CALARTS CHARACTER ANIMATION PORTFOLIO PREPARATION: LET'S BEGIN

Updated 12/04/2014

 

Mmmmm where to start?

The time is to start now.

When I first applied to CALARTs, the first and most important fundamental steps were to be myself and meet all of the portfolio requirements as laid out by CALARTs. Personally, I thought I did just that, I was myself AND I met all the requirements below. Which begs the question, what the hell went wrong?

I could spend all day speculating, but it would not get me anywhere. What I do know is that any mistakes I made last year I DO NOT WANT TO REPEAT. I can almost guarantee that the quality of work and increased quantity of people that will be applying for 2015 Character Animation Program will make 2014 look like a joke!

I have to raise my game. Whatever I need to do, I need to do it to the maX. I am currently waiting for feedback from CALARTs. ( If you have applied and have been rejected last year click on this link to find out how you can get feedback on your work.) but in the meantime I need to objectively reeview my own portfolio.

Below, I have pasted the basic requirements from CALARTs website. Hoover over the link and it will take you a page that explores what I did last year and any changes that I intend to make to improve my artwork.

Application Portfolio Requirements:

Part I: Observational Drawings (minimum 15 drawings):
Examples:

• Drawings of people and animals from life that explore elements like shape, form, contour, and contrast. These drawings should range from one-minute gestures to longer poses. Indicate hands, feet, and faces.
• Drawings of interior environments and exterior landscapes that showcase depth, ambiance, and mood.
• Do not erase your construction lines ––they are especially helpful to the faculty in understanding your approach to observational drawing.
• Do not submit traced pictures or copies of work by others.

Part II: Sketchbook / Visual Diary (filled or completed sketchbook):
Examples:

• Sketches from your everyday life.
• Drawings that illustrate film ideas and story concepts.
• Thumbnails of scenes that you plan to animate one day.
• Random jottings that interest you.
• Character designs.
• Studies of images from films or other sources you like.

Part III: Other Work:
Include any combination of the following:

• Sequential image storytelling: Work that showcases your ability to tell a story and develop a character. For example: storyboards, graphic novels, comics, flipbooks, or short stories with thumbnails.
• Digital creative work (animated or still): Creative work that you produce, or manipulate, in one or more computer programs. This might take the form of 2D digital art or 3D computer graphics (CG).
• Photographs
• Paintings
• Sculptures
• Installations
• Murals
• Character designs
• Cartoons
• Caricatures

 

First Published on 23/09/2013

My blog account about applying to CALARTs with only 63 days to the deadline.  (Please if there is one advice you need to take is to START EARLY)

 

 

This is what I have been waiting for, I have sent my application to CalArts.  The program that I am applying for is Character Animation.  Research suggests that a lot of emphasis seems to be placed on the portfolio.  It gives the feeling that at least 90% of your success is dependant on an outstanding portfolio.

 

Personally, in my opinion I think your references, and your artistic statement, are also major factors. I feel that the references may account for 25%, and your artistic statement another 25% and your portfolio 50%.  (It would be great if we can have this confirmed from someone from the faculty).

 

I have already sent off the references and uploaded my artistic statement along with my application form.  Calarts have made this process simple as you only need to answer  three basic questions.   (I would share my artistic statement; it is just, I find that it’s just too personal to share with the entire world.)  Whatever you do, don't copy other people's answers, as you are not being true to you.  Also nine out ten times they, CalArts, would probably know about it.

 

With regards to financing, I come under the category of international student, as I am from the UK. The aim is to sell up everything to attend CalArts as I fully believe that attending CalArts will raise my standards to an international or global level.  I have been met with resistance from my entire family stating that I am crazy, and I am not going to lie this is terrifying move but it is a move that  I feel would be well worth it.

I've managed to appease the family by saying that I will generate alternative income to cover the cost of the course.  The thing is, I never told them just how much all this is going to cost.  At the moment they are waiting for my ideas, and financial plan.

Apart from that, the final thing I need to do is to hand in my portfolio. After having done extensive research, click this link for a list of portfolios accepted and rejected, I have concluded that I am closer to the rejected pile than the accepted. I believe that if I put in few solid hours a day, I should be able to pull myself nearer to the accepted pile. Whether I would be accepted is another matter?


At the present moment the problems with my portfolio are:

• Lack of diversity: I have too many incomplete life drawings of people, without faces, hands, feet and not enough of animals or the environment.  Most of my drawings are mainly in pencil.

• Lack of order/ continuity or flow: There is no order – one person who got into CALARTS talked about creating a story from your portfolio, and making your portfolio flow.

• Lack of high quality completed pieces: After seeing one rejected most of her work was incomplete; it lacked substance. Maybe I’m being hard on myself, but then again maybe I'm being honest.

The deadline to upgrade my portfolio and send it in is 30th November. AGHRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So I basically have 9 weeks to upgrade my portfolio. How am I going to fit this extra art in with work?


Timetable
Now and 21st Nov: Produce quality paintings, drawings, sketches, storyboards, models etc
22nd – 24th Nov: Concentrate on presentation
25th Nov: Send off portfolio


Crap this is stressful – I’m off to bed.