To make a long story short, I'm looking at 2 courses right now that I'm very interesting in. The materials are "basically" the same, however at the end it's totally different.

Course 1 (1 year): Computer animation. Features advances in computer animation and special effects in film, commercials, television and video gaming. Gets an certificate at the end. Total tuition approx. 12 grand.

Course 2 (4 years): Bachelor of Applied Arts (Animation). Basically it works from the very beginning. From the bottom to the top, starting with hand drawing skills to computer graphics and animate them. In year 3 and 4 the students will get more time to work in studios than the previous years. Gets a degree at the end. Total tuition approx. 49 grand.

Now my questions occurs...I'm 23 this year, should I spend all the money for the 4 years program and get the degree? When I graduate I'd be 27/28 years old looking for a job. OR Just take the 1 year course and get the certification and hope to get a job? OR screw these 2 and find any jobs that's available out there?

The above are just some breif introductions...there're much more details in them.
But without the concern of tuitions, house living etc. By looking at this big diagram, which path would you pick and why? Please no whoring here as the deadline is coming REAL soon and I'd like to hear some serious advices before I make my final decision...

 

It really depends. Which course you should take would require someone who's in the field to answer.

I'm actually somewhat work in that field as we have contracts with Rogers to supply, integrate, and also support their NLE systems.

Going back to the animation programs available, things you might want to look into is what specific softwares are taught. There's quite a bit of 3D animation software out there. Maya and Softimage XSI is one of them. Both are still going strong as Maya still holds quite a bit of marketshare in the video game character development. However, Softimage is catching up with their aggresive tactics. Characters in games such as Half Life is created in Softimage. The movie Van Hel. used Softimage as well.

If you're wondering what is used for movies such as Shrek, what I can tell is that those are inhouse proprietary software with NO INTERFACE. I was talking to one of the animators that was apart of the team and he told me, boy... you're lucky u're learning XSI... the app I use has no interface.

Hope this helps. I'm really not a animation artist but I was sent to Vegas for exhibitions so I was able to know what was on the market. Later on I was sent to Montreal for a XSI course. You might want to check that training center out. It's called Centre NAD. The teachers/profs there are great.

T

 

Do you know what sector of computer animation? Is it visual effects for movies and tv, scientific visualizations, video games, web design or other? If you do have a specific target discipline, phone/email the companies you want to be hired from. Have a talk with their human resource people. Ask if they recruite from certain schools, are there are prefered courses. Ask what software they use. Ask what they look for in new hires. Some guys want a structured degree, some prefer certain schools/programs, some don't care and look for a kick-ass design portfolio or cult game mod. You might be surprised what employers look for. Most HR people will give you a little time and it is always good to network with people in the "biz" that you're looking to enter. Even try to talk to the instructors and alumni. At least it will give you an idea if the particular school/course is worth your time, money and effort.

For example, if I remember correctly it's Sheridan College that basically feeds the Canadians into Hollywood visual effects. It was/is THE degree to have. Getting another certificate would be a "waste" since the employers look to Sheridan for their crop of talent. Sort of like how Microsoft goes to Waterloo for Computer Science/Engineering.

 

I'm not going to tell you what to do... but I'll tell you this.

I switched from University to College, got the diploma and hands on faster, got work experience and ended up with high paying job with MUCH MUCH smaller dept which I was able to quickly pay off.

Now with a few years work experience it doesn't really matter where I went to school..... For me, college was better.

 

From my experience I think university is a joke.

I completed my electronics engineering technologist diploma at a private electronics school and the curriculum was top notch.

I then completed a bachelor degree at Memorial University. The curriculum was ok but the way it was stretched out was retarded. I had more free time then I knew what to do with. I didn't go to class most of the time since I was better off just reading the text book and going at my own pace since the "class room" pace was too slow.

Anyhow it all comes down to that expensive piece of paper. If only they had the buy the text book, do the test, get the degree option

 

if i am planning to stay in toronto .. then I will go for the 1 yr program

if I am planning to go back to HK/Taiwan .. then I will go for the degree with some part time experience

 

Ok guys, first of all this are both in the same school (Sheridan), just different programs. However, I'd REALLY like to know which University that has good reputations in this specialization (in Toronto).

Both the courses basically covers the same materials, except the 4 years program starts from more basic stuffs to the top, while the computer animation program (expect you ALREADY know your stuffs), plus the working in studios at year 3 and 4.

I'm not sure right now, I'd like to get into gaming industry since I really love gamings. But, if there's any opportunity for jobs that's related to it, I'd try and apply.

 

What seems too long to walk might be a shortcut in life.
Always remember that time is not a factor, it is not an obstacle of life.
But rather, time is a new pathway for one to explore new things and fulfill rewarding challenges.
Do what you desire the most and never let time consume your desires.

 

First off, University is no joke. Yes many people get little from it, but those are likely the people who did not choose wisely and made poor decisions as to what they took.

For your purposes, call the career people at Sheridan and ask them who got what jobs from those two programs and then decide. They will have that info for you.

 

ben,

ryerson is a leading school for the entertainment industry.

almost everyone we know/work with have come from ryerson - technical and non-technical disciplines.

unfortunately, the entertainment industry is on a decline in canada.