Combine AMVs with studying?!

Funky-kun · Post by **Funky-kun** » Wed Jul 11, 2007 3:35 pm

OK, so this year I am prepainig for the SAT examinations (already have 1690 on the first one, but I deffinately aim higher, this try was without any preparations) and already have a 108/120 on the TOEFL iBT. I am thinking about studying something related to business/management/finance.

But since I enjoy AMV making a lot, I was wondering if I could study something close to my hobby such as graphical design or something of that sort. So I would really be glad if someone studying the same specialization or something similar (in the USA or EU) would share his thoughts on this topic and would give me some recommendations or advices. Also if anyone got an idea how my hobby can help me when applying for a college/university I would be glad to hear about it. ^^

Thanks in advance!
I really hope someone posts here >_>

JaddziaDax · Post by **JaddziaDax** » Wed Jul 11, 2007 3:50 pm

lots of people on this site are studying film or graphic design...

i think it goes with the territory

Funky-kun · Post by **Funky-kun** » Wed Jul 11, 2007 3:57 pm

So now I just hope they notice the thread and tell me something more about it xD (like where they are studying, the grades they had when applying etc.)

CerebralAssamite · Post by **CerebralAssamite** » Wed Jul 11, 2007 4:17 pm

bah "USA or EU" We aussie's are just as important as anyone else, throw us a stick already

Seriously though, I was making amv's as much as anyone else when I was sitting exams 6-7 years ago now.. (vcr's ftw), and then again through my tertiary studies.. let me tell you, just because you have a job doesn't make this any easier..
Sure there's no work to take home, thats because they make you break you're balls each day to make up for it..

Task prioritising is essential for work these days, if you can do that now, you're already ahead of yourself.

ZephyrStar · Post by **ZephyrStar** » Wed Jul 11, 2007 4:22 pm

I went to a small university in eastern TN, majored in Digital Media, concentrated in Character Animation but picked up a little of everything along the way. I got an MS degree there, now working in graphic design field. You should do fine with a >3.0 gpa at most places that have programs such as this one, depending on what you want to do. If you want to just plain edit, you might look at a broadcast major. If you want to edit + composite + special effects, you'll probably want to look at a digital media program. If you want to shoot film/video + play with cameras + edit + composite + special effects then you might consider film school (although tons of indie people will tell you it's not worth it) And don't think you have to go to a huge well known school and shell out a hundred grand to get your degree in this stuff...I'm a firm believer in school is what you make it. The piece of paper you get opens doors sure, but experience is the best teacher, and the more experience/group work you get, the more desirable you are for big jobs.

If you're shooting for the big competitive schools, you'll want to get a portfolio of some kind ready!
Big competitive schools would be:

Academy of Arts
SCAD (Savhanna College of Art and Design)
Ringling
Vancouver

Just to name some top film/art/animation/editing schools

You can usually tell the quality of a program by the quality of student work coming out of the program. Get yourself their department demo reel or student works showcase. As a general rule though, you'll probably learn more from fellow students than you will from professors in a lot of cases. Any curriculum that has you do a lot of group projects is a good thing.

Hope this helps, I'll definately elaborate on anything if you want me to

inthesto · Post by **inthesto** » Wed Jul 11, 2007 4:35 pm

For a second there, I thought you hacked your SAT score.

NeoQuixotic · Post by **NeoQuixotic** » Wed Jul 11, 2007 4:35 pm

I've been going to college for graphic/multimedia design and video production. It is a very hard and competitive field, but a lot of fun at times. I'm going for two or three degrees ^_^!

Can't say much for the EU, but this my experience in the USA:

So far I've been going to technical colleges, so the SAT or ACT doesn't really factor in much at all. Standard 4 year college/university just wasn't for me. Plus I'm going to school for MUCH less money. In creative fields your degree doesn't matter as much as your experience and portfolio.

As far as AMVs go, don't rely on them much for jobs since they are obviously quite illegal. My school takes a strong stance on copyright and don't expect to use AMVs in your portfolio. I'm not saying they could be useful, but be careful not to get yourself in hot water.

Right now I'm only looking at 2 year Associate in Applied Science Degree (A.A.S.) in video and multimedia. But a lot of schools will have a partnership with a college or university to obtain a 4 year Bachelors degree.

Plus writing, shooting, and editing your own stuff is very different then AMVs. With AMVs you have your footage already, but when producing your own stuff you have more freedom. Of course I'm not talking about animating your own anime because that is unrealistic. For me, video production has opened my mind to a whole new world. Now I'm constantly watching the news, commercials, movies and etc with more detail trying to understand what work went into it. From the camera, lighting, sound, casting, editing, and more. There are so many niche areas involved with video production. And I'll say lighting is a pain in the ass XD!

Best thing to do is tour some schools your interested in and drop in when some classes are in session to see what students are doing. Who knows it may not be what your looking for, but you'll never know if you don't do a little research. I simply choose this field because of my love for art and computers. Even if I suck at being creative, I would love to be a tech in the industry. I've discovered I know more technical aspects then my instructors, while they are much better at the creative aspect. Yet another niche job in this wide world

!

All I know is I'm not going to be one of the mindless drones in a cubicle. Don't expect to become really good, really fast. Take your time and have fun. I'm a slow paced learner and many people are way beyond what I know and can do, but it doesn't discourage me. And if your already talented, keep challenging yourself.

Go forth and learn

!

Kitsuner · Post by **Kitsuner** » Wed Jul 11, 2007 5:09 pm

inthesto wrote:For a second there, I thought you hacked your SAT score.

Who's to say he didn't?

Scintilla · Post by **Scintilla** » Wed Jul 11, 2007 5:11 pm

Kitsuner wrote:
inthesto wrote:For a second there, I thought you hacked your SAT score.
Who's to say he didn't?

You'd think that anyone capable of hacking his/her SAT score in the first place would be able to do better than 1690...

downwithpants · Post by **downwithpants** » Wed Jul 11, 2007 5:49 pm

graphic design and psychology (perception-related) would overlap with AMVs and marketing/sales if you're into that. otherwise, finance... i don't see much overlap with AMVs. it's good to take some courses outside of your major, if you can, though, in which case you can go into film, graphics, art, music, etc.

Also if anyone got an idea how my hobby can help me when applying for a college/university I would be glad to hear about it. ^^

well, jasper-isis made an AMV for one of her college apps:
http://www.animemusicvideos.org/members ... _id=103341

if you're applying to liberal artsy colleges, they will appreciate seeing stuff you do that's not major/career-related. just make sure it doesn't suck