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Gnomon School Questions

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#1

Hello all,

I’m very interested in eventually becoming a visual effects supervisor. In my research for finding schools, I stumbled across Gnomon School of Visual Effects (http://www.gnomon3d.com), and I’m VERY interested in attending there. My first question to anyone that knows about the school is how good does your portfolio have to be to get in? I mean, is it really hard to get in or what. I have experience with 3d modeling, but not so much with traditional art, so I’m afraid that may hold me back in making pieces for my portfolio. Any advice on this matter would be greatly appreciated. After getting my certificate in the high-end cg program at Gnomon, I plan on getting an MFA in computer animation and then a master’s in visual effects, if there is such a thing. Oh, I forgot to mention that I am currently working on an electrical engineering degree and taking some art and theatre classes at Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge. I have a 4.0 and am very proficient in mathematics and physics, and I that will benefit me in seeking a visual effects position. ANY advice that you guys have will help out a lot. I just recently starting doing research on this stuff, so I don’t know much about it yet. I know some of the members here are Gnomon instructors, so I would especially appreciate it if they would leave some comments. This is by far the best forum I’ve ever been a part of. I love this community. Everyone is so nice and helpful, and I’m hoping that you guys will help me out once again with these questions.

#2

I can’t say I know much about gnomon specifically, but if you’re looking to go into 3D at all, a lack of fine art skills will severely hold you back.
3D is a long and tedious process (alright, zbrush has aided in that, but still), it is going to be very hard to realize a vision digitally that you cant first fully realize and understand on a piece of paper.
You’re drawing skills dont have to be immaculate- but I would suggest taking some basic drawing and painting, possibly sculpture before delving into a realm of 3D, or at least attend a school that will offer these choices.

Being currently enrolled in a 3D program I can say the main thing that holds people back, next to laziness, is a lack of artistic understanding.

jd

#3

Hi Calculus7,

While I am sure that Gnomon is great, I love their DVD’s. You might want to look into a University program that will give you the artistic backround you seem to want as well as more specific skills for the Film Industry.

Savannah School of Art and Design comes to mind as well as New York University animation program in the Big Apple. :+1:

#4

Might I suggest:

CONTACT

Address:
Gnomon,Inc.
1015 North Cahuenga
Hollywood, CA 90038

Phone: 323-466-6663
Fax: 323-466-6710

Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 9am - 6pm

Have always been very helpful.

#5

Well,

This forum lives up to its reputation. Not even one day after I started this thread, I have three replies. You guys are great. I have always loved just talking with people on here. I love this community.

You guys convinced me. I’m going to at least take some art classes to get the fundamentals down. I really, desperately wanted to anyway, but I don’t want to be in school forever. I still have two more years for my bachelors in engineering. I’m already 21 years old and I don’t want to be forty by the time I have a good job. Do you guys know if it is possible to get an associates degree in fine arts? Or any degree/program in art that takes about the same amount of time as an associates. I can’t seem to find any.

I’m sure that you guys are pretty good in fine arts, so would you say that pretty much anyone can be really good at art, that it’s just a matter of dedication and such (M.C. Escher (sp?) was quoted on saying something like that), or would you say that you really have to have talent. I have had some art classes before in high school, and I draw in my spare time. I think I’m decent, but probably would make B’s in an art class. P.S., please don’t judge my artistic talent based on my previous threads. I don’t know Zbrush that well, but I am much better in other programs, such as blender and anim8or. I’m also learning maya and max right now.

You guys really have helped me out so much. I knew that taking the art classes was what I was going to have to do, but you experienced guys coming in here to tell me that I need those classes gets me motivated to take them. Thank you guys so much. Your help will surely be invaluable. Chalkman, I will check into those schools. Thanks for your help.