Animation is a relatively new and exciting career field, and it has many opportunities. Animators create images, either by hand or computer, for companies such as film studios, game companies, and advertising agencies. They make commercials, movies, video games, and television shows. Animation is a modern art form that offers many job opportunities. If you like animation, you can make a career in this field!
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Part 1 of 3: Studying the Job of an Animator
Step 1. Study the job description of an animator
You should thoroughly understand the work of an animator and its specialization, so that you can make sure your skills match. All animators bring characters or images on screen to life by creating movement, but they work in different areas.
- Some animators create images for use by film studios and advertising agencies. Others create storyboards for television and film directors to use as their filmmaking plans. This storyboard describes what will appear on the screen, such as where the actors will stand. There are many different roles in the animation process that can be played.
- Animators create special effects that appear in movies, television shows, and video games. Animators have also worked as models, in computer animation, as painters, game designers, and technical directors.
- Consider freelance work. Sometimes, freelance animators work in different fields.
Step 2. Study the personality traits required by animators
Companies are looking for "hard" skills, such as the ability to use computer programs. They also consider "soft" skills, personality traits that an animator should have.
- Creating a 10 second animation can take weeks. If you don't have the patience for such endeavors, this may not be the best field for you. Also, don't expect to learn animation skills in just a few weeks. This field requires a lot of technical practice.
- Animation is fun, and many animators have grown up enjoying animated films or video games. Imagine if you were asked to create a fight between two Transformers! If you enjoy animation as a media consumer, this might be a good career field for you.
- Animators are responsive and careful in observing human life and nature. This is because they will be asked to create facial expressions and the way people move. They must have the ability to create a storyline, not just the characters.
- Animators must be able to work with other people. It's very rare that the role of an animator does not involve teamwork. There are many steps in the whole animation process.
Step 3. Master the steps required to create animation
The animation process can be broken down into different parts. It involves a lot more than just scratching a pen on paper (or a finger on a computer mouse). By mastering this stage, you can choose the role you want to play better.
- Preproduction. In this stage, the animator creates the final product concept. The animator may create a storyboard that includes sketches of each outline and helps develop and visualize the storyline. The pictures on storyboards often contain text that describes the character's movements.
- Occasionally, in preproduction the animator will shoot a reference video. For example, if they wanted to make a character throw a baseball, they might record and study a video of someone throwing a baseball.
- The model sheet shows the facial expressions of the characters. This particular image allows the animator to consistently maintain the character's personality. Then, the visual department creates a preliminary animation, a simple visual animation clone. The animator will also decide on the key poses, which are the core positions of the characters.
- Production. Layout artists create images from storyboards in 3-D versions. Basically, they bring the story to life. Some forms of animation require a modeler to bring the image to life. Textures provide small details that make animations appear real, such as cracks in the pavement. Rigging means more defining the bones and motion of the characters on the screen. Some forms of animation use motion capture, which means the motion of the actor or actress is captured and then matched against the animated image.
- Postproduction. There are three basic components of post-production, composition, bringing together all of the previous elements of a production session into one seamless storyline. Sound editing adds sound effects and lip syncs with animated images. Video editing is the process of creating the right flow and storyline by rearranging images if necessary.
Step 4. Learn the differences between types of animation
Most animations are 2-D or 3-D. To understand the difference, keep in mind that traditional cartoons like Aladdin are 2-D and movies like Toy Story are done in 3-D and show more complex dimensions.
- To become a 2-D animator, you have to draw everything you see frame by frame. First you draw the key pose. Then you draw every move in between. The artistic ability of the hand is very important for all animators, but it is even more important in 2-D animation. Animations typically use about 24 frames per second. Slow motion can take 12 frames per second. In still animation, where the characters stand still, you won't use a lot of skeletons.
- 3-D animators move characters like dolls on a computer. 3-D animators create models for characters. Animators can take control of using computers to create nuances of character movement. 3-D animation requires basic knowledge of graphics, curves and geometry. 3-D animators rarely use still animation. The character must always move or it will look like something went wrong.
Part 2 of 3: Getting the Right Skills Training
Step 1. Consider obtaining a formal education
While there are always exceptions, it's easier to find a job as an animator if you get a bachelor's or associate's degree from a university or technical college that has a good track record in the field.
- Look for educational institutions that offer 2-D and 3-D animation classes. Although some animation students choose to major in art, finding a specific program for an animation degree is preferable.
- To help you choose a school, look for animation school lists and reviews. For example, Animation Career Review lists the best schools for personal game design. They also list the best animation schools by region.
- You may be able to choose a two-year program or online. Animation Career Review is one place to check animation school programs. This site has a detailed list of schools that offer animation-related degrees. You should look for a school that offers a major in the particular type of animation that interests you. For example, if you want to become a video game animator, you should choose a school that offers majors like "game design" and "creating 3-D models for games."
Step 2. Watch for changing trends in the field
As technology continues to change, and consumers want more sophisticated depictions, certain areas of the field offer more job opportunities than others. Study the field so you understand where the growth areas lie and how well your skills fit.
- Reading trade publications that specialize in animation is a good way to embrace trends and have a better understanding of the industry.
- In today's world, cartoonists (2-D animators) are not as frequently sought after as technical animators, who create images using computers. Just think about how film animation has changed from the days of Mickey Mouse to Toy Story with digital complexity.
Step 3. Consider specializing
You may have to specialize in one aspect of the field that you are most proficient in and love. Don't try to do everything at once. Find your special animation, whether it's drawing by hand or using a computer to create complex special effects. If you like and are good at drawing, maybe 2-D animation would be better. If you have mathematical logic and like to use computers, 3-D animation is the best fit.
- Universities and other training programs offer specializations in areas such as game design, computer animation, graphic design, fine arts, motion graphics, and entertainment animation.
- People sometimes find out which special skills are best suited while in school. Don't put too much pressure on yourself to quickly find a custom field. However, at the end of school, it helps you to be more focused.
- The specialization will help you choose the right class and degree program. To become an animator for Hollywood films, you will need a lot of different lessons than to become a game animator. Some universities have degree programs designed with various specializations.
- But don't forget to master the fundamentals. If you can show that you have a solid foundation of fundamentals, you will be more marketable.
Step 4. Learn computer skills
This is very important. You do have to show artistic creativity, but as an animator in today's era, you will be much more valuable if you also learn the computer programs commonly used by animators. This is important.
- Programs commonly used by animators include website design software (such as Dreamweaver), software used for graphics and still images (such as Creative Suite), 2-D and 3-D animation software (such as Studio Max, Maya, Flash, and After Effects), and video editing software (such as Premiere or Final Cut Pro).
- The price of these computer programs can be very expensive. However, many college programs offer student discounts.
Step 5. Learn traditional arts
Animators are not just about technological robots. They must have an understanding of artistic concepts and be able to draw them. This also applies to those who study 3-D animation.
- Traditional art training helps animators in posing and recording the stage.
- A good animator must understand how to draw by hand, how to properly space images to bring out the movement they want, and how to create motion in their characters. In the field of animation, this is referred to as a "drawer."
- There are jobs for animators who only draw by hand, but in this day and age it is a difficult field. However, by taking a few art courses, most people will become good animators. Some animation-oriented companies such as Pixar emphasize that all animators must have as much artistic ability as computer skills.
Step 6. Gain broad skills
There are other experiences and courses you may need to become a good animator that can be found outside of specialized degree programs that focus on animation training.
- Some major studios are looking for animators who have acting experience. It is believed that the experience helps them better capture life and movement in the characters. Remember, that basically, they want to hire you to create the personality and storyline - to create.
- Science programs, especially geometry, are very useful for animators. Animators must be creative and visual, but they must also be equipped with an understanding of geometry.
Step 7. Get professional experience
Make your resume based on actual work experience. This also applies when you are still in college. Start in college (or even high school if you can). Animators must demonstrate professional experience, not just a bachelor's degree, to get a first job.
- Many animation companies offer internships for animation students who want to build on their resumes in order to land their first job. Sometimes, this kind of work goes unpaid.
- Consider volunteering. This can be a good way to build your resume. You may have to work for free for a while, but the work will help you get a steady job. Many nonprofits would be happy to receive the help of an animator for their project.
- You can include volunteer work experience on your resume and your portfolio. The company won't care if you don't get paid to do it. It's important to show people what you've done and what you can do in a very concrete way.
- An entry-level animator position usually requires at least one year of professional experience, and you will likely need around 5 years of experience to gain a more advanced position.
Part 3 of 3: Creating a Portfolio
Step 1. Make a demo reel
It's quite common for companies working in this field to want to see your work in demo rolls. Demo reels are videos that show short examples of various animated scenes that you play on the screen. Some companies prefer demo rolls that highlight short segments of the best parts rather than a few examples of work.
- You may want to adapt your roll demo to a variety of positions by highlighting the style and training required for a particular job. Different companies, different views.
- The duration of the demo reel for beginners should be around 2 minutes, while for more experienced animators it should be no more than 4 minutes. Choose your best work, not everything you've done. Start and end with your best.
- Some companies want to see demo roll DVDs, but other companies accept demo reel links from your website. Some companies, such as Pixar, tell applicants that they will send information about what they would like to see in their portfolios and demo rolls when applicants apply.
- Use original sound in scenes that require dialogue, but avoid adding music that interrupts the reels. You can use music, but make sure the music complements the animation and isn't distracting. After all, some companies will turn down the music while watching your animation.
- Give each scene a number. A number will usually appear at the top right of the screen when each animated segment appears on the demo reel.
- Include a title outline. This template should contain your name and contact information on it, as well as the position you are applying for. The title must appear at the beginning and at the end of the demo reel.
- Big animation companies are looking not only for technical skills in demo reels but also for creative ideas. Don't just do what other people do. Be willing to take risks. One of the animators said he wanted to use a dive scene, but he chose a scene where a character slips and falls while diving, to distinguish the dive scene on his reel from the other scrolls.
- Upload this reel to You Tube, Vimeo and your site.
Step 2. Describe your demo roll
Most employers want a summary of what you did written on the screen in text so they can easily refer to when assessing your work.
- The number on the demo reel must match the number on the demo reel description.
- Tell what you really do to people watching. For example, if you are drawing a ball, explain whether you are shading the ball.
Step 3. Write a cover letter and resume
These are the two traditional job seeker documents that animation companies demand along with your demo reel.
- The cover letter should contain a self-introduction and a demo roll. Sell yourself in the cover letter.
- You should list the education, training and places of work relevant to the position on your resume, as well as any awards you have received and any specific skills you have.
Step 4. Develop an online portfolio site to showcase your work
You must feature your best work in your portfolio to apply for animation jobs. People will want to see examples of your work, not just the captions. Portfolios are not an option, but are expected to exist.
- Include a bio section. You need to present yourself as a professional before the company.
- Give examples of longer work.
- Make sure you put contacts.
- Create sections for demo rolls and resumes.
- Study portfolio site examples by professional animators. You can find them on the internet, they will give you a better understanding of the norms in the field and what competitors are doing.
Tips
- Having a drawing tablet can help. If you can't afford it, that's fine.
- Practice can lead to perfection! Try to practice as much as possible.
- Be persistent. Some companies, such as Pixar, recommend that rejected applicants continue to try every six months for a new position.
Warning
- Don't use music that doesn't belong to you. If you do, you might get in trouble.
- Many bullies lurk on the internet. Do not listen to them. You can't please everyone.
- Your first animation may not be the best, so don't be discouraged. Don't create and submit demo rolls until you have a good working rule.
