Is there a market for animators?

mister_s

I originally wanted to do level design, but after a while of looking and only doing free stuff for indie projects that never pay up I'm starting to think I'm not going to have much luck.

I started to move into weapon modeling to try and expand on things other than basic props, but to be completely honest I'm not much interested in detailed modeling.

I've had an interest in animation, but I don't know if it's worth the time to try and pick up if those jobs are disappearing as well.

I just wanted to take a gauge and see if there is still a market or if it's all gone overseas.

PyrZern

I think I heard that a game studio doesn't hire lots of animators. Like only one or two per project or something. (depends on the project size, of course.) Though if you get the job, I imagine it would be more secured.

Justin Meisse

I worked at a few large MMO studios, they had big animation teams that were roughly the same size as the art department. I was under the impression that most game studios kept their animation department in house, am I wrong?

slosh

Don't base what type of artist you want to be by the amount of jobs available...you won't last long this way. Choose what you will be most passionate and motivated to continue doing for a long time. This industry is WAY TO DIFFICULT in almost every type of role unless you truly have the drive to succeed in any of it. If animation is what you definitely want to do, than go with it. Don't worry about which position has the most jobs available. If you are good, you will get a job.

mister_s

slosh wrote: »

Don't base what type of artist you want to be by the amount of jobs available...you won't last long this way. Choose what you will be most passionate and motivated to continue doing for a long time. This industry is WAY TO DIFFICULT in almost every type of role unless you truly have the drive to succeed in any of it. If animation is what you definitely want to do, than go with it. Don't worry about which position has the most jobs available. If you are good, you will get a job.

Yeah, that was sort of my point, though. I feel like I would have to really develop my 3D skills, but that's not what I particular enjoy. I like visualizing, designing, and assembling levels. I just can't find anyone paying for that at the moment.

When I was getting my super worthwhile degree I had some animation courses that I enjoyed, but I gravitated toward the level design stuff because that's what I selected as my primary field of study.

As it is I'm old(er). There are people not only 10 years younger than me that have the kind of passion for detailed modeling, but they have years of experience professionally already. Not only that but THEY'RE having a hard time keeping work. I feel like I wouldn't ever catch up to that without the spark for straight 3D modeling.

slipsius

Plenty of animation jobs out there. Not many starting gigs though. Most want experience / shipped titles. Though, I feel that's the same for any discipline.

Also, with all the online schools popping up for animation, and pretty much every college/university having a 3d animation program, there are LOTS of people trying to get jobs as an animator. That said, studios still struggle to find qualified employees

Cexar

Yes.

Mark Dygert

slipsius wrote: »

Plenty of animation jobs out there. Not many starting gigs though. Most want experience / shipped titles. Though, I feel that's the same for any discipline.

Also, with all the online schools popping up for animation, and pretty much every college/university having a 3d animation program, there are LOTS of people trying to get jobs as an animator. That said, studios still struggle to find qualified employees

Yep, this.

mister_s

I appreciate the feedback, gentleman. All I know is that I cannot go back to the grind of dealing with customer service all day.