SVA Computer Art

a student run tumblr. fueled by moe's coffee. inspired by the army of whatshouldwecallits out there.For official info, check out: www.svacomputerart.net

[svacomputerart]

When you’re almost done but then Maya crashes.

And you realize you haven’t saved since the beginning.

[svacomputerart]

UPDATE: SVA 3D Animation Major vs 2D Animation Major

Here’s the original response: http://svacomputerart.tumblr.com/post/137171189057

So I recently spoke with the Director of Operations for SVA BFA Computer Art, Jimmy Calhoun, for clarification on the matter. Here is a small update:

Our department does have connections with Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon. Whenever they come to do events at SVA, our department works hard to get our students in front of the recruiters alongside the 2D animation department. 

We have had alumni that do go into content creation such as Danica Parry who created DreamworkTV's series, Grandma's Cats Are Trying to Kill Her, and Kevin Li who was chosen last year by Nickelodeon to produce a pilot for his show. We also have director Dan Abdo, creator of Rocket Monkeys, teaching in our department.

What it comes down to though, is portfolio. The portfolio that you’ll have when you come out of school. When you go through the 3D program, your time is spent on creating work that will be for a 3D portfolio. Even if you want to end up doing 2D animation for your thesis project, a lot of your required classes have 3D assignments. And those assignments are VERY time consuming. You’ll have to choose how you want to manage your time in the 4 years you’re here (i.e. mainly 2D and some 3D? or mainly 3D and some 2D).

Another thing to note is, what big 2D animation studios are looking for in the American workforce is designers and content creators, generally not animators. Most of the actual animation is currently outsourced. So keep that in mind if your goal is to be in a place like Nickelodeon or Cartoon Network.

Hope that clears stuff up!

[svacomputerart]

SVA 3D Animation Major vs 2D Animation Major

Most of what you’re paying for when you go into a private school is the professional network. SVA BFA Computer Art has a lot of connections with local and major 3D studios & VFX studios. Why? Because we have freelancers or staff from those studios teaching our classes (think Pixar, Blue Sky, Framestore, The Mill, Nathan Love, Psyop, etc.).

Therefore, we would NOT have personal connections (or at least not to my knowledge) to say, Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon Titmouse or Frederator because those artists don’t have the skillsets that are immediately relevant to 3D animation.

The most important thing that you want to obtain by going to private school (and paying a ton of money for it) is connections. So if your true passion is in 2D animation and your dream is to work at a place like Cartoon Network or Nickelodeon, then I would suggest you find the school/major that will provide you with that network of people. 

For example, Rebecca Sugar went to SVA for 2D animation and I’m sure the department still stays connected with established alumni. She recently came back and gave a talk that all students were invited to attend. 

Anyone attending SVA can take 3D or 2D animation classes to supplement their current major. Personally, I think 3D is technically harder so you do need a class for it. But for people that can’t draw well, they might feel that 2D animation is harder and would want to spend more time working on those skills. 

I’m not affiliated with them but you can try asking http://svaanimation.tumblr.com/ to see if they can also shed some light on the subject.

If you can’t figure it out, maybe you could try taking pre-college courses to see what feels better to you.

UPDATE: Read Part II for some clarifications!

[svacomputerart]

SVA Computer Art has a lot of connections with NYC studios. There isn’t a lot of work in 2D animation based in NY so if you really want to go into 2D animated series, I would probably suggest going through a 2D animation major.

There are several students that have made a 2D animated thesis and graduated to continue to work on 2D projects. I’ve noticed a recent increase in 2D animation work but there aren’t actually that many cel artists based in NY (due to lack of steady work). So if you want to stay in NY, you’re probably better off getting a 3D education and pick up 2D jobs here and there.

[svacomputerart]

When you go home for Christmas

Shut up, dad.

[svacomputerart]

The CG life.

[anatomicalart]

I can’t stress enough the importance of stretching your hands, and forearms every morning and every evening, spend 5-10 minutes going through a stretching routine. These are very easy to do, takes little time to do them. It’s VERY common in all animation studios. Conditions can slowly develop, the most typical one is Repetitive Strain Injury, it’s a prevalent condition resulting from overusing the hands to perform a repetitive task, such as typing, clicking a mouse, writing, and of course drawing. In simple medical terms, repetitive strain injury (RSI) stems from prolonged repetitive, forceful, or awkward hand movements. The result is minor damage to muscles, tendons, and nerves of the neck, shoulder, forearm, and most commonly hand and wrist, which can cause pain, weakness, or numbness. If you’re feeling some pains, tingles, weakness, or numbness in the wrist/forearm; one of the best ways to heal quickly are ‘Contrasting Baths’. What crazy voodoo am I speaking of? A couple different physiotherapists and massage therapists had recommended this technique to me several years ago, and for anyone I knew that tried it, they all say the results are fast and effective. Commonly used by carpal tunnel suffers, it’s a method of treating muscle soreness, swelling and inflammation, it’s also known as Hot/Cold Immersion Therapy. You can use the double sink in your kitchen at home, if you don’t have one, then get your hands on two very large identical bowls, it needs to be big enough to submerge your entire forearms from wrist to elbow. Fill one up with ice cold water (with a couple dozen ice cubes floating in there). The other with very warm water, not tea-kettle boiling hot water, just hot tap water, or as warm as you can handle, no sense in burning yourself of course. Have a stop watch or clock ready, and submerge your arms for 30 seconds in the hot, then switch to doing 30 sec. in the cold, and repeat a few times back and forth, 30 sec. a piece. After only a few times you’ll notice the hot water getting cooler and the cold water getting warmer, so then the technique grows to be less effective, but by then, the job is done. The idea is that the extreme heat and cold contracts and expands your blood vessels, promoting greater blood flow to circulate and flush through your arms, and increased blood flow is what aids in healing faster! Enjoy!

[Source]

For artists and animators. Take care of your body and your body will take care of you.

The PDF version of this can be found [Here]. Stick it up in your work station. Keep yourself healthy.

[svacomputerart]

When you buy fancy new equipment.

There goes my paycheck.

[renderplease]

When I say something will be ready within the hour, but my system crashes half-way through

I have to go to the producers like:

[svacomputerart]

When the the new Tumblr posting format doesn’t center your gif.

[svacomputerart]

When random civilians try to awkwardly solicit you for free 3D work.

[svacomputerart]

When rendering that one frame for thesis crunch takes

[dommifox-deactivated20181204]

"You animation students are so lucky you don’t have a dissertation to write! That’s so unfa—"

Stop.

[svacomputerart]

Submitted by Elizabeth L.

[svacomputerart]

Has anyone in the Computer Art program also been part of the Honors Program? Is it difficult to balance all the work? What are your opinions on the Honors Program in general?

I've known a couple of people in the Honors Program and they didn't seem to have much difficulty balancing it. In fact they seemed to be in the Best Of in terms of thesis for my year. I think Honors also get the extra perk of a (free?) spring break trip somewhere to study arts abroad. I think two years ago they went to Cuba but there are other locations. Mostly its your humanity classes/requirements that are different. I would double check with your advisor on this.

[svacomputerart]

My head when I'm browsing the internet vs working.

Browsing the internet:

Working:

Anyone else turn their head ridiculous ways when working on something?

[svacomputerart]

When you're trying to work in a rowdy free time lab.

Don't you guys have projects to do?

[svacomputerart]

When you're working on dual monitors and the colors don't match.

WHICH ONE DO YOU CHOOSE???