USC has an Animation major..!

<p>I emailed fine arts about my dilema (whether to move to CNTV or stay in fine arts) and they replied...:</p>

<p>
[quote]
There is a new animation major (in addition to the animation minor that is currently offered) offered thru the USC School of Cinema-Television. I believe it will be ready for this fall 2006, but because it is so new, they could not advertise it yet.</p>

<p>So you will most likely have a choice: either major in animation or something else related to it, such as art. You can certainly come in to USC as an art major and then switch over to the animation program whenever you want. Or you can do both, either with a double major or with a major in one and a minor in the other. Whichever you prefer.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Ok...SO i'm just finding out about this... that kind of sucks.</p>

<p>As tempted as I am to take this as a major, I'm afraid since it IS so new. I'm afraid I'm going to be the guinea pig or something into this new major...</p>

<p>Does anybody know anything about this?</p>

<p>-PS Does anybody know about Fine Art (studio art) department @ USC? I heard it is weak... because if it is really weak and not productive, then i rather goto animation even if its new... (least i'll hopefully be doing something i like) also, that might save me grad school money...</p>

<p>OMG! That is so cool! Go for it!!!!! Who cares if its new, they have a grad degree in it so they know what they're doing. They will help you a lot im sure because they want you to be a success because that will make their new degree a success! I want to do that major too (if I get in...im a transfer... I got in last year but didnt go but im going this year if they accept me again) That is so so so neat!!!</p>

<p>I would not worry about the fact that it is new. The very nature of USC as a private school is that it is very flexible, and so even if the new major doesn't work out perfectly they can tweak it and tune it.</p>

<p>Well, considering the school of cinema-tv at usc is #1 in the world, of course anything compared to it would come up less. You'll have to ask someone more familiar with the fine arts department for a better observation.</p>

<p>I would not choose based on degree name, though. Look at what classes are required for each, then choose the one with the most classes that interest you. In the end all a major is, are classes, and so pick on that.</p>

<p>Thanks for the info. My parents are just telling me to go for it and I'm thinking about minoring in studio arts instead... I really don't know the classes yet because i really don't know any info about it...</p>

<p>kaitylin- yeah, isn't it really cool? although i'm debating over it, i think its cool they finally have it...</p>

<p>Aww, I wish I had known that a few months ago!! But I guess if it's not ready yet, it wouldn't have applied to me anyway :p</p>

<p>Aah...if you don't know what animation entitles (sp?), how much work is involved, and the skills you need for it, I suggest reading up on it before deciding whether or not to get your Master's degree in it...</p>

<p>Of course, I could just be reading your post wrong, in which case I apologize.</p>

<p>Yeah i know how much work it requires.. Although I'm not sure if I'm totally up to the job or not, I really would love making and creating a story of my own...</p>

<p>For anybody else who's interested, they wanted me to stay at my current major for least a semester... so..</p>

<p>USC appears to truly encourage students to take classes in multiple disciplines, and to major/minor across different schools. Very different from a lot of other schools. NYU, for example, has graphic design in Steinhardt and film in Tisch, and say they don't like people to cross over for minors into Tisch. </p>

<p>CNTV is obviously a huge draw for USC, but the Fine Arts school is very aware of that, and many of their profs and students integrate the two.</p>

<p>USC just announced they received $23 million from the Roski family for the School of Fine Arts, and will use it mainly to attract faculty and students. I would guess we will see the Roski School of Fine Arts showing significant improvement soon.</p>

<p>^yeah i heard about the 23 million (the day after i was admitted in fact) and that certainly got me thinking about my major... hmm</p>

<p>uyulove, perhaps you should consider a career in storyboarding or layout? I'm actually thinking about the former myself :) I love doing story too...and storyboarding has always been my favorite part of making animated films :)</p>

<p>I have been considering storyboard part mostly.. I really want to "write" the stories, but do not want to draw 1000+ pictures... It would be nice if i could be involved in all the processes though..(writing, directing, etc) sigh ...like hayao miyazaki..i don't know how he does it..</p>

<p>uyulove, that's why I'm going into animation directing as my focus. I love to get my hands in everything, yet leave enough space for people to do the job they do best. Big picture-making whilst sill keeping the eye open for detail. I'm going to try to sneak my way into directing via storyboarding though (as well as making my own indie films), b/c then I can hone my story skills as well. But I'm looking for a school with an all-around focus so I will have the competence to lead as an animation director.</p>

<p>Though my decision is also partly b/c I'm a total control freak :s</p>

<p>^ LOL. Did you hear of that one guy who created an animation OVA by himself (he directed, drew, wrote the story, even ACTED in his own animation) THe only thing he did not do was the music, singing, and the girl's voice (which was the only other character shown) i think it was called Voices of Distant Stars... I was amazed (it even has cartoon rendering (3D) effects in it... @.@ crazy!) I hope one day i could do something like that (it was around 20~30 minutes and he completed it within 6 months)</p>