Careers outside of Animation/ Games/ VFX
Hey there. I was hoping that someone one out here could give me (and the hundreds of people in my position) some guidance in regards to careers outside of the industry. I graduated last year with a degree in Animation Production, since then Ive been trying to find work. My plan was to get a running position, find my feet, and work my way up. However even basic entry level positions seem impossible to attain. Ive tried applying online, phoning studios, even just turning up in person and handing in my application. Ive had a couple interviews since but nothing has come of them. I currently work in retail, but due to the trend of 0/hr contracts that seem to be plaguing the job market I dont earn enough to support myself and have to live with my Dad and basically sponge off him, which obviously isnt ideal. Ive managed to get some freelance work but again it doesnt pay enough it live off.
So my question is this. Are there any career options outside of animation/ games/ VFX that are applicable to someone with an animation degree? I havent thrown in the towel completely, but for the meantime I need some sort of reliable trade to fall back on to start supporting myself. Considered teaching, but I would rather avoid that for the time being. Are there any secure jobs out there, or jobs currently in demand that are related to animation? Would like to put my degree to some use if I can. Seen a few jobs advertised for rotoscoping and matchmoving which seem to be standard entry level ways into the industry. But are these easier to attain, or are these positions just as hard to land as running ones?
Sorry for the long post. Really hope someone out there might be able to point be in the right direction.
Thanks in advance,
Peter.
So my question is this. Are there any career options outside of animation/ games/ VFX that are applicable to someone with an animation degree? I havent thrown in the towel completely, but for the meantime I need some sort of reliable trade to fall back on to start supporting myself. Considered teaching, but I would rather avoid that for the time being. Are there any secure jobs out there, or jobs currently in demand that are related to animation? Would like to put my degree to some use if I can. Seen a few jobs advertised for rotoscoping and matchmoving which seem to be standard entry level ways into the industry. But are these easier to attain, or are these positions just as hard to land as running ones?
Sorry for the long post. Really hope someone out there might be able to point be in the right direction.
Thanks in advance,
Peter.
Replies
secondly are you just aiming for animation positions or anything within games? most games have way more environmental artists than anything else and in my experience most animation roles are either filled with people with experience or people from within the company, so it might be worth working on your environmental skills and getting a job as a modeller or texture artist first and moving into animation (i personally did this with vfx.)
you mention roto and matchmoving which afaik work the same in the vfx industry - you do some for a while then you move up and specialise once you've been there a while. i'm afraid i dont know if they're any easier to get or more secure though...
I'm currently selling myself as a 3d Artist/Generalist. Would it be better to specialise more? My thinking was that if I stayed general I could cover more job opportunities, however am I shooting myself in the foot by doing that? Most of my experience is in regards to animation production, however I'm currently doing some work for an Indy games studio (unpaid) to get some experience working within game engines.
If you have the time some feedback on my work would be appreciated a lot, especially in regards to what I could work on to fill certain job roles.
Thanks again.
Some career areas that get overlooked are crime/crash scene recreations for courts, military simulations, and training simulations. Well...I guess simulations or training in general.
I am afraid you aren't getting a job because your portfolio is not good enough yet. I mean, you are off a good start, but you are just at the very beginning of the path to become 3d artist.
I would also suggest you to reconsider your desired specialization. To be generalist, you have to have broad range of skills and each of those skills is developed enough to land you a job by itself. You at this point don't have a single skill that can do that. Pick one thing you enjoy the most and spend time polishing this skill, it will take months for sure.
Another thing that bothers me is your reel, there are just too many different things (architectural visualization, animation, etc.). It left me with questions like "what are you really want to do? do you want to work on games or what?" - it is bad sign.
Once you know what area you want to improve: start working on it. Do personal projects, work with indies, constantly ask for feedback. A little while after you will grow your skill and should be able to find a job.
its not ideal yes. I understand and applaud the desire to be independent and not feel like a freeloader. however (and I don't mean too pry into your personal situation) but if your dad is happy to support you because he wants too see you realizing your dreams than you should be grateful to have awesome parents and spend this time working your butt of to improve.
Most of the great artists throughout history have had patrons and family support.
anyways, just a thought before you choose to compromise on your goals.
you say you have an animation background but then half the pieces in your reel are architectural, which really isnt going to be helping - as people said earlier you need to focus on what you want to work on (animation, games, vfx, arch vis etc.)
A little development. Since posting this thread I've been invited for an interview at a VFX studio in London early this coming week. Its for a running position. How would you guys advise making changes to my work in time to have a better application my then? I'm currently re-rendering the bathroom shot with some better (i hope) lighting and materials. Was planing on taking all the cartoon-style stuff out and just having a reel with my two environment pieces, as thats what I want to work on the most. I could then add a second separate showreel for my other work if needs be later. Is two pieces in a showreel too small? Would last about a minuet including breakdowns.