CalArts Reel

Offering rigorous undergraduate and graduate degree programs through six schools—Art, Critical Studies, Dance, Film/Video, Music, and Theater—California Institute of the Arts has championed creative excellence, critical reflection, and the development of new forms and expressions.

We'll let the CalArts Reel explain further.

Video: Scott Groller

[maximet.verstrepen]

Pure love until I saw the 40K/year tuition

[AngelTorres-vonl]

Man, I hope to be in CalArts before 2022. It'll be difficult cuz I live in Colombia and It needs a lot of money, but i'm disposed to give all my effort to get in.

[carolvsworld]

I decided last year that i wanted to work for pixar. i didn't know when, i didn't know how. i just wanted so badly. and i decided that i would work hard for it. i already had a plan: i will study for my enem (brazilian SAT) and study cinema, because it's the closest we have for it. then, i would get a job while i'm studying so when i finish uni i will apply to Vancouver Film School and try my luck. but my ex-english teacher told me about CalArts and how this is the perfect place, and now... i mean, guys, this is where John Lasseter studied. you know, the guy who BUILD the company i want to WORK along with Steve Jobs and Edwin Catmull??? and, Brad Bird? if you don't know, he made The Iron Giant (a.k.a my favorite animation movie EVER) and The Incredibles (a.k.a my favorite pixar movie) and so many other people like Pete Docter. dude, i saw this guy on tv holding an Oscar. i'll confess i didn't know who he was but when i saw his face on CalArts ex-students i told myself "i saw this guy on Oscars. i liked his photos on pixar's instagram account. he was holding a fucking Oscar. omg" i mean but idk now... this place looks so perfect it terrifies me... it's full of extraordinary people, so many talent, so many bright minds, so many EVERYTHING. i can't help myself but be afraid. i live in brazil and, not saying that i'm fucked up or something, but the reality i live is far away from what i just saw in this video. i never really tought about studying abroad, in America... and i decided to do this in such a short time... i'll graduate school this year and i will be free to do whatever i want to do in life and that's scary as hell... i mean, i still want to work for pixar and, i won't lie to you, get into CalArts is a dream come true. but the real thing is, i don't even draw. i mean, i do some things, i like to draw cats and they are unique and so well know for anyone who knows me that it's like a symbol of my own, like "carol was here". i thinks thats good. but i'm not as good as those guys, i mean c'mon D: i'm not even close... my sister is the family's artist, she's a designer and she can draw people's faces!!! i don't!! my mother always says that's the difference between us, because she's the perfectionist but my drawings are funny and alive and they "want to say something". i believe in her but sometimes i feel like she's just being kind to me. idk. i can't even tell you why i'm writing this, but i guess it was something stuck my throat for so long and i couldn't say because nobody here can understand. and by "not understanding" i'm not trying to act emo, people literally doesn't know what's an animator/technical artist/concept art or anything involving animation in general. it's not a common area in brazil. if you know math you're a genius if you want to work with art LOL you're a goddamn pothead and you're gonna sell your "art" on the beach and will (probably) starve to death. i'm not kidding, that's the exactly terms they use to refer to anything they don't consider "job that pays good". anyway. i wanted to say it. i did. i'm better now. if you read thank you. for those who don't i don't blame you, but you wouldn't know this.. i'm just gonna drink some water and chill. bye.

[Kinobambino]

My dream is to go there and have at least 1 super good friend who I work with everyday on animation and we bond really hard and move foward together. I feel like that's a perfect scenario for me. Or multiple people, I feel like I can make great strides with someone else motivating me and me motivating them with the same amount of passion and idea

[WyattLite-n-inn]

45, 000 per year? Almost $1, 000 per week! I am SO excited... I can't WAIT to start waiting tables immediately after graduation!! 200 grand in the hole for an unemployable degree? Don't worry.. It'll be fine..Follow your heart.. heh heh heh

[TheOfficialHeal]

I JUST RECEIVED THE PHONE CALL OF MY ACCEPTANCE FROM THE ADMISSIONS OFFICE! <3

[seryusleigh]

You are right...CalArts is a dream school. I experienced it, lots of work and long hours, immersed in art. After hours and hours of deep commitment...I miss it! If you get the opportunity to study here - enjoy every minute - you won't regret it!!

[shhotput]

I remember coming home from work in Feb 1979. I lived in Racine WI.and worked at a lumber yard. It was very cold and grey and much snow. I worked outside all day long everyday. I had applied to the acting Master's program. My mom handed me my mail which included a letter from Cal-Arts. It was very thick which I immediately realized was an acceptance not a single page rejection. I became a human pogo stick jumping up and down. The education I received there was truly outstanding. It has enriched my life immeasurably. Cal-Arts is one of the best things ever to happen to me.

[Turrkoise]

I want to go here omg!
Currently in Uni now, but I would love to go here to learn SO MUCH MORE! Defo going to build up my portfolio!!

[JonahStratos]

Ever since the age of 3, my endeavor has been to become a professional animator/cartoonist/artist. everyday I study and I practice to better myself.
Every waking moment of my day is dedicated to art, this is the endeavor i have always pursued. truly, I could never exactly imagine myself doing anything else in the future, that is why am hoping to god that i get accepted in this school around 2016, this is my main objective. Looks like a great school, may be the kickstart to my career in Burbank.

[anyabutler]

Man I wanna go here so badly. I've actually taken an online program with them and am traveling across the Atlantic ocean to get a tour. The earliest I can apply is 2019 so I'm preparing pretty darn early!

[TheSergitz]

Im gonna try to join for 2017. This is my dream school and nothing will stop me from achieving my dream. I will make sure I rise to the ranks. Man I gotta get started on my portfolio.

[weep]

I'm starting my sketchbook for the school but I'm not even in high school yet!! People say I'm a really good artist for my age

[emillyc]

dont mind me :-) just going on my way to sell both of my kidney in order to go to calArts !

[sargsian]

I wanna try to join for 2019 when i will graduate my college. It is my big dream and I hope it will come true.
I'm armenian but now I'm living in Russia. So it will be hard :D
Already starting to save money :D

[bruceonesix]

That heavy big band song in the beginning?!?! What is it?!?!?!?!?! ❤️❤️❤️

[anyabutler]

anyone else inspired by gravity falls to pursue a career in animation?? <3

[loismedialover]

This is amazing, my mom send me this... ''you go girl'' this school looks amazing!

[krisy]

some perspective, the average acceptance rate is 30%. but for character animation, the acceptance rate is about 8-10%. they get about 500 applicants, but only let 30-40 people in.

[Crayolapup]

I love the environment. Interesting and unique people. From what I'm watching. I dream to go one day.
I love these people. I feel so happy because people accept the weirdness rather than making fun of it.
I actually got voted most unique in High School.

I've always been interested in pursuing a career in animation since kindergarten. Dating way back to watching Hannah Barbara re-runs on Cartoon Network. Before they got original programming.