#csssa2014

[hawkkfire123]

Anyone with questions about CSSSA apps or anything else about CSSSA I can answer them! I was accepted into CSSSA last year (2014). I got into the animation program so, that’s where I have the most expertise.

[miel-noir]

If anyone has questions about csssa, especially the music department, feel free to ask me! I attended last year in 2014. I'd be super happy to talk about it!!

[planthasmoved]

Is anyone else at the big hero 6 signing because we should totally hang

[theegoosegirl]

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A post shared by Madeleine Mason (@theegoosegirl)

#tbt to when I was Indiana Jones #csssa2014

[csssasydney]

Here it is! This is my final film. We had about 6 days to make it, from concept to the finished product. My idea for this film was about how there are so many different languages people speak, but I only understand one of them.

Being my first ever animated film, I'm pretty content with how it turned out. I've definitely learned a lot from making this and from CSSSA as a whole. I'm sad CSSSA is over, and I already miss my CSSSA mafia I've grown so close to in these past four weeks. I'm sure we'll all stay in touch though, and one day (when me and Klutzy have our own studio) we'll all see each other again. 

[esp-lana-de]

#CSSSA2k14forever

"We staked out on a mission to find our inner peace Make it everlasting so nothing's incomplete It's easy being with you, sacred simplicity As long as we're together, there's no place I'd rather be"

Just this morning at around 11:30, I was sitting in my suitemate's room in CalArts as she packed. She changed the song to "Rather Be" and it hit me hard how much the song described my experience. I came to CalArts totally unsure of myself as both an artist and a person, but CSSSA has made me so much more comfortable with myself in both fields, and it's still hard for me to process the fact that I'm hundreds of miles away from the dorm room I came to call home and the peers and teachers I came to call family.

Last night, we were out until curfew (11 pm) dancing and yelling "Don't Stop Believing" on the film greens, and in that moment, I felt invincible, infinite. It was so bittersweet, but the most beautiful thing I was a part of. Halfway through the song, the pain from the thought of leaving hit many of us. As my roommate and suitemates and I ran back to the dorm at 11:02, we were laughing and joking, but when we got to room 215, we found it almost a shame to open the door and enter. It was our last night. All the memories from the previous 26 days flashed before my eyes as we plopped down in the hallway outside our dorm. We went through so much together, both putting up with each other's shit and sharing our favorite moments: the dance, the Rocky Horror screening, our intense games of 10 Fingers. We all became quiet and my roommate and I glaced at each other as we started to tear up. That was the moment when I realized that in 24 hours, we would all be back with our biological families, and not our CSSSA families. 

The same Journey song played again today at 1 pm in the Main Gallery. I looked around as more than 500 young artists attempted to choke out the lyrics to the song. I don't know about everyone else, but in my mind I will always connect that song back to CSSSA. On the first night, we somehow managed to sing it and laugh and dance with a mob of people we've never even met before. That was when I knew how strong of a bond we already had between us all, just by being there and singing as a whole and as individuals.

I found out I was terrible at good- byes, especially with multiple people I grew so quickly to love and hold dear. The people in my suite, the people in my classes, the people I met at Open Studio, the people I dyed my hair with, the people whose hair I dyed... I realized later on that I had made more than 100 friends in 27 days, and I can't fucking explain how heartbroken I was when I was hugging everyone good- bye. It was the most fucking human feeling I felt in years. Not a depressing sadness, but an emotion that was in a category of its own. It was an enigma, and I remember thinking about those last few minutes that these 500 kids were in the Main Gallery of the California Institution of the Arts as I fanned my face and told my closest friends that we would meet up again some time soon.

I honestly don't know what the hell I'm going to do tomorrow. I don't know if I should deal with the rest of the tears in the back of my eyes or do something to get my mind off of them. I can barely fathom the fact that something that felt so infinite has ended. I just know that there is nothing in the world I would trade it for. It's mine, now and forever, and I think that's the best fucking thing in the world.

[spaceoutbunny]

Can you make a little masterpost on what to bring to csssa? (And like how many bags you'll need to bring to carry all the stuff) (and if you need like extra storage)

This is from the list of “What to Bring” made by last year’s CSSSA students (Again, not mine but hope it helps!)

All:

Student Handbook

Electronics, Accessories, and Chargers (Cameras, Laptops, Phone, iPods/MP3s, Kindles/E-readers, iPads/Tablets; Ethernet Cable, Headphones, Speakers, Outlet, Memory Cards, USB Drives, etc.)

Lanyard With A Clear ID Card Holder (So you don’t lose your ID!)

A Fan or Air Purifier (IT GETS HOT — Recommended)

Lamp/Reading Light (No Halogen Lamps)

Alarm Clock

Shower Curtain

Flashlight (No Candles)

Small Trashcan (Liners will be provided)

Medicine: Allergy Medicine (Including Epi-Pens), Asthma Inhalers,  Headaches, Stomach Aches, CRAMP MEDICINE FOR DA LADIES, Prescribed (DO NOT SHARE PRESCRIBED MEDICATION KIDS)

Things For Your Bed: Pillow, Pillow Covers, Blankets or Sleeping Bag, Set of Regular Twin Bed Sheets, Comforter, Memory Foam/Mattress Topper 

Cleaning Stuff: Hamper, Laundry Detergent, Bleach, Fabric Softener

Shower Necessities/Morning Routine: Shower Caddy, Towels (Pool, Shower, Hand Towel, and Wash Cloth), Shampoo, Conditioner, Body Wash, Shower Gel, Face Wash, Razors, Shaving Cream, After Shave, Deodorant (PLEASE), Hand Soap, Hair Products (Brush, Comb, Teaser, Hair Dryer, Curler, Straightener, Gel Mousse, Hair Spray, Hair Ties, Bobby Pins, Clips, Headbands, Safety Pins), Lotion, Creams, Sun Screen, Tooth Brush, Tooth Paste, Floss, Q-Tips, Tooth Picks, Retainers, Contact Solution, Contacts, Eye Drops, Glasses/Sunglasses, Make-Up, Make-Up Remover/Baby Wipes, Nail Polish, Nail Polish Remover, Nail Clippers, Tweezers, Tissues, Coat Hangers

Clothes: Pants, Shorts, Skirts, Sweat Pants, Yoga Pants, Leggings, Tights,  Belts, Jeans, Shirts, Jackets, Cardigans, Sweaters, Sweat Shirts, Dresses, Socks, The Necessities/Under Garments, Pajama Clothes (Tops and Bottoms), Swim Suits/Trunks, Jewelry, WatchPossibly Fancy Clothes (Suit, Button Up, Tie, Bow Tie, Dress, Nice Skirt and Top), BRING SOME OF YOUR MOST FUN CLOTHES! You will have the least judgmental audience in the world! 

Shoes: Sneakers, Walking/Running Shoes, Flats, Flip-Flops (For Pool and Shower), Sandals, House Slippers, Possibly Heels or Dress Shoes

School Related: Pens, Pencils, Binder, Notebook, Sharpener, Backpack, Gym Bag, Highlighters, Scissors (Basically bring anything you think you might need for classes); If you have summer homework (Books, Textbooks, Writing Paper, Worksheets, Calculators, Flash Cards, etc.)

Free Time: Books, Board Games, Cards, Random Costume Items, DVDs, Pretty Much Anything Else You Want To Bring,  Spending Money, Tea

PERSONAL TVs, REFRIGERATORS, SKATEBOARDS, ROLLERBLADES, BICYCLES, SKATES, CLEANING SUPPLIES, AEROSOLS, DEODORIZERS, CANDLES, LIGHTERS, MATCHES, OR ANYTHING THAT PRODUCES AN OPEN FLAME TO THE CSSSA/CalArts CAMPUS—THEY ARE PROHIBITED!

Animation:

USB memory drive

(optional) funny clothing or wigs for an assignment

backpack or bag to accommodate 9” x 12” sketch pad and miscellaneous art materials

a masonite drawing board large enough to accomodate 18” x 24” sheet of paper

an object, book, picture or song that inspires you to share with your fellow students on the first day

art supplies will be provided but it’ll be good to bring special things you like using

Creative Writing:

Extra lead for pencils

Binder with paper and/or notebooks

Pens or colored pencils

Dance:

Proper Footwear

Notebook to write down the words of wisdom you learn each day

Tissue box when you just feel like you have to cry out of physical and mental exhaustion

Reusable water bottles (then you can fill it with ice from the cafeteria) :)

Theater:

Empty Notebook To Use As A Journal

Loose Clothes You Can Move In

A Hat With A Stiff Brim (Like a Bowler Hat)

For Musical Theatre Elective -> Sheet Music for Two Songs

Character Shoes 

Dance Shoes

Visual Arts:

sketchbook (although they apparently give you one anyway)

drawing board (optional?)

anything not found in a traditional art studio that you plan on using in a piece

beret (super important)

If you are in sculpture/ceramics, bring an apron and CLOSED TOED SHOES!

[csssasydney]

My part of the dance part animation!

[findguilty]

Hi I'm applying to CSSSA. do you know if you can send in other projects besides the assignments given to you?!

I’m not super clear on what you’re asking, for the application, I would definitely stick to their prompts, and do not send in extra work, they won’t look at it. However, their assignments really do allow you a lot of freedom of expression, especially the technical one, wherein you could really do whatever your heart desires :)

[shanteireen]

Gamelan rehearsal 💕 #csssa2014 #gamelan @lachloanator @olivia_anne7 @alicurtis99

[spaceoutbunny]

Hi! I was just wondering if there was some kind of culture at CSSSA? I went to this course last year and everyone like referenced to this one book all the time, and everyone like Kurt Vonnegut, etc. I was also wondering if I should bring anything in particular? Like at that other course, there was 'goth day' so I bought all this random stuff.

LOL omg you’re pretty spot on. I think each year it’s kind of different but yeah there’s totally this kind of “trend” that goes on. I can say it’s different for CSSSA every year as well.

But basically, whatever department you go into it’s good to know stuff about that department for example I went to Animation, people there knew about the different animated movies, shows, creators, jobs, technical things about that subject. I remember “Animal Crossing” was pretty popular last year but really you don’t need to specially bring anything no worries. 

[csssasydney]

My part of the abstract paper cutout animation!

[heterodont]

hey i also exist

im willing to offer help for anyone applying to csssa this coming year!! (2014)

I was in the Visual Arts department, Digital Media major and Sculpting minor. I could also probably help with visualization of other things (mainly animation open studio)

but yes, feel free to shoot me a question! I have anon enabled 24/7

[csssasydney]

Selfie with RA Ferdinand!

[csssasydney]

Last day of CSSSA.