What Did I Get Myself Into?
Crazy me decided to take four classes this semester. Why? you ask. 'Cause I'm nuts. That's the only logical reason I can deduct at the moment. You'd think I'd know better too since I got fried last semester with only two classes. But nooooo...I have to be a complete fool and take four.
Computer 3D Animation I - This starts off my week. Luckily, the prof I have is really cool and so laid back. His name is Francis Schmidt and has a good reputation as an excellent teacher at BCC. So far I love the guy. He never complains about the thousands upon thousands of questions I ask and seems willing to help me get ready to apply to schools for my next step. Heck, he's even encouraging me to forget the BFA since I already have a BA and go straight into an MFA program.
The class itself isn't easy. We're using a very complex program from SoftImage called XSI. The first time I looked at this program I cringed. It was bad enough the thing had four screens up but it is all based on the Cartesian graphing system. Remember those x,y graphs we all dreaded in College Algebra? And who says you never use algebra again? LOL It's a neat program though and I'm starting to grasp the basics. We'll be spending most of the sememster learning more how to model and texture things than actual animation but I don't mind. I'm actually enjoying working with the wireframes and creating something out of nothing. :)
Computer Animation 2D I - Once again, I have Francis. It's a good thing I like this guy or else my weeks would be deadly. LOL
As you can guess, we'll be studying 2D animation using Aura (a now defunct animation program but good at teaching you the basics of animation), Adobe After Effects, and Adobe Premiere. This class is more about learning the concepts behind the animation rather than learning programs. What's really fun is that we get to watch cartoons for part of the class and analyze the methods behind the animation. For example, today we got to watch the Beavis & Butthead episode called "Animation Sucks." I'm not a big fan of theirs but the cartoon was humourous and I learned how the creators did the actual animation.
I will be animating in this class. Actually, I've already created something. It was crap but it was more of an assignment to learn how the program works. We just started today on a long term project so hopefully my work will improve as time goes on. LOL
Life Drawing I - I threw this class into my schedule simply for portfolio reasons. Most of the schools I'm looking at want a variety of art, mostly fine art (not the computer based stuff that I do). Hmmm....I don't have any of that so it's time to work on it.
The professor is Andrea Geller-Jablonski. She seems pretty cool and I've checked out her online portfolio and her work isn't too bad. I've heard good things about her from other students so I'm not too worried. And yes, she's married to the guy I took a couple of computer classes with.
And yes, we're drawing NUDE people. LOL There was one kid last week who was sort of freaked out and said "you mean....we're drawing people...NUDE?" LOL It was classic!
Graphic Design II - Hooray! I have Steve Brodeur again. I love this guy! Best professor anybody could ask for for graphic design. He knows what he's doing, handles critiques with a caring hand, and give helpful criticism. Oh my! What a change from last semester! LOL
From what I gather from Steve, we'll be spending our whole semester creating a graphic design masterpiece for our portfolios. That's fine by me. I'd rather have one fantastic piece out of this class than five so-so ones. I need my portfolio to really stand out, especially if I'm applying to MFA programs.
Welp, that the sum of what I've gotten myself into. It's four four hour classes, one each day Monday through Thursday. I'm not used to this, but I'm going to give it my best effort.
Computer 3D Animation I - This starts off my week. Luckily, the prof I have is really cool and so laid back. His name is Francis Schmidt and has a good reputation as an excellent teacher at BCC. So far I love the guy. He never complains about the thousands upon thousands of questions I ask and seems willing to help me get ready to apply to schools for my next step. Heck, he's even encouraging me to forget the BFA since I already have a BA and go straight into an MFA program.
The class itself isn't easy. We're using a very complex program from SoftImage called XSI. The first time I looked at this program I cringed. It was bad enough the thing had four screens up but it is all based on the Cartesian graphing system. Remember those x,y graphs we all dreaded in College Algebra? And who says you never use algebra again? LOL It's a neat program though and I'm starting to grasp the basics. We'll be spending most of the sememster learning more how to model and texture things than actual animation but I don't mind. I'm actually enjoying working with the wireframes and creating something out of nothing. :)
Computer Animation 2D I - Once again, I have Francis. It's a good thing I like this guy or else my weeks would be deadly. LOL
As you can guess, we'll be studying 2D animation using Aura (a now defunct animation program but good at teaching you the basics of animation), Adobe After Effects, and Adobe Premiere. This class is more about learning the concepts behind the animation rather than learning programs. What's really fun is that we get to watch cartoons for part of the class and analyze the methods behind the animation. For example, today we got to watch the Beavis & Butthead episode called "Animation Sucks." I'm not a big fan of theirs but the cartoon was humourous and I learned how the creators did the actual animation.
I will be animating in this class. Actually, I've already created something. It was crap but it was more of an assignment to learn how the program works. We just started today on a long term project so hopefully my work will improve as time goes on. LOL
Life Drawing I - I threw this class into my schedule simply for portfolio reasons. Most of the schools I'm looking at want a variety of art, mostly fine art (not the computer based stuff that I do). Hmmm....I don't have any of that so it's time to work on it.
The professor is Andrea Geller-Jablonski. She seems pretty cool and I've checked out her online portfolio and her work isn't too bad. I've heard good things about her from other students so I'm not too worried. And yes, she's married to the guy I took a couple of computer classes with.
And yes, we're drawing NUDE people. LOL There was one kid last week who was sort of freaked out and said "you mean....we're drawing people...NUDE?" LOL It was classic!
Graphic Design II - Hooray! I have Steve Brodeur again. I love this guy! Best professor anybody could ask for for graphic design. He knows what he's doing, handles critiques with a caring hand, and give helpful criticism. Oh my! What a change from last semester! LOL
From what I gather from Steve, we'll be spending our whole semester creating a graphic design masterpiece for our portfolios. That's fine by me. I'd rather have one fantastic piece out of this class than five so-so ones. I need my portfolio to really stand out, especially if I'm applying to MFA programs.
Welp, that the sum of what I've gotten myself into. It's four four hour classes, one each day Monday through Thursday. I'm not used to this, but I'm going to give it my best effort.
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