Hi Everybody,
This is my first post in the forum, so please let me know if I've posted this in the wrong section.
I'm studying 3D character animation at college right now and will be graduating soon. A few friends have some interviews set up for 3D "pre-vis/layout" even thought they are studying character animation. This got me to thinking-- is layout/previz a good avenue to start in if you want to eventually be a 3D character animator? Is it possible to move up into animation if you put in the time in the layout department? Everyone at school is very aware at how competitive the field is, that it's very difficult to get your foot in the door, especially if you don't know anybody. Everyone wants to get started, but no one wants to get started on the wrong path.
Does anyone have any advice for a soon-to-be graduate who has no profession experience, but would like to get her career going on the right track?
Should I look for pre-vis layout positions when I am looking for a job? And what would a character animator put on a layout/previz reel? If not, what would be a good start up position for an aspiring computer character animator?
thanks everybody! I look forward to hearing from you. :)
~GJ :)
any job is good to have. but regardless of whatever you do to make money. there is nothing stopping you from doing animation when your at home
Think of it like you are shooting a gun. If you do not aim at the target you want, you'll never hit it.
Yeah you can aim obliquely, that is to say you can work in closely related job functions to your target task, but then you can run the risk of falling into the trap.
The "trap" being becoming settled and complacent in that other task and never really stepping up to what you WANT to do.
If you have a skill at doing character animation, why settle for anything BUT character animation?
Be good.
Be good at character animation.
Its really quite the cream of the crop as animation goes, because its not just mechanical animation like effects are, there's a lot of of emotion involved, therefore a lot of personal judgement, and thus a lot of YOU involved.
Character animation is the core of the entertainment value for almost all the work that uses it.
To that end, be able to demonstrate outstanding skills with character animation, with handling and emoting characters. Artistry skills need to be better than just about anyone else, as well as your acting and timing senses.
I'm not talking about just competency here, but literal excellence. The yardstick to measure it by is if you are the student BEST animator in the college you are attending right now. If you are not, you need to get to that level.
Character animation is seldom handed to newcomers, unless they demonstrate really outstanding abilities. The way to get those character positions is to show them you can do it--get their notice, either at hiring or while on the job.
Don't become complacent, don't settle for less--and MOST people do just that.
Show what you are really good at. If you are not strong at pre-viz--then for Pete's sake don't apply for it. If you are really good at character animation, but competent at p[re-viz, then YES, it can be an entry point to start with.
A lot of places will pigeon-hole you though. You will likely work in the same menial task to start with and have NO upward mobility in the job train---and it can be like that for years.
BUT, with persistence, and demonstrated ability you can get opportunities.
Just be the best you can be at it and you'll get those opportunities.
"We all grow older, we do not have to grow up"--Archie Goodwin ( 1937-1998)
Thanks for your answers, guys.
I do know what I want, I guess it's just kinda scary to think about just how good you have to be to get an animation job, especially when you have loans due (or other financial commitments). You're right, though. I've got to at least try to hit my target!
There are several students whose animation skills are better than my own, though I work hard and am not a bad animator. I feel that if I could just have some more time to practice, I could really improve and get to a higher skill level, but my time's up-- school's over and the loans need to be repaid.
It seems like today the bar gets set higher and higher, that there's no more place for learning on the job. People used to get hired with walk cycles and bouncing balls... now they want to see acting and short films! As you mentioned in your reply, it's very competitive.
Thank you for your advice! I appreciate your detailed, thoughtful answer. :)
~ GJ