Hey Ross, I'm currently 15, a Junior in high school, and love to animate. I don't think going to an art institute/university is the right move though when I get out of HS - financially or for many other reasons. Community College is a huge possibility though, as it's less expensive and would still teach me more things about animation all together. For the most part, I believe animation can be a self-taught experience, but I'd like to hear your thoughts on this.
Thatβs great dude. Β Donβt feel like you HAVE to go get an education in animation to succeed. Β I tried it, but it wasnβt for me. Β I found I wasnβt really learning enough compared to what I learnt just fiddling and making mistakes by myself. Β I mean look at Arin, he didnβt even finish high school yet he taught himself Β to be an animator. Β Some people learn better being pushed by an education system, some are better left to figure things out for themselves. Β If think youβre better going it alone then GREAT! Β Youβre anΒ autodidact!
Hereβs some stuff Iβd recommend you focus on while getting started:Β
Learn Flash or Toon Boom. Β
Maya/3DS Max/Zbrush if youβre interested in 3D (I have a minor background with it)
Study life drawing and human anatomy. Β Try this if youβre at a loss for material:Β http://www.posemaniacs.com/
Keep an organized folder of art reference (find it by following art tutorial blogs or your favorite artists). Β I have gigabytes of reference in my folders.
Get your head around cinematography. Β Watch legendary films and figure out what makes the shots great. Β One exercise is to take your favorite shots and make silhouette thumbnails of how things are placed, helps you Β break it down in your head.
Composition! Β Itβs crazy and even those who get it sometimes donβt get it.. but just look it up online to get your head around it. Β Itβs all about placement and arrangement of shit.
MAKE FRIENDS! Β Talk to other artists like yourself who are starting out. Β I met Arin online through Newgrounds when I was 16/17 and weβve been friends ever since. Β Itβs important to have like minded friends!
Keep a sketchbook, draw all the time. Β If you prefer doing it digitally then thatβs fine, but keeping a sketchbook is a magical thing. Β Also helps with your line confidence, at least I think so.
If you want to develop your own stories to go along with your animations, consider the following books: Screenwriting 101 (I LOVE this book, really great read AND itβs written by someone pretending to be The Hulk), On Writing: A memoir of the Craft (Stephen King! Β Havenβt read this one yet but friends recommend it) and also Save the Cat! (this one is more so about selling scripts and writing to a formula, donβt take it as gospel.. But itβs interesting).
Voice act! Shit man, just get a decent microphone when you can. Β Make goofy voices, do imitations. Β Get silly! Β Lots of animators have at least some experience doing voice acting!
WATCH STUFF. Β Seriously, I can not stress this enough. Β Everything is derivative from other works and thatβs okay. Β Inspiration comes from everywhere and anything. Β My late friend Monty also preached this, he even proudly told me some of his early influence for RWBY such as Black Rock Shooter. Β Finding influence breeds passion. Β Youβre not slacking off watching cartoons, youβre researching.
ANIMATE! Do it however you can! Β Stop motion lego, flipping paper.. I donβt care. Β Just do it. Whatever you learn, It all translates across any version of the medium.
ANIMATORS SURVIVAL KIT. Β This book is a must and most animation schools highly recommend it. Β It was written by Richard Williams the director of Who Framed Roger Rabbit (among other things). Β If youβre not big on reading, then youβre in luck because itβs MOSTLY pretty pictures. Β http://www.amazon.com/The-Animators-Survival-Richard-Williams/dp/0571202284
Lastly but not least.. Just donβt stop. Β The people you see online and on TV right now, theyβre not kicking ass because of some god given talent. Β Theyβre there because they didnβt stop. Β They persevered through it all and kept going, no matter what anyone else told them.Β
