Top 10 tips for Prospective CalArts Animation Students

Yep, after researching hours upon end, I have come up with the definitive top ten tips for prospective CalArts students wanting to study Character Animation.

1.      In your main portfolio, show at least a minimum of 12 life drawings depicting clearly the hands, feet and face.

2.      Aim for a style which is loosely rendered.

3.      Be Experimental and Expressive with the choice of mediums and techniques.

4.      In your Sketchbook, ensure that at least 60% of the drawings are observational. (As with number one, do not ignore the hands, feet or the face. 

5.      Calarts would prefer the sketchbooks to be drawn in pen; unless of course this does not suit you, see point 10.

6.      Sketches should be of two minutes or less poses.  Create movement in your sketches, think about gesture.

7.      Anime is a popular choice in Sketchbooks; however Calarts are not that fond of seeing it.

8.      Think about the overall visual narrative, think about the visual story that your artwork is telling.

9.      Think about the overall presentation of your portfolio.  Does your artwork flow visually?

 

10.  Most importantly, JUST BE YOU. Be confident to allow your own intuitive interpretation, express itself on paper.

 

When I think about it, it’s a great way to improve your artwork in general.

 

 

Great Reading Sources

Director of Calarts Character Animation Course, Dan Hansen, gives a brief account of the expectations from Calarts applicants. (Article written 2012)

http://woahreference.tumblr.com/post/28324533898/an-email-sent-from-director-of-character-animation-at

 http://johnkstuff.blogspot.co.uk/2007/04/cal-arts-1-apology-to-students.html

Mario Furmanczyk, a graduate from CalArts, writes and shows how after a failed attempt he finally got accepted by CalArts. (Article written around 2002/2003)

http://www.animatedbuzz.com/tutorials/Calarts.html

 

Current fourth year student, gives her detailed account of what she thinks the qualities to get your  portfolio accepted by CalArts

http://portlynntagavi.blogspot.co.uk/2011/07/so-you-want-to-be-calarts-tian-well.html

 

 

Have you got any more great blogs that should be added here?  Please let me know so that I can update this blog.