EDTIT : To Franko : I haven't actually applied for AM because of the age requirment but I've just watched all the videos and I can totally tell how stable it is=]

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I was away for a bit after hearing from Raminator that you don't need to 18 so I haven't actually even checked out the site! only once when it was in construction. I'm gonna do that right now. =]

I think I'll send Jason an email and maybe ask for him to put somewhere in an FAQ that you don't need to be 18 and for more confirmation.

So I basically checked out the site back at the very first page when it was in construction only a week ago I think and it seems you can apply right away?

Has the school started yet?

Infact, these are all things I can learn from the site =]

EDIT : Oh man...just looking at the site and seeing all of his ambitions and the happiness that every animator on this forum spreads is just so awesome and makes me happy that we're a big community. Not to mention the Juggernaught that we know as AM that has founded the very prospect of an online school of Animation and opened up the hearts of many people who couldn't get to go to a brick and mortar school.

YUP! I just got official confirmation from Jason =]


Oh wow! It's actually starting in September.
I'm scheduled to go to college in September but it's not 100% official yet.

Holy hell! This is exciting. =] It's opened up such a big door for me. But I'll probably have to go to this "3D animation" college anyways haha. But thats fine. I'll come back older and with a lot of communication skill gained.

Last edited by TaylorH (07-25-2010 12:50 am)

This all sounds great!  It sounds like there are a handful of us here already who will be together at iAnimate in September!  I really look forward to seeing you all there where we can proceed to animate our butts off! 

As for what Franko said, and I'm glad that a mod cleared up any possible issues (thanks ChocoBilly!), I don't find it disrespectful to recognize that there are other options out there and that AM may not be the best choice for everyone, even on forums sponsored by AM.  I would find it disrespectful if we were saying that AM is a terrible school and no one should go to it and everyone should go to iA instead.  I do think it would be distasteful to shun a school here, it gives the message that there isn't confidence in AM, which all of us have confidence in AM, but realize it may not be the place for everyone.  I also think that it is great that there are other options now and that we embrace it - maybe we should actually praise it! - because competition keeps people from getting too comfortable where they're at, which in turn makes them work harder to keep improving their curriculum and education, which is a win for all of us!

I don't believe there was ever any disrespect intended here.  I do understand a little bit of the awkwardness, but I think when we look at the benefits to everyone, people of both iA and AM, we'll quickly get past it. 

TaylorH, honestly the only people I know of going to the school are the ones who mentioned it on here, dv-cgartist, ramimator, totoro, me, and it sounds like maybe you.  I haven't heard any other talk of iAnimate anywhere else on the web, though there's a huge possibility that I missed or overlooked it.  I asked Jason how many students they think they will have and he told me that its too early to tell, but that he has not only the animator's listed on the website for teachers, but others as well to take on as many students as they can.  Its their first semester and they haven't done any marketing I don't think, so I can't imagine their first semester will be too crowded, but I may be wrong. I really don't know.

Just out of curiosity, Ramimator, where did you find out about iAnimate to post it on here?  I haven't found any other mentions of it anywhere online.

Well, this is a different topic, but I am 21.  I am currently going to an art school and I have attended a state university.  I want to do character animation, and I think that iAnimate is probably the best place for me to learn that, but while the two schools I have attended have not given me the skills I need to become a professional character animator in a large studio, I have been very fortunate for the amount of opportunities I have received and I have gained great experiences through both schools, and I think they are important experiences to have.

While going to a state university, I was first able to learn to live alone and to stand up for myself.  I learned strong work ethic and social skills to help me do better in everything I do. The main reason I went there before attending an art university was so that I could get my general education credits done for a lesser cost than if I had to do them at the school I'm currently attending, though I walked away with much more than that.  In just that one year I was there, I became a stronger, more confident person.

Now that I'm at art school, I'm realizing that they probably aren't as great of teachers as Jason Ryan or Animation Mentor and that I may need to seek outside help, but I have learned so many valuable things here, it has been a great experience.  While here, I learned fine arts and some visual development skills which will help me move forward in a studio into story or possibly art director one day.  I may also want to open my own studio one day and understanding the basics and having a foundation in all parts of animation is a great thing.  I do not regret learning basic modeling or rigging or fine arts, since they are all interlaced with each other and knowing one helps with the other.  I have also made numerous friends and contacts and created a decent networking base.  I also love having the career services guys at my school on my side to help me put a strong portfolio together and help me find a job when I graduate.  I have learned so many things in so short of time here it's amazing.

I understand that you may want to just do animation, not all the other stuff, but I think its great to know a lot and focus on one so that I can expand my horizons in the future, also smaller companies do like people who can do more than one thing.

But for your main question - do I think 16 is too early to start an online animation school - if you're passionate about it, I don't see why not.  I think there's no harm in learning what you can and taking from that, no matter the age.  I do think that you will be hard pressed to find an employer at a studio who would want to hire an 18 year old (which is when you'd graduate I'm assuming) as an animator who will probably be younger than their interns, but I could be wrong. 

Do I think you should experience college - if you have the means to, then h*lls yes!  Go to college, live in the dorms and share a room, use community bathrooms, eat horrible dorm food, study your *ss off, and party with your friends on the weekends.  It sounds silly, but those are some of the best things that have ever happened to me.  You meet great people and some of your best friends for life.  It helps you grow up and it helps you learn to appreciate what you have.  The college life is an experience that I wouldn't trade for the world.  I have learned so many skills, from fine arts, to social skills, and its all extremely important, and some of the best years of my life.

Now, I understand that college isn't for everyone, especially people with tight budgets, but I think that if it is a possible option for you, take it!  Even if you only go for two years to get an associates, and especially if you can supplement your education with something like iA or AM.

That's my two cents, if you have anymore questions, you can send me an email:  torr42@live.com Good luck to you! 

Last edited by pandy (07-25-2010 3:59 am)

OK Armando you've opened the door. Thanks for the guidance.

Taylor. Your parents are very important and involved in your education choices. Get them reading this thread maybe? I think until the age of 18 (in Australia at least) student results and discussions with teachers about the animation student can be shared with the parent. After 18 privacy laws apply where teachers can't discuss an "adult" student's work or work ethic.

My understanding is that the iAnimate, like AnimationMentor, school does not want to interfere with people's ability to earn a living (so they can feed and clothe themselves) or interfere with younger people finishing off their secondary schooling. There is a time commitment that has to be made to learn and produce animation. I think it shows a strong sense of character for these schools.

I've tutored and taught a few young adults (animation, how to swim, surfing, surf lifesaving, how to handle animals...) and the important thing is not their age but the maturity of their approach to their chosen studies. The fact that a person at 16 has a focus, something they want to study, is getting out in front of "the pack" where most are not sure of what they want to try. When I was 17 and facing life choices, I pretty much went with the flow. It's worked out, but if you ask any older animators, many might wish they started a bit earlier.

Oh, I just furthered my career as an 'animation student' by signing on for iAnimate semester 1 after having enjoyed Jason's webinars for 2 years.

Last edited by franko (07-25-2010 7:55 am)

Holaaa..I just got a reply yesterday that i have been accepted in Ianimate semester2....that also means less money.....

Pandy: Great mate...you will enroll in this school in which semester??...by the way i knew about Ianimate from Jason's webinars....anyway G.luck see you there.

TaylorH: I wish you can deal with your parents and enroll in Ianimate...also G.luck and hope to see you there..

Franko: Finally we had a moderator's approve that we can go on in this forum(thanks ChocoBilly)....i'm very happy that you signed in..welcome to the club mate....all the best.

Camaro: I wish, you can join us mate, but anyway you are already in a great community...and i like your work, great animations...keep it up.

Dv-cgartist: I hope you will join us soon, as i know and see you are a talented animator....G.luck

all the best mates...

Last edited by Ramimator (07-25-2010 8:53 am)

Thank you Totoro... congratz for you too...Yeah it's much better to get it from the start...but I sent a work samples and they said you fit for semester2 (you can have a look at the work i sent...on my blog)...anyway good to have you there..see you mate..

Last edited by Ramimator (07-25-2010 9:38 am)

TaylorH: Which college/uni are you thinking about going to?

I signed up for semester 1, I don't think that I have enough confidence in my abilities to go straight into semester two.  I feel like I need a really strong grasp on the basics before I move forward.  Congrats on getting into semester two ramimator!

That's awesome Elhindi! I'm im the same boat except your a little older =]

I'm gonna bring it up with my parents some time.

Hm, are you going to college?

Ramimator wrote:

Holaaa..I just got a reply yesterday that i have been accepted in Ianimate semester2....that also means less money.....

Pandy: Great mate...you will enroll in this school in which semester??...by the way i knew about Ianimate from Jason's webinars....anyway G.luck see you there.

Dv-cgartist: I hope you will join us soon, as i know and see you are a talented animator....G.luck

all the best mates...

totoro wrote:

Ramimator, congrats on being accepted on the second term!
I applied for the first term. don't want to miss anything.
hope to see you in the school.

I'm a student also at ianimate fellas! I'm super excited about this opportunity and looking forward to growing in animation with you guys.

Larry_g1s wrote:

elhindi23 wrote:

Anyone else really pumped for some new rigs? I love the AM ones - but I have a feeling Jason's are going to be incredibly awesome.

I've seen the design and know who's doing the rig...you will NOT be disappointed!

Ooooooh!  I'm just so excited I'm giddy!  I've gotta pay this week to officially be in for September, I can't wait to see you there!

Hey hey Larry...welcome mate and Congratz...Woaw exciting hints about the rigs......

El Hindi G.luck with your parents...hope to see you there

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