Carlow Games Development Course Help

[Anonymous]

Hey guys Im 21 and since i have left school iv been looking at this course in carlow, but i dont know how the best way is to try do it :http://www.qualifax.ie/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=15

I only got like 245 points in my leaving cert but i think i need like 320+ to apply through the cao.

Im currently doing this course in dun laoghaire http://www.scd.ie/PC_Maintenance__Technical_Support/Default.286.html

To apply through fetac for this game course you need Recognised Award: CITXXhttp://www.fetac.ie/fetac/awardsDirectory.do?method=getMajorAwardDetails&majorAwardId=5424 but i will hopefully have CCNMX award. http://www.fetac.ie/fetac/awardsDirectory.do?method=getMajorAwardDetails&majorAwardId=5401

Can anyone give me advice on what would be the best/ most efficient use of my time, on how to get in to this course?

Or if there is another course that would be good.

One thing is playing on my mind is that if i wait until im 23 to apply as a mature student then i will be 27 when finished the course only graduated

My ultimate goal is to move to america or somewhere nice to be an animator/ moddler or something like that

Thanks so much

[Anonymous]

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[Anonymous]

Ah dam really :/ dont think i could do 4 years of programming

Is it unreasonable to want to be a an animator or modeller?

Do you think i could get a job outside of Ireland with this?

I only say these too things because iv tryed them on my own and liked them but i was never excellent at maths really, but i could learn but i dont think im a natural

[Anonymous]

Yes, definitely you can get work with training from the ballyfermot animation course. There are lots of people who studied there and now work in games. There is an animation course in dun Laoghaire too.
It would be a good idea to get a clear idea of the kind of work you want to do and start preparing yourself for that.

heres one example of a ballyfermot graduate. :)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Baneham

Why not have a search for an artist that you admire and then do some research into how they got where they are, read their C.V. Look for animators portfolio websites, look at where they studied. Some even have tutorials on their sites. It is good to study a course to have a structured framework for study, but all you need to start training yourself is available freely on the net. Don’t wait for permission from someone, start teaching yourself now. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the great advice, I think im going to apply for carlow anyways and see what happens. If i dont get it would this be any use ( i know its only level 5 fetac but could let me progress further? ) http://www.qualifax.ie/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=15

Iv been on 3d buzz and done animation with that and like it

Is there any other routes i could go or try?

What are those pulse course’s like?

Liam

[Anonymous]

Wow that guy Richard Baneham is really inspiring.. Id love to be involved in something like that !! Thats what I want :)

Really have a look in to ballyfermot course

If i wanted to get into special effects in movies which course would be best to do? And what would be a good step after that?

I need to do something that vents my creative urges :D This pc repair is to dull :P

[Aphra K]

Note: I have moved this to the education thread from general discussion.

liamhefu2 – there is a big difference between the courses and colleges you are looking at and also between the prices of the courses. The private college courses are shorter but much more expensive.

Take a look at Ballyfermot and IADT if animation is your thing and drawing – they are all listed in our course list – http://www.gamedevelopers.ie/courses/ – and try to find out who is lecturing on the courses.

Ballyfermot have a fetac level 5 one year course and if you do well on that you can move on to a two year diploma.

the other option is to repeat some subjects and get more points – that widens your options.

Regardless you can be working on a portfolio to show off what skills you have learned so far. Get involved in competitions, gamejams etc.

Aphra.

[Anonymous]

Hmm this puts me in a pickle as i didnt do art in school but done technical drawing instead.. I have only done one drawing recently of spiderman but i dont really draw that much to be honest. I guessing most computer animations courses would be looking for hand drawing ability

I think il upload the spiderman pic and see what you guys think

Seems like im going around in circles trying to find the right course :/

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k172/liamhef2006/IMAG0349.jpg

Edit: I was looking at this course but its hard to see where you can move too after you finish it
http://applications.bcfe.ie/course-DLO-Computer_Games_And_Interactive_Entertainment_Development.html

[Anonymous]

Hi Liamhefu2,

I’m a graduate of the Carlow course and its DEFINITELY not for anyone wanting to do art/animation/modelling. the one module we had was poorly put together and they really are geared towards programming than anything else. My sister is doing animation in Dun Laoghaire and has far surpassed anything we would have done

[Aphra K]

Edit: I was looking at this course but its hard to see where you can move too after you finish it
http://applications.bcfe.ie/course-DLO-Computer_Games_And_Interactive_Entertainment_Development.html

well it says you can go on to the two year course
‘merit profile may apply for entry to BTEC National Higher Diploma courses in Multimedia and in Computer Games Development in BCFE.’

And it says that ‘The academic entry requirements may be waived for mature applicants (21+).’

I think you need to start exploring which strand – animation/drawing or programming is where your interest lies…why not go visit the places and talk to staff?

Aphra.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the advice guys

At the moment im torn between doing animation or doing games

Has anyone have any thoughts on the Entertainment systems course in waterford ?

http://www.wit.ie/StudyatWIT/UndergraduateCourses/Science/BScHonsinEntertainmentsSystems-WD168/

[Author]

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