tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1631896593715329732.post2909323126455871877..comments2017-11-12T18:46:53.612-08:00Comments on Kinematica: Digital Animation and Film Journal: Rex Darthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09942080800794306417noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1631896593715329732.post-33377145430037146622007-11-03T07:59:00.000-07:002007-11-03T07:59:00.000-07:00The main problem is the people that are good teach...The main problem is the people that are good teachers are being treated like shit! They have let go so many good INDUSTRY trained people that do not have a degree go.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1631896593715329732.post-15819911285309950302007-07-07T12:57:00.000-07:002007-07-07T12:57:00.000-07:00Well its been a good two months since the last com...Well its been a good two months since the last comment on this board, but I thought I would chime in as a fairly new Animationmentor student.<BR/><BR/>I'll tell you why I chose this program, and why I left my previous school where I was earning an MFA in Animation and was (according to my professors) at the top of my class.<BR/><BR/>The bottom line for me is that I get the training I need as an Animator. At my previous school, they took the generalist route. While I believe some people benefit from this type of schooling, it takes a lot of focus to be able to pick and choose what you want to do within the degree and curriculum. Unfortunately, I dont have that type of focus. I had always wanted to be a character animator and when other options were thrown my way (modeling, rigging, lighting) I quickly lost sight of my original intent. All the more frustrating was that I knew I wouldn't be happy as a modeler, rigger, or lighter, but I was still considering them for fear that I would not have the kind of reel that would make me a desirable candidate for an entry level position in animation. Basically, I was settling for something which was exactly the opposite of what I had wanted in the first place.<BR/><BR/>I still have friends in the MFA, and while the degree IS in Animation, most of my friends have given up on LEARNING animation. They know about Animationmentor but I think they are old enough to make their own decisions, most of them acknowledge that animation was never their strength anyway.<BR/><BR/>So here I was in an MFA class with the majority of my colleagues second guessing their decision to go to this school. We complained and demanded that things change, nothing was being done to improve the situation. Morale was low and my debt was swelling. We pitched our ideas for the thesis project but critique was minimal. Nobody called us on our concepts, our character designs or our approach. I was told that my ideas and my work were setting the bar! I knew then and there that this was not the program I thought it was. I needed the discipline, and the push. I needed someone to tear my stuff apart and tell me what I needed to improve, but the kind of feedback I was starving for was not even on the menu. I dont care what anybody says, as soon as you become complacent about your own work, as soon as you feel that you deserve the praise, you most likely do not. That is when I decided to re-evaluate my priorities. I knew about Animationmentor through their newsletters. I decided to check them out even though I was about a quarter of the way done with the MFA.<BR/><BR/>All this time I had been consulting a friend of mine who was working at ILM. He put it to me bluntly: <BR/><BR/>"Recruiters in the Industry don't give a rats ass about the degree you get. They don't even care if you know how to use Maya, they don't care if your reel is in 2D or 3D (for those who have said AM is only a 3D program, this is not true. The majority of the program is in 3D but they encourage you to use any medium you want). If you know how to animate that is all that matters. Now tell me, do you want to train for your first job in the industry or your last?"<BR/><BR/>He put me in contact with one of the founders of the program, and I met a couple of animators who were working at ILM who graduated from the program. This was their first job. Of course every program has its flaws and they acknowledged that, but they also said that they had never experienced a learning environment were constant improvement both of the students work and of the curriculum were held to such a high degree of quality. Basically, I was convinced and I withdrew from the MFA immediately. To my surprise, the director of the program also expressed frustration at the MFA and told me that they intended to apply as a mentor at AM in the near future.<BR/><BR/>So I am now a quarter into the program and its been tough! Critiques are constant and direct. If something looks like crap, they tell you in front of your classmates... I love it. This is what I needed.<BR/><BR/>This doesn't mean that it's for everybody. If Sheridan is offering you what you need then more power to you! If however, you feel that it is lacking, you have every right as a paying student to demand that they get their act together. I don't know a thing about this school. I am sure there are some quality projects being produced there. Regardless, animation is not about loyalty to any particular institution who is teaching it. Your loyalty should be towards the art of animation and the constant improvement of your skills as an animator. After all, the school wont be hiring you, the school doesn't owe you anything but a quality education/training. It is all up to YOU!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1631896593715329732.post-45924701618647123852007-05-18T19:50:00.000-07:002007-05-18T19:50:00.000-07:00"To the anonymous person who decided they had the ..."To the anonymous person who decided they had the right to critique Cook's art, I think you are being very ignorant or closed minded. Are you even in the animation field?"<BR/><BR/>Yes. For many years. (Over 20, in fact.) And you are a third year student, talking out of callow youth. In five years, you'll realize just how stupid your comments are. And nobody cares what a third year student thinks, much as you may think otherwise, because you don't know what you're talking about.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1631896593715329732.post-40372574118191484572007-05-09T20:38:00.000-07:002007-05-09T20:38:00.000-07:00In the 4th year's defense, I'd also just like to s...In the 4th year's defense, I'd also just like to say that some of the industry reps were also guilty of the "no eye-contact" thing. <BR/><BR/>Allow me to list a few examples:<BR/>- three Japanese representatives from Koei Canada didn't speak much English and were somewhat uncomfortable in a casual conversation<BR/>- one guy from Helix didn't sleep for 24 hours prior to the screening and couldn't focus much at all<BR/>- another from Smiley Guy was completely smashed when he was talking to me.<BR/><BR/>A good majority of the reps I've talked to were visibly exhausted. Two to three hours in the screening without intermission would understandably be hell on anyone's nerves, which also explained why most of the reps made a bee line to the open bar before glancing over student work and talking to students prior to interviews the next morning.<BR/><BR/>On another note...<BR/> <BR/>Yes, there were a lot of films and student content to go through during and after Industry day. And if no one found a "ready-made-for-hire" student, then that just means it's time to move on somewhere else to find employees.<BR/><BR/>People in and out of the industry can say whatever they like about Sheridan's animation degree. Industry reps could even try to threaten boycotting Sheridan's Industry day to get them to clean up their act or even send in their own staff to train potential employees. The bottom line is that the Sheridan students have as much a right to complain about their program, but really, there's only so much anyone could take of agonizing over it every day. It's just not healthy.<BR/><BR/>Would anyone agree if it could be considered a professional attitude to try to plow through the program the best we can? It's not like that same kind of mentality couldn't be applied in an actual working environment where students are able to capitalize and adapt their best skills to meet studio/client expectations. <BR/><BR/>Anyone can learn more about something they're doing the more they do it. Talent is an especially great thing to have, but a strong work ethic is also a vital asset.<BR/><BR/>While I'm sure there are a whole bunch students would like to be hired for a job, I believe all of them really wanted to hear what else they could work on to improve their skills. It's not often you have the opportunity to meet qualified professionals who might give you some helpful advice.<BR/><BR/>As a grad student, I'd just like to say the best part about Sheridan was being able to meet many other talented artists and grow with them. They have every right to explore how far they can take their own work on their own if they choose to do so. The only way the industry can impose their own standards on students is if there are those who aspire to be a part of it.<BR/><BR/>On the other hand, if an artist has a distinctive and appealing visual and storytelling style from independent film projects the industry could use, bonus!<BR/><BR/>But still, I think nothing beats a labour of love you've committed to by yourself or with a whole bunch of like-minded people. While money issue usually changes and complicates many things in the industry, the future of animation shouldn't always be decided by what certain people think the audience want to see. <BR/><BR/>So long as people had fun making animated films, anything is worth the trouble even if it means living in a cardboard box the rest of your life. Or at least that's what I like to think. It's kinda heartbreaking to think of animation as a job you might hate.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00266529048913894329noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1631896593715329732.post-18666719022735728302007-05-09T19:57:00.000-07:002007-05-09T19:57:00.000-07:00This was under my skin since before I ever got int...This was under my skin since before I ever got into this school. It's logical to be offended if you go there now. The important thing is not to take this too harshly, because I really don't believe its meant to be. <BR/>Some things said were definetely specific and harsh, but the world isn't sugar and candy....<BR/>I am glad and sad this was put out there, but there is a lot of truth behind it, offensive or not. Learn from other peoples failures, educate yourself and dont rely completely on teachers. Strive for the best, isnt that what matters?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1631896593715329732.post-29685955038796413242007-05-09T15:01:00.000-07:002007-05-09T15:01:00.000-07:00I'm not critiquing anyones work. This war could g...I'm not critiquing anyones work. This war could go on and on as we all can see there are two sides. <BR/><BR/>I will add something, that someone wrote:<BR/><BR/>"Drawing can't be taught over night, or from a text book"<BR/><BR/>This I disagree with you can teach yourself how to draw from a book if you want, as I have and seen others as well who NEVER went to Sheridan or any school for that matter. <BR/><BR/>There is still a stigma that if you come out of "Sheridan" you are someone that, that company\studio should consider and others are put to the side of the road because they didn't learn the "Sheridan way" Yet still people do make it into the field without "Sheridan" behind them and I can't give them enough Kudos !!!<BR/><BR/>Yes, I know some in the past have come out of Sheridan and where good, but I am speaking post (prior) 2000. It is more and more common for people to "gloat" that they are in school and what they are "studying" then ever before, it is also common for lots of people\students not to know really what they want to do in life. One minute it's lawyer, the next it's animator, then who knows manager this is why, as someone wrote there are people who don't complete things etc etc. <BR/><BR/>We all want the best. We all have our own journey we are taking.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1631896593715329732.post-83132431231067864182007-05-09T12:16:00.000-07:002007-05-09T12:16:00.000-07:00Between 24-28 years of age, these Dreamworks emplo...Between 24-28 years of age, these Dreamworks employees.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1631896593715329732.post-88498409400944711062007-05-09T11:49:00.000-07:002007-05-09T11:49:00.000-07:00How old are these people be deported ? For many ye...How old are these people be deported ? <BR/>For many years I have been doing labour work while working on my skills, they are now not at a "super" level but I feel confortable and know that now I can advanced. No school, just self taught. Then again people like me don't get enough respect as we should, while the kids exsiting Sheridan get all the attention (some are cocky might I add) just because they went to "Sheridan". <BR/><BR/>IMO Sheridan is over rated. If I where to endorse a school it would be animation mentor -period-Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1631896593715329732.post-33327838328622416022007-05-09T11:44:00.000-07:002007-05-09T11:44:00.000-07:00Hello, I'm starting third year animation this Sept...Hello, I'm starting third year animation this September at Sheridan.<BR/>To the anonymous person who decided they had the right to critique Cook's art, I think you are being very ignorant or closed minded. Are you even in the animation field?<BR/>Although I have never met Cook personally, Cook's art has been exampled in our classes continuously. I have seen the structure you ask for, his work and commitment to animation is inspiring. As for his illustrative drawings... think about this for a second. How many cartoons on tv today are rounded disney-esque drawings? I completely agree that rough toon and the other artists you linked to are amazing, but they all share the same style. Most Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network cartoons (Like Fairly Odd Parents, el tigre, Foster's ect) don't feature rounded 3 dimensional characters, but these are extremely successful cartoons. Also, keep in mind that this is an age of Flash cartoons and flat stylized designs suit flash well. Not to say this flat style isn't as good as rounded, it can be just as good at creating life as disney animation can. <BR/>Anonymous, I suggest you broaden your preferred style or you'll never last in the animation world. <BR/>Secondly, I do not believe that Sheridan is solely to blame for the unsuccessful individuals or groups this year. We have some of the most amazing teachers here, Peter Emslie, Mark Mayerson... they are only given a couple hours to teach us what they can but no teacher has ever turned me down when I asked for extra help after class hours. As a result, I KNOW my animation and drawing skills have improved dramatically, and I have had my portfolio reviewed by various studios all with excellent results. I have seen the students who are less successful in this program and complain about it, but I have also noticed that they are the ones who do not turn up for class or hand in assignments on time. I have seen animation examples from years and years ago, when "Sheridan was better" but remember that during these times there were half the students there are in the program now, so come admission time, only the best of the best were selected for the program. Now we have a hundred students and they can't all be those thirty super committed passionate students that beat the rest, but I strongly believe we still have at least the same amount of committed successful students that we did in the past. Sadly their work is lost in an ocean of irresponsible work.<BR/>Drawing can't be taught over night, or from a text book, so before you bash the program or the teachers, evaluate the student’s effort. There are students who don’t come to classes, don’t do assignments (especially if they aren’t mandatory), don’t go to extra life-drawing- but the students who do seem very successful. All teachers know that you can’t teach a student who does not want to put in the effort in to learn.<BR/>Finally, I do admit that the administration in our program has been horrible. Really though, can an ugly building keep us from doing successful animation? If you already put $7000 into the program, why can’t you go buy your own line tester if some are broken? Sure they didn’t give us the stop-motion studio they said they would (yet) but the students who did stop motion made very beautiful films because Sheridan arranged another studio for them and they put there all into it. To the students who do not put an honest effort into our course, learn some responsibility- you’re giving the rest of us a bad reputation. And to those that worked hard- thank you. It’s sad that some people are too judgemental, closed minded, and focused on the group rather than the individual to see your hard work, commitment, and beautiful end product.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1631896593715329732.post-53824977955279230662007-05-09T07:01:00.000-07:002007-05-09T07:01:00.000-07:00"Nor will it help you to get into the states to wo..."Nor will it help you to get into the states to work. Infact, technically I didn't even graduate from the school I went to and I'm still working as a character animator."<BR/><BR/>Interesting you should say this. There's currently a handful of animators from Dreamworks here in Canada working on getting their degrees as they were deported and asked to get degrees so that the company would be able to bring them back into the country.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1631896593715329732.post-17218967201147839772007-05-08T21:22:00.000-07:002007-05-08T21:22:00.000-07:00To the latest anonymous commenters,I agree that Ni...To the latest anonymous commenters,<BR/><BR/>I agree that Nick's main point is about character animation. I don't particularly agree with the claim that there are no good animators in this graduating class at Sheridan, but I definitely did see an emphasis on design in this year's films. Because of this, I can see someone definitely thinking that there are less than competent animators in the program, however, if you were to check out the demo reels of those students wishing to pursue character animation, and not just the films on their own, I think that would paint a different picture of the strength of animation of the graduating students. Even moreso, I can see someone who is looking for 3D animators would be even less happy with the screening - I believe 13 out of the 70 films were in 3D, so the films to pick from were fewer, however, I don't think the quality of those films were any different than the 2D stuff. I don't think the ratio of good animators is any different from any other school, AnimationMentor included. More importantly, I don't think 3D is a focus at Sheridan, unless the student wants it to be - it's purely one course of many in the curriculum. Then again, I don't think character animation is a focus at Sheridan, unless the student wants it to be as well, and those who do focus on it, I believe, are very capable at it indeed. But I digress, since this is just my opinion.<BR/><BR/>I do also think that while the main point of discussion here is obviously now character animation, Nick's original post does indeed comment on the other aspects of the films other than animation:<BR/><BR/>"I was looking for animation basics. Acting basics. Any basics."<BR/><BR/>"what we got were orgies of runaway production design, the odd cubist abstraction [...]"<BR/><BR/>"My advice to art students seeking an animation career: Skip Sheridan for the time being, or until they get their act together. Save your thousands of dollars, skip the BA, and do distance learning through Animation Mentor instead. (www.animationmentor.com) In the past few months, my studio's been hiring AM students based on the strength of unrendered animation exercises they've completed. These are literally students who haven't even started their final projects yet. But AM is strict, no-nonsense, and teaching the fundamentals. Sheridan it would appear, is not. Perhaps it's Sheridan's recent push toward 'academic' animation, and the initiation of the Bachelor's program, that ensures only those with master's degrees can teach animation. Away from the skills, into the beauraucracy. Away from concrete accomplishment, into the useless company of educational beauracrats on the state dole. Teachers with art degrees who can't hold industry jobs are training Sheridan's next generation. And to see Sheridan's student output, the resemblance between student and master is indeed uncanny."<BR/><BR/>Of course, Nick was looking for 3D character animators and likely not completely interested in the other aspects of the films. However, 'animation career' to me seems to imply any career within the animation industry, not just a character animator, and I think this is where people are crying foul. The first two quotes definitely point to problems other than character animation, but especially the second.<BR/><BR/>However, my defense comes mainly because there seems to be a sentiment of 'unhirable students' en masse, when in fact these artists are very capable in disciplines if you aren't only looking for character animators. Nick seems to be claiming that there is no valuable information at all to be learned from Sheridan (as the terms "runaway production design" and lack of "any basics" seems to assert), and therefore skip and head elsewhere. Again, if my interpretation of his words are wrong, and he is only purely talking about character animation, then we have a completely different discussion. It's hard to tell with all the anonymous comments, but I believe Nick does eventually assert that there is 'interesting filmmaking, design and conceptual' work in the films, but that's not really a retraction of his advice to skip Sheridan.<BR/><BR/>And to make some points clear, a masters degree in animation is only required if you are teaching full time in a Bachelor program. The large majority of the teachers are part-time teachers who do not, indeed, have a degree at all (masters, bachelors, anything). Sheridan's decision, to my understanding, in making the program a B.A. was indeed to make us more competitive with the american market, where Sheridan's direct competitors such as Calarts are offering B.A's and B.F.A's in Animation. I believe this is particularly advantageous to the foreign students coming to Sheridan who do not have Canadian citizenship. I myself have heard of one occasion where a degree would have made the legal difference that an American studio would need to hire a foreign student into their studio.<BR/><BR/>And why the Sheridan website doesn't seem to show any films like Gobelins and Calarts does, is anyone's guess. I would like to see them up there, front and center, like every other school. Much of the artwork featured on the site is from quite a few years ago.<BR/><BR/>Also, I think the attack on the teachers abilities is unwarranted. Yes, there are good and bad teachers, like there are anywhere, and much of this perception is just my opinion of them - others may find teachers I do not like exceptional, and vice versa. However, no matter how good the instruction, it's up to the individual student to learn. So blaming a bunch of teachers for a bad crop of students isn't exactly the most intelligent thing to do, since a student can reject the advice of a good teacher, just like a student can take the advice from a bad teacher. I think we should, then, just focus on the students, whose work I think can stand on its own. I mention this because I can think of quite a few teachers who try to hammer the fundamentals of animation, straight from the mouths of the Nine Old Men, onto Sheridan students. To say that they don't teach the basics is pretty inaccurate. Whether or not students actually learn the basics, and whether or not the teachers teach enough to become seasoned character animators is a tougher question. Then again, Frank and Ollie themselves claimed that it took 6 years to become 'at all capable' with the medium of animation, and that was referring to students right under their tutelage, the best (and notably most discerning) that have probably ever lived. Do I think then, that Sheridan students are well on their way to this? Personally I do, but then again, this is just my opinion.<BR/><BR/>And no, I do not keep commenting simply because of an "I can't take criticism" mindset. I think this is a worthwhile debate that can only be continued with more, intelligent debate. I believe more than anyone that discussions like this can be constructive and hope that it will continue to be, without attacking people's individual skills, involving opinion, and general name-calling.Cookedarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16516071831717511595noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1631896593715329732.post-48622310688128038002007-05-08T20:22:00.000-07:002007-05-08T20:22:00.000-07:00Ok i see what you mean the character animation was...Ok i see what you mean the character animation was lacking, not necessarily that people suck. Maybe people (me included) misunderstood it and took it as a stab toward sheridan students. That being said, it didn't so much affect me since I am not in any of those years, but I am an aspiring CG artist and i stay up day and night to master character modeling and although I want to specialise in character modeling/texturing I also want to learn good rigging and animation. My question is what were some of the problems that you have noticed so that the rest of us going into those years will be aware of so we don't fall into the same mistakes. If you have a little time to explain, even if not in great detail just over all what was wrong with the character animation we should be avoiding? Please and thanks.Cristian Camaroschihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11343259423818078301noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1631896593715329732.post-15939014227547064862007-05-08T13:30:00.000-07:002007-05-08T13:30:00.000-07:00The argument is not whether or not any of the curr...The argument is not whether or not any of the current graduating students from sheridan are compitent artists or not. It is about how many of them are compitent at character animation. and Aparently only a small handful are. I don't know why those who are aspiring to get into other fields of animation are reacting adversly to his blog post when he is clearly not addressing your skills. He is simply looking for character animators. If you chose not to focus on character animation, then none of his comments applies to you. He was adressing those who aspire to be character animators, not design, or layout, or boards, or musicians, or directing. Just character animation.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1631896593715329732.post-27945261615372290972007-05-08T13:23:00.000-07:002007-05-08T13:23:00.000-07:00I don't understand what the big argument is to be ...I don't understand what the big argument is to be honest. Personally I believe Sheridan is using their previous reputation as a crutch and forgetting that a BA will not help you get a job. Nor will it help you to get into the states to work. Infact, technically I didn't even graduate from the school I went to and I'm still working as a character animator. I think the main point of the blog is CHARACTER ANIMATION!!!! it's a yes and no situation, but all of the disgruntled responses seem to be addressing other issues. CHARACTER ANIMATION!!!! Is what he is saying was not evident in their work.<BR/><BR/>I was at the Ottawa animation festival a couple of years back, where they debuted the Ryan Film done at Seneca College, and I took a look at the student reel myself. I was sorely disappointed by the level of quality the school had showcased on their reel. I saw a range of things from Japanese Anime to stick figures. It was pretty pathetic considering the reputation the school has.<BR/><BR/>A little word of advice from someone fairly new to the industry (I've been working for just a little over a year now). This is a creative industry, and as a creator, you have to ready to accept criticism in all of its forms, from the constructive, to the destructive. For example I thought Pixar's last movie was borderline garbage, and certainly not up to the calibre they are reputable for producing. But Pixar doesn't go on the offensive when they hear bad reviews and try to squash any criticism they feel is un justified.<BR/><BR/>Lastly, please read what he's saying in regards to your work. At no point in this blog did he say that you were a bunch of talentless bums, he clearly is talking about your skills as character animators, and how Sheridan students seem to be lacking the skills as a CHARACTER ANIMATOR. Clearly he has no interest in your story telling abilites beyond character animation. As animators the story is NOT UP TO YOU! Remeber you are the last step in production, when you touch the work the story is set, the shots are set, the characters are designed, you do NOTHING but animate the characters.<BR/><BR/>Remember when you do start looking for a job, your creativity will be stifled at your job because you are now doing someone elses work, they are telling you what to do, how to do it, what it should look like and how it should feel, whether to use snappy WB animator or soft floating Disney animation. Essentially you become a button pusher, and the whole point is YOU BETTER BE GOOD AT PUSHING THOSE BUTTONS. You have very little creative input. And what those studios are looking for is not wonderfully creative ideas that will change the world of animation and entertainment, they're looking for people who can animate characters!<BR/><BR/>Animation is a business just like any other. It revolves around MONEY. Studios want to make MONEY! You may think that this industry is great coz you can wear jogging pants and T-Shirts to work but remember the guys in business suits are still making the decisions and signing your paycheques. So get used to the beauracratic garbage of business because it is very evident in all productions!<BR/><BR/>Making money is the most important aspect of this industry. If no one made money, there would be no market for this industry.<BR/><BR/>If you can't handle the criticism in this blog you ceertainly are not ready for the "Real" world experience of being an animator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1631896593715329732.post-81762429527252032062007-05-07T23:49:00.000-07:002007-05-07T23:49:00.000-07:00Well I read your article and I must say that I am ...Well I read your article and I must say that I am surprised....well to a certain extent. I saw a few animations that I was impressed by, and a few that did not appeal to me in the least, however beauty is in the eye of the beholder in my opinion. I see this had a lot of talk about CG and you were not too impressed with it. You have said that not a lot of talent in the 4th or post-year were too impressive. I have just finished my 1st of 4 years at Sheridan and wanted not so much as to prove you wrong but to change your mind about Sheridan students. I do some CG work and used to do basic stuff but recently worked a lot on character modeling. While what I learned was not with the help of Sheridan, since we do not do 3D work in 1st year, I want to show you that there are students at Sheridan that can handle digital tools well and I can only imagine what my work will look like after few more years. I am not making an attempt to get a job so you don't have to worry I have 3yrs of ahead of me still, I just would like to show you that there are things to look forward coming out of Sheridan in the up coming years. Here is my blog if you have time and you please check it out, it might make you feel a little different about Sheridan students, and if not then sorry if I wasted your time. http://cristiancamaroschi.blogspot.com/Cristian Camaroschihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11343259423818078301noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1631896593715329732.post-15838599775590187212007-05-07T20:38:00.000-07:002007-05-07T20:38:00.000-07:00I have read the article on Sheridan college animat...I have read the article on Sheridan college animation program. I hear about it all the time, If I say to someone I do animation they typically will respond with "you went to Sheridan?" This is what is my beef. I have not gone to any school yet self-taught myself very well. I do admit I have some more learning to do but most of us could say this for alot of things including animation. Why must there be such a emphesis on whether you came out of a school and by that I mean a school like Sheridan or some other school. There are lots of talented people out there who are finding it hard to break into the field who don't have school behind them. As for the article as you can tell I back up the writter and his comments one-hundred-percent. Although I must add why the writter has to visit Sheridan for rookies and can't try outsiders ?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1631896593715329732.post-79893273806557344072007-05-07T17:51:00.000-07:002007-05-07T17:51:00.000-07:00From where I stand, Alan has been rather modest in...From where I stand, Alan has been rather modest in the above posts regarding his own abilities. Mostly, he has been presenting a fair case in defence of Sheridan, which I consider rather admirable on his part.<BR/><BR/>And furthermore Mr. Skye...<BR/><BR/>"The reality is you do indeed have a tendency to talk about things you know nothing about, and that sometimes sets people off" said the Pot to the Kettle: (Check out the link below, dear readers. Should be a good year for the roses...)<BR/><BR/>http://www.skycron.com/corp/about/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1631896593715329732.post-90297349800913441002007-05-07T17:07:00.000-07:002007-05-07T17:07:00.000-07:00Emily Carr it seems is not much better.Hi, I am go...Emily Carr it seems is not much better.<BR/><BR/>Hi, I am going into 4th year at Emily Carr in animation with a focus on 3D. I can certainly sympathize with many of my friends and colleagues over at Sheridan. Although I can't speak for your school, I can certainly say that our 3D animation program is turning out to be an excercise in futility and dysfuncationality.<BR/><BR/>The 2D programme here seems to be pretty good with Martin Rose and Marilyn Chernenko leading the charge, however as a 3D guy, I have intentionally avoided 2D so I can learn all the complexities of the software that is used today as they are becoming so complex that it takes the better part of a full time year to get somewhat up to speed to begin to produce anything of quality.<BR/><BR/>Like the comments made about the 20% of the grad class being somewhat employable...sounds alot like the Emily Carr grad films too. I viewed them and with the exception of a few, a majority were all mediocre.<BR/><BR/>The problem here at our school is that we have a lack of a focused cirriculum that is designed to focus all the students on animation. Instead we are immersed in classes that are as useless as one can imagine. We are forced to take classes about contemporary art and other art history classes that really take us away from producing our work. It would be different the classes would be complimentary to the overall focus or theme of animation, however it's not. To sum up Emily Carr...our 3D Department Head said to me "If you want to learn technical skills, go to VFS"...it speaks volumnes to the dysfuntionality especially when it comes to teaching something so inherantly technical as 3D....and think...we just built a 5 Million dollar mo-cap lab that undergrads are not allowed to use for another four years unless we get special permission.<BR/><BR/>I don't for a minute think that Emily Carr is not a good school for art, nor do I think that artwork is not important for us as people, but when you are paying to attend a school to learn the art and science of 3D animation, you want to LEARN IT...not discuss the meaning of what learning 3D is.<BR/><BR/>It sounds to me like Sheridan and Emily Carr are in the same boat...I am really sorry for all the students that have really invested all their time, energy, money and sacrifice into thier degree to only have it shot down by people in the industry because it is simply not good enough to be an industry standard. That is a direct reflection on the calibre of instruction. I know after this year, I produced nothing I am proud of simply because of the massive and unfocused workload as was the case in our Animation Research & Development class.<BR/><BR/>Art is important, however at Emily Carr...you don't even touch a software suite in first year. If I did not want my degree so bad, I would certainly say that this whole thing was a massive waste of time and money with the exception of perhaps a couple of classes in XSI and in painting.<BR/><BR/>Anyway...I really throw out the props to all my friends, met and unmet friends sharing this hell called animation and I hope you can at some point, really produce something you can all be really super proud of.<BR/><BR/>All the best.<BR/><BR/>Joe Green<BR/>www.eciad.ca/~jegreenAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1631896593715329732.post-32147387901117129252007-05-07T12:55:00.000-07:002007-05-07T12:55:00.000-07:00Hi Alan,I don't think you really understood my pos...Hi Alan,<BR/><BR/>I don't think you really understood my post. I was pretty clear about it, so I am not convinced of the wisdom of paraphrasing what I just said. (And please don't respond saying "I did get it--" you didn't.)<BR/><BR/>The reality is you do indeed have a tendency to talk about things you know nothing about, and that sometimes sets people off. <BR/><BR/>You also imply a patronizing tone (which, as I mentioned earlier, acknowledged that it may or may not be intentional) when you write articles like these, which is simply going to exacerbate a situation. <BR/><BR/>I noticed you conveniently avoided this issue when I had helpfully pointed it out earlier to perhaps help you see why you were blasted on the internet. <BR/><BR/>It is a very real issue and one you would be well served to adress. It inhibits your ability to affectively communicate, and I don't think that's what your aim is.Skyehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16344092518619465387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1631896593715329732.post-24741669012974095822007-05-07T10:31:00.000-07:002007-05-07T10:31:00.000-07:00So one person over the net didn't like your work A...So one person over the net didn't like your work Alan. Big deal, most of the professors and students in school seem to like your work. And come on, Bielicki held you up as an example, and he's a respected pro. I think I'll have to agree with Cory on this one, is it really worth fighting over it? When you're getting respect from the teachers and student over your artwork, especially having friends like Robin in the industry that appreciates your stuff, isn't that what matters?<BR/><BR/>Any tom, dick or harry always have an opinion over something. Especially on the internet.S. Stephani Soejonohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06736543686467812023noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1631896593715329732.post-71113151546475791222007-05-06T20:30:00.000-07:002007-05-06T20:30:00.000-07:00Again, please read over my comment carefully, but ...Again, please read over my comment carefully, but I never, ever referred to 'my class.' I am in third year. I am referring to the fourth years. I never said 'my class' - hit ctrl+f and type in 'my' and you'll see that I never did.<BR/><BR/>On top of that, with respect to choosing battles, don't you think that if an industry professional claims that Sheridan only turned out 1 hireable graduate, and in defending Sheridan, a person attacks your work, you should defend it?Cookedarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16516071831717511595noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1631896593715329732.post-16806751856163377152007-05-06T12:42:00.000-07:002007-05-06T12:42:00.000-07:00Well, generally, Alan, when you talk about "my cla...Well, generally, Alan, when you talk about "my class", doesn't that, by extension, include you?<BR/><BR/>Besides, why does this eat you so much? Not everybody's gonna like your stuff. That's life. If you're happy with it, great. So why do you feel the need to defend yourself against every person that comes along and challenges you? <BR/><BR/>I speak from experience that if you take umbrage to every person that rips on your character that you'll be very, very tired. Let it go. Pick and choose you battles. It's not worth it.Skyehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16344092518619465387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1631896593715329732.post-11490870875373011432007-05-06T07:21:00.000-07:002007-05-06T07:21:00.000-07:00yeah alan that guy was pretty harsh when he was ta...yeah alan that guy was pretty harsh when he was talking about your stuff.. it's too bad, really. glad you stood up for yourself, your stuff definitely isn't garbage!!<BR/><BR/>cliffclifford chiuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05524853957412108132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1631896593715329732.post-31576660701553301572007-05-05T23:28:00.000-07:002007-05-05T23:28:00.000-07:00My original post is featured in this post as well ...My original post is featured in this post as well as the Nick and Nora's blog, (http://nick-and-nora.blogspot.com/2007/04/thoughts-on-sheridan-animations-hugely.html) which reads:<BR/><BR/>"As a response to the AnimationMentor.com appraisal, not to mention the comments of a lack of usable character animators at Sheridan, you may be right that there are less animation-focused individuals at the school, particularly that you could use in a 3D production. However, AnimationMentor.com focuses only on teaching 3D animation for the entir eduration of its class (which in my mind is why it seems like they're teaching more in less time), whereas Sheridan teaches life drawing, animation, character design, storyboarding, 3D, layout, and painting. Why? Some argue that it's good to be versatile in this industry. Others argue that it's good to be focused and have a focused reel that shows you are good at only one thing (No one wants a jack of all trades and a master of none). I do, however, think that Sheridan has made a situation where people, if they have chose focuses, are elsewhere besides full blown character animation, and while that makes them less employable for your situation, may not be the case with other studios.<BR/><BR/>I think more than anything it will be tell-tale to see how much of this graduating class is indeed hired. If it is a majority, then it is clear that Sheridan is creating employable, industry ready artists. If it is not the majority, then the curriculum needs to be questioned. I for one, think it will be the former, but that has yet to be seen."<BR/><BR/>If anything, this comment says that I feel confident that the class -above me- will get a job, but proof of such can go either way. I stand by my assertion that I never claimed confidence in myself or my year getting a job. This is in no way edited from the original post, I did not nor did the moderator delete any comment that I made. The above is the original comment in its entirety.Cookedarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16516071831717511595noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1631896593715329732.post-87240315269332951822007-05-05T22:34:00.000-07:002007-05-05T22:34:00.000-07:00Not to play the Devil's advocate, Alan, but in you...Not to play the Devil's advocate, Alan, but in your original post, you did say explicitly you felt confident in your class receiving a job, though the post isn't there now -- perhaps it was deleted by the moderator. But I saw it as well; it was among the first responses that I could see.<BR/><BR/>I'll definitely be the first to admit there's lots of vitriol to go around here, though to be fair, you do sometimes talk in a tone that could be construed as "know-it-all", even if it wasn't necessarily your intent.Skyehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16344092518619465387noreply@blogger.com