Expert: Russell Calabrese - 8/7/2011

Question
QUESTION: Hi Russell!

I'm very interested in pursuing animation as a career path, and I'm aiming to get into CalArts. The problem is that being in a high school in Australia, it's not easy getting proper advice and guidance. I'm actually thinking of transferring to an art magnet boarding school in the states because I feel that I'd be able to break from my current school's lack of artistic guidance as well as its heavily left-brain driven culture. Not that it's bad though, I feel that my current school has pretty strong academics, but (as cliche as it sounds), it doesn't feel like the right school. Then again, my school offers IB, and I do believe IB scores are transferable as college credits.

Say I'm 100% bent on leaving this place, do you have any recommendations as to where in the US I can go, and whether it's too late for me to transfer, me being in Year 10? What do you think about the situation I'm in? Right now I'm pretty much in a bit of a confused, in-the-dark state, and I will really appreciate your reply.

Thank you!

Jill

ANSWER: Hi Jill,

If you want to go to Cal Arts you should apply. I don't think it's too late.
I'm not sure what criteria it takes to get in but I know it's an expensive school.
I think transfer credits won't apply to Cal Arts, but I could be wrong. I remember applying there and my other college credits didn't carry over.
You should also check USC University of California or UCLA University of California Los Angeles. Both have excellent film and animation programs. I believe your credits may transfer to either of those schools.

Animation is film making and you should probably go into a school majoring in film, but specializing in animation.
I've met a lot of animators that are crappy filmmakers because they don't understand the basics of good film making.

Below are the URLs to USC & UCLA

http://cinema.usc.edu/
http://www.tft.ucla.edu/

Hope this helps.

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Russell

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Russell,

I'll only be attending college in 2 years, and right now, I'm not sure if going to another high school with a strong emphasis on the arts (i.e. like an art magnet high school) will truly help or not. If it really is too late to apply for a different high school, what sort of extra classes should I be taking? (I do a lot of digital art, film, and other new media stuff but I've been neglecting traditional work)

Also, do people my age really apply to CalArts this early?

Thanks,

Jill

Answer
Hi Jill,

I would not recommend switching high schools. No one really scrutinizes over at what high school you attended to get into college. You just have to have a high school diploma and decent grades. Keep a portfolio of your personal art you do. That can help when interviewing or applying to an art college.

When working in traditional media you tend to plan things out ahead of time and work out your ideas carefully since you don't have the 'undo key'. Even though most work is done digitally these days, I find having the knowledge of traditional media can make your digital art better.

Cal Arts is a smaller school, so getting on a list early might be to your advantage. You should write to the admissions department with your intentions and any questions you may have. I'm sure they'll give you some good information.

Hope this helps.

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