Portfolio Review Notes

So I called Libby Hux at CalArts today during my lunch break and finally managed to get her in person. She had my file right there because she knew I was going to call and she gave me the notes off my portfolio from the Admissions review board.

The first note was a bit longer I think than the rest, or maybe this is several notes- whatever!
- Figurative work needs more vigor. (Part of this I already knew, but it's also good to hear it, too. I know I need to address the "vigor" part... because currently I have no idea what I actually need to DO to fix this...)
- Perspective work is good but you need to loosen up. (This was mildly unexpected, but also- GOOD TO HEAR!)
- Nice animals and layouts. (Need to analyze what exactly this means, really... Not 100% clear, but worth looking into and still trying to improve on.)
- Needs more life drawing experience. (Again, sort of already knew this, but very good to hear.)

The other note on the portfolio was:
- MORE LIFE DRAWING!

So... yeah... Libby said that the notes were overall good, but I am well aware of what my weaknesses are and what I need to address. So, now that I know this information I am forming a plan.

The Plan:
- Attend my Analysis of Form class- RELIGIOUSLY!
- sneak into "sit in" any figure drawing classes offered during Summer Session at AAU
- Attend my Figure Drawing class during Fall semester- RELIGIOUSLY!
- try to go to Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School in San Francisco every month
- draw the buildings of AAU (dorm, etc.)
- draw any other buildings I like in SF
- go to Golden Gate Bridge and draw that a couple of times
- start a sketchbook !!! (I haven't been able to keep on up since my art block)

When I asked Libby if there were any other things I could do to "improve" upon my portfolio through presentation, etc. she said I should go to one of the National Portfolio Days. After joking about the schedule and the improbability of being able to get to one, she suggested swinging by CalArts and meeting with her. Guess what... She's ON! I'm going to find a way to get down to Valencia once I start up school in SF, get a good direction and GO FOR IT!

Different Opinions

"I prefer that animation reach into places where live action doesn't go, and it seems like all of animation nowadays is trying to go where live action is."
Don Bluth

Okay, so occasionally, fighting with your Admissions Advisor over the classes YOU ~want~ to take versus the classes the school ~recommends~ you take CAN be lots of fun! XD

Academy of Art recommends Introduction to Computer Graphics for Animation and Analysis of Form for their Summer semester. The Analysis class actually sounds okay, but what's the use of "in-depth study of classical drawing principles to achieve heightened realism in drawings" WITHOUT A FIGURE DRAWING CLASS?!?! XD "Concepts include light and shadow analysis, modeling of form, the 5-value system, form/cast shadows, composition, perspective and value pattern. Students work on still-life, drapery, plaster cast studies, and nude figure drawing using charcoal media." Well that's fine and dandy, but I don't want to wait until Fall to take my Figure Drawing class... I only have until Late November to churn out the next portfolio for CalArts.

*shakes her head* I have been sooooo careful these past few months to ensure that people who could not know about me and CalArts didn't leak out... now I have to tread softly for the next year- ALL so that AAU doesn't find out that I am using them to apply to CalArts. It's going to be so stressful... but this is what I wanted. This may be just what I need...

Small Illusions

wow... you guys, I actually LOST my own blog... I suck!

Anyway- slight update on the college front. Unfortunately, no letter from CalArts yet. What I ~DID~ get was a phone call (during work hours, after I have repeatedly asked them not to do) and a voice message from my admissions advisor from Academy of Art University regarding my portfolio grant I sent off about a week ago.

I have been awarded $2010 for the Summer semester!

So I need to hear back from CalArts by the end of March or they give my money to someone else...

NO PRESSURE! XD

puddle's Illusion of Life blog!

Animation is about creating the illusion of life. And you can't create it if you don't have one.
-Brad Bird

Today is February 22nd, 2009. In less than a month (optimistically), I will know whether or not I am moving to San Francisco, California or Valencia, California to begin my life as an animation student. This blog's purpose is to document my path from wanna-be animator to animation student to (someday) professional animator.

Realistic prediction: I will be rejected my first try at California Institute of the Arts and will be "forced" to attend Academy of Art University in San Francisco. Whereupon, I will continue submitting my portfolio every year to CalArts until I am accepted into their Character Animation program.

Optimistic predicition: I will be ACCEPTED to CalArts (YAY!) and will move to Valencia to begin the next four toughest years of my life with the most amazing artists in the country.

Currently, I simply am suffering from the waiting game. Regardless of where the fate of the next year of my life resides, I will post my progress, failures, updates and all the little squishy stuff between the toes.