2 answers
Frank
Student
7
Questions
Asked
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How is the work enviornment within the animation field?
I am aspiring to have a career as an animator. Although i haven't decided which field of animation to work in, i have no idea how the enviornments are and what to expect within some studios within the U.S. #animation #art
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2 answers
Gianni Aliotti
Lighting/Compositing/FX - Supervision
5
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Gianni’s Answer
Hi Frank,
Your question is somewhat general but let me see if I can try to answer you anyway. Generally Animation companies tend to be culturally very diverse and open minded. Imagine the best aspects of college: motivated people, creativity, close knit family, progressive thinking, hard working, etc.
As for the work/life balance, you can generally expect to work long hours at times but because you will likely be enjoying the work, this is usually pretty tolerable at least for a while. The studios also vary of course. The large ones tend to be a bit more established and set in their ways. They also of course have all it’s of savvy veterans to learn from. Whereas, the smaller companies tend to provide faster growth but less mentoring or guidance.
Hope this helps.
Your question is somewhat general but let me see if I can try to answer you anyway. Generally Animation companies tend to be culturally very diverse and open minded. Imagine the best aspects of college: motivated people, creativity, close knit family, progressive thinking, hard working, etc.
As for the work/life balance, you can generally expect to work long hours at times but because you will likely be enjoying the work, this is usually pretty tolerable at least for a while. The studios also vary of course. The large ones tend to be a bit more established and set in their ways. They also of course have all it’s of savvy veterans to learn from. Whereas, the smaller companies tend to provide faster growth but less mentoring or guidance.
Hope this helps.
Henri Brownell
Animator / Artist
1
Answer
Nashville, Tennessee
Updated
Henri’s Answer
I have worked a several small studios in Orange County and Nashville. Most of the experiences I have had have been great! Getting your first gig is always a challenge and I implore you to do your best in anything you do both in school and in your own growth as an animator (No matter which direction you go). Build your habits now, because you'll need a VERY strong work ethic and good time management skills. You'll gain those through your classes and dedicating yourself completely regardless of the subject. (It'll come in handy when you get shots or things you don't want to do.. plenty to go around lol)
It will really help if you're in school to develop relationships with the other students and get along with the best of them! Review each others work and challenge each other to grow. This will help you develop thicker skin and will be necessary when your supervisor rips apart your scene and you have to start over. Many times over. Relationships usually land people their jobs. So, go to conferences, meet people and get to be known as the young excited up-and-comer who's eager to learn and is learning rapidly. The more you show your face the more likely people will remember you and think.. oh, I know a guy who needs a start! ;)
There is so much ground to cover to get started, I don't know if you're looking to go to school, have already been there, done that, building your portfolio with self taught skills, etc.. I will say, no matter what you pick, really focus on that area of study, but also get a good grasp of the entire process for your own knowledge and understanding of a pipeline workflow. Bigger studios like a more specialized portfolio, and a smaller studio will like having a more generalist at their fingertips. Be flexible and adaptable.
My biggest regret was not doing my best in school earlier and not putting the time in making bad animations until I got the basics down before jumping into making my own short films and hoping it'd pass. Skip that part, focus on your basics, get those down and build your skills. Your portfolio will grow and you'll find yourself working in no time. (Much sooner than going my route. ;) )
As for what to expect in the office, that'll depend heavily on which studio you get picked up by (small or large). Normally, it's a very relaxed and fun environment with some very cool people. Again, depending on the studio you might have to work 50-80 hours plus. You'll have to set your own boundaries but do realize that crunches do happen and you'll be expected to hang in there with the rest of the crew until it's done. Smaller studios normally don't pay overtime and just give a day rate. So many factors play into that though.
Anyway, I hope some of this helps. Good luck and I wish you the best!
“Nobody tells this to people who are beginners, I wish someone told me. All of us who do creative work, we get into it because we have good taste. But there is this gap. For the first couple years you make stuff, it’s just not that good. It’s trying to be good, it has potential, but it’s not. But your taste, the thing that got you into the game, is still killer. And your taste is why your work disappoints you. A lot of people never get past this phase, they quit. Most people I know who do interesting, creative work went through years of this. We know our work doesn’t have this special thing that we want it to have. We all go through this. And if you are just starting out or you are still in this phase, you gotta know its normal and the most important thing you can do is do a lot of work. Put yourself on a deadline so that every week you will finish one story. It is only by going through a volume of work that you will close that gap, and your work will be as good as your ambitions. And I took longer to figure out how to do this than anyone I’ve ever met. It’s gonna take awhile. It’s normal to take awhile. You’ve just gotta fight your way through.”
-Ira Glass
Do your best in school in ALL your classess
Skip trying to make an epic movie right out of school, focus on your basics and get those down.
Be flexible
Show up on time, do your best.
Never think that something is too low for you to do. Be open to possibilities.
It will really help if you're in school to develop relationships with the other students and get along with the best of them! Review each others work and challenge each other to grow. This will help you develop thicker skin and will be necessary when your supervisor rips apart your scene and you have to start over. Many times over. Relationships usually land people their jobs. So, go to conferences, meet people and get to be known as the young excited up-and-comer who's eager to learn and is learning rapidly. The more you show your face the more likely people will remember you and think.. oh, I know a guy who needs a start! ;)
There is so much ground to cover to get started, I don't know if you're looking to go to school, have already been there, done that, building your portfolio with self taught skills, etc.. I will say, no matter what you pick, really focus on that area of study, but also get a good grasp of the entire process for your own knowledge and understanding of a pipeline workflow. Bigger studios like a more specialized portfolio, and a smaller studio will like having a more generalist at their fingertips. Be flexible and adaptable.
My biggest regret was not doing my best in school earlier and not putting the time in making bad animations until I got the basics down before jumping into making my own short films and hoping it'd pass. Skip that part, focus on your basics, get those down and build your skills. Your portfolio will grow and you'll find yourself working in no time. (Much sooner than going my route. ;) )
As for what to expect in the office, that'll depend heavily on which studio you get picked up by (small or large). Normally, it's a very relaxed and fun environment with some very cool people. Again, depending on the studio you might have to work 50-80 hours plus. You'll have to set your own boundaries but do realize that crunches do happen and you'll be expected to hang in there with the rest of the crew until it's done. Smaller studios normally don't pay overtime and just give a day rate. So many factors play into that though.
Anyway, I hope some of this helps. Good luck and I wish you the best!
“Nobody tells this to people who are beginners, I wish someone told me. All of us who do creative work, we get into it because we have good taste. But there is this gap. For the first couple years you make stuff, it’s just not that good. It’s trying to be good, it has potential, but it’s not. But your taste, the thing that got you into the game, is still killer. And your taste is why your work disappoints you. A lot of people never get past this phase, they quit. Most people I know who do interesting, creative work went through years of this. We know our work doesn’t have this special thing that we want it to have. We all go through this. And if you are just starting out or you are still in this phase, you gotta know its normal and the most important thing you can do is do a lot of work. Put yourself on a deadline so that every week you will finish one story. It is only by going through a volume of work that you will close that gap, and your work will be as good as your ambitions. And I took longer to figure out how to do this than anyone I’ve ever met. It’s gonna take awhile. It’s normal to take awhile. You’ve just gotta fight your way through.”
-Ira Glass
Henri recommends the following next steps: