VanArts alumni Alan Rogers graduated from Central Michigan University in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science.  The opportunity to create a short piece of animation for a city job sparked his passion for learning how to animate professionally, and after searching on the web, he discovered the one-year 2D Animation Program at VanArts.  Alan learned the art of animation at VanArts from 1999 to 2000, under the late Lee Mishkin and his dedicated staff of instructors.

Upon returning home to Michigan, Alan eventually landed a job with Digital Image Studios in Farmington Hills, working on 3D models and logos for 3 years. He persisted in learning how to apply his 2D animation knowledge to the computer, and networked with industry professionals every chance he could. This persistence paid off when he got an offer from a recruiter at Blue Sky Studios in New York, to work as a 3D character animator on Ice Age 2. After spending 6 months there, he moved on to DNA Productions in Texas as a character animator on The Ant Bully, and to 3D Site in Los Angeles animating on a contract for Disney. Most recently, Alan has moved back to Vancouver to work as a character animator for Vanguard Studios’ upcoming CG feature Space Chimps.

Alan credits his time at VanArts for giving him the foundation needed to pursue his career thus far: “Even though I’m using a computer now, everything I know about animation I learned from the 2D program at VanArts and the fantastic instructors there.” 

As advice for current and future students of animation, Alan offers, “You’ve got to be determined, because working in this industry is not easy all the time. It’s really important to network and go to film festivals as well.  I met animator Mike Belzer (Disney’s Nightmare Before Christmas, Dinosaur, Meet The Robinsons) several years ago and through keeping in touch, he’s been very encouraging about improving my work.”