Breaking Into The Animation Industry

It’s all true, but getting that cool job is the reward. Starting a career in animation is a long journey that requires a high level of dedication, commitment and focus. There is a lot to learn and it’s an ongoing process of learning, always trying to master this very subjective art.

But I’m going to tell you the truth about starting a career in animation to either help you, or set you free so you can move on to something better for yourself. I’ve seen a lot of people waste their time and money perusing this career because of the lure only to find out that it really wasn’t for them.

It’s best to get properly trained in animation. Most local colleges have animation programs. There are also specialized schools that have industry professionals teaching the classes – this is important, you want instructors that can give your real world advise.

Students usually realize if animation is right for them while being trained – you’ll see this a lot in animation programs because most have a high drop out rate, and it’s not because it’s a bad school but because animation really isn’t a good fit for everyone.

After graduating you will (or should) come out with a demo reel featuring your animation skills and a resume. For graduates, your demo reel is all you really have to go on since you haven’t yet acquired industry experience for your resume. Your demo reel must feature quality animation that shows you have a strong and clear understanding of animation principles.

Once you’ve completed your animation training and you have your demo reel and resume ready to go, actually getting your first job can be difficult and take a long time. Animation grads often feel deflated and sometimes even give up on the job search. Although this is often the case there are some grads that get work right away. What most people don’t realize is, the trouble isn’t with the animation graduate or the person; it’s the industry.

The reason it can take time to get that first job is because of the way studios get projects and the way that they staff them. On any animated production there are animators of different calibers, i.e. senior, intermediate, and juniors. If you’re looking for your first or even second animation job you’re usually considered a junior.

This is where some of the difficulty lies. Studios won’t hire juniors for some projects because of time constraints or a demanding high level of quality required for the project. However some projects will allow for the hiring of some juniors, and if they do this is the opportunity for a grad to break in to the industry.

Studios will generally hire when they are ramping up for scheduled animation to begin but will also sometimes go on a hiring spree near the end of a production when some animators might leave to peruse other opportunities. I don’t recommend ever leaving a production before your contract expires but some folks do it and that may result in an opportunity to get yourself in the door.

Your never really sure when these opportunities will arise so send your demo reel and resume out to all the studios you want to work for (or all the studios in the area you want to work). Can be in the form of a DVD or website (you could even upload your demo to Utube and email a nice cover letter message with the link to your Utube demo and an attached resume – I’ve gotten work that way).

Studios usually keep your info on file till they need to ramp up for a project. Be sure not to re-send your package to the same studio before six months from the last time and follow up within two weeks after they’ve received your package.

The most important factors for breaking into the industry are having a high quality of work presented in your demo reel and a positive personality. Frankly, studios like to hire people who are easy to get along with. Show an interest in the project that you’ll be working on and try and give a professional first impression.

Written by Chris, www.animcareerpro.com