What kind of academic qualities do you look for in applicants?
We have very high standards for admission to LMU, and admission to the Animation Program is not automatic. Above and beyond a great GPA and SAT scores, we require an entrance portfolio for the purpose of assessing creative potential. The LMU School of Film and Television/Animation Program admits new students once each year in the Fall Semester. Applications must be filed one year in advance; no late applications are accepted. As the number of qualified applicants far exceeds the number who can be accepted, students are encouraged to have alternate plans in the event they are not admitted.
What kinds of classes should students be focusing on in high school to succeed in your program?
Drawing. All kinds of drawing (especially Life Drawing): Models, Still-life, Illustration, Sketches, Charcoal, Painting, Cartoons, Comic Strips, Storyboards, etc.
What kinds of extracurricular activities can high school students be doing now that would be useful to them for your program?
Join ASIFA (This is the International Animated Film Society). Watch lots of Animation (not just Disney, not just TV). Take art classes at the local Community College or other Art Schools. Draw every day. Go to Church.
I would imagine technical/computer skills are important in man animation program; exactly how computer literate do students need to be prior to entering your program?
More is better. We are finding that every year, college Freshmen are becoming increasingly computer literate. We do teach a wide assortment of digital skills to our students, however we stress process and procedure over technical software considerations. We are not a trade/technical school. (Besides which, the average shelf-life for any given piece of software is about 18 months.) If a student has at least basic skill sets we can work with them.
What skills will students have by the time they graduate?
In four years at LMU, Animation majors move from a traditionally- based foundation in animation production techniques during the Freshman year to the theory and practice of digital film-making and Computer Animation during the Sophmore year. The third year is devoted to the study of Multi-Media and Alternative forms of Animation. During the senior year, students write, animate, and direct a thesis group film/project and prepare a personal reel and portfolio pursuant to placement in the Animation industry.
How will your program prepare them for the workplace?
At the end of four years, we have engaged the students with a spectrum of possibilities and encouraged them to seek creative solutions to technical problems. Content is more important than technical ability - we are hoping to prepare our students for the last position that they'll have instead of their first gig after school.
What is the average cost of textbooks per semester?
We do not have a list of required texts for our classes. There are several books we recommend that the students buy if they are interested. We generally generate our own hand outs and course materials.
What kinds of expenses can students expect (i.e. materials costs, equipment purchases)?
Animation is a unique film medium in that it requires more time than money. An average budget for a "traditional" (ink and paint on cels) student project is anywhere from several hundred dollars to several thousand dollars - depending on the complexity of the project, type of film stock used (16mm vs. 35mm), processing and composite printing. Digital film projects are more expensive because we have found that most students benefit from using their own computers - so they have to buy a computer and a huge stack of CD ROMS, DVDs, External hard disks, etc. for storage purposes. Along with these items most students will have to purchase sketch books, paper, pens, and other art supplies.
Is there one fascinating statistic or aspect of your program that makes it unique?
We have one of the only B.A. programs in Animation coupled with a "Liberal Arts" degree in the country. Our program represents a broad-band approach to Animation education supported by a classical baccalaureate degree. Class sizes are limited purposefully, so there is a high order of instructor/student interaction. We stress content and visual storytelling over technical ability. Moreover, we are the only Jesuit university in the country to have a program in animation.