college for graphic design majors?

i want to make movies like avatar and treasure planet monsters inc. stuff like that but im not sure if i can afford a private college to study that. so i have two options teach myself ( i can already do a lot) or go to a not so good school. If i can teach myself how to do maya and stuff like that what are the chances that i can get noticed and get a job with pixar. i could post my videos on youtube or i do small film festivals. the other option would be to find a state college in florida. * i have florida prepaid* so anyone know a good college or the chances?

Firstly, I have to mention that what you want to do isn’t Graphic Design, it sounds a lot more like Animation.

I don’t know what it takes to work at a place like Pixar, but I’m thinking that you have to be exceptionally good or know the right person. A college education wouldn’t hurt. Try contacting Pixar and asking someone from Human Resources what they require in a possible employee. Better yet, see if you can get an informational interview, which will better help to answer your questions about becoming an Animator.

If you think you’re that good and don’t need to go to school, maybe put a reel together and send it out to Animation companies other than Pixar to see if you can get an internship or a job. Gaining experience in a real world work environment would look good on your resume.

Check this out first though: http://www.pixar.com/companyinfo/jobs/career_faq.html

Diving for sunken treasure on the Atocha – a spanish shipwreck.