I've Found an Animation Studio

Contract work? I don't know what your community situation is up there but around here tons of mom and pop places are desparate for actual legitimate talent to do posters, business cards, etc. Local museums will often pay younger folk (in lieu of the more-often-than-not volunteer work of the established-in-age =) to do curation, or small organizational tasks. That one doesn't have you making art per se but it's great to round out your exposure. A conventional job can always be good fodder for later situational content in your animations.

I think the wisest thing to do if things like that don't pan out is bite the bullet and take what work you can find. Anything like you've -been- aiming for is going to require full-time dedication anyhow, and this way not only are you saving for school but you have something that keeps you occupied and allows you to structure your time in a fixed way -- plus as you're motivating YOURSELF without outside influence to work on your port and reel, you can finance materials/supplies for those as needed without worrying or scraping.

Based on what you've written, maybe you should call up and ask if they have any internships available. You could also send your portfolio over along with a note asking for feedback on your work.

If you have to ask what to say when you call, I'd hold off a while on the series pitch. Sounds like you need more info on how a studio works before you pitch them on the next big thing.

Good luck!

Hi PC Doctor,

I don't know if any of my work is on this animation express site or not. I only directed one Flash series, and it was not very entertaining to watch, so I doubt it... Never know though... My work ends up in the strangest places sometimes :) I found my name all over Polish web sites for one of my series'. I didn't even know it was airing in Poland, let alone popular there... ROYALTIES! I WANT MY ROYALTIES!

Ask to speak with HR. Then ask them if there are any available positions or interships. You could also ask them if they would have time to show you around. Some small studios, if they're cool, will give ya a little tour. And even if there aren't any openings, express interest in what they look for in a portfolio. Beef up your reel and portfolio so youre ready to kick ass when a position does become available. You could also ask if they ever contract work out to freelancers.

If I may...

Very few studios want people just calling them out of the blue, and many will be turned off of you for it. I would get an e-mail address of the person in charge of hiring (many, if not most small studios do not have an HR department, and the director/producer take that responsibility on), and send them a letter with your intentions. Include a link to your work, which woul dbe cool if you could showcase on-line, or drop off a letter and CD with your work scanned and saved digitally.

People (for the most part) do not appreciate being put on the spot.

Cheers

Now see, that's how I guage someone's true professionalism. On the spot means pressure means it's harder. If you can have poise, composure, that sorta thing in a moment like that, it says a lot about you.

Echi--
According to your profile.......you are only 16 years old.

Sorry to break this to you, bud, but unless you are some kind of uber-talent, there isn't a studio around that is going to be receptive to pitches, much less hire you. You are a minor, and that will complicate things--despite your being super-keen and all that. If you ask nice, they might give you a tour, but a job...............that MIGHT be unrealistic thinking.

Try giving yourself some time, some time to practise your craft, hone your skills and get some life experience under your belt. The animation biz will still be here when you are truly ready for it.

Are you talking about cosgrove hall?
Being just 16, your best shot at getting your foot in the door, is to contact them and ask if they need runners.

Sorry, but if you dont know what to show or tell them, my advice is: just dont interview with them.

An interview is a very important step in getting a job. I interviewd lots of wanna be animators for Pixar, most of them failed just becouse they didnt sell themselves well.

Good luck and just go to a college for animation like Sheridan College in Canada or CalArts in LA (best animation schools in the world !)

Just to capitalize on the moment, what were their biggest failures in self-selling? What exactly are you looking for?

Is it just that they said generic things, or didn't present themselves well? No X-factor/spark/charm? I'm simply curious about the selectivity since they got far enough for an interview.

maybe they just didn't have that Pixar glow

:mad: Damn Man

you guys are a bit harsh. i just want them to see my work, know how animation works and advice.

Harsh???

Consider it that we are being realistic with you. You could be getting platitudes from us and unrealistic build-ups about the business and what you can expect from it--and once you do find out what its really like..........well that'd be harsh.

By all means, take the advice you read here with a grain of salt, approach the studio(s) in question and see what transpires. We could be all very wrong, and you could become tremendously successful in spite of what we say. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, right?

As for HOW to do it, well why not take Nike's advice and JUST DO IT.
If it doesn't work, change your approach. That's a time-honoured method for success in any endeavour.

As for how animation works, there are dozens upons dozens of books, videos, web-sites and other resources that can answer your questions to a tee. That keyboard under your fingers can lead you right to them and the AWN website links to quite a few of those resources.

If that's harsh to you, you might need a bit more life experience to rough you up before you dive into something that requires you to "strap it on" so to speak. I'm with a few others on this one...use the gift of time to beef up now to excel later, rather than -waste- time and possibly your reputation doing the behavioral equivalent of talking out of your arse since you might not know what you're doing.

:mad: Damn Man

you guys are a bit harsh. i just want them to see my work, know how animation works and advice.

So who's stopping you? If you want to do it, do it.

You started this thread asking for advice. You got it, but it sounds like you didn't hear what you wanted to hear. That's the chance you take.

You got what you asked for - advice. Take it or leave it, whichever suits you best. Best of luck with whatever you decide.

First, the term is "artist", not "drawer"... Unless you are a piece of furniture like a desk...

Secondly, these people are just telling you the reality of the business. You will not get an artistic job in animation based on a few crude drawings that you did in high-school. You will need to refine your talent and learn what you need to know to make it in the animation industry. School will do that for you, while at the same time, teaching you how to take constructive critisizm.

Yes, by all means, gather as much information as to what a studio such as this wants to see in a portfolio, but it will more than likely be what every other studio in the world wants to see in a portfolio:

- LIFE DRAWING (and lots of it)
- Cartoon drawings illustrating different styles
- an animation demo reel, also demonstarting your ability to draw and ANIMATE different styles
- rough animation drawings showing movement in the posing.
- drawings showing your ability to convey emotion through the characters' face and body language

There are many web sites on the web where people have their portfolios avaiable on-line to view. I suggest you browse some of those.

If you want to make it in this business, you have to be able to take what others tell you well, and put it to good use. If when someone gives you critisizm, you react like this, I am afraid that you will be doomed.

Also acceptable is "drafstman," not to be confused with "draughtsman" which is technical/architectural...

Not to change the topic, WadeK, I think I've seen some of your flash cartoon on Animation Express.
Did you ever post cartoon there?