I didn’t get in the first time. I was the ‘artist’ out of all my high-school friends and figured I could just meet the minimum requirements for the portfolio submission. The fact that they rejected me back in 2001 and didn’t just take my money solidified the fact that it was going to be a good school.
A Smart High School Teacher
In high school, I was really into drafting and design. I took every course offered on the subject and thought I could become an architect after post secondary school. They also offered a 3D animation class that I took in grade 12; it had all of the design elements that I loved from drafting with the creativity of animation. In the same year, EA came and did a presentation in the school’s theatre. They had a big projector playing SSX and showcased all their new games at the time. I was sold.
You should learn classical animation before you go into 3D, that way you have a foundation to build off of. Anyone can learn computer programs.
I asked my teacher how I could get into animation, and more specifically into games. He had just attended a seminar at Capilano College for their animation program, a place that I hadn’t even considered with all the advertising from VFS and AI (then CDIS). His wise words of wisdom were, “You should learn classical animation before you go into 3D, that way you have a foundation to build off of. Anyone can learn computer programs.”
I then worked on my portfolio, hitting all the minimum requirements and was 47th on the waiting list for the Commercial Animation (2D) program. I wasn’t accepted and was pretty disheartened as I had really wanted to get into Cap. I began to research the other local schools, but the tuition differences were staggering. So instead of giving up on Cap, I took a year off to improve my skills to the necessary level for the program. I attended life drawing classes, and practiced as much as I could in my spare time while working at the restaurant job I had. It paid off; I was accepted the following year and began my studies in 2002.
My Years At Cap
The commercial animation program is an intense 2-year program designed to get you a job. The focus is not so much centered on making a short film as it is at other institutions. Rather the focus is on training you to be well versed in all aspects of animation through separate projects. This isn’t to say you can’t do a short film within the course parameters. The idea of completing a short film is just not focused upon in your projects unless you tailor them to that goal.
It begins with a number of assignments to get you drawing a large volume of material as quickly as possible. The first semester requires juggling Animation, Character Design, Life Drawing, Animation History and Communication for Animation. You ease from a slow start in September to an Olympic run by December. You begin with animating things like flour sacks squashing and stretching and end with a short dance routine with the character of your choice (assignments may have changed since I was there in 2002). It is an excellent way to break into animation, starting with such simple objects to get the basic principles slammed into your brain so you can move on to the fun stuff later. During this period you will also be life drawing at least 6 hours a week with nude models, learning how to design characters, studying the history of animation and sharpening your script writing skills.
This is about the time I took a leave of absence from my part-time job so I could cope with the sheer amount of work I was faced with.
Second semester has you furthering all of the skills you’ve acquired in first semester by doubling your workload. This is about the time I took a leave of absence from my part-time job so I could cope with the sheer amount of work I was faced with. You are bombarded with assignments in all classes (Animation, Design, Layout, Anatomy, Life drawing). It is a lot of work, but it prepares you extremely well for the pressure you will face in the industry once you’re done school. I wish I still had copies of the drawings from before first semester to the end of second semester; it’s unbelievable how quickly you will grow when surrounded by highly skilled artists.
The second year is a further refinement of the first year. You begin taking what you know and applying it to large, fully rendered layouts, animation with multiple characters, and full character packs. You’ll be working even harder than you did in the first year because the Gradshow is looming in April. During the second year, there are also guest speakers that will come in and provide lectures for the class (we had Mike D’isa from Disney). You also have the opportunity to do work experience for one week. I worked at Atomic for that week, and later ended up as an animator there working on Atomic Betty and Captain Flamingo.
Third year is an optional Digital Animation program. I say optional because you have the option to take it as a third year, or as a standalone course. I took this program a few years after I had completed the Commercial Animation program and worked in the industry. Because I had 3 1/2 years of industry experience going into Digital, it had a much different feel from the Commercial program.
It was also an intense 8 months of long days and late nights, but this time in front of a computer. I’d highly recommend knowing your area of focus (Modeling, Rigging, Animation, Environments, etc.) before starting the course to get the most out of it. Because it is only 8 months, you really have to know what you want out of the program before you get there. I wanted to be an animator and focused predominantly on assignments that would bring me closer to that goal. You will be presented with assignments in all of the three major software packages: Softimage XSI, Maya, and 3D Studio Max. It is a fantastic course that teaches you everything you need to know to get started in the industry.
It’s great to have these people come in because they are quite honest about what they think of your work.
It would help to be somewhat computer savvy so you can familiarize yourself with the programs quickly, enabling you to focus on the creative side of the projects more efficiently. Again, they often had guest speakers throughout the year to keep us inspired. Last year, some speakers from Propaganda Games, Big Sandwich Games, Blue Castle Games (my current employer) and Radical visited our class. It’s great to have these people come in because they are quite honest about what they think of your work. Some may even give you contact information if they think you could be part of their team in the future.
All of this leads up to the Gradshow. The Gradshow is in itself a crazy experience: you and your fellow classmates will prepare all of your best artwork and animation for public and industry consumption. During industry night, many of the animation studios from town come out with their recruiters and review the portfolios the students have set up at their booths. Numerous students have been recruited during industry night and many a few days after. At both Gradshows I’ve participated in, I’ve obtained work within days from the contacts I’ve made.
There’s also a public day, where friends and family can come in after months of build-up to see your art work. All are welcome, and it’s a good chance to relax before the pending job hunt, unless that is, you were fortunate enough to get a job the night before!
What I Got From It
After completing the Capilano Animation program the whole way through, I can safely say it is a fantastic program. I wouldn’t have come back after 3 1/2 years and taken the Digital Animation program if it wasn’t a good institution. It was a great experience where my artistic skills grew beyond what I thought was possible and opened up new doors that I didn’t even know existed.
Both times I graduated; I was working within weeks, if not days.
As I previously mentioned, I wanted to get into 3D right off the bat and didn’t even consider going into commercial animation. I’m glad I did, because I ended up working in commercial animation for 3 1/2 years and have had some very positive experiences working in the industry. Both times I graduated; I was working within weeks, if not days. Many of my classmates from both grad classes have been working consistently since we graduated.
Another great thing that has come from the program is the friends I’ve made. I keep in contact with most of my 2D and 3D grad classmates and frequently work and hang out with them. If you’re looking for a place that will give you a great foundation for you to start your career in the animation/film/video game industry, I can’t recommend Capilano enough.
If you’ve read this and are interested in looking into animation programs at Cap, check out the www.gradshow.com website.
And if you’re interested in seeing my work, check out my blog at steveCtheanimator.blogspot.com.
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Hello Steve,
Can I have your email address? (or you can email me to jayuinhan@yahoo.com and then I can email you) I’d like to ask some of questions about Capilano programs and your opinion.
thanks
chris