Hello, I am new here, and this is officially my first post.
But let’s get back to the topic on hand, and this one is going to be a real shocker, I want to work for Pixar when I get older (though honestly, who else here doesn’t?). I wish to become an animator, and that is what I am going to go to school for, and I believe i have time to perfect (or at least try) the art of animation considering the fact I just recently turned 17. But the question I have is, do you have to be a good ARTIST (as in hand-drawn art) to become an animator, because I only want to work with computer animation, and I honestly LOVE computers, so if you through anything infront of me, I can do it, hands down, no problem.
I know you may be asking, “Ya, he wants to be an animator? But he is asking such stupid questions as ‘Do you have to draw?’”, well, I like to try and know everything. The main reason why I asked this question, is because, quite frankly, I am horrible at drawing with my hand, recently I have realized that I should be writing and drawing with my left hand, and for my whole life I have been doing with my right. Opps. I also don’t think I can become any better at drawing, because that’s just me, I believe that I am unable to change what my body can naturally do (produce good drawings with your hands).
I am sorry to any who can barely understand this huge post, I type fast and I just let my mind go and let the words flow. But if anyone could answer my question and give me some tips, that would be great, and once again… Hello!
Well to be an animator it helps to be creative at least lol. Seriously though, you need to bring life to the characters frame by frame. However, you do not have to recreate each figure for each frame.You only need to adjust them. In a way, it’s fairly similar to a mix of traditional animation and puppetry-if that helps. I’m 99% sure that’s right
I think as long you are you a great computer animator, you should be fine. Although, it always helps to be somewhat good at drawing as animators typically rough out thumbnails before starting… but those don’t have to be anything spectacular! If you can bring a character to life, you should be in good shape.
I’m not a 3D nor 2D animation student so I’m not completely sure on what you do need to know. But I do know that you really need to develop your skills of observation and visualization. They are key skills that you will depend on and draw upon constantly in your career as an animator.
However, I highly recommend you do draw. And even better that you start now while you’re young! Even if it’s not highly rendered or super crazy detailed awesome. The real goal of drawing as an animator is to jot down gestures and poses and actions, and then exaggerate it. Trust me, your drawing skills will improve. I implore you to abandon the idea that you draw horribly. Forget what everyone says. In fact, don’t even draw for the sake of showing it to other people. Draw for yourself! When you draw, you combine your powers of observation, hand-eye coordination, and intuition, which are some pretty useful skills to have as an animator, I think. Whenever you draw, you force yourself to place down what you see on paper, and subsequently what you will animate on the computer. So while drawing isn’t very emphasized in animating in 3D, having good drawing skills will considerably sharpen your observation skills. Get a small sketchbook you can carry around easily and draw people and animals and things around you. It doesn’t have to be nice looking. just quick sketches.
Whenever you aren’t drawing, read books or blogs about animation and gesture drawing. Follow the blogs of professional artists and animators, you’ll learn a lot from them! I find that as long as you think about, or imagine yourself doing mental gesture drawings, you’ll find it easier when you finally do get to do some work on paper, because essentially, drawing is a mental skill. Keep your interest in animation fueled. Stay inspired! While watching Pixar films or classic Disney films or any other well-animated film, analyze how the characters move, how their clothes react to movement, how they act in their environment, their facial movements in relation to their body movements, etc. Infact, draw while you’re watching tv! Watch clips about animation on YouTube, there’s a treasure trove of information there! I recommend getting a copy of Force: Dynamic Life Drawing for Animators. I myself have a copy and I find it has much helpful advice.
I hope you won’t find me pushy or anything but I’m just telling it as it is. Don’t think that you can get a job at Pixar any time soon. You have a lot to learn but you’ll have time- so long as you allot yourself time to learn. Concentrate on bettering yourself. The better your skills are, the higher the chance of you getting a job as an animator at Pixar. Remember that while you do need to learn how to use computer software, your skills as an animator will always win over technical knowledge. And when you do get that job, you’re gonna have to keep up with the demands of the job as well as developing your skills on your own. Be prepared to work hard! But if your heart is in it, your drive and motivation will carry you through. Good Luck!
The late Joe Ranft, one of the head story artists at Pixar, was said to not be a very good draftsman, natrually. John Lasseter said that Ranft became good by sheer force of will, he just continually worked at until he got better. I’d say you can become a better drawer if you want to. There will certainly be people better than you, or people it comes to easier, but that’s no reason to just give up on it. Just my two cents.
starling summed it all up beautifully. Gesture drawing is something that all animators should do. Go out an observe some people and do a quick sketch of various poses, capturing movement and form. And yes, lots of research and constant self growth. starling’s right, if your heart is in it, your drive and motivation will carry you through. You’ll end up making it farther then those with great natural talent who aren’t as driven. Just keep working towards your goal. Don’t give up!
I too want to work at pixar when i grow up but you dont need to know how to draw in order to work with computers but i think it would help to know a little about it. i hope your dream comes true
A decent way to get to know the simple basics of animation would be messing around with an animation program. A real simple yet fun one is Pivot Stickfigure animator 2.25
[url]http://www.snapfiles.com/get/stickfigure.html[/url]
Its free and fun to play with.
