Schools For Visual Effects In California

[CookFX Productions]

OK, So I'm Thinking about moving to the west coast, La, Or where ever I can find a good school that can teach me, Maya, After Effects, Shake, the full running for Visual effects. Does anyone have any suggestions. I know there is a place called Gnomon, correct me if i spelled it wrong the specializes in Visual Effects, but im not to sure if you can go right into there school being a novice at your trade, Then there is Video Symphony, They more teach motion graphics/visual effects. Anyone have some thoughts, or other schools? or Training centers?

Brian

[SomewhereinLA]

Gnomon has a very good program, but it's not a really a school as far as getting a degree. The most important thing if visual fx is what you want to do is to specialize very quickly. The biggest mistake than most newbies make is to try to learn every programs, it is a big mistake. Learn a few but learn them very well. There are 2 main area in Digital vfx, there is 3D and Digital compositing, you need to choose which one interest you the most. Then the best thing to do is to take some classes, there are very good school such as Gnomon, probably one of the best for maya. But ultimately, the best school is to work at a post production house. Boutique style vfx companies are best when you start, you will lear more and probably be mentored by one of the senior staff. Most companies are always looking for P.A's or entry level artist. Also no matter what you do, learn photoshop very well and learn to draw, I never consider hiring someone that doesn't know photoshop well or can't draw.

[MrBattle@mac.com]

I work in the video game industry, and mostly a Porfolio is gonna speak for your tallents, not a degree. So a place like Gnomon would be a good idea to go to.

[Greggl]

I'll second (third?) Gnomon... we've got a bunch of program grads working for us.

[CookFX Productions]

oh i know there not degree programs, heh to hell with those! HAha, I tried the art institutes program for Visual effects in chicago and it wasnt worth the money they screwed me out of when the shut the program down when the two teachers that ran it quit because of lack of software and hardware. So the 50 or so kids in the program had to choose broadcast or gaming. I choose to go my own way. But Gnomon has seemed like the best place over all in my head, the only thing is i wish they had housing being that Burbank is a little pricey, Kid from Midwest comes to learn a trade has to get his own apartment. Yadda, yadda, But my main concern was them taking someone with novice skills, and really starting from the ground up, they look and sound so halfway into the field.

[MrBattle@mac.com]

I almost think its a waste of time going to a regular 4 year school for what i went to college for(multimedia). I was talking to employers that said the 4 year school around where i lived wouldnt even let you touch a program till your 2nd year. I think thats kinda lame, you should have as much time with a program as possible. Thats why i chose a technical school. If your good at what you do, you shouldnt have a problem finding a job when the time comes. :).

ps: A couple people at my work went to the gnomon school and loved it. I want to go there but i dont think i have enough time to take the courses