Post-Secondary Training
College Animation Programs
By Brad Clark
Animation Teacher,
Franklin High School
FAQs:
Frequently asked questions about making animation your profession.
Thinking about a career in animation?
If you want a career in animation, visual effects or the related game industry, you should seriously consider pursuing some form of post-secondary training in the subject.
There are two distinct branches in computer graphics: the artistic, which is the primary concern of this article, and the technical. Those employed to solve technical problems often have a background in computer science and are knowledgeable about computer programming. There are many colleges that offer degrees in these areas. If working on the non-artistic technical side interests you, select a program that offers some emphasis in computer graphics. People in these technical jobs did well in high level math and physics courses.
If math is not really your interest, then the artistic branch is for you (although math is still important). In the old days, there were no college programs for animation and everything was learned on the job. People were hired for their art skill, as demonstrated in their portfolio. Today, a Bachelor’s degree in the subject is often expected, in addition to a really strong portfolio.
It is worth noting that many successful animators majored in subjects other than art in college. Trey Parker (South Park) was a music major. Matt Goening (The Simpsons) was a liberal arts major. Mike Judge (King of the Hill) earned a degree in physics. (If you have a strong aptitude towards math, physics could make a good major for someone interested in animation and game design.)
However, the people you will compete against in the next few years will often have Bachelor degrees in animation. Read the list of both artistic and technical animation jobs that Disney hires.
What about game design?
The information in this article is primarily directed at animation, but applies to game design. Game design is still a relatively new field, but it incorporates similar skills that are used in CG animation. If you are interested in game design, then download Unity. It is a game engine used by such companies as EA and Disney. They offer a free version.
Game design is a growing field, with a lot of potential platforms, including: iPhone, Andriod, Wii, Xbox, Playstation, and website delivery.
The latest numbers indicate that
industry-wide sales of game hardware and software worldwide this year could
surpass $25 billion. Furthermore, though estimates vary, many expect this
figure to grow by at least 10% a year for the next several years. Combine this
with the fact that combined annual sales of game consoles and software in the
U.S. already eclipses movie box-office receipts, and you can see just how big
the industry really is. (From the Entertainment Arts website)
Read this USA Today article to learn their listings of the best college programs. Also look at this article from Game Pro that lists the top 10 game design colleges as listed by the Princeton Review. Also read Game Developer Magazines Career Guide.
Do I have what it takes?
Ideally, in any career, you’re doing something that you love and are really good at. Do you love drawing and telling stories visually? Do you think you have the ability to be really good at it? Can you spend hours and hours on a project? Do you like working in front of a computer? (A minimum work day at Pixar is 10 hours.)
You should be honest about your aptitudes and abilities. Traditional 2-D animation is based on well-developed art skills. CG Animation may be less about those skills, but art skills are still tremendously important. There are many different jobs in animation. This work is very specialized and you will be hired for a specific job. The more you know and the more you have accomplished will mean more opportunities that you will qualify for.
What are the job prospects?
Understand that every job in the entertainment industry is competitive. Just earning a degree will not guarantee you work in the industry. Your success will be connected to your portfolio, creativity, work ethic, reputation, perseverance, people you know, and a bit of luck. After you earn your degree, you will start out on the bottom and need to work your way up.
Animation is used in many areas. You have probably seen the lengthy credits at the end of an animated feature film. Feature films employ many artists who use animation skills for a variety of visual effects. Television supports many animated shows. There are also animators who work for game companies. Other animators specialize in work for the education, legal or medical industries. Animated projects are also used online.
This is what the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports about this sector: “Demand for multimedia artists and animators will increase as consumers continue to demand more realistic video games, movie and television special effects, and 3D animated movies. Additional job openings will arise from an increasing need for computer graphics in the growing number of mobile technologies. The demand for animators is also increasing in alternative areas such as scientific research and design services. Some lower priority animation has been off-shored, negatively affecting employment of animators.”
What kind of jobs classifications are there?
What can I expect to earn?
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics: “Median annual wages of salaried multimedia artists and animators were $56,330. The middle 50 percent earned between $41,710 and $77,010. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $31,570, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $100,390. Median annual wages were $65,600 in motion picture and video industries, and $52,530 in advertising and related services.” Compare this to the median annual income for the male worker (all job fields averaged) of $45,113.
How should I prepare while I am in high school?
While your schedule won’t permit you to do everyone of the recommended classes and activities, you should try to do as many as you can:
· Enroll in Animation 1 and 2 while you are at Franklin High. These classes will provide a foundation for understanding the animation process and lead you to develop work for your portfolio.
· Draw every day. Bring a sketchpad with you wherever you go. Create your own characters. Create original monsters, heroes and villains. Copy examples of art you like. Practice life drawing or “observational drawing.” Draw the people you see sitting around you, your pets; try landscapes and automobiles…everything. For your portfolio, some life drawing examples are particularly important.
· Read books on animation. Start at your local library. See this list.
· Watch lots of different kinds of animation. Begin to develop an eye for how the work is composed. Identify what you like about the work you are watching
· Write scripts and sketch out storyboards. Animation is storytelling.
· Create short animated films that you can enter into regional competitions. Winning an award is an excellent thing to list on your resume and college applications.
· Start developing a portfolio of work that you can use in your college application. Have examples of drawing, painting, sculpture, and of course animation. The work should showcase your creativity and technical skill.
· Joining Franklin High’s Animators’ Club. Having a leadership position in this club is a good thing to have on your resume. Check out the club’s Animation Resources webpage for a list of free software and to understand the animation process.
· If you have completed Animation 2, then you can consider taking ROP Animation at Sheldon High School during your senior year. (See this YouTube Video on their program, also check out their work YouTube Channel) You will need to arrange your own transportation to attend this class after lunch. They also offer a Game Design program after school.
· Take additional art classes. Consider taking the following art classes: Art 1 and Art 2; Honors Art; AP Art History; Digital Art and Graphic Design; Ceramics.
· Take Video 1 and 2. Animation is nothing more than another form of filmmaking. These classes will improve your understanding of visual storytelling.
· Consider taking the CAD A & B (Computer Aided Drafting) classes. These will help you learn how to make 3D models.
· Consider taking a Theater Arts class. Pixar animator Austin Madison has written, “I always tell animation students that drawing (particularly observational drawing from life) is the key to growing as an animator. I'd say acting is the second most essential tool in the animator's survival kit. Improv is a great way to hone performance skills, delve into character motivations and scene structure, and gain on-the-spot brainstorming skills all while making a complete ass out of one's self.”
· Consider taking an online class from the Gnomon Workshop. These are relatively inexpensive video tutorials.
· If you have a very strong portfolio, you should consider applying for the California State Summer School for the Arts. This is a prestigious four-week summer program for talented high school students. They have a highly competitive animation program.
What software should I learn at home?
The two primary software applications used in animation, visual effects, and game design are 3DS Max and Maya and Mudbox. You can download a free student version from Autodesk. These free versions, unfortunately burn a watermark into the rendered image.
I recommend that you learn Maya first as this is what most college classes teach.
For image editing and texturing, you should learn Photoshop. A student priced version costs $199.95. Photoshop Elements, a limited version can be purchased for about $70.00.
Alternately, if you don’t have the cash, you can learn Blender, which is free 3D software and GIMP, which is free image editing software.
Where should I go to school?
Your choice of school will be decided in part on your portfolio, your GPA, your family’s financial resources (and your ability to secure grants or loans), the competiveness of the school, and the city you want to live in.
California remains the hub of the entertainment industry. Large animation companies are located in the San Francisco Bay Area (Pixar, Dreamworks, LucasFilm, EA-Entertainment Arts) and in the Los Angeles area (Disney, Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network). It makes sense to attend a school in these regions because it may lead to internship opportunities and you are likely to have professors with professional experience – and connections to the industry.
Below is what Pixar writes on their FAQ on the question of what college to attend:
We
do not judge potential candidates on the basis of the school they attended (or
didn’t) and therefore do not recommend any particular school(s). As much as we
would like to keep on the forefront of universities offering animation and/or
computer visualization programs, we do not know the details of all programs. We
have listed schools that offer courses in animation but please know that this
is simply a list. If your school is not on our list, this does not mean that
you are unqualified to apply to Pixar.
We look at your work first, typically in the form of a videotaped reel. If the
reel shows mastery or great potential in the area(s) of animation, lighting,
modeling, or writing shaders, we then look at the resume to see your background
and experience.
In choosing an animation related school, look for one that focuses on
traditional skills, drawing, painting, sculpture, cinematography. Ask the
school how they will help you build an effective portfolio of your work: not
merely a collection of your assignments, but a well developed presentation of
your unique point of view, and your technical skills. Also ask the school how
well integrated their theatre and film departments are with their 2D and 3D art
departments.
Learn enough about computer graphics to know how they work in general. Look for
a school that has not substituted electronic arts for traditional (or vice
versa). Ask them about how they balance the two. Avoid just learning packages
of software. Today’s packages will be replaced several times during your school
career, and many studios use proprietary software that you cannot learn in
school anyway. Learn enough to know you can learn it, but concentrate on the
more expressive traditional skills. Pixar FAQs
What do I put in my portfolio?
A portfolio of your work is required to get work in the industry. It is a collection of examples that shows off your skills. Art schools typically require that you submit a portfolio of your work as part of your application process. Different colleges ask for you to show different things, and some are very specific about what they want you to include. They typically want to see around ten pieces that show your artistic ability. You should read Canadian animation instructor Brian Lemay’s recommendations on creating a portfolio for college admission.
This is what Cal Arts wants from applicants to their Character Animation Program:
The
faculty admissions committee seeks portfolios that show evidence of strong,
creative life drawing skills, artistic originality, and the potential to tell
stories and develop characters using sequential imagery. The faculty welcomes a
range of creative work, including drawings and other traditional artwork, 2D
digital art, and 3D computer graphics (CG).
The Cal Arts Experimental Animation program has similar requirements:
In
making admissions decisions, the program’s faculty considers animation and
other visual materials such as flip books, paintings, drawings, storyboards and
photographs that suggest motion or animation. The faculty recommends submitting
portfolios that contain examples of unique, personal, expressive art. Submit
animated film or video work if at all possible.
Where can I see the artwork of professional
animators?
Many animators have personal blogs where they post their own artwork. Look at what they are posting to get inspired and see the style they have adopted.
Glenn Williamson has two blogs GlennArt and GlenStory. He is a graduate of Sheldon High and Cal Arts. He works in the story department of Pixar and has spoken to my classes.
Austin Translation This is Austin Madison’s personal blog. He is an animator at Pixar and a graduate of Sheldon High School and Cal Arts. He worked on Up and Rattouille.
The Blackwing Diaries This is the highly recommend animation blog of Jenny Lerew. She was a storyboard artist on Bee Movie and Flushed Away and was story artist on How to Train Your Dragon. She also has a blog site, Blackwing Sketchbook that featured just her artwork.
The Low Tide Slide This is the personal blog of Ben Adams, an animator who does work for Cartoon Network, credits include work on Flap Jack and Regular Show.
Ethalonia This is the personal blog of Ethan Metzger, who teaches animation at Cal Arts.
Captain Yolk This is the blog of Jeremy Bernstein, a story artist at Nickelodeon Animation Studios. He worked on Shrek 2 & 3, Kung Fu Panda, Madagascar.
Daron Leah Nefcy She is an animator who works for Nickelodeon Animation Studios. She works on Mad.
Tori Davi She is an animator from the UK, who has worked for Tim Burton.
Alina Chua is a 3D story artist for Lucas Film, she work on the Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Julian Narino She worked as a storyboard artist on Coraline.
Terry Song Recently graduated from the Academy of Art University and worked on UP.
What kind of post-secondary education is available?
Workshops These are short sessions of one day or several weeks. They are often good for developing basic skills.
Certificate (often one year to 18 months): These can be earned from community colleges or from private training schools. Also, the Extension Programs of 4 year colleges offer certificates, but these credits are not degree transferable.
Associates (a two-year degree): These degrees are earned from community colleges. Many people start at a community college to get their lower division coursework completed and then transfer to a four-year college.
Bachelors (a four-year degree): This is often the degree that most employers are looking for.
Masters (an additional year or two beyond a Bachelors degree): A Masters is needed for college level teaching. A Master of Fine Arts degree is considered a terminal degree in the arts and qualifies you to become a college instructor.
Doctorate (An additional three years + beyond a Masters degree) I believe only UCLA offers a Ph.D. in animation. This is for someone interested in academic research and university level teaching, not production.
What’s the difference between a B.A., B.S., or
B.F.A?
The B.A. is a Bachelor of Arts degree. The B.S. is a Bachelor of Science Degree and a B.F.A. is a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. There is no meaningful difference between a B.S. or a B.A., both typically require about 126 semester credits, with about 45 semester credits (15 classes) be completed in the major. With these degrees, in addition to a major, you also select a minor, typically 18 semester credits (six classes) in another field. The B.F.A. degree typically requires 65 credits in the major and no minor.
What will it cost?
Community college tuition can cost $2,500.00 for the entire two years (currently $120.00 a class – this does not include books and software). Community colleges offer an incredible deal. At many private colleges $2,500 will not pay for a single class. It is easy for some students to rack up over $100,000 in student debt that could take decades of your wages to pay off. You must weigh very carefully the costs with the benefits. For this reason, I generally do not recommend career technical colleges (with the exception of Ex’pressions).
California State University degrees are a great value. If you can get accepted into a highly competitive private university like Cal Arts or The Rhode Island School of Design, then the prestige can open doors and may be worth the money.
How can I pay for it?
Grants and Loans: You should explore any grants that may be available to you. Grants are funds that you do not need to repay – “free money” for school. Grants are awarded for income level, artistic and academic achievement, ethnic and religious background, etc. Student loans typically require repayment six months after graduation. Borrow carefully. Students coming from households with a low family income can qualify for a mix of grants and loans that will make college possible.
Almost every senior, regardless of family income level, should complete their FAFSA application before the deadline. Government-backed low interest loans are available for up to $10,000 a year. If you need funds beyond that you can get more expensive private loans for college. The average college student graduates with $25,000 in debt that they have to start repaying six months after leaving school.
Animation Career Review is a website that sponsors a grant to animation students in California and Ohio.
What animation colleges are best?
Below are some schools to consider. Within each category, I have ranked at the top the schools I think you should consider first.
Use the AWN Animation School Database to look up other schools.
Certificate Programs
San Francisco State’s Extension Program offers an Animation Certificate. This is coursework that does NOT transfer to a college degree and they expect you to have already completed 56 college credits.
The Animation Collaborative (Emeryville – across the street from Pixar Studios.) They offer evening workshops that meet once a week, but as of yet, no they have no certificate program. However, the instructors largely come from Pixar or Dreamworks and have impressive resumes.
The Animation Academy (Burbank) has an evening program for people living in L.A.
Animation Mentor is an 18 month online program. It pairs you with an industry mentor. This seems like a good program for people that move to a place without a college near them.
Gnomon School of Visual Effects (Hollywood) This program has a good reputation. They also have an online program.
The American Animation Institute. (Burbank) This is run by the Animators Guild (IATSE Local 839 – the union for animators). They offer inexpensive evening classes taught by experienced professional animators but no certificates. They recommend their classes for people who are currently studying animation in school. They focus on traditional hand drawn 2D animation. This is a great resource for people living in the L.A. area.
Boston University (Watham, MA and Washington, D.C.) They have a certificate program in 3D animation, with both 3D animation and game art as part of its Center for Digital Imaging Arts.
2-Year Community Colleges
Community Colleges in California offer an excellent value. It is the least expensive option for learning animation. Many people complete two years at a community college and then transfer to a four year college. You can use the website Assist.org to see if a community college has an articulation agreement to transfer credits to a four year college you are interested in.
Sacramento City College offers an Animation Certificate or Associate Arts Degree in Animation (AA) and another in Animation and Game Design and another in Game Design. We are very fortunate to have a program of this quality so close to us.
De Anza Community College has an animation program with both a certificate and an Animation emphasis in Film And Television Production. They are located in the Bay area, in Cupertino – the home of Apple Computer.
East Los Angeles
College has an Animation
Program has in their art department with both an AA
degree or certificate.
Santa Monica College – Academy of Entertainment & Technology offers certificates of achievement on Animation and Digital Media
College of the Canyons (Santa Clarita) in Southern California offers certificates and A.A. degrees in Animation Production and Computer Animation.
4-Year Public Colleges – California State University
System
Four CSU colleges (San Jose, Long Beach, Fullerton and Northridge have a partnership with Dreamworks called DreamCrits.
San Jose State offers a Bacheor of Arts Degree in Animation/Illustration. Located in the heart of the Silicon Valley, they may have some great internship possibilities with Pixar, Dreamworks and EA nearby.
CSU Long Beach offers a five-year Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) – Option in Illustration –Animation Track. Their alumni include Jennifer Yuh Nelson, the first woman to direct a feature length animated film to be nominated for an academy award, Kung Fu Panda 2.
CSU Fullerton has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree (BFA) in Entertainment Art/Animation. This is a list of courses form their department. Read about their program here.
San Francisco State University has an Animation Emphasis in their B.A. Cinema Program. A portfolio review is required for admission.
CSU Northridge has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Visual Communication – Animation Emphasis in their Art department. It does not appear that this program is a developed as the others in the CSU system
CSU Chico offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Electronic Arts – Computer Animation Studio emphasis. They also have a Bachelor of Science Degree (BS) in Applied Computer Graphics. This is a list of courses from their department.
4-year Public Colleges – University of California
System
Some UC campuses offer a few individual animation classes, but no undergraduate major. There are programs in game design.
UCLA does not have a bachelor’s degree program but does have minor and a Master of Fine Arts program in Animation, in addition to a Ph.D.
UC Santa Cruz offers a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science: Computer Game Design.
4-Year Private Universities in California
Cal Arts - California Institute of the Arts (Valencia) offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Character Animation and another in Experimental Animation within their School of Film/Video. This school was founded by Walt Disney. It is a prestigious and expensive school, with tuition at over $36,000 a year. Only 30% of applicants are accepted. They have a distinguished alumnus that includes Tim Burton (directed Batman, Willy Wonka, etc.) Brad Bird (directed The Incredibles), Brenda Chapman (directed Prince of Egypt), Eric Darnell (directed Antz & Madagascar), Steven Hillenburg (creator of SpongeBob), John Lasseter (directed Toy Story, Bugs Life), Gary Trousdale & Kirk Wise (co-directors of Beauty and the Beast, Hunchback of Notre Dame), Henry Selick (directed Nightmare Before Christmas, James and Giant Peach, and Coraline).
Cogswell College (Sunnyvale) offers a Bachelor of Art in Digital At and Animation. This is a very small school with an enrollment of about 200, but they have a very good reputation. They are also a non-profit college, so their tuition is less that most private colleges (about as much as you would pay to go to a UC). About $19,000 a year. They also offer degrees in Digital Arts Engineering, which is applicable to game design.
University of Southern California- USC (Los Angeles) School Of Cinematic Arts offers a Bachelor of Arts a Animation and Digital Arts. They also have a game design program offering a degree in Interactive Media.
Art Center College of Design (Pasadena) offers a Bachelor of Arts in Animation. This is their list of courses.
Academy of Art University (San Francisco) has perhaps the most extensive animation curriculum of any college. This college is noted as one that “is easy to get in, but hard to graduate from.” They require no formal portfolio, although having one may allow you to skip introductory classes. Low entry standards mean that a high number will drop out in the first two years. Those who complete the program will have worked very hard and have a high skill level. This is a private for-profit college and is expensive.
Ex’pression College for Digital Arts (Emeryville) offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in Animation and Visual Effects. Their program can be completed in three years. They also offer a game design program. This is a private for-profit college and is expensive – costing many over $100,000. They do not have the regional accreditation of the other schools on this page.
Woodbury University is the oldest college in southern California. It is located in Burbank, near many studios. They have an Animation department. They have a free 10 week summer workshop for high school students (if you have a place to stay in L.A.)
Laguna College of Art & Design offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Animation. It features a location near the beach and a comparatively low tuition for a private art school.
Otis College of Art and Design (Los Angeles) offers a degree in Digital Media, which includes animation and game design.
Loyola Marymount University (Los Angeles) offers a Bachelor of Arts degree from their small animation program that is within their School of Film and Television.
California College of Arts and Crafts (Oakland and San Francisco) offers a BFA in animation. They also offer a summer program for high school students.
4-Year Private Universities Outside of California
Rhode Island School of Design has consistently rated one of the best art schools in the nation. They also have a good animation program. Seth McFarlane (creator of Family Guy graduated from RISD).
Florida State University has a BFA in Animation and Digital Art that features a new program that provides a 2-year internship with Digital Domain.
Carnegie-Mellon University (Pittsburgh, PA) offers a Bachelor of Computer Science and Arts (BCSA)
School Of Visual Arts (New York, NY). They offer a Bachelor’s degree in animation. The website claims, “SVA is considered a primary source of animation talent for both coasts. Our graduates work at Disney, Pixar, Dreamworks skg, Blue Sky Studio and Nickelodeon.”
Ringling College of Art and Design (Sarasota, FLA) offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in BFA in computer animation and in Game Art and Design.
Savannah College of Art and Design (Georgia) offers a BFA in Animation
Kansas City Art Institute (Missouri) offers a BFA in Animation.
School of Visual Arts (New York, NY) offers a degree in Animation.
Rochester Institute of Technology (Rochester, NY) offers a BFA in animation.
Texas A&M (College Station, TX) offers a Bachelors of Science in Visualization out of their College of Architecture.
Canada
Canada has a long tradition of government support for animation. As a result, there a number of colleges with good programs.
Toronto is the entertainment production center of Canada.
Sheridan College (Ontario) This is a highly regarded program offering a Bachelor of Applied Arts degree in animation.
Concordia University (Toronto) offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Film Animation.
Seneca College (Toronto) has a certificate program in animation.
Max the Mutt Animation School (Toronto) offers a 3-year diploma. This is a private career vocational school for animation.
How can I follow what’s going on in the industry?
Read industry magazines and follow key websites to learn about the work flows, techniques and people used on professional projects.
Magazines
Animation Magazine A glossy magazine for animators. (You can buy this at some comic shops)
Cinefex This is a slick magazine dedicated to visual effects. (You can buy this at some comic shops)
Computer Graphics World You can get a free electronic subscription here.
Game Developer Magazine You can get a free subscription here.
Websites
Cartoon Brew Regular news on what is going on in the animation industry.
Animation World Network (AWN) The website of the Animation World Network.
Animation World Magazine This is an online magazine of the Animation World Network.
FX Guide A website with lots articles and visual effects used in current films.
Gamasutra The business of games website.
Are there organizations I should join?
Career in the entertainment industry are often made through contacts. Knowing the right people is important. Any where you can network with other in your industry is important.
Consider joining AISFA - The International Animated Film Society. They have chapters in Hollywood and in San Francisco.
If you are a woman you should consider joining Women in Animation.
Are there any conferences I should attend?
AISFA-SF and San Francisco State University host a free annual “Careers in Animation” conference, usually in March.
SIGRAGH has an annual convention in July or August, usually every other year it is held in Los Angeles. The 2013 conference is scheduled for July 21-25, 2013 in Anahiem.
What is a Demo Reel and what should I put in it?
A demo reel is a short video that shows clips from your past work to showcase your skills. It is required by employers in the game and animation fields. All work you do as a student should be considered with an eye for how you might use it in your demo reel. Read this article from Pixar on what to put on your demo reel.
Internships
If you can obtain either a paid or unpaid internship at a production studio, you will learn a lot and start making connections that could lead to employment. Internships are difficult to obtain, but you should try to secure one while you are in college. Internships can provide experience in a working studio and are a great thing to list on your resume. They can also open the door to a paid position. See the jobs listings bellow, which often have internship information.
Search for jobs
See what jobs are currently open and what top employers are looking for. Remember that these top companies hire only the best, and your portfolio must be at a high level. Check these links regularly to note changes. Many smaller firms hire animators and most people in the field will work for a smaller studio.
Check out this interactive map of CG related studios.
Feature Film &
Television Animation Studios
Dreamworks Animation (Shrek, Kung Fu Panda, Madagascar)
Pixar (Toy Story, Monsters, Inc., Finding Nemo, Cars)
Disney Animation Studios and see job listings site (The Princess and the Frog, Bolt, Tangled)
Disney Toon Studios (Direct-to-video unit – Bambi II, Tinkerbell)
Walt Disney Television Animation (the production unit for the Disney Channel – Phineas and Ferb, Fish Hooks)
Nickelodeon Animation Studio (AKA NickToons) (Burbank, CA)(SpongeBob Squarepants, Penguins of Madagascar)
Blue Sky Studios (owned by Fox) (Simpsons, Family Guy, Ice Age, Robots)
LucasFilm Animation (LucasFilm Recruiting) (Star Wars: The Clone Wars)
Also see The Jedi Masters Program a 12 week internship for recent college graduates.
Sony Pictures Animation (Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, The Smurfs)
Sony Pictures Imageworks (Alice in Wonderland)
Illumination Entertainment (Owned by Universal) (Despicable Me, The Lorax)
Time Warner (Boomerang & Cartoon Network)
Warner Bros. Animation (Legends of the Guardians, MAD, Scooby Doo)
Rainmaker Entertainment (Barbie)
Universal Animation Studios (Curious George 2)
Frederator Studios Largest independent cartoon studio produces work for Nickelodeon (Fairly Odd Parents; Adventure Time)
Laika is an animation studio owned by Nike co-founder Phil Knight. It was formerly Will Vinton Studios, which specialized in stop-motion animation. They are based in Portand, Oregon. (Coraline, Mr. Peanut commercials)
Tippett Studios (Berkeley, CA) A visual effects company with an emphasis on CG animation (film series work includes Harry Potter, Pirates of the Caribbean, Twilight
Game Publishers
He is a list of the most successful game studios.
KlickNation (located in Sacramento)
Job Search Engines
Other questions?
Please feel free to ask me any questions you might have.