3 answers
Khriz
Student
Canton, Georgia
6
Questions
Updated
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question 5 for special effects artist
5. what collage degree do you have to get for this career?
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3 answers
Pretty Ram
College Student, Research Consultant, Gallery Monitor
1
Answer
Burien, WA
Updated
Pretty’s Answer
One of the college degrees that you should consider is a BFA ( Bachelor of Fine Arts) in computer animation, Film, or 3D design. Special effects artists and animators typically need a bachelor’s degree in computer graphics, art, or a related field to develop a portfolio of work and the technical skills that many employers prefer.
Try looking for colleges that offer these program near you
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Jamie Clark
Visual Effects Artist
24
Answers
Austin, Texas
Updated
Jamie’s Answer
It's hard to answer this only because I don't know what you are referring to when you write "special effects artist."
If you're talking about practical effects (like Paul describes above) I would say that's sound advice.
If you're talking about visual effects for film and television then there are certainly many schools to choose from if you wish. The only school two schools that I can endorse (that I personally know of) are Gnomon and The Dave School.
Those are great schools, but you also need to have the budget to afford them. But if you do then that's a great way to learn from people in the industry and get going.
If you don't have the budget for something like that, you can learn all of this stuff from courses online and most 3d packages (I think all of them now) have free versions to download and use for this purpose.
Ultimately what we're looking at is your demo reel. Certainly schooling and experience matter, but your first job... you won't have any experience, even if you graduate from a good school... you'll be likely be viewed as having no production experience.
So your demo reel is what will get you in the door. So if you learn on your own, just go to artstation and type in "demo reel" and watch A LOT of them.
Figure out what you can do to replicate that kind of work, and once you get to a point where you have a reel, post it up for feedback. Don't sweat being "as good" as the great reels you'll view, because everyone's first reel isn't the greatest.
Just do your best, and get feedback from folks. If you can't find a forum then contact the people on art station with work you admire and simply ask if they would be willing to check out your work... most people would be happy to... I would.
And then when you're ready, just start sending it out to studios. Ask them if they have any junior artist openings. And if they don't, ask them if you can just come down and check out their work... the trick is get your foot in the door, get to know people and let them know you're willing to learn.
Good luck! It's a great field and a lot of fun!
If you're talking about practical effects (like Paul describes above) I would say that's sound advice.
If you're talking about visual effects for film and television then there are certainly many schools to choose from if you wish. The only school two schools that I can endorse (that I personally know of) are Gnomon and The Dave School.
Those are great schools, but you also need to have the budget to afford them. But if you do then that's a great way to learn from people in the industry and get going.
If you don't have the budget for something like that, you can learn all of this stuff from courses online and most 3d packages (I think all of them now) have free versions to download and use for this purpose.
Ultimately what we're looking at is your demo reel. Certainly schooling and experience matter, but your first job... you won't have any experience, even if you graduate from a good school... you'll be likely be viewed as having no production experience.
So your demo reel is what will get you in the door. So if you learn on your own, just go to artstation and type in "demo reel" and watch A LOT of them.
Figure out what you can do to replicate that kind of work, and once you get to a point where you have a reel, post it up for feedback. Don't sweat being "as good" as the great reels you'll view, because everyone's first reel isn't the greatest.
Just do your best, and get feedback from folks. If you can't find a forum then contact the people on art station with work you admire and simply ask if they would be willing to check out your work... most people would be happy to... I would.
And then when you're ready, just start sending it out to studios. Ask them if they have any junior artist openings. And if they don't, ask them if you can just come down and check out their work... the trick is get your foot in the door, get to know people and let them know you're willing to learn.
Good luck! It's a great field and a lot of fun!
Paul Ceely
Dynamics 365 Finance Consultant
3
Answers
Clover, South Carolina
Updated
Paul’s Answer
My daughter is studying for a Bachelor of the Arts (BA) in "Specialist Hair and Media Makeup", learning to make molds and latex/silicone prosthetics for use in theater and film (think gory wounds in horror movies, fantastical beings, physical deformities, etc.).
Investigate available degree programs & schools.
Look into a summer camp/program in this field to give you some real exposure to the industry/career.
Paul recommends the following next steps: