Expert: Andre Hickman - 10/28/2009

Question
hi sir,
   i m doing 2nd year bca,after my bca i want 2 do masters in animation...is it possible 2 do masters in animation after my bca......is it a good option 2 choose animtion after bca...r should i continue 2 do masters in computer application after bca....plz guide me i want decide what i want 2 do in future so that i can shape up myself for that....i have interest in designing...if animation is the choice then give me the list of institute which gives masters degree(the colleges should be in india).and how is the animation industry in india..and how is the job in animation....if u cant guide me then plz give me the contact of any person who can guide me....my email id is .....
thank u..and i m looking forward for ur reply.......

Answer
I am not in India, so I cannot speak to the climate of animation in that country.  I will say this.  More educational degrees in animation doesn't necessarily make you more marketable in animation.  What makes you more marketable is your actual experience.  I work around one of the largest production houses in the Southeastern part of America.  The animators their don't have all of these degrees piled up.  They got their BA and went straight to work.  They got better with on the job experience.  

Their bosses and superiors usually don't have a masters in animation either.  At that level, they aren't even doing much hands on animation anymore.  They usually have a masters of business administration.  

If you really want to get a masters in animation, I would strongly suggest first getting yourself planted with a company and then persuing it.  Trying to get the degree first may be problematic when you actually go and try to find a job.  They will say that "He has book smarts, but no real world experience."  Your degree would warrant paying you on a higher scale, but without the job experience, very few companies would take the risk in highering you for more pay, without knowing that you could fit into their culture.

I hope this is making sense to you.

Cheers,
Andre'