[zachogilvie]

This is for anyone who is currently attending or has recently graduated from Sheridan. I am looking at taking either illustration or animation next fall. Please share any stories/experiences that may enlighten me or something to that effect.

-thanks

[crazybread]

Hi there

...weeeeell Sheridan was my first choice for computer animation back in 98, but the bastards didn't want to even look at my portfolio. (sorry I hold a grudge against them) , you see back then they needed you to have an illustration degree or 4 years work related experience for you to even be considered. So I went(private)to the International Academy of Design. I enrolled and happened to be with one of the coolest dudes that had the same problem and also got rejected. Now he is one of the head animation Maya teachers at Sheridan and we'v been working in the industry for 3+ years. Anyways things might have changed so I sudgest you talk to him his name is Mike Fabris. He'll tell you how it is. Apparently he turned sheradin arround, its twice as better now. Hope this helps.

[worm]

crazybread : you still need an illustration or animation degree.. i dont understand why people think computer animation doesnt need an an art base..

[Traa_Vuz]

hi ... i was one of the fortunates to actually make it Sheridan's illutrations course in 85 ... so i'm not sure if this still holds true today but i figure it might still be helpful. First off make sure that you do have a well rounded portfolio or else they won't even consider you. They really are specific as to who they choose, and truly ... they want people who have some talent, or understand and can apply the principles of drawing. What to expect ... alot of hard work, and even more late nights trying to keep up with the work they hand out. They put you through hell, and they are unmerciful when it comes to critiquing your art work. The other thing to really expect ... is the fact that they won't kiss your ass. If you go in with attitude ... well i've seen them quickly shoot down alot of those types of people, and reduce them to nothing. They quickly weed out the slackers, and will even tell you straight up that you don't belong there. In the end ... at least 4 or 5 people quit within a few days of the course, some where reduced to tears, and by the end of the year, we were left with a class of 12 people from the original 20 that attented. If your art isn't up to par, they'll let you know immediately. So my suggestion, if you are accepted ... that you definitely be humble, and take everything with a grain of salt, and really work your ass off. The teachers there are basically gonna make your stay there as "real world based" as possible. As far as general atmosphere and curriculum, the illustration course is well rounded ... you are taught every facet of illustration. The first year are the basics of drawing and they also delve into different styles of art. I myself actually enjoyed the anatomy and painting classes. Anyways ... good luck.

[wigin]

I start Classical Animation At Sheridan this september. #1 thing i would suggest is DRAW FROM LIFE. GO TO LIFE DRAWING. IF you suck at life drawing they wont CAre much about you. EVEN IF YOU CAN DRAW KICK ASS CHARACTERS. It is VERY VERY VERY rare that you see students come out of highschool and start in classical animation right away. They receive over 2000 applications a year and Alot of the people who do apply are professionals or students that have graduated from fine arts and VERY VERY talented artist. I would suggest for you to take Art fundamental. SUre its not what you want to do but it gives you the opportunity to get you where you want to be. I had to go throught the fundamaental torture for a year. Even in Fundies teachers make you feel like shit lol. There is no slacking.. If you dont work on youre homwork every night Well you are screwed. Personally i had over 8 hours of homework a day weekends included. I went to extra life drawing sessions at night. And slepted maybe 2 hours if i was lucky =). They dont want slackers of hot heads with an atittude who think they are the best.

This sounds really harsh but its the truth. In classical animation they pick 100 students a year and by the time those 100 students get to third year their is only 30 left. That was the case this year. Either the students were slacking off , had attitude problem , students couldnt take the heat , or personal reasons. Dont expect the teacher to to kiss your ass like Traa mentioned. These teachers will push you to your limit.

Anyways i think all the bad stuff has been said =). Again LIFE DRAWING LIFE DRAWING LIFE DRAWING. I swear that is the frist thing they check. Thats all i worked on last year and I got in. I know people who have tried since they got out of highschool ( 3 years in a row) and still didnt make it in.. simply because the arent up to the life drawing standard they are alooking for. So PLS consider taking art fundamentals and put it on your list of choice when you apply to illustration or animation soo if you dont make it in then you have the art fundies backup plan.

Hope you make it in.. and good luck..

sorry i Cant say much about illustration. But its pretty much the same, LIFE DRAWING!!!!

[ July 11, 2002: Message edited by: wigin ]

[Pixel Soldier]

I graduated from Sheridan's illustration program 2 years ago.

Wigin is right. They love to see life drawing. If you don't have a strong fundamental base of skills, they see no point in trying to help you progress without the basics needed to allow you to succeed.

Polish your portfolio as very best you can. And when you're done, polish it again. If need be, redraw drawings, remake projects, repaint canvases to show your talent. Don't be afraid to push the limits (colour/value/shape/social perceptions). Shock value is important. Use it to your advantage.

Be punctual, and professional in your interview. Most of the faculty at Sheridan look at the school as a corporation, and the students as the employees. You are expected to maintain a certain level of quality, and to present yourself with professionalism and poise both in your art and in your behaviour.

It is a wonderful experience if you make it. When you graduate, you'll know beyond a shadow of a doubt just why Sheridan is so highly acclaimed. You'll be not only a better artist, but a better person for having attended.

I know I probably sound cheesy, but it's warranted. Sheridan is a great school. I wish you all the luck in the world.

Get yourself into a life/figure drawing course immediately!

[RoadMaster]

Hey I'm also trying to get into Sheridan soon, last year of high school. I was just wondering if anyone knew about their new 4 year degree animation course. Is it the same requirements as the old animation courses? From some people I've heard that the portfolios are pre-defined excercises, so old work isn't really considered unless it is in their own list of activities for the portfolio, so I'm not sure if that is still true.

[wigin]

RottoNcherRieS : Do i know you ?

[Texarus]

Ok, after years of lurking I finally registered so I could join this thread
Before I go on I'd just like to say hi to everyone and thank-you for the inspiration I've recieved from lurking on here. I swear my art skills have vastly improved just by merely observing some of the stuff posted here. It's also great to be hanging around a bookstore and come across a book with some of the illustrations in it that I've seen posted here before hand. Thanks again for that and a lot more I won't bore you all with.

Anyways, I have a question for anyone who has been or is in the Sheridan post-secondary Computer Animation program. I will be applying there next year (It'll be nice to be back since I took Art Fundamentals there) and I would like to know what they're looking for to guarantee myself a way in? I planned on going there for years now, but just have to finish this last year of Graphic Design. The problem is that I'm sort of nervous as to what they're looking for since I've heard different things. Some people say you need good grades (which isn't a problem), others say you need a good portfolio (which might be a problem), and the one person that I talked to that's actually taken the program told me these days they're more likely to accept people with some 3D experience (which shouldn't be a problem).

Does anybody know for sure what I should be working on?

[wigin]

My roomate applied for Computer animation.. Anyways DUDE,, im telling you right now.. THEY COULD CARE LESS FOR YOUR GRADES OR YOUR 3D EXPERIENCE. IF your portfolio sucks well they wont let you in because you got good grades in school and did 3d for a shitty ass company for 5 years. PORTFOLIO. Show some of your graphic design work im sure that counts for something.. and SHOW LOTS OF LIFEDRAWING. it might be a computer animation program but its still the foundation. Im not sure if you need to or not but you might have to send in a demo reel. With some animations ( 2d or 3d) and on that real show some life drawing or sketches painting whatever you like. Thats what most classical animation student did to get in.. Also you need to write some kind essay or something stateing why you want to get into computer animation and what can you offer hehe stuff like that =)

[ July 11, 2002: Message edited by: wigin ]

[Dr. Bang]

quote:

---

Originally posted by wigin:
My roomate applied for Computer animation.. Anyways DUDE,, im telling you right now.. THEY COULD CARE LESS FOR YOUR GRADES OR YOUR 3D EXPERIENCE. IF your portfolio sucks well they wont let you in because you got good grades in school and did 3d for a shitty ass company for 5 years. PORTFOLIO. Show some of your graphic design work im sure that counts for something.. and SHOW LOTS OF LIFEDRAWING. it might be a computer animation program but its still the foundation. Im not sure if you need to or not but you might have to send in a demo reel. With some animations ( 2d or 3d) and on that real show some life drawing or sketches painting whatever you like. Thats what most classical animation student did to get in.. Also you need to write some kind essay or something stateing why you want to get into computer animation and what can you offer hehe stuff like that =)

[ July 11, 2002: Message edited by: wigin ]

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Sorry for being off topic, but does this apply to most of the Art school ? Cause i graguated but my average is like D.

[wigin]

im not sure bang =(. I mean if your portfolio is really really good and you got a D average in hs and someone else comes along with a bad porfolio and a A average im pretty sure they would take the guy with the best portfolio.. But on the other hand if 2 guys with equal portfolio's and one of the Guy has a better average then you then i guess they would take the guy with the better grades you know.. But i really cant answer your question.

[Dr. Bang]

i hate you

[Texarus]

I don't know Wigin, I'd think showing them some CG would be more important then a brochure or pamphlet since it IS animation right, and it's not like we do much life drawing in graphic design. We only had to take one semester class of life drawing as a requirement. I can understand grades or 3D stuff not meaning much if you're applying into illustration, but it's not like they do any serious drawing in computer animation, except for maybe a story board to set up some project or concept sketches which in the industry people get specifically hired to do such work.

Either way, I think I'll pay Sheridan a visit soon and find out what they want first hand.

[wigin]

You would be suprise even thought you dont do life drawing computer animation, you still need to know the BASE of it all. Showing that you can properly life draw means you understand , muscles , bones and movement, weight lighting , perspective , ect... If you know this you can basically animate =).. no computer program will make you a good animator. That's why they ask for a 3 year art degree!! They only want the best.

Indeed Showing ANIMATIOn is good to show. I would suggest to do so. But they dont care if its 3d animation or 2d animation. If something is well animated its well animated its the same principals weither its 3d or 2d...

Yeah go take a look a sheridan they might give you better info.. =)

[wigin]

the 4 year animation course was supose to start with my year in september but i guess the deal fell through and it starts next year. Its gonna be the exact same thing just spread through 4 years. Although i heard that when you get to your fourth year you can choose to do 1 year computer animation. Anyways Also for my year i think that by the time i get in third year ill have the choice to do the fourth year..

[wigin]

And for the portfolio.. It always has been predefined exercises... This year you have to submit story boards panels ( they gave you the story) , character posing with a character they give you ( boy or cat) predetermined life drawings ( running pose , sitting pose , aniticipation ) drawings of hands , room drawings ect... you cant just put anything in your porfolio hehe =) Oh and they also ask for extra works of art if you have them. The only catch is that they do not want to see FANTASY or SCIFI ART , CHARACTERS you INVENTED. They would want to see some figure paintings , extra life drawings, drawings of hands....

[ July 11, 2002: Message edited by: wigin ]

[RottoNcherRieS]

Hey guys
I'm another animation student, starting this coming September. Just finished a year of Art fundamentals at Sheridan, so I kind of know my way around the programs. Here are some tips for those of you looking to get in:

Sheridan likes pretty stuff. Not only should your work be good, the way you present it has LOTS of bearing on weather they look at it or just toss it aside. Color, neatness, organization, all that!
Structure structure structure. You’ll be ready to punch someone anytime they say the word, after you get through a decent drawing course.
If you’re an illustrator wannabe, focus more on longer lifedrawing poses. Shadows, depth, structure. Animators should be able to do the long ones, but they also want to see some gesture poses. That means 30 seconds to 5 minutes, as well as 5-20 minute poses. And of course, all your drawings HAVE to have structure. See why so many people have stressed taking a life drawing course? Except for some color theory in grade nine, I learned almost nothing in high school. I should scan some sometime so everyone can have a good laugh.

As for the 4 year degree program, its starts September _2003_. Man was I peeved when I heard that, but I’m happy that I got in nevertheless. }P
I have no idea what the requirements are going to be, but probably because it’s a combination of classical AND computer animation, its going to be mostly just life drawing. They don’t expect you to know EVERYTHING when you get there, just have a good background with computers. Maybe try some 3d rendering programs. Keep your eyes on the Sheridan website, because they’ve been posting news about that there.

Anyways, good luck, and make sure you tell your guidance to get your applications in bright and early (Otherwise they send you the portfolio package a week before your stuff is due).
Boy, don’t I love to procrastinate.
BYES!
-rC