Your Future At Pixar

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#41

Nah you didn’t bum me out. I’m still set on going there and they actually haven’t been persistent in trying to contact me or anything. The school that actually seems desperate for students is Art Institute. They wanted me to apply right then and there (while I was doing the visit). The people at both schools seem very helpful and kind. Plus, the Academy seems to be very focused within the one major that your taking and give you all the classes that could be helpful to you in your field of study. Likewise, their courses seem to be very intensive in preparing you for the industry, with Disney and Pixar workers coming in to help (though I’m sure a lot of art schools in Cali get that).

I think that as long as I’m willing to put in the time and effort to make myself worthy of Pixar/Dreamworks/BlueSky level then I’m sure I can make it there eventually. I know I would never even -think- of dropping out. Even if I’m not one of the people that gets hired after an internship there (or even get an internship!), I know I can make it there some day and that’s enough for me. Racking up experience at other studios can NEVER hurt. There are always other internship opportunities and you have years and years and YEARS ahead of you to get to the final goal (Pixar).

So yeah, who knows Jessie. Maybe one day we’ll end up working together at a studio!

I’m curious about what school you chose too (I’ve also been looking at CalArts). Do you have any art online? (like a deviantart, cgscociety portfolio or something)

Edit: I just checked the LAIKA site. I thought that name sounded familiar. I have one of the Learning Maya books that their short film “Moongirl” was the subject of. It’s my favorite Learning Maya book (and so far the only one that’s actually helped me).

#42

Even though at this moment I feel as if I can’t draw for my life … I’m looking into getting into other animation companies. Maybe even trying for a degree in game animation. Any form of animation is good at this point- I just really want to do it! I had so much fun with my stop motion clip even though I didn’t get it done … I just love bringing things to life. Hopefully my love for animation will get me through life.

#43

I go to Laguna College of Art & Design - it’s a 400 student school. :slight_smile:
(… I have to go to bed now, just went to the Animation Awards tonight - must sleep!)

#44

Jessie: You’re lucky to be in an art school. I didn’t apply to enough, just one, and I was on the waiting list but didn’t get in. I’m sorta mad at all the people in my life who constantly told me I was good in art … when it comes down to it, I’m not. :stuck_out_tongue: But I’m still going to keep trying.

#45

I hate art. Period. Some would consider this an irony that I would want to join Pixar and yet at the same time, I hate art, because most aspects of Pixar Animation Studios revolves around art. However, just because you hate to paint the picture, doesn’t mean you don’t enjoy looking at it. :wink:

I am still schooling at Middle School now, after I graduate, I will have to serve the compulsory National Service of Singapore (which is pretty much a training course for the armed forces of Singapore). After those tedious days have come to pass, I have little options, really.

Art school? I didn’t even pass art in Primary (what we Singaporeans called “Elementary School”) School, much less an art school.

My dream position in Pixar is more along the lines of scriptwriting (I make one heck of a writer, as you could see from my well enough use of English, considering Singaporeans’ standard of English speaking/writing), directing, and producing. Something like, Brad Bird’s position, if you will.

As I said, I have little options in my studies. Not because I have a low level of standard regarding my studies, but because Singapore is a small country, and there isn’t much colleges all round. We do have one to four universities, if I were to assume, a few junior colleges (that’s what we called “college” in Singapore), and the rest of the study facilities are either the three to five “Institutes of Technological Education (or more),” or the largely occupants of Polytechnics of Singapore, the highlights of the Singapore education system, and the widely popular choice.

The Polytechnics of Singapore is like a preparation for universities or, in most cases, a direct road to an occupation of your choice. There are lots of courses to be taken, of course, but the thing is, I wouldn’t know if any of them would qualify me to work for Pixar.

Lemme just list down the few involving the work the Pixar crew members would perform:

  • Digital Media - including the teaching of CGE (Computer Generated Effects), 3-D animation, and interactive applications (not sure how the last one is related to Pixar)
  • Creative Media Design - practical knowledge and mind-skills, and in-depth exploration of creative potential to achieve breakthroughs in design innovation
  • Media & Communication - radio & TV Production, and advertising creative services

Hopefully, after earning these degrees, Pixar would, at the least, take into considerations of my proposal in joining the community. :smiley:

~ WBoon

#46

I have a friend who had to go through that Singapore training thing. He started a couple years ago and he’s just now about to come to an end with it. It’s sad that Singapore forces you guys to do that, especially when you have no plans to join their military.

But yeah, you sound like you’d be a great scriptwriter. As far as directors go, I think they have to work their way up from lower jobs. Then in time, they get to the point where they get the honor of directing (or co-directing) a whole film. That’d be awesome and I’d love to one day be able to direct at Pixar (though getting in is hard enough).

You sound very determined though. :smiley: I could see you doing great at Pixar. :]

#47

What school did you apply for?
I really only applied to Laguna because I really didn’t have any love for any other school (everyone else was freaking out at me about not having a safety school - truth is, I wouldn’t want to go to any other school).
Just remember - after art school, we still have to go out into the real world and find jobs - alll the time. (It’s also about who you know too - but thats another topic).
I had a nice time hearing the other day - we were asking some seniors why it is that our school comes out with so few senior films and they said it’s because most of the seniors get hired before they’re done with them. Something nice to hear!

sfox8 - It’s entirely possible we’d work together one day! :slight_smile: After going to the Annies last night - it’s very funny to realize what a small group of people work in the industry - they’re all connected. It’s quite nice!

But yeah, guys - look for internships anywhere you can - because even if you can’t get into the Pixar internship, it will still look great on your resume, plus - gain experience, networking, and you could get hired too. :slight_smile: (I just met Seth Green and the Robot Chicken people do internships - so, you never know where your big break will come from). :slight_smile:

#48

Are some interns paid internships?

If so does anybody know any that is near the San Fransisco area?

#49

Do you mean at Pixar? If so, the answer is yes, and it is in the Bay Area. I think ILM is in that area too.

#50

It was very interesting to read that many here want to work at Pixar!
I’d love to do that as well, but since I don’t even live in America, it’s even harder to EVER get a job there. I first need to finish school. And I need to improve my drawing skills. But people, remember that actually MAKING a movie is not as fun as watching one! There’s work behind all Pixar movies. I guess the people had fun doing it, still, it’s hard work and it takes some while. So, if you only want to enjoy Pixar movies, keep watching them. But if you’re totally obsessed with them, and are also interested on what’s behind it, then prepare to work REALLY hard to help finishing one yourself ~ But all artists here probably know that already, that even finishing one picture can take a very long time. Now, imagine that with a whole movie…XD.

#51

I´d love to work at PIXAR. I ever dream working with 3D Animation. I try to learn somethings, and I know I have too much to learn yet… but I love to do tridimentional objects and I love the PIXAR’s movies and it would be great work there! :sunglasses:
:wink:

#52

FIT, the Fashion Institute of Technology. Not the best school unless you’re into fashion (but then it’s competitive) but if I got in, I was going to take two years of Illustration and that would allow me to get into their Computer Animation program. But all that’s gone if I get accepted to Disney college. :smiley: I’m still interested in an art school … but at this time, I don’t know. Writing seems to work much more quickly for me.

#53

Vanidre: I am sure you can do it. Dreams can happen. Welcome to PP!

#54

All of you people who have already given up on art greatly depress me. Art is not an inborn talent, it is a skill that is learned through work. If you want to learn art, you will learn art.

I’m a student at RISD. I’ve always thought it would be wonderful to work at Pixar. However, I have yet to take an animation class. Once I try it I might find out I hate it. Who knows. I already know I enjoy drawing an painting, so maybe I could try to get a job as a storyboard artist or character designer if I end up disliking animation.

I’m a good artist; not Pixar-good, but I know how to get better. I have problems with a lot of other non-art skills that I would need to get an internship. I’ve never had a real job, for one thing. I’m trying to find an office job so I can learn how to file papers and all that good stuff. I also have terrible social skills, and I suck at recovering from failure. I find it difficult to have a positive attitude all the time. If I feel sulky I sulk.

#55

Hi, I am new to this forum. Just wanted to say hello :smiley: I am about to start school to become an animator. Is anyone currently going to school for animation? I was hoping for some advice. I am already taking an art class (not college level because they don’t offer any here :frowning:) to improve my drawing skills. My dream is to become part of the pixar family. Just wanted to say that :slight_smile:

#56

Join the family of dreamers also on this forum LeluDallas. All I can tell you is continue what you love to do. You love art? Keep it up, no matter where you go. Always try to find a way to make yourself better.

#57

Hi everyone,

I’m currently attending Animation Mentor and having a blast. If anyone is hesitant in attending this school, don’t be, and I’d recommend signing up as soon as possible (they are becoming more picky as they continue to become more popular with their excellent reputation getting around).

I entered the school just a couple of months ago with no prior Maya experience and now I’m making characters walk, it’s an amazing feeling. Currently I’m the youngest in my class ( only 18 ) with the least amount of experience (none) while others are much older that me with experience in the industry (one class mate currently working for Bungie).

The school is highly recommended by animators, Pete Docter even gave a speech at this years graduation ceremony, and looked upon favorably by the industry.

If character animation is what you want to do, not lighting, modeling, texturing, rigging and all that BS that other schools overwhelm you with, than this school is for you.

As for working for Pixar, I’d love to do that, but what I learned from being in this school is it’s not what movie your working on but the talent your working with. While Pixar has some of the best talent around, there are other studios that have talent but may make bad movies, and if I had the opportunity to work with them I’d jump on it. If I worked for another studio that had talent and walked away a better animator than when I started by learning from them, I’d be happy.

Thats what’s really important :wink:

PS: Animators have the best job in the world!!!

#58

Skippy I am planning on attending AM myself!

I am going to sign up as soon as I can too but it is to early for me now because I am still a junior in high school and they don’t have signups for 2009 yet it seems.

I have been working in Maya for about a year now and working in animation in it too!

It’s nice to here another good review of AM!

#59

I am considering AM,but I am not sure if I can attend…I am living in Okinawa Japan (my hubby is in the USAF). Do you know if I can?? Also, what are the classes like??

#60

^Location is not an issue but there are requirements. Please visit their website as it tells you everything you need to know about this program (detailed descriptions of classes, program requirements, staff, etc.).

[url]http://www.animationmentor.com/[/url]

If you have any further questions, opinion-based ones that the AM staff can’t answer, please drop me a PM as I’d be more than happy to answer it.