CHRIS OATLEY

The Disney artist offers advice to would-be animation students

Do you need a degree to work in animation?

No. Success in animation isn’t about buildings or certificates. The Lion King crew were studio outcasts – literally. Animation legend Floyd Norman described the original Pixar headquarters as a “patchwork of rooms and cubicles”. You don’t need an expensive degree from a fancy school. You just need great teachers from whom you can learn the basics of composition, colour, anatomy, perspective, and the power of visual storytelling.

What questions should students ask when researching schools?

The key question is: “How effective is the education?” Whether the school is online or physical, talk to as many alumni as possible. Do the students’ stories align with the promises of the administration? If not, something is wrong.

A good time to bring up debt?

Yes. When you’re young, it’s almost impossible to understand the pain that accompanies debt. Talk to alumni who’ve been living with it for a decade or so. Listen to the problems found in the chasm between the cost of a physical art school and the consequences of ineffective teachers.

What skills do graduates who are entering the industry lack?

Under-developed fundamentals: colour, composition, anatomy and perspective. No apparent understanding of visual storytelling. No solid business skills. The good news is that, with the internet, it’s never been easier or more affordable to develop these skills.