2D Animator Impossible for Me?
Dudu3
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ToWak Posted messages 120 Status Member -
ToWak Posted messages 120 Status Member -
Hello,
I have a problem: since I was little, I wanted to be a 2D animator, make cartoons, etc. I am fascinated by them and I have been drawing every day since I was 9 years old. I know how to use animation software, I can animate, I understand anatomy, and I believe my art is pretty good after all these years. My dream is to be accepted at Cartoon Network, even as a background designer, because I want to work my way up to create my own cartoons. I know that at the art school L'Atelier, a student was accepted at CN Europe, which motivates me a lot for my future.
But after a school experience full of misery and bullying, I entered high school where art is not present. So no artistic baccalaureate or art option for me. But since I was too afraid of ending up in a worse high school where I would be bullied, I stayed, thinking I would have a smooth path.
But in a month, I'm going into my final year and I no longer know what to think; everyone tells me that students who have an artistic baccalaureate are favored, the tuition costs for art schools are staggering (5000eu... 8000eu...), coming from a middle-class family and not wealthy, it's impossible to finance unless there are scholarships.
So I come here as a last resort to ask; aiming for a pretty good or even good mention at the Literary Baccalaureate but without an artistic baccalaureate and having had no art classes in high school, is it likely that the doors to animation will close for me? Would I be rejected, for example, at Gobelins or L'Atelier?
Additionally, are there any aids for transitioning from high school to prestigious schools? Like a helping hand? Assistance? Scholarships other than the meager 40-70eu from the BAC?
Please help me, thank you.
I have a problem: since I was little, I wanted to be a 2D animator, make cartoons, etc. I am fascinated by them and I have been drawing every day since I was 9 years old. I know how to use animation software, I can animate, I understand anatomy, and I believe my art is pretty good after all these years. My dream is to be accepted at Cartoon Network, even as a background designer, because I want to work my way up to create my own cartoons. I know that at the art school L'Atelier, a student was accepted at CN Europe, which motivates me a lot for my future.
But after a school experience full of misery and bullying, I entered high school where art is not present. So no artistic baccalaureate or art option for me. But since I was too afraid of ending up in a worse high school where I would be bullied, I stayed, thinking I would have a smooth path.
But in a month, I'm going into my final year and I no longer know what to think; everyone tells me that students who have an artistic baccalaureate are favored, the tuition costs for art schools are staggering (5000eu... 8000eu...), coming from a middle-class family and not wealthy, it's impossible to finance unless there are scholarships.
So I come here as a last resort to ask; aiming for a pretty good or even good mention at the Literary Baccalaureate but without an artistic baccalaureate and having had no art classes in high school, is it likely that the doors to animation will close for me? Would I be rejected, for example, at Gobelins or L'Atelier?
Additionally, are there any aids for transitioning from high school to prestigious schools? Like a helping hand? Assistance? Scholarships other than the meager 40-70eu from the BAC?
Please help me, thank you.
2 answers
Hi,
So to answer your question, no, it's not impossible. I know quite a few self-taught people who work in comics, animation, are employed in studios, work freelance, etc. and are doing very well...
Schools (the good ones, not the money-making machines) are a great help in learning, they can be a springboard upon graduation, but they're not essential either.
If, as you say, you're good at what you do, you know anatomy, animation, can animate, use software, etc... You've got enough to prove in your portfolio that you have what it takes. Maybe not to fulfill your dream of joining a particular studio (like Cartoon Network here) but at least to work in the field, get your hands dirty and also build a reputation and aim higher later on. After all, I won't hide it from you, it requires tenacity, luck (after all) and hard work.
As for schools, no, a school doesn't accept someone with an artistic baccalaureate any more than someone without it. They take the best portfolios, the most original ones, etc. It just turns out that often those who have had teachers behind them tend to have more professional, polished work, while the more "amateur" guys tend to show up as tourists... But as long as you present something decent, it won't matter what your background is. Gobelins, for instance, have students who have never followed an artistic curriculum, which proves that (it's just that those students aren't slouches)
Then there's the issue of money, because yes, €5000 to €8000 a year (and we're talking about 3/4/5 years...) isn't something everyone has. Some work between classes (and working in addition to Gobelins should be an Olympic sport...) others take out loans... As for assistance, it depends on a lot of things, I know for instance that depending on the level, you can get some aid, according to your results too... But as to cover most of the expenses, I have serious doubts... After that, nothing stops you from sending an email or calling (to Gobelins or Atelier, or even Emile Cohl, etc.) to explain your situation and discuss with them. You still have a year for that. Just keep in mind that school fees are one thing but you also need to add accommodation, materials, food, and all the daily life hassles.
So to answer your question, no, it's not impossible. I know quite a few self-taught people who work in comics, animation, are employed in studios, work freelance, etc. and are doing very well...
Schools (the good ones, not the money-making machines) are a great help in learning, they can be a springboard upon graduation, but they're not essential either.
If, as you say, you're good at what you do, you know anatomy, animation, can animate, use software, etc... You've got enough to prove in your portfolio that you have what it takes. Maybe not to fulfill your dream of joining a particular studio (like Cartoon Network here) but at least to work in the field, get your hands dirty and also build a reputation and aim higher later on. After all, I won't hide it from you, it requires tenacity, luck (after all) and hard work.
As for schools, no, a school doesn't accept someone with an artistic baccalaureate any more than someone without it. They take the best portfolios, the most original ones, etc. It just turns out that often those who have had teachers behind them tend to have more professional, polished work, while the more "amateur" guys tend to show up as tourists... But as long as you present something decent, it won't matter what your background is. Gobelins, for instance, have students who have never followed an artistic curriculum, which proves that (it's just that those students aren't slouches)
Then there's the issue of money, because yes, €5000 to €8000 a year (and we're talking about 3/4/5 years...) isn't something everyone has. Some work between classes (and working in addition to Gobelins should be an Olympic sport...) others take out loans... As for assistance, it depends on a lot of things, I know for instance that depending on the level, you can get some aid, according to your results too... But as to cover most of the expenses, I have serious doubts... After that, nothing stops you from sending an email or calling (to Gobelins or Atelier, or even Emile Cohl, etc.) to explain your situation and discuss with them. You still have a year for that. Just keep in mind that school fees are one thing but you also need to add accommodation, materials, food, and all the daily life hassles.
