Over the past few years, website platforms have been thriving, and the animated movies trend has started to skyrocket. No matter whether its Demon Slayer, Your Name, or classic films by Pixar and Disney, anime films have become more widely accepted by the general market, and audience age groups are growing increasingly diverse. Additionally, young students are learning animation in droves. This was truly unthinkable over 10 years ago. As an anecdote to the above, I often receive letters from young people who are ardent and passionate about learning animation. Some would like to learn in my studio, and others like to pick my brain about film festivals and competitions. However, the most common questions are about future employment, cross-industry changes, and studying animation abroad. “I don’t have a degree in animation, but I’d like to learn.” “I’d like to study animation abroad. What are your suggestions?” Every time I see questions like these, I think they’re great! Although information on the internet is accessible, and it is easy to obtain various info, learning animation and studying abroad are still a significant path that can change one’s life, and at the same time, it’s a path filled with yearned-for dreams and strict challenges. And so, as a seasoned veteran who’s studied in world famous schools, worked in Hollywood, and participated in many international film festivals, I’d like to share some of my viewpoints in the hopes that they can guide young students toward their own right path.

 “I don’t have a degree related to animation, but I would like to learn.” Too many people have asked me this question. Some have a degree in design or arts and would like to change their career paths, but they don’t have any skills. Many of them have acquired skills from unrelated departments, but they don’t have the necessary hand-painting skills. With respect to this kind of question, my first suggestion is that they do more legwork and research into the field of animation. This sounds like a really basic, simple suggestion, but it’s surprising just how many young students in general don’t fulfill this basic requirement. You must devote time and effort to understand and research the path you want to trek, as that’s where your future lies. The process and know-how for producing an animation are much more specialized and complicated than what first comes to people’s minds. It takes at least three, maybe even five years just to learn the fundamentals. When you shoot a film, you first shoot many different scenes and pick the right ones after you’ve conceptualized the content. However, producing an animation is like building a house. You have to build a foundation all from scratch. If you want to be a professional animation producer, you have to figure out first if you want to produce 2D or 3D animations. The 2D industry includes original painters, art, and storyboards, while the 3D industry also contains models, lighting, texture, motion, and image synthesis. Their required expertise and detailing are completely different. It is far from being enough to just be able to draw alone. You have to first learn the requisite skills and delve into professional fields. Upon thorough scrutiny, you combine your interest with talent before you decide the direction of animation you would like to be involved in. Most people from other fields underestimate this process. Actually, animation is a very complex and specialized skill. You have to learn about it first to see if it fits you, and you have to be mentally prepared before taking the leap into the field

Next, after you’ve gotten your foot into the professional door, the next step is to accumulate a good portfolio - a timeless, masterstroke move you’ll never regret doing. No matter whether you’re searching for jobs, applying for schools, or participating in film festivals, building a portfolio with readily-available works is the most important thing to have. The only difference is that each person has their own creative directions. Based on popular questions mentioned in the first paragraph, I summarize animation departments that you can apply for in the United States. In the United States, animation schools can be roughly divided into two kinds - renowned professional schools and vocational schools. It is much more difficult to enter the former. To be admitted to this kind of school, you have to show your outstanding “potential,” “creative sparks” and solid “fundamental skills.” It can be an award-winning short film, a segment of a demo reel that shows your own style, or a themed portfolio of your drawings. For example, I was successfully admitted to many famous animation schools and awarded scholarships in the United States with The Drawer of Memory, my own 3D animation work, along with my TOEFL scores. Adding onto this, it’s easier to get accepted to a vocational school. However, it’s still comparatively harder to get accepted to one in the United States than getting into one in Taiwan. You have to show your talent, skills, and flare in at least one animation ability. For example, if you’re good at storytelling, your portfolio can emphasize scripts and storylines. If you are skilled in aesthetics, you can stress background storyboard drawings, illustrated characters, and the setting of scenes. If you excel at actions, you can strengthen your animation theories and the performances of characters in the film. However, being unique does not mean you have to be “non-mainstream.” Instead, you have to work hard on the mainstream route, fortifying your own creative sparks. Having your own handy portfolio is the most important step. I suggest you bring your talent into full play by honing one or two skills in particular. You don’t have to be some omnipotent deity, good at doing everything. Moreover, you get extra brownie points if your portfolio shows a clear logical flow and consistent style.

Last but not the least, young students have to be honest with themselves, “Why do I want to go abroad?” What is your purpose for going overseas? Is it for a diploma? Is it for broadening your horizons? Is it to looking for a job overseas? Is it for producing a piece of work or a particular project? For the same reason, you can change the question to, “Why am I learning animation?” You don’t get a standard answer by asking yourself these questions. The only purpose is to confirm your determination. As long as you thoroughly examine and clarify your thoughts, have a profound conversation with yourself, and are clear about your questions and motives, you can boldly devote yourself to pursuing your dream without turning back! No matter what your future results hold, you’ll never regret your life. However, keep in mind that you shouldn’t “go abroad just for the sake of going abroad.” Do NOT learn animation just because many people do so. It takes great passion, perseverance, and determination to enter the animation profession so that you can stick to it for a long time. To sum up, be involved in animation production or obtain an animation degree is NOT something impossible to attain, but it IS important to objectively examine your present abilities and think clearly before making up your mind to do it. After that, you have to learn patiently and work hard, set your goal and prepare for it with a purpose. By doing so, both students in animation-related departments and those who’re changing their career paths can enjoy the opportunity to realize their dreams.

Although we might not rake in boatloads of cash in the animation industry, and it’s a bittersweet slog of a job, we’re all dream chasers passionate about animation. As long as you pick up a pen, you can be immersed in a boundless, imaginary world anytime and anywhere. As long as you pick up a pen, you can be the king or queen of creation in your own world all the time. This is the most valuable pearl of wisdom I can impart. I hope young students can hold on tightly to this dream of animation and live out their own aspirations. No matter what the result is, I believe you’ll never regret pursuing this dream as long as you think carefully and do your best. At the very least, you’ll possess a different way of viewing life’s scenery and experiences with an artistic eye! Let’s encourage each other on this path of animation!