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Monday, May 22, 2017

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is AnimSchool?

animSchool   A: AnimSchool is the online school for 3D animation skills! We offer two 12-month certificate programs, each requiring 9 months of pre-requisites. The "3D Character" Program Track teaches modeling and rigging. The "3D Animation" Program Track teaches animation.

Q: Who are the people behind AnimSchool?

A: Each term we have nearly 30 instructors teach our many classes. Nearly all of our top instructors are now working at Blue Sky Studios, Pixar, Dreamworks, Disney and other studios are teaching at AnimSchool, from the modeling, rigging, and animation departments. They teach at AnimSchool after hours.
AnimSchool's founder is David Gallagher, former Character Development Supervisor at Blue Sky Studios, animator, modeler, and rigger.

Q: Who is AnimSchool for?

A: AnimSchool is for new students who want to learn the core skills involved in high-end 3D animation: 1. making 3D characters, and 2. making them move and act.
It's also for working 3D animators and modelers/riggers who need a boost in their career, and just want to take select classes from senior and supervisor-level teachers.

Q: What are the requirements to enroll?

A: Prospective students need to be 18 or older, be a High School graduate or equivalent, have a working knowledge of English, and show aptitude (normally drawing) and eagerness to complete the program of study. Students must have a working knowledge of computers, Windows or Mac. Students should be familiar with Autodesk Maya or take our preparatory Introduction to Maya course (which increases the Track length by 3 months).

They also need to have access to high-speed internet for class time.

Q: How long are the terms?

A: Each term is 11 weeks. There are four terms per year. Each program lasts 7 terms.

Q: How often are the classes held?

A: Most of our classes are held two days each week. There is a lecture and instruction during "Class Time". In addition, most classes will hold "Critique Time" at a separate day and/or time, when each student's assignment can be reviewed. Smaller classes may not require Critique Time. Students can sign up for the particular teacher and class time that works best for them. Click on Classes Now Offered on the sidebar.

Q: How long is the class time?

A: The classes are scheduled for about 90 minutes during which the instructor teaches the students through lecture and live workflow demonstrations. Most classes will also hold a 1-3 hour "Critique Time", at another day and/or time when the teacher reviews each student's assignment. The length of that session depends on how many students there are to review. Students may choose to stay for other students' critiques.
For small classes, the Critique Time may combined with the regular Class Time because the lecture and critiques can be accomplished within the other two to three-hour Class Time.

Q: How are the classes conducted?

A: Classes are held in your web browser at animschool.com, using advanced web-conferencing software allowing instructors and student to interact via chat, mic, and webcamera. During lectures, teachers can show their desktop to review the students' work or demonstrate concepts.

Q: Are there video lectures?

A: The instructor gives a live lecture each week. Many courses also offer additional pre-recorded videos explaining curriculum concepts and tools. The most important learning is from live interaction with some of the best 3D animation professionals.

Q: Can students pick their teachers?

A: Yes! Students can choose which teacher to take their classes from. The more popular classes fill first, so students are should register early.

Q: Can working animators just take individual classes?

A: Yes! For students who don't need to enter a full 21-month Program Track, they can sign up for individual classes to give them a needed boost in their career. However, students have to be approved by AnimSchool's Review Board to enroll in the selected course.

Q: How big are the class sizes?

A: Classes are kept small to allow for comfortable interaction and maximum face-to-face time with the teacher. Usually 10 students or fewer.

Q: When do the terms begin?

A: Classes begin the last few days of December, March, June, September each year.

Q: What time of day are the classes offered?

A: Classes are designed to fit around the work schedules of the working teachers, and tend to be in the hours between 7-12 in the evening in the U.S. time zones, and on Saturdays. We also hold a limited number of mid-day classes for the benefit of those in a wide-range of timezones.

Q: Do entering students have to start at a particular term?

A: New students can begin at any term of the year.

Q: Which 3D software package does AnimSchool use?

A: We support Autodesk Maya.

Q: Do 3D Animation students make their own character rigs?

A: AnimSchool provides exceptional character rigs for animators to use for each assignment. However, 3D Animation students can also learn how to make characters on a simple-level, to give them a broader education and greater facility at their eventual place of employment.

Q: Do 3D Character (modeling&rigging) students learn scripting?

A: 3D Character students can focus on the aesthetic or the technical side of those skills. Some scripting is taught in the first four core classes. The 3D Character curriculum includes, but doesn't require, advanced scripting.

Q: Does AnimSchool offer student discounts for the 3D software?

A: Yes. For students enrolled in a program, they are eligible to buy Autodesk Maya at student discount rates. AnimSchool is also part of Autodesk's amazing free software program. AnimSchool program students are currently eligible to download a copy of Maya for free!

Q: What makes AnimSchool different from other schools?

A: 1. AnimSchool is the premiere online school devoted to teaching a wider range of 3D animation skills. Our standards of progress have meant our graduates are uniquely qualified for employment, which makes our graduates' employment rate very high.
2. At AnimSchool, we are passionate about great 3D characters. Appealing, convincing characters are at the heart of AnimSchool.

Q: How many students are accepted per term?

A: We typically approve 40 - 60 new students each term, joining our student body of about 250 students.

Q: What jobs will a certificate at AnimSchool prepare the student for?

A: AnimSchool students will be qualifying to find employment as a 3D animator, 3D modeler, rigger (character TD), 3D artist, 3D generalist in the feature film, visual FX, television broadcast, video gaming, advertising, and web industries.

Q: How much does AnimSchool cost?

A: Tuition for each 11-week term costs US $1800, but is currently discounted to $1590 or $530 per month. That is $600 (now $530) per calendar month of participation (per 3.66 weeks of instruction). The 7-term program costs $12,600 (now $11,130) plus an application fee of $125. We have discounts available at different times. See the tuition page for more details

Q: Are there other costs involved?

A: Students are also responsible for purchasing or having access to: computer, web camera (with microphone), educational-discounted Maya 3D software, and textbooks.

Q: How fast does my internet have to be to attend AnimSchool classes?

A: Fast “basic broadband” internet access is absolutely required. For best results, students need download speeds of 1.5 Mbps or more and upload speeds of 1.2 Mbps or more.
To find out the speeds you are experiencing on your computer and connection, go to a website such as www.speedtest.net and hit the Begin Test button.

Q: Does AnimSchool offer financial aid?

A: AnimSchool is an unaccredited school, so U.S. government-backed loans are not available. Students can arrange private loans themselves or participate in our Easy-Pay program:

Q: What is the Easy-Pay program?

A: The Easy-Pay program is a way to spread out the cost of tuition to bring the (per-month) cost down to $356 per month. Over 30 months, students take three one-term breaks from classes, during which they continue to access the AnimSchool website and improve their skills, but aren't enrolled in classes. Each month during these breaks as well as three months before and five months after classes, students make 33 total payments. Note that completing an AnimSchool program this way takes 30 months, nine months longer than the usual 21 months.

Q: What is the contact information for AnimSchool?

A: Phone: 801 765-7677 Fax: . Address is: 209 West 520 North, Orem, UT 84057.

Q: What are AnimSchool's Graduates' Employment Rates and Graduation Rates?

A: AnimSchool Graduation and Employment Rates for the most recent period:

Note: These rates are from our previous programs, which were normally 21-months in length. The graduation rates from our new 12-month programs will be posted when they become available.
Time Periods:
Normal Programs: (graduates starting during: August 2012-July 2013)
Easy Pay Programs: (graduates starting during: June 2011-May 2012)

Graduation Rates (students graduate program within 150% of program length):
3D Animation Program (21 months): 22%
3D Character Program (21 months): 25%
3D Animation Program EasyPay (30 months): 31%
3D Character Program EasyPay (30 months): 100%
Overall: 21 graduated out of 84 available for graduation from the most recent period.

Employment Rates:
3D Animation Program (21 months): 91%
3D Character Program (21 months): 100%
3D Animation Program EasyPay (30 months): 100%
3D Character Program EasyPay (30 months): 100%

Overall Employment Rate: 95%

19 employed out of 20 available graduates from the most recent period.

Q: Is AnimSchool registered as a school?

A: AnimSchool is compliant with all state post-secondary proprietary school laws and is registered under the UTAH POST-SECONDARY PROPRIETARY SCHOOL ACT (Title 13, Chapter 34, Utah Code)

Q: I can't find my state on the application

A: In compliance with all of the state regulations that apply to students throughout the United States, AnimSchool is unable to accept students from the following states. For more information you can click on the State's name for details about the regulations preventing students from applying from a specific state.

Current Application Blocks
  • Alabama
  • Delaware
  • Maryland
  • Michigan
  • Nebraska
  • New Mexico
  • Oklahoma
  • Wisconsin
  • Wyoming
Temporary Application Blocks
  • Georgia
  • North Dakota
  • Texas

AnimSchool expects be able to accept students from the States on the temporary block list, after the school is nationally accredited, in late 2017.

 

"Online reviews with some of the best animators in the world who really take the time to look at your work." –Mark B.

"Now I know how to make animation better, appealing. After AnimSchool, I feel empowered." –Carlos R.

"AnimSchool has allowed me to advance in a career that is filled with opportunities" –Carlos G.

"I’ve learned so much and I’m really happy I chose AnimSchool! It’s pretty cool that I get to work on characters I love...I’m thrilled that I get to model, rig and animate Donald Duck’s nephews for a Disney project." –Nanda D.

"Without knowing anything about Maya 2 ½ years ago and be able to do these sort of things today – makes me really proud!" –Martin S.

"I didn’t know crap about 3D animation before I got here, so it’s really cool! I have an animation job now." –Maikoe A.

"I finished school, got a job and was promoted to Animation Supervisor--all because of AnimSchool." –Dimitar B.

"I've learned a lot from all the professional animators at AnimSchool! Their stories about daily work in major studios and productions worldwide made the profession come alive for me." –Imelda A.

"I had done commercials and worked on TV for 5 years, but during my first class at AnimSchool I realized that I didn’t know how to animate yet! This was just so different!" –Daniel J.

"I am now comfortable with modeling, character creation and rigging in Maya. Before AnimSchool, I didn’t know how to rig anything." –Richitos M.

"Even though it’s an online school it feels like a whole community of people who I have never met before but became really good friends with...it’s simply the BEST!" –Dilen S.

"The instructors are among the best. They have been super kind with me - they not only taught me how to animate better, they also pushed me to become a good team member." –Carlos A.

"From class to class I could see a marked improvement in my work." –Maxim K.