How do i become a cartoonist??

Question

i don't mean a comic book artist, I'm talkin moving animations that come on tv, such as family guy and aqua teen hunger force, do i need collage? where can i find job requirments? help

Answer 1

The word you are looking for is "animator", not cartoonist. Learning animation as a career is hard work but wonderful if you love to do it!

You really do need to go to college - at least, that's the only sure way. It is not an industry you can get into with no experience, unless your skills are absolutely incredible. You need skill, technical knowledge and a good portfolio, and if you're young the only way to get that is through college. You also (of course) need strong drawing skills. You need to become good at fast gesture drawings - that is, quick drawings that capture mood and movement well (look up "gesture drawing tutorial" on Google for some suggestions on how to practice this - art/animation schools and animation companies both will be pleased to see this stuff in your portfolio when you apply).

You didn't say where you are, but I suggest that you do some internet searches to find good art or animation colleges in your area - you may be lucky enough to be near a specialist animation school, but if not most art colleges also offer animation courses. Either as part of your degree or after it, you will probably do an internship with an animation company, which will give you the additional training you need and be your stepping stone into the industry.

For learning more about animation, the industry and techniques and the kinds of skills you will need to develop, I strongly recommend the book "Illusion of Life" by Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston. They are Disney animators, so the book concentrates mostly on that company, but the concepts and ideas are the same across all fields of animation.

Good luck!

Answer 2

you don't NEED college. you need talent and a portfolio.  college can help prepare both.  all you gotta do is submit the portfolio and they'll hire you (or not) whether or not you've got some fancy degree.