CalArts Portfolio (accepted)

Hey everyone, got my portfolio back in the mail a while ago but was just too lazy to take pictures and upload them. So here's the actual portfolio with pieces in order from first to last.

I apologize for the image quality but I had absolutely no sleep when I took them and didn't feel like going the extra mile to get pristine images.

Anyways, as far as the main portfolio goes, I ended up with 20 pages. In my opinion that's probably more than what most might have submitted. I'm a bit fuzzy on how many pieces are required in the portfolio but as most people say, less is more. Pick what you think are your best pieces and don't try and fluff your portfolio with filler. You might be a little disappointed looking at your work, I know I was when I was putting it together. I suppose it's healthy to always expect better of yourself. But tough it out and put together the strongest portfolio you can. Submitting your portfolio isn't an end, it's showing the school where you currently are and I guess where you can potentially be.

*the above picture was edited at the last minute. It used to be a headless model. I don't recommend doing these kinds of last minute editing. I darn near ruined what I liked about the original version since I had to mix the watercolors all over again and couldn't quite get the exact colors that had been used before.

That's it :)

Last minute reflection and advice for anyone planning on applying to the CalArts Character Animation program

As covered before, send in what you think best represents you.
- If you're like most people, you'll probably be asking around for critiques, opinions, and all that stuff. But in the end it's your call as to what gets shown and what doesn't. Send in the things you are most proud of and wouldn't be embarrassed to show. Take other people's advice and opinions but make sure yours gets the final say. A lot of the stuff I turned in got some negative feedback from friends, family, and teachers. But in the end I decided to include some of those pieces. Maybe it was arrogance and a little "wtf do you know" attitude. Just make sure you're not including or excluding pieces just because somebody tells you to.

Main Portfolio
- Honestly, even after a whole year I still don't really have a clue as to what the admissions people look for in a portfolio. And I'd probably tell you to be careful if you hear anyone speaking like they do. As of this moment, it seems CalArts isn't as interested in academic figure drawings. Which means that drawing like Italian Renaissance masters probably won't get you in. But your drawings definitely need to have life in it. You're applying to Character Animation. So... I'm thinking your figures need to have character and need to be animated lol.

* also worth noting that what they are looking for is always subject to change. So keep an open mind and don't confine yourself too much.

Sketchbooks
- It's recommended to turn one in to supplement your main portfolio. I can't really give any advice out on this. But I will say that I don't recommend you turning in a half filled sketchbook.

Anyways, that's pretty much all I've got to say about the whole portfolio thing. Just keep working hard. You'll get to rest a bit when you're done with the portfolio. And if you get accepted, be prepared to work hard again come fall.


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