Animation Path

[luvsongthatnvrends]

Hey everyone~ My name's Lauryn, I'm new to the site but looking forward to sharing thoughts and ideas with the rest of the disney world!

OK... Back to business. I'm currently attending a community college, but am DYING to know more about the career path I've chosen. I want to be a disney animator soooo bad.

I know there are some people on this site that know so much about the business. I was wondering if ANYONE can help me out with some info?! Who should I talk to? Where do I start? What's the best school to attend? Whats the deal with the walt Disney studios in Burbank, Cali? Can I take a tour? What about the Disney Internship program? Anyone want to be my mentor?????? hahaha, I'm so excited to get started! Anyone's help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks so much! ::love::

[luvsongthatnvrends]

nobody...?

[desertdweller]

Well, I see you are in SoCal and wonder if you've looked at schools?

Cal Arts in Valencia would be my first pick and since it was the brain-child of Walt himself it has a great animation/film department. Disney keeps its eyes on promising talent enrolled there and many have finished and gone on to work for them. Tim Burton is probably one of their most famous alumni.

I believe it's very difficult to gain access to the studio these days and am not aware of any arranged tours of the animation department any longer unless you know people at the studio.

You used to be able to phone your contact, get your name on the guard shack attendant's list and in you went. The last several times I've been there it's been very different and I had to enter through the new parking structure instead of the old entrance on Buena Vista. And, this was prior to 9/11.

Welcome to the boards and good luck with your career choice!

[luvsongthatnvrends]

thanks so much! I was looking at schools but i wanted some recommendations from the insiders. I had no idea Cal Arts in Valencia had so much history! I'll definitely look in them. I dont mind going out of state though, i just want to experience the best and have the best oppurtunities. Thanks again for your help!

[cellarhound]

thanks so much! I was looking at schools but i wanted some recommendations from the insiders. I had no idea Cal Arts in Valencia had so much history! I'll definitely look in them. I dont mind going out of state though, i just want to experience the best and have the best oppurtunities. Thanks again for your help!

I was thinking about this as well... you might want to consider traveling up to the Bay Area... And tour Pixar in Emeryville if you get a chance... I have a feeling that they might be a little more relaxed if you send them an inquiry... Bay Area folk are kinda like that... They might have some suggestions, but I think they are likely to pull talent from Cal Arts as well...

I can't think of any Bay Area Schools that specialize in Animation...

[desertdweller]

I had no idea Cal Arts in Valencia had so much history!

I went to art school at the grand old Chouinard Art Institue that was located in several buildings just west of downtown LA on Grand View back in the '60s. It was a great school and had been located there since the 1920s.

Edith Head was an alumni of it and Walt had strong ties to the school, several top animators taught evening classes when I attended and I believe he served on the board in the early '60s. Around the mid '60s he began talks about opening a new, bigger and better school in Valencia and a fund raising campaign was begun. When Cal Arts opened its doors Chouinard closed theirs and a new era began.

[BigPigletFan]

I want to be a disney animator soooo bad.

Hi Lauryn! <waves> Welcome. I was just curious as to WHAT type of animation you are looking at doing? Computer animation I hope since Disney no longer has 2D animation studios.

As far as schools go I know that M-CAD is great! It's Minneapolis College of Art and Design here in Minnesota. It's also quite expensive. Here is their site if you're interested: http://www.mcad.edu. I know at least one former Disney animator when to school there before he went to work for Disney. Another school that an animator when to was Columbus College of Art and Design and here's their site too: http://www.ccad.edu.

There are internships that Disney does throughout the company. There is the Walt Disney World College Program to start and many options can open after that for internships in other parts of the company and the studios. You can try looking on www.disneycareers.com also.

I know I don't have much but I hope that helps!

[luvsongthatnvrends]

Thanks to everyone! seriously! Im lookin all over the internet now surfin and scanning for the best! Everybit of info helps. As far as the animation goes, I fell in love with the 2D animation and thats what i really wanted to do, but unfortunately there have been some changes with Disney. But Disney animation has had such a special place in my heart for so long, I dont mind learning new things! Thanks again!

[BigPigletFan]

As far as the animation goes, I fell in love with the 2D animation and thats what i really wanted to do, but unfortunately there have been some changes with Disney.

SOME changes. That's an understatement! If they wanted to rebuild they would have to do so many things down to little details such as purchasing desks for the animators again. Have you been to www.dreamonsillydreamer.com? You really should go there. It's a documentary made on the end of 2D animation at Disney. I saw it when it was here in Minnesota-- it was amazing!

[luvsongthatnvrends]

SOME changes. That's an understatement! If they wanted to rebuild they would have to do so many things down to little details such as purchasing desks for the animators again. Have you been to www.dreamonsillydreamer.com? You really should go there. It's a documentary made on the end of 2D animation at Disney. I saw it when it was here in Minnesota-- it was amazing!

ITS COMING TO LA IN A WEEK OR TWO!! TICKETS ARE ONLY 7 DOLLARS!!! IM SO THERE!