You’ve spent your life dreaming about working for Pixar or ILM. You’ve got the drawing skills and software knowledge; you need that sensational showreel and concise CV. The only thing stopping you is the right school. With so many options, deciding your best fit can take time.
Learn from Industry Insiders
You’ve been obsessed with animation for as long as you can remember. You’ve spent countless hours watching Jurassic Park, Toy Story and The Lion King. You probably even scared away dates with your excessive toy collection and penchant for drawing on paper. Now it’s time to give yourself a chance to get into the industry you love.
The best schools for animation can help you achieve your dream job. They offer a combination of teaching, learning and practical experience that will set you apart from the competition. Whether you want to learn the basics of storytelling or become proficient with advanced 3D modeling software, animation school can offer you a hands-on and immersive experience.
In addition to learning the skills required for your preferred area of focus, you’ll also be able to pick up other valuable skills that will make you a more rounded and well-rounded artist. For example, you’ll likely take life drawing courses and other visual art components. These will help you create believable and visually appealing images that impress your future employers.
Additionally, you’ll have a safe space to practice and experiment with different ideas without fear of major financial loss or failure. When working on professional animation projects, millions of dollars are invested, and any mistakes can be extremely costly.
Develop Your Communication Skills
When studying animation, you learn to use different media to communicate a story. This is important for a variety of reasons. First and foremost, it helps you develop your artistic ability. It also allows you to build your portfolio and become a more skilled animator. Moreover, it will enable you to understand the importance of client communication. It would be best to communicate well, whether working with a client in person or remotely.
This is especially true when the project runs into an unforeseen problem. It is crucial to bend over backward and help the client overcome a tough time. This will ensure a long-lasting and successful partnership. In addition to studying the basics of 2D and 3D animation, you will also take courses like human and animal anatomy and visual design. This will allow you to create unique characters and backgrounds for your animated work.
Many animation schools offer a range of different degree programs that are designed to suit your specific career goals. These include mobile game development, character animation, and more. Students interested in a more traditional career path may pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA). The BFA is one of the most popular degrees in animation, and it can provide you with the skills and experience you need to succeed in the industry.
Build a Strong Network
As an animator, having a network of people, you can count on to support your career and get jobs is important. A good animation school will help you develop these relationships by connecting you with peers and industry professionals. They may also host networking events and provide opportunities to showcase your work to potential clients.
Networking is also important because it can help you decide which areas of the industry to focus on when applying for jobs. It’s important to understand that each animation area has unique skills. These include character design, storyboarding, and 2D and 3D animation. It’s also important to have a mix of these skills to create various animation types and work with multiple clients.
Moreover, networking can help you learn about internship opportunities and other freelance work in animation. This way, you can build a portfolio and earn cash while pursuing your degree. You must know how to network well because this will help you land your dream job in the animation industry. Besides, it would help if you networked often since the animation industry moves quickly, and job openings can go fast. Hence, you should be able to act quickly when an opportunity comes up.
Build a Demo Reel
Most traditional artists and painters are expected to have a portfolio of their work, and animators are no exception. Your demo reel is your commercial for your animation work. It’s a video that allows potential employers, producers, or others to see what you can do and decide whether they want to work with you.
When compiling your demo reel, ensure it showcases the work you’re best at and passionate about. It’s also important to keep it as short as possible. Aim for three minutes or less of total footage, including a montage of your best clips. Casting directors aren’t interested in watching more than they should and will probably discard a longer reel. Once you have a finished draft of your demo reel, please leave it for a day or two to give it some fresh eyes.
Finally, including a breakdown sheet with your rotation is a good idea to provide more detail about each shot. It’s also helpful to have music on your reel, especially if it’s not just some random music playing in the background; pick something that fits each clip and enhances its impact. Lastly, don’t forget to put your contact information at the beginning and end of the video!
