Profiles of Schools/Colleges in Maine (ME) Offering Animation, Design, Gaming, and Media Related Programs

Sure, high enrollment figures may seem attractive to new students, but it takes more than a massive student body to convince college ranking agencies that your school is the “best” school. A number of respected college ranking agencies take a number of common factors into consideration when determining which schools deserve a spot on the list. Factors such as financial resources, program offerings, peer assessment, graduation and retention rates, student selectivity, and faculty resources are high on the list. When it comes to high enrollment figures, most college rankings prefer smaller classes, which is a plus in the “faculty resources” category.

Although young compared to other film offices, the Maine Film Office has assisted the country’s most prolific filmmakers for more than 20 years. Major productions shot in Maine include Forrest Gump, Pet Sematary, Jumamji, The Cider House Rules, and The Preacher’s Wife, to name a few. Many productions that come through the state require a hundreds of crewmembers and artists to assist with everything from animation to post-production. This creates a number of employment opportunities for digital artists and not just in production. Advertising and promotions are also areas where animators’ expertise is needed.

The Maine Film Office has been offering support services for film productions since 1987. Although younger than most film offices in the U.S., the office offers has managed to attract a number of big budget Hollywood productions through incentives, permit-free access to locations, and a variety of competitions and festivals that promote the state and all it has to offer. Just a few famous movies that feature scenes shot in Maine include Shutter Island (2010), The Cider House Rules (2000), Jumanji (1995), Casper (1995), Forrest Gump (1994), and Pet Sematary (1989). Many other films have been shot in Maine as well as television shows, videos, commercials, and other productions.

Our 2015 rankings of the top animation school programs on the East Coast. We define the East Coast as Virginia, Rhode Island, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. 

For an explanation of ranking criteria, click here.

1. Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), Providence, Rhode Island

Established in 1877, Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) is home to 2,449 students enrolled in around 38 undergraduate degree programs and concentrations, and 22 graduate degree programs. Besides a large number of program offerings in the areas of Art and Design, Architecture, and Education, RISD has a large Film/Animation/Video Department (FAV). The Department offers a variety of programs for aspiring animators and filmmakers. Program options for animators include a BFA in Film/Animation/Video (BFA FAV).

Our 2015 rankings of the top programs on the East Coast for game design and development. We define the East Coast as Virginia, Rhode Island, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. For an explanation of ranking criteria, click here.

1. Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) was founded in 1900. It is home nearly 13,000 students enrolled in more than 100 programs across seven colleges and schools. The College of Fine Arts-Integrative Design, Arts and Technology Network (IDeATe), and the School of Computer Science-Computer Science Department offer a unique program for aspiring game designers. The Bachelor of Computer Science and Arts (BCSA) features a Concentration in Game Design.