3 answers
Andraya
Student
Warrenville, South Carolina
3
Questions
Updated
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For those people that do animation, whether it's as a hobby or a career, what's it like? And how do you reach your audience faster?
I'm really determined to becoming one myself, but I'm also scared, the main reason being because I see a lot of people doing it on social media, and I feel like I wouldn't reach out because they have a better head start at doing it than me. It makes me feel like I won't succeed if I continue to pursue this dream.
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3 answers
Wyatt s Miles
Animator
24
Answers
Dayton, ID
Updated
Wyatt s’s Answer
Dear Andraya,
It can be a challenging thing to do, because it goes against a powerful draw in fallen human nature, but if you can strive to learn and practice the Art of Patience, you won't have or feel the need to shout louder than anyone else. If you have an abiding love for some form of Art you should try to commit yourself to it and not worry about the outcome. Just focus on what it's supposed to be about: Learning, Developing, Growing as a person and as an Artist. If you see it as a race, you will have already lost. It's not a race. It's not a contest. Life is a journey and so is True Art. I am an Artist and Animation is one of the Arts I practice. I do it now because I find joy in it, period. When you do it the best way, you and your audience will naturally be drawn together over time.
I have been where you are, feeling the very same feelings you are feeling now, and asking the very same questions. You can embrace the Real You in Faith, and become who you already Truly are inside. I know you can. Doubt not, fear not, only Believe. Don't worry about what anyone out THERE thinks (they don't know you) but only listen to the people in your life who know who you really are and support you already.
Sincerely,
Your Bro,
Wyatt s Miles
It can be a challenging thing to do, because it goes against a powerful draw in fallen human nature, but if you can strive to learn and practice the Art of Patience, you won't have or feel the need to shout louder than anyone else. If you have an abiding love for some form of Art you should try to commit yourself to it and not worry about the outcome. Just focus on what it's supposed to be about: Learning, Developing, Growing as a person and as an Artist. If you see it as a race, you will have already lost. It's not a race. It's not a contest. Life is a journey and so is True Art. I am an Artist and Animation is one of the Arts I practice. I do it now because I find joy in it, period. When you do it the best way, you and your audience will naturally be drawn together over time.
I have been where you are, feeling the very same feelings you are feeling now, and asking the very same questions. You can embrace the Real You in Faith, and become who you already Truly are inside. I know you can. Doubt not, fear not, only Believe. Don't worry about what anyone out THERE thinks (they don't know you) but only listen to the people in your life who know who you really are and support you already.
Sincerely,
Your Bro,
Wyatt s Miles
Miles, the fact that you talked about having faith and believing that my path to Animation will prosper while also saying that it isn't a race to win is something that draws me to your answer even more. And I'm eternally grateful for the support you've given me by saying, "I know you can. Doubt not, fear not, believe." That really touched my heart, and once again, THANK YOU. 🙏🙏
Andraya
Andraya, I am so glad that you have found some strength in these words. I am just a messenger of the One I follow. He is the Light and the Life and the Love behind everything that is Good. Someday, I expect that I will be learning the higher lessons through your good example. South Carolina looks beautiful! That's a state that I don't think I've been to yet. Let's try to find Joy in every day of this incredible journey.
Wyatt s Miles
Crystal Uehara
Freelance Illustrator
2
Answers
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Updated
Crystal’s Answer
Hi there Andraya. I do animation on the side as a hobby, and I think the most important thing is to love what you do. The industry is very competitive, and it's certainly not an easy thing to do. But new animators join the industry every single day around the world, working on projects both personal and corporate to bring characters to life, and that's what truly drives me to try.
It's okay if it takes time to get out there on social media or in the industry in general. Everything takes time, so even if others have a head start on you, you will build up your portfolio to something substantial the more and more you animate. So love animating, love what you do, love to create. Fear will always be a factor in everything you do, but if you love animating more than you fear the feeling of failure, pursue it. Because even if only one person likes your art, draw for them.
I think Pierre made excellent points as well; that there is always something new to add to the table. Animation is a unique medium of expression that can express how someone truly feels as a person. It embodies the soul of someone, just as all art is an expression of human inspiration and soul. So matter what you create, it will always be unique, even if you're afraid that those on social media are further than you.
You can also look into colleges that specialize in networking opportunities and internships in order to increase your chances in the animation industry. I attended Moore College of Art and Design, which is a historically all women's college that requires you to have an internship or mentorship of some kind in order to graduate. Juniors also are required to attend networking events that the college sets up, and the professors are all professionals in the industry that you can connect to.
I hope this helps you in some way, and I wish you luck on your art journey!
It's okay if it takes time to get out there on social media or in the industry in general. Everything takes time, so even if others have a head start on you, you will build up your portfolio to something substantial the more and more you animate. So love animating, love what you do, love to create. Fear will always be a factor in everything you do, but if you love animating more than you fear the feeling of failure, pursue it. Because even if only one person likes your art, draw for them.
I think Pierre made excellent points as well; that there is always something new to add to the table. Animation is a unique medium of expression that can express how someone truly feels as a person. It embodies the soul of someone, just as all art is an expression of human inspiration and soul. So matter what you create, it will always be unique, even if you're afraid that those on social media are further than you.
You can also look into colleges that specialize in networking opportunities and internships in order to increase your chances in the animation industry. I attended Moore College of Art and Design, which is a historically all women's college that requires you to have an internship or mentorship of some kind in order to graduate. Juniors also are required to attend networking events that the college sets up, and the professors are all professionals in the industry that you can connect to.
I hope this helps you in some way, and I wish you luck on your art journey!
Thank you so much for answering me, Crystal! I'm happy that someone that does animation as a hobby was able to give me some feedback, and it gives me hope to go on! And that advice about loving animation to the point where fear won't stand a chance against me? I will DEFINITELY keep that wherever I go on my journey. ❤️
Andraya
Pierre Fontaine
Consumer Product and Packaging Design
5
Answers
Ardsley, New York
Updated
Pierre’s Answer
Hi Andraya. I’m not certain I can answer your questions directly but I can say that it helps to create something that’s uniquely yours rather than follow a trend. Animation is such a versatile medium. If the idea is strong and the writing is good, the animation could be as beautiful or as crude as you want it to be. South Park gets by largely on its writing. Anime-inspired stick figure animation can be equally compelling because the technique is engaging, even if it doesn’t tell a story.
This is a roundabout way to say that there’s always room to create something new and fresh. It might not find a huge audience, but then again it might go viral. I’d really suggest creating something that speaks to you and chances are it will find an audience. If it doesn’t, don’t give up as long as you have something to say. It could be political, it could be spiritual, it could be socially relevant, it could be funny to it could be sad.
Bill Plympton is a wonderful independent animator who has made his own successful films and published a wonderful book called “Make Toons That Sell” with plenty of strategies. Essentially, he suggests creating something short and funny. It’s expensive but might be available through your library system. Check out his work on YouTube as it’s incredibly inspirational and proves that a warped sense of humor and some drawing skills can find a faithful audience.
Good luck!
This is a roundabout way to say that there’s always room to create something new and fresh. It might not find a huge audience, but then again it might go viral. I’d really suggest creating something that speaks to you and chances are it will find an audience. If it doesn’t, don’t give up as long as you have something to say. It could be political, it could be spiritual, it could be socially relevant, it could be funny to it could be sad.
Bill Plympton is a wonderful independent animator who has made his own successful films and published a wonderful book called “Make Toons That Sell” with plenty of strategies. Essentially, he suggests creating something short and funny. It’s expensive but might be available through your library system. Check out his work on YouTube as it’s incredibly inspirational and proves that a warped sense of humor and some drawing skills can find a faithful audience.
Good luck!
Thank you, Pierre, for taking your time out to comment on my question. I am truly touched by your words to the point where it has uplifted me to keep going! And it didn't even matter that you couldn't answer my question directly because you've still made an impact on me. 😊
Andraya