Learn Maya at CalArts or Gnomon?

[vemiermark4]

I have be accepted to Califorina Insitute of the Arts, to complete a BFA in experimental animation. I visited CalArts and then went to Gnomon to compare the schools. I was a little dissapointed with the labs at CalAtrts, they were running older SGI's and I was told by the dept. secretary that students mostly use it as a render farm. I then went to Gnomon to compare, and was impressed by their setup.

Some background on me...
I am a traditional artist that has been painting and drawning since I was 3yrs old. I paint in oils and like to create surealistic landscapes and some characters. (lots of paintings of space and other worlds) I work with pencil and pen as well. I have my own workstation with maya on it.

My goal is to work in the industry, both in games and film, wherever I can express my passion for creativity best. I might want to get into film direction further down the road, but right now working in CG is my goal.

So do I stay three years at CalArts to complete my BFA (transfering from a junior college), or go to Gnomon. I know completing trainning at Gnomon is a ticket to getting a job in the industry, but is CalArts as respectable as the used to be? I know some big names graduated their, but that was the pre Toy Story era, are they still on top?

I know that this is not exactly maya general post, but I need advice from professionals who have worked in the industry. I know the old saying the demo is the most important thing not degree, but I want to be able to grow within the industry. I also want my demo reel to be seen not just dump in a stack with other reels of people who don't hold BFA.

Any advice would be helpful, I start school in fall and need to know if I should stay at CalArts or apply to Gnomon?

Thanks in advance.

-Jose

[gmask]

It is definately the demo that will get you the job you want. A degree is nice to have but going to a particular school will not in and of itself take you were you want to go. If anything you should look at the requirements of job listings that are out there and make sure your portfolio demostrates those techniques. A fine arts portfolio is very valuable.. character designs and storyboards are good examples to have.

You should go to the school that you think will give you the best training in Maya not wether it's well known or has the best machines. Neither of those examples are very indicative of how good the training will be. Are the teachers industry professionals?.. what does their work look like? How hard are you going to work outside of the classroom? Could you teach yourself?

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[ghetto-robo]

Traditional art traning will give you most bang for the buck in the long run. Calarts is a good school along with Art center, RISD and Chicago institute of arts. Remember that CG is art. Being a good artist is your first priority, and being a good software operator your second.
Having said that, Gnomon's a good school to learn maya and I'll probably take some classes there in the future.
Just my two cents.

[twedzel]

first off take a look at yourself HONESTLY, and ask yourself how are your skills artistically. If you feel that you have strong foundation artistic skills (compared to industry proffesionals, remeber this will be your competition and it is a commercial industry and needing commercial skills). If you feel your foundation skills for whatever it is you want to do are up to snuff and you just want to learn the program, then a technical school is for you. If you need to work on foundations, then Cal arts is more your route, but keep in mind the equipment and quality of teaching (in regards to the CG programs themselves) are probably not as good as at the technical school.

[vemiermark4]

I thank all of you for your input.

Yes I know that being a good artist is what sorts out the good from the great. I do feel that artisticly I am very strong. Yes, I can always improve on my work, I don't think that any work is truly finished. That said, I am a self taught artist, and learn best from trial and error.

I just don't want CalArts to be a 20,000 dollar a year studio space. The list of faculty is impressive, but how does one learn "experimental animation". Isn't the point of experimental to experiment?

I have never learned art in a formal setting. Has any one had any experince learning art in a college setting? What about Gnomon?

The only thing that I know I need to work on artisticly is animation.

But I know that Gnomon covers some animation.

Thanks all, I appreciate all the responses.

-Jose

[ghetto-robo]

Being surrounded by artists, eating, living and working with them is a experience in itself that you can't put price on. I think it's something you can only get from formal art schools.
It sounds like you got your mind set on gnomon, so go for it. it'll be worth your while, though it is rather pricey.
School is an experience. you can learn samething at home, by yourself, probably, but you'll miss out on other things like school life. if you don't care, go to a technical school, or you can also teach yourself with books and videos.(probably cheaper)
Just my two cents....