CHOOSING THE RIGHT ANIMATION SCHOOL

The following are 13 queries we suggest prospective students find answers to when choosing an animation school. This list is not inclusive but should serve as a guideline in helping you determine your choice of faculty for a career in animation. Remember however, that the fundamental ability to understand movement and to draw on paper is essential regardless of the type of animation program you are planning to take.

1) Does the animation program teach all of the necessary courses that you will need to enter the animation industry in an entry level position? (assistant animator, layout/background artist, storyboard clean-up, etc.)

2) Does the program teach other skills such as life drawing, color comprehension, animation history and film studies?

3) Is sufficient time given to teach the curriculum and is the program fee set at a reasonable cost?

4) Does the school provide all of the necessary equipment needed for the student to learn and work in the industry?

5) Are portfolios one of the admission requirements for prospective students?

6) Who are the course instructors? What are their backgrounds and industry experience? Are they presently working in or have previously been successful in the industry?

7) Has the curriculum been developed with input from the local animation industry?

8) Does the school have an ongoing advisory board with members from the local animation industry to help review course materials and changes to the industry?

9) Does the school promote their graduates to the industry through organized interviews, student showcases and/or mail-out materials? Is there a system in place where members from the local animation industry are given an opportunity to interview graduates?

10) Does the school invite members from the local animation industry to talk to classes about their companies, the needs of the industry and how to apply for a job?

11) Does the school provide a list of recent graduates, where they are working and/or provide access to working graduates for opinions of the school and program?

12) Does the school help the students to prepare their graduate portfolios or films and help market them to the industry?

13) Does the school offer students career counseling and in-depth background information about the film industry, both local and international?

For more information about choosing a career in animation, click on the links below. Check out occupational profiles (in PDF format) on over 50 positions found in Classical, Flash, Computer, Game, Stop-Motion and Special Effects animation, as well as the sound production industry. Part of the groundbreaking 2001 BC Animation Industry Study, these occupational job profiles detail Artistic, Technical and Organizational skills needed, Educational Background and Key Qualities required, as well as some Hiring Prerequisites. You can download the full report by clicking on the middle link. You can also read a great article "How to Choose a School" by Pamela Kleibrink Thompson originally printed in the June 2001 edition of Animation Magazine.