Expert: Andre Hickman - 10/4/2009

Question

Hi there Joseph Silver I’m currently doing an engineering degree in computer science, love watching  movies with special fx, animation & I would love it if I were a part of the making of these movies.could you please help me out?
1.HOW DO I KNOW THAT I AM CREATIVE ?
2.WHAT SHOULD I DO TO START A CAREER IN ANIMATION?(given I have no formal training in drawing ,but I do some pencil sketches i.e I see & draw simple cartoons)
3.I have another 3 years for my engineering course completion what should I do in these 3 years

•   Enroll in an animation course?
•   Learn to draw & sketch on my own?
•   OR ANYTHING ELSE?


Answer
Hey Joseph,

I'm not sure have the answers to those questions, but I can try to answer from my own personal experience.

1) If people are always telling you that you are creative, and by "people" I am not including your mom and dad or grandparents...they don't count...then you may just need to start listening.  Don't look at creativity as some linear form of learning.  What do you do for your significant other or friend? Do you buy a ready-to-give gift, or do you put the extra effort into making it a one of a kind gesture that they'll remember you by for years to come (now matter how expensive or inexpensive)?  See, it really is the thought that counts.  Creativity is not really as technical as it is a way of life.  Think about how you role through different situations in your life.  Do you look back and say, "Wow that was ME" or "Wow, that was good, but I didn't do it"?  If you think you are creative, you can't be lazy when it comes to the details.

2%263) Starting in a career in animation...drawing is a definite benefit, and some drawing is required to get ideas across, but know this...I can draw to save my life, but I'd be pretty close to life support options!!!  You need to research the technology that is out there, and the software people are using to create all the stuff you see.  You are a student, and I'm sure you can find some software resources.  Check out Autodesk's line of software, including 3ds Max and Maya (Maya is what the 3D animators use at Turner, but I learned 3ds Max because that was what was available to me at the time).  For FX, start with Adobe Photoshop and Adobe After Effects.  Do web searches for tutorials on these softwares, find books, and just dive in!  If you don't jump in, you can never fully understand what being wet feels like.

I was in school for Mechanical Engineering.  During my last quarter, and after years of internships with NASA, I just started doing research on how people were doing the (then) new 3D characters, and print special titling, etc.  I found some software and just started learning and getting deeper and deeper into it.  It just snowballed from there.  It started as a HOBBY, and through the passion for it, became what I do.  I never went to formal training for it, and I'm not alone in the industry in that regard.  You'd be surprised at how many guys in this industry started in Engineering...

Cheers,
Andre