GuildHall @ SMU ?
polycounter lvl 17
Greetings fellow PolyCounters...
I was posting this thread because I wanted to hear the opinions of the community on the GuildHall. I've kept pretty up-to-date on how ya'll feel about "game schools", but I have also noticed that GuildHall has it's own rep.
When it comes to general 'game schools', I've always been told; Save your money and your time and invest it into online tutorials, self practice, and PolyCount :-) . Although, GuildHall always seems to come up.
Well, now I am a recently separated military veteran who has this GI BIll, and I'm looking at the GuildHall. I wanted to get feedback from PolyCount, on whether or not attending the courses at GuildHall is the way to go or continuing to self-educate only should be the route. Hmm, Both?
I know there are some very talented, knowledgeable, industry types here. I was hoping on alittle 'Green' insight before making a decision like this, on this topic. I look forward to any comments, advice on the subject... and I thank you all for your time.
I was posting this thread because I wanted to hear the opinions of the community on the GuildHall. I've kept pretty up-to-date on how ya'll feel about "game schools", but I have also noticed that GuildHall has it's own rep.
When it comes to general 'game schools', I've always been told; Save your money and your time and invest it into online tutorials, self practice, and PolyCount :-) . Although, GuildHall always seems to come up.
Well, now I am a recently separated military veteran who has this GI BIll, and I'm looking at the GuildHall. I wanted to get feedback from PolyCount, on whether or not attending the courses at GuildHall is the way to go or continuing to self-educate only should be the route. Hmm, Both?
I know there are some very talented, knowledgeable, industry types here. I was hoping on alittle 'Green' insight before making a decision like this, on this topic. I look forward to any comments, advice on the subject... and I thank you all for your time.
Replies
Does seem like talk of the place is less as of late. Still just tryin' to gather infio
If you don't have a family, I would take consider an easy-ish degree program from some cheap 4 year school. You may want to "get serious" etc, but college is your last best chance to fuck off and do stupid stuff.
When I was 24 I went to a 4 year school and spent a couple years in the dorms hanging out and having fun. In my free time I made a movie, for example. I also met my wife.
Warren Spector taught at UT Austin, and if you are thinking about Texas, Austin is probably the best town to live in (having personally lived next to SMU in Plano, and other places in Dallas for about 10 years)
As you pointed out, you know the Polycount take on game schools/education. To sum up, I would go to a 4 year school to get any major I had interested in and spend my off time making game art.
Alex
It is not an easy program. Four classes don't sound like much, but they are three hour classes that are 2x or 3x a week. I can only speak for the art track, but the rest of my time is dominated by homework and meetings for team game projects. It's a master's program, so with exceptions to experience or genius talent, you are expected to already have a bachelor's coming in. I suspect it's less about relevant background and more about emotional maturity as the age range tends to be 23 and up.
That being said, the teachers are fantastic. I've met a lot of professionals, not counting the instructors. Having classmates that are going through the same experience and are dedicated like you make a difference. Even with how exhausting it is, its exciting and fun. My skills are improving faster than when I was in undergrad or when I was trying to self teach while working a crappy job. It's a decision not to take lightly. It took me a year to decide.
Not downing self education versus school. I still collect DVDs, read tutorials, and lurk on boards.
@ Sage, Noia, Ghostscape, Ninjas :
Thank you all for the information, insight and perspective... It has all helped greatly!
Ghostscape, I have heard that too, and as Sage and Noia has stated... the others there, the dedicated people along side you sounds great... not having people that arent 100% into what they want to get out of it sounds like a great perk... dedication and motivation always play a major role... something i learned at my last job.
Noia, I am going to send you a PM... If you wouldnt mind, there are a bunch of questions I would love to ask you! If you have the time that is, I can only imagine how crunch cruch crunch you must be atm.. heh
again thank you! and if anyone else has anymore they would like to add! please... this thread is becomming fastly informative for me!
tc
Just wanted to give ya'll an update, I got an email from one of the admins at the school today, they informed me:
I'M IN! I GOT ACCEPTED! w00t w00t...
I'm so pumped.. just wanted to share with the group!
Thanks to everyone and the advice again!
I was considering it at one point, but getting contact with some of the instructors wasn't easy, and this was during a time when they were going through a PR transfer, and it literally took them months to reply to my inquiries. Plus, I felt if I were to get a masters, I would want something a little farther ranging and with more "freedom" to choose and even control where and how my projects went. In example, a Digital Arts masters program I knew about, the graduating class would each get to have their own personal art projects... which the 1st years would be supervised under. Seemed a fair trade.
@ oXYnary - Thanks! and I hear what your sayin' .. Fortunately, I've been in great contact with the faculty and former / present students! It's helped me big time in my research and decision to attend the school!
@ Noia - Thank you! and Hey! long time no talk... Yes! I am going for C14.. starting in JAN... :-D
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/issues/issue_291/8607-Secrets-of-the-Guild
firecracker.. we are about to have an open house.. you should come out :-D ...
http://guildhall.smu.edu/fileadmin/newsletter_images/openhousespring11.html
I haven't kept up with any of the changes there, but the absolute best thing about GH versus other schools was the group projects each semester. I hope they still do them. You learn more in actually making a game than you could possibly any other way. And for us at least, every horrible thing that has happened during the creation of the group project has also happened in a company after I graduated.
C1 eh? Awesome! Yes they still do the group projects... we are in the middle of the main capstone game project now... and I know exactly what you mean.... and with your other comments as well... :-) cheers
Haha a little late for that! I got my degree last year.