Need Advice to Pursue My Dream

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dotbrie

New member
I always wanted to have my own animation studio. Now that I'm a freshman at college I have the opportunity to pursue this.

I am curious to as of what would be a good way to start? I mean I'd imagine just doing small stuff as freelance like site intros and what not but I'd also love to make my own stuff and publish it online as well.

I'd also wonder what would be a good fall back job/career in case all doesn't go so well. I heard Graphic Design is a much needed field.

Please help. Thanks. :)
 
If you want all the ins and outs of running an animation studio, I suggest you contact TZ member Jonny Mack, a.k.a. Jon McClenahan. He operated StarToons, which animated for Warner Bros.' TV division in the 1990s, and I'm sure he can fill you in on everything you'd need to know. Good luck!
 
I would highly recommend checking out Tony White's Animation: From Pencils to Pixels, which is probably one of the most thorough books on both the art and business of animation. Lots of animation books talk about the former, but not as many talk about the latter. I haven't read quite that far into the book to know what he says about running your own studio, but he has chapters dedicated to repetitive stress injuries and ergonomics of the studio, so I can't believe he wouldn't have something worthwhile to say about running your own studio.

As for what job to take to support your dream, I'm going to repeat the advice that Bob Bergen gave to his class about becoming a voice actor: any job that pays the bills and gives you the time to do what you love is the job you should take. The two do not have to be related -- lots of working voice actors still hold jobs in retail, as wait staff in restaurants, or in ordinary 9-5 jobs.

Hope this helps, and good luck!
 
Well, as much I want to make original comics and graphic novels, I know a great way to make money is to take up jobs that also involve cartooning.
Try to take a job as a cartoonist for your local newspaper, or better yet, work at an animation studio before creating your own.
 
What your major is depends on what your college offers. Are you attending a college that specializes in film and cinema? If so, they may very well have a specific program for animation studies. If not, most schools of any quality (sadly, not mine) have a general "film studies" major. Many colleges these days also allow to design your own major. This is really something you should talk to your professors/academic advisor/career counselor about, if you want your college education to prepare you specifically for creating animation and opening your own studio.
 
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