Alumni Testimonials – Animation Industry

REFLECTIONS OF ACME GRADUATES
Now Pros in the Industry & Mentors on ACME

Since 1995, over 900 students who have participated in the ACME program have gone on to careers in the professional creative community at companies including Disney, Pixar, DreamWorks, Electronic Arts, Blizzard Entertainment and Nickelodeon.

See the testimonials below, and also see the Featured Students section for what students are doing currently.

Dave Chai, San Jose State grad

Animation Director & Founder Thunderbean Animation

Animation teacher at San Jose State University.
Dave is one of the original ACME students & 2007 Annie award nominee (Best Short Film)
“ACME was great when I was a student, and I’m so happy to see that it gets better every year. We learned so much from the telecasts themselves. By adding the online posting and review component, the students have so many more opportunities to show their own work, see and critique the work of others, and interact with fellow animation students across the country to a degree we never imagined possible ten years ago.”

Animation Director, LucasFilm Animations
“ACME was what opened my eyes to see how one truly can make it in the animation industry. Getting real advice and comments from professionals who are working on this stuff every day is crucial to any student who wants to get in. Personally, I knew very early on that I wanted to be in animation, so it was great being able to do animation tests and design assignments that would be seen by working artists (who could potentially be my boss!), and get honest and usually very critical feedback. This was exactly what I needed as a student getting ready to dive into this competitive industry, and I treated the assignments as if I were actually at the studios working under deadlines. In fact, I was able to get an internship at Warner Bros. Animation through the some of the work I did in the program. ACME is also eye-opening not just from hearing what the pros have to say, but to see the different skill levels of your fellow student ACME-ites. I learned just as much from the animation tests of my peers, which helped me to see what I needed to improve on, or if I was on the right track. Everyone in the program supported each other to keep getting better, and hopefully get to the point where the professionals will say, ’Hey, now that’s what I’m talking about!’”

Megan Kelly, San Jose State grad
Character Layout Artist, Simpson’s Movie, Rough Draft Studios
“ACME took my learning one step further by giving me the opportunity to meet and work with professionals and get their opinions and feedback on my animations that I wouldn’t have gotten otherwise. ACME enabled me to work closely with professionals to keep improving my tests until they were ready to put onto my reel to apply for jobs. Thanks to San Jose State and all the pros who took the time to give me advice on ACME, I am now a working professional in the industry.”

Tim Holleyman, Bournemouth Art Institute (England) grad
Animator, Electronic Arts, London
“ACME Online gave me an opportunity to develop my work and gain important feedback from professionals and students alike. It’s very easy when at college to not look outside your year or course for inspiration and advice. The program provided me with both and challenged me to push my own work further. I also believe one of the best ways to learn is through helping others. In order to properly critique the work, I learned a lot more about animation and drawing. Often the feedback I gave would apply some way in my own work and I would go back and adjust it accordingly.”

Nino Navarra, San Jose State grad
Concept Artist, Character Designer, Slipgate Ironworks Studios
“ACME was a great supplementary education in my development as a professional artist. Assignments given through ACME showed students a clearer view of what is considered industry-ready work, and the feedback and critiques I received allowed me to prepare my portfolio to be industry-competitive. The constant contact and access to professionals was a valuable experience and training in dealing with pros and directors, and allowed me to enter the entertainment field much more easily.”