Every time animation goes through a major technological shift, fear follows. Jobs will disappear. Art will die. Storytelling will become soulless. We’ve heard this before—because we’ve lived it before.

To understand where animation is going next, we need to look honestly at where it’s already been.

When the holidays slow down, something else often wakes up.

A restlessness. A sense that another year is coming, and it shouldn’t look exactly like the last one.

For some students, this isn’t about panic. It’s about possibility.

Making the choice to try is enough to move forward.

If animation, storytelling, games, or visual worlds already matter to you — choosing to learn how they’re made is a meaningful place to begin.

When people imagine training for animation, their minds jump to Los Angeles or New York. But what if the smartest move isn’t the coasts at all? What if the real secret lies in the heart of the country — in Kansas City? For aspiring animators and their families, KC offers the perfect blend of affordability, history, community, and opportunity.

When people set out to learn animation, they often start with online videos or prerecorded classes. On the surface, it seems convenient—learn at your own pace, no deadlines, unlimited replays. But many aspiring animators find themselves stuck. Projects never get finished, confidence drops, and progress feels painfully slow.

So why does this happen?

Lots of artists dream of turning their drawings or stories into something more than a hobby. The truth is — in today’s creative economy — you can. Between YouTube, Webtoons, TikTok, Patreon, comics, and more, there have never been more ways to share art and get paid for it. The challenge? Knowing where to start.

If you’re a high school student trying to figure out your future, you’re not alone. Thousands of creative teens every year look at the world — animation, YouTube, gaming, films, comics — and wonder:

“Can I really make a career out of this?”

The answer: Yes… if you approach it the right way.

Let’s talk honestly about dreams, reality, and how to build a future where you’re both fulfilled and financially stable.

Choosing an animation school can feel overwhelming—especially when you’re staring down tuition costs, program promises, and a million different opinions online. Every day, students jump on Google, TikTok, Reddit, and Instagram with the same burning questions:

This post breaks down the REAL answers to the most-searched questions—so you can make a confident, informed choice about your future.

If you’re passionate about animation, finding the right school can feel overwhelming. Every program claims to spark creativity — but only a few actually prepare you for a career. At Hollywood Animation Academy, we believe an animation school should do more than hand out degrees — it should produce artists who get hired.

What does it really take to break into animation today?
Let’s get honest—because the truth is, studios have changed, the hiring process has changed, and the bar for skill has never been higher. What studios want isn’t a mystery… it’s proof.

When animation recruiters review applications, they don’t check your GPA or where you went to school first. They look at one thing: your portfolio. It’s your ticket into the industry. The question is, how do you create one that stands out?

Selecting an animation school is a big decision - and one to be evaluated on several levels.

We hope this comparison of leading animation schools will help you more quickly see the differences - and understand why the Hollywood Animation Academy wins on every dimension as your best choice for a career in animation.

Game animation has evolved into cinematic storytelling. Studios like Naughty Dog, Blizzard, and Riot Games produce cutscenes and cinematics that rival Hollywood in emotion and visual polish.

The rise of AI is making headlines everywhere—from self-driving cars to AI-generated music. In the world of animation, the question we hear more and more is: "Will AI wipe out jobs for animators, story artists, and designers?"

What should someone starting out in animation learn - 2D or 3D animation? What is trending now for studios - which will give me the most important skills valued by a potential employer? We’ll help you understand what 2D animation and 3D animation have to offer you as a career - and where the future of animation is going.

The dream of creating your own animated series or feature film is more achievable than ever—but it’s still far from easy. Whether you’re pitching to Netflix or building an audience on YouTube or TikTok, the same rule applies…

Trade schools eliminate unnecessary classes and only teach the skills you need to get the job you want. Secondly they cost much less than colleges today. Many times they cost less than half!

The number of video game studios populating the Los Angeles/Orange County area is vast.

St. Louis, Milwaukee and Cleveland top the list of the best cities in which to launch a career, according to LinkedIn’s latest Workforce Report,