, personally, to come to her school, instead of just ushering me in, checking out my stuff for two minutes and ushering me out. She was very enthusiastic about the school and I found out I could apply for the MFA animation program or the BFA2 program. Either way, I would only be in school for 2 and half years instead of 4 because 66 CREDITS would transfer from UT. WooHoo!
Worse review was from California College of the Arts. The woman didn't introduce herself, didn't ask for my name, spent less than a minute looking at my portfolio, didn't offer any advice and suggested I include photography. Eh? Why would I include photography in an ANIMATION portfolio? Not only that, but a bratty high school girl came in asking if I had waited in line because she had like, been waiting for an hour. Good grief. I couldn't believe she asked me that. If I had tried to get into that room without waiting I would have been jumped by about 8 angry high school moms. Get a grip, child.
And the weirdest review came from CalArts, believe it or not. The recruiter said her favorite portfolio piece she ever saw was from a girl who made a self portrait out of bread. Say what now? I'm not making pictures out of lunch material. That's just strange. She did like my zoo drawings. But she only spent 5 minutes with me and kept looking at the clock because she only had 5 minutes to review 4 other portfolios. I expected more out of CalArts - she gave everyone else about 20 minutes at least. I would say that I wish I had gone to her table first, except AAU was so awesome that I am glad that was my first review. I am definitely applying there. I will apply to CalArts too because...I feel like I should. You know it has a great reputation but I have yet to speak to anyone in the recruitment office or in administration who sounded knowledgeable. I'm beginning to think that their reputation is what keeps them afloat, rather than the work that comes out of the school. All of the animators I admire graduated from there more than ten years ago. I am less impressed with them as a result of my experiences with the administration and the application process.
I am going to call CCA and talk to someone more knowledgeable. I don't want to toss out the school because of one clueless person.
Sadly Sheridan and VFS were not in attendance. I would have liked to have met reps from the schools in person.
I saw a lot of high school kids in weird arty clothing, a few were dressed professionally (very few), some had portfolios, some didn't bring sketchbooks at all, which I found odd, and one girl walked out of her review and burst into tears. Yikes. If you're busting a gut now the real world might kill you. She sounded like she had faith in herself after talking to her Dad. Hopefully now she's recovered.
As for my art, the reviews were positive. Mainly keep doing what I've been doing, work on perspective and try drawing things in color to mix it up a bit.
I can do that.
I expected it to be crowded so that was no surprise. It was kind of organized in some areas and not so organized in others. Some lines had chairs, others didn't.
I received the best review from Academy of Art. I say best because Frances was the friendliest person I spoke with, gave me plenty of advice on how to improve the art and was actually interested in getting me, personally, to come to her school, instead of just ushering me in, checking out my stuff for two minutes and ushering me out. She was very enthusiastic about the school and I found out I could apply for the MFA animation program or the BFA2 program. Either way, I would only be in school for 2 and half years instead of 4 because 66 CREDITS would transfer from UT. WooHoo!
Worse review was from California College of the Arts. The woman didn't introduce herself, didn't ask for my name, spent less than a minute looking at my portfolio, didn't offer any advice and suggested I include photography. Eh? Why would I include photography in an ANIMATION portfolio? Not only that, but a bratty high school girl came in asking if I had waited in line because she had like, been waiting for an hour. Good grief. I couldn't believe she asked me that. If I had tried to get into that room without waiting I would have been jumped by about 8 angry high school moms. Get a grip, child.
And the weirdest review came from CalArts, believe it or not. The recruiter said her favorite portfolio piece she ever saw was from a girl who made a self portrait out of bread. Say what now? I'm not making pictures out of lunch material. That's just strange. She did like my zoo drawings. But she only spent 5 minutes with me and kept looking at the clock because she only had 5 minutes to review 4 other portfolios. I expected more out of CalArts - she gave everyone else about 20 minutes at least. I would say that I wish I had gone to her table first, except AAU was so awesome that I am glad that was my first review. I am definitely applying there. I will apply to CalArts too because...I feel like I should. You know it has a great reputation but I have yet to speak to anyone in the recruitment office or in administration who sounded knowledgeable. I'm beginning to think that their reputation is what keeps them afloat, rather than the work that comes out of the school. All of the animators I admire graduated from there more than ten years ago. I am less impressed with them as a result of my experiences with the administration and the application process.
I am going to call CCA and talk to someone more knowledgeable. I don't want to toss out the school because of one clueless person.
Sadly Sheridan and VFS were not in attendance. I would have liked to have met reps from the schools in person.
I saw a lot of high school kids in weird arty clothing, a few were dressed professionally (very few), some had portfolios, some didn't bring sketchbooks at all, which I found odd, and one girl walked out of her review and burst into tears. Yikes. If you're busting a gut now the real world might kill you. She sounded like she had faith in herself after talking to her Dad. Hopefully now she's recovered.
As for my art, the reviews were positive. Mainly keep doing what I've been doing, work on perspective and try drawing things in color to mix it up a bit.
I can do that.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Life Drawing Lab O' Rama | Gesture Drawings
Mary is one of the best life drawing models I've ever had the privilege to draw. She's so much fun and her poses are great.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
CalArts Portfolio | Denver Zoo Edition
Here are the first few pages of my CalArts sketchbook. This is the supplement I am mailing to the school in addition to my portfolio. I want to make sure I have a copy of everything, as they won't be sending my sketchbook back. Gotta wonder what they do with all the sketchbooks they receive every year.
Anyway - more animals from the Denver Zoo!
Malayan Tapir swimming - the world's cutest animal.
Rhino looking depressed. Wishing he could break through the wall.
Polar Bear
Another Polar Bear
Peacock hanging out.
Lion
Lion
And...lion
Mimi getting her medicated foot bath.
Lots of Dall sheep chillin'.
Male Cassowary in many poses.
Cape Buffalo chowing down with baby in tow.
Two camels.
Anyway - more animals from the Denver Zoo!
Malayan Tapir swimming - the world's cutest animal.
Rhino looking depressed. Wishing he could break through the wall.
Polar Bear
Another Polar Bear
Peacock hanging out.
Lion
Lion
And...lion
Mimi getting her medicated foot bath.
Lots of Dall sheep chillin'.
Male Cassowary in many poses.
Cape Buffalo chowing down with baby in tow.
Two camels.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Malayan Tapir featured at the Denver Zoo
I ADORE the Malayan Tapir. Currently there are two at the Denver Zoo. They remind me of a cross between a hippo and an elephant in their behavior. They are also ridiculously cute. Here are my renditions of one of my new favorite animals to draw:
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
The Denver Zoo Continued
Told you I had a lot of these drawings.
In other news, I start my new job tomorrow. Very excited about it. No more unemployment - HOORAH! Here in Denver so many people applied for unemployment that the offices are backlogged - it now takes 6 - 8 weeks to receive checks instead of 4. Consequently, I haven't received any money yet. So I am glad to now be gainfully employed. I read an article in the Post on Sunday that while the national average is 9.6, the unemployment rate for Colorado is 7.3, so at least we are below average. That's hardly any consolation for those who are unemployed, so my heart goes out to them.
But like I said earlier - zoo animals. So here they are:
A Rhinoceros Hornbill. One of the coolest creatures I've ever seen.
Every time I go to the zoo the Rhino is licking dirt. I don't think he gets enough iron in his diet.
Let me tell you I've never seen a more content hippo in my life.
Or a sleepier bear.
Gorilla holding onto the bars like he's a prisoner. Poor gorilla.
Gorilla. Again.
I had never seen a giraffe sitting before. They don't do this often. Probably because it's so complicated to get back up.
In other news, I start my new job tomorrow. Very excited about it. No more unemployment - HOORAH! Here in Denver so many people applied for unemployment that the offices are backlogged - it now takes 6 - 8 weeks to receive checks instead of 4. Consequently, I haven't received any money yet. So I am glad to now be gainfully employed. I read an article in the Post on Sunday that while the national average is 9.6, the unemployment rate for Colorado is 7.3, so at least we are below average. That's hardly any consolation for those who are unemployed, so my heart goes out to them.
But like I said earlier - zoo animals. So here they are:
A Rhinoceros Hornbill. One of the coolest creatures I've ever seen.
Every time I go to the zoo the Rhino is licking dirt. I don't think he gets enough iron in his diet.
Let me tell you I've never seen a more content hippo in my life.
Or a sleepier bear.
Gorilla holding onto the bars like he's a prisoner. Poor gorilla.
Gorilla. Again.
I had never seen a giraffe sitting before. They don't do this often. Probably because it's so complicated to get back up.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Life Drawing Presents: Elephants Elephants Elephants
Dolly and Mimi are lovely models. Thanks, ladies.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Animal Life Drawing - The Series
Hi all,
so in my quest to perfect my portfolio I overloaded on life drawing courses this summer and visited the Zoo every week. I can see the improvement and I look forward to sending these drawings off. Here are a few from the zoo.
Enjoy!
Cinerous Vulture
Cinerous Vulture again
Cassowary - this guy never sits still. I am impressed he actually sat down for this one.
Camels
Asiatic Black Bears
so in my quest to perfect my portfolio I overloaded on life drawing courses this summer and visited the Zoo every week. I can see the improvement and I look forward to sending these drawings off. Here are a few from the zoo.
Enjoy!
Cinerous Vulture
Cinerous Vulture again
Cassowary - this guy never sits still. I am impressed he actually sat down for this one.
Camels
Asiatic Black Bears
Thursday, August 13, 2009
How I Spent My Summer Vacation
Well I am back from my summer hiatus to chronicle my adventures in animation and art school.
It's been an interesting and somewhat difficult three months but events conspired to turn out alright, which is always awesome. The most pressing news of late is that I decided to postpone school. "What?" you ask. "But you got in!" Well, after calculating the expenses I would have had to take out $30K in loans to live in Canada for the year. I unfortunately would not have been able to get a work permit until I lived in the country for six months, and international students do not qualify for work study, and since the economy here in the States (and everywhere else in the world) is so crummy, I was unable to save any money. Being 30 grand in the hole right off the bat was not appealing to me, so I made the wise decision to wait.
I am grateful to be here in the States and practicing my art. Because I am not going to school this year, it has given me an opportunity to take more life drawing classes here at home to strengthen my skills. Also, I will be able to make all the early deadlines not only for Sheridan but other schools here in the U.S. I will also be able to attend Portfolio Day and have everything reviewed before I submit my work to schools.
Another great thing about being here is that since the market is so bad I qualify for unemployment. I have been spending my time drawing and collecting money, instead of working three jobs as I was doing earlier this year and hardly having any time to draw or research schools at all. I have to say it has been what you would call a "blessing in disguise." Who knew unemployment could provide such an opportunity to improve oneself? There are millions out there without jobs, and my hope for all of them is that they not only find a great job soon but also gain new skills while they are looking that will enable them to succeed in the workplace and earn more money. It's a pretty rad combination.
So since I have NOTHING BUT TIME I've been taking advantage of life drawing classes and the zoo, as well as researching school curriculum. And for those of you who are planning to go art school, as I am, I shall now climb up on my bully pulpit and dispense the info I learned through years of sorting through the muck trying to figure out how to get into school and industry in the first place. Save yourself some time and effort and read on. These tips have helped me a great deal and I am certain they will help you. I have gleaned this information not only from my search for schools, but from professional experience. As an Editor for Vault, a publishing company focusing on career guides for post-college students, I spoke with many people in various industries on how former students could land a job that will take them where they want to go. And as a college graduate myself who navigated through the often choppy waters of employment (and by choppy I mean having to work in customer service for three years before being able to get a real job *shudder*) I know how difficult it can be to find the school for you and also the right job. Hopefully this advice will aid you in your search and enable you to skip selling clothes, home decor, and dealing with anything involving food. So, without further ado:
ANGELA'S TIPS FOR FIND THE RIGHT SCHOOL FOR YOU AND YOUR FUTURE CAREER
(version 1.0)
1. KNOW WHAT EMPLOYERS WANT
If you go to Disney, Pixar or Blue Sky's websites, they list the types of skills that their animators, storyboard designers, and others need to have in order to get a job. I recommend making sure that the school you want to attend teaches classes in the subjects you need to know to get said job. This is painfully obvious, but you would be shocked to see how many animation programs fail to teach basics like storytelling and acting. These are the pinnacles of animation folks. It's not enough to be able to draw pretty pictures.
2. LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION
Some schools are located where all the action is. There are film studios and galleries all around them where you can showcase your school work and network with professionals. Other schools are located in the middle of nowhere. Now, plenty of schools in the middle of nowhere have produced successful animators, but my money is on the schools that are near the industry, or at least an arts hub of some kind, so that you can talk to people and gain exposure throughout your school career, not just when you graduate.
3. CAREER PLACEMENT
How good a job does the school do in helping to get students jobs? Do people in the industry come and give talks to prospective students? Is the Career Center in good standing with companies you want to work for? Are there ample internship opportunities available through the school? Do Alumni speak well of their experience? Do they have any Alumni events? Doesn't do you any good to have all that head knowledge if you can't get a job once you graduate. Make sure your school cares about where you go once you leave, not just sucking you dry of funds while you are there.
4. WHO'S DOING THE TEACHING?
When was the last time your teacher worked in the industry? Are they working on their own projects? Are they aware of all the changes the industry has gone through even in the last five years? You want folks who are knowledgable about the subject and are themselves still learning as much as they can to keep themselves relevant, not just folks stuck in the "glory days."
5. IT'S NOT THE SCHOOL'S JOB TO GET YOU A JOB
Now, before you start flaming me for all the previous points - here me out. While it is vitally important for a school to teach you what you need to know to prepare you for the work force, understand that the school itself will not give you a job. Nor should it. A school's job is, as I just said, in operation to PREPARE you. Ultimately, it's up to you to find work. That means not only doing your best in class, but joining organizations and meeting people, getting summer and fall internships, and most important, working diligently on your craft. For me personally, I am working on several projects that have nothing whatsoever to do with getting me in school, not only because they are fun, but also to create a portfolio of work for myself to land me a job. It's always a good idea to be working on your own stuff and providing a place where you can show it to as many people as possible.
So there you go. Hope it helps. More fun artwork to look at tomorrow.
It's been an interesting and somewhat difficult three months but events conspired to turn out alright, which is always awesome. The most pressing news of late is that I decided to postpone school. "What?" you ask. "But you got in!" Well, after calculating the expenses I would have had to take out $30K in loans to live in Canada for the year. I unfortunately would not have been able to get a work permit until I lived in the country for six months, and international students do not qualify for work study, and since the economy here in the States (and everywhere else in the world) is so crummy, I was unable to save any money. Being 30 grand in the hole right off the bat was not appealing to me, so I made the wise decision to wait.
I am grateful to be here in the States and practicing my art. Because I am not going to school this year, it has given me an opportunity to take more life drawing classes here at home to strengthen my skills. Also, I will be able to make all the early deadlines not only for Sheridan but other schools here in the U.S. I will also be able to attend Portfolio Day and have everything reviewed before I submit my work to schools.
Another great thing about being here is that since the market is so bad I qualify for unemployment. I have been spending my time drawing and collecting money, instead of working three jobs as I was doing earlier this year and hardly having any time to draw or research schools at all. I have to say it has been what you would call a "blessing in disguise." Who knew unemployment could provide such an opportunity to improve oneself? There are millions out there without jobs, and my hope for all of them is that they not only find a great job soon but also gain new skills while they are looking that will enable them to succeed in the workplace and earn more money. It's a pretty rad combination.
So since I have NOTHING BUT TIME I've been taking advantage of life drawing classes and the zoo, as well as researching school curriculum. And for those of you who are planning to go art school, as I am, I shall now climb up on my bully pulpit and dispense the info I learned through years of sorting through the muck trying to figure out how to get into school and industry in the first place. Save yourself some time and effort and read on. These tips have helped me a great deal and I am certain they will help you. I have gleaned this information not only from my search for schools, but from professional experience. As an Editor for Vault, a publishing company focusing on career guides for post-college students, I spoke with many people in various industries on how former students could land a job that will take them where they want to go. And as a college graduate myself who navigated through the often choppy waters of employment (and by choppy I mean having to work in customer service for three years before being able to get a real job *shudder*) I know how difficult it can be to find the school for you and also the right job. Hopefully this advice will aid you in your search and enable you to skip selling clothes, home decor, and dealing with anything involving food. So, without further ado:
ANGELA'S TIPS FOR FIND THE RIGHT SCHOOL FOR YOU AND YOUR FUTURE CAREER
(version 1.0)
1. KNOW WHAT EMPLOYERS WANT
If you go to Disney, Pixar or Blue Sky's websites, they list the types of skills that their animators, storyboard designers, and others need to have in order to get a job. I recommend making sure that the school you want to attend teaches classes in the subjects you need to know to get said job. This is painfully obvious, but you would be shocked to see how many animation programs fail to teach basics like storytelling and acting. These are the pinnacles of animation folks. It's not enough to be able to draw pretty pictures.
2. LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION
Some schools are located where all the action is. There are film studios and galleries all around them where you can showcase your school work and network with professionals. Other schools are located in the middle of nowhere. Now, plenty of schools in the middle of nowhere have produced successful animators, but my money is on the schools that are near the industry, or at least an arts hub of some kind, so that you can talk to people and gain exposure throughout your school career, not just when you graduate.
3. CAREER PLACEMENT
How good a job does the school do in helping to get students jobs? Do people in the industry come and give talks to prospective students? Is the Career Center in good standing with companies you want to work for? Are there ample internship opportunities available through the school? Do Alumni speak well of their experience? Do they have any Alumni events? Doesn't do you any good to have all that head knowledge if you can't get a job once you graduate. Make sure your school cares about where you go once you leave, not just sucking you dry of funds while you are there.
4. WHO'S DOING THE TEACHING?
When was the last time your teacher worked in the industry? Are they working on their own projects? Are they aware of all the changes the industry has gone through even in the last five years? You want folks who are knowledgable about the subject and are themselves still learning as much as they can to keep themselves relevant, not just folks stuck in the "glory days."
5. IT'S NOT THE SCHOOL'S JOB TO GET YOU A JOB
Now, before you start flaming me for all the previous points - here me out. While it is vitally important for a school to teach you what you need to know to prepare you for the work force, understand that the school itself will not give you a job. Nor should it. A school's job is, as I just said, in operation to PREPARE you. Ultimately, it's up to you to find work. That means not only doing your best in class, but joining organizations and meeting people, getting summer and fall internships, and most important, working diligently on your craft. For me personally, I am working on several projects that have nothing whatsoever to do with getting me in school, not only because they are fun, but also to create a portfolio of work for myself to land me a job. It's always a good idea to be working on your own stuff and providing a place where you can show it to as many people as possible.
So there you go.
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