/r/animationcareer

Photograph via snooOG

Looking for a career in animation? In this subreddit you can ask career-related questions, get feedback on your demoreel, and find advice on how to get into and survive the industry. Check out our wiki and FAQ before posting if you're new!

Looking for a career in animation? Confused about how to get into the industry? You've come to the right place!

Check out our FAQ and Wiki before posting if you're new!

/r/animationcareer

51,694 Subscribers

2

2D frame by frame animation job

Does anyone here work solely with 2D frame by frame animation? If so how did you get your first job?

2 Comments
2024/11/09
15:20 UTC

0

GoFundMe Help!

Hi all, I'm not too sure if this post is allowed in this subreddit, and by all means if it is not please do let me know and I'll remove it!

I am an animator and artist who has been accepted into The National Film and Television School to study Directing for Animation. This a huge deal for me as someone who suffers with hearing loss I really would love to use my skills and craft to help push under-represented voices in film. Unfortunately I cannot afford this course, the tuition fees are a huge barrier that people like me from low social economic backgrounds face when trying to gain entry to further education.

I'm posting this here not necessarily to ask you to donate, but if anyone knew of the best places to try and share this to help raise some money.

If you are interested, please do click the link to read more. I hugely appreciate your time for reading this and any guidance as to where to move next is a massive help.

https://gofund.me/7730d0a5

1 Comment
2024/11/09
14:30 UTC

3

Should I take the chance to become an animator?

I’m currently a junior in high school and struggling to choose between nursing and animation. I’m in a program that allows me to take college classes while still in high school, so I have the chance to complete all my nursing prerequisites early. If I continue on this path, I can join my college’s nursing program after graduation and finish it in just 16 months.

Right now, I’m working on the basics like English and math, but next semester—coming very soon—I’ll be starting the core prerequisites for the nursing program. The thing is, I’m torn because my true passion lies in animation. (I don’t hate nursing, it just not a top career choice). I’m considering switching to art courses instead and preparing to apply to an animation college. I’ve thought about choosing nursing to have something stable to fall back on while I self-study animation and work as a nurse after graduation. However, I’m also wondering if I should focus on art now, while I’m still in school, to get into an animation college and pursuing animation as a full-time career. With the uncertainty in the animation industry and the rise of AI, this decision feels even more challenging. That’s why I’m considering becoming a nurse first and studying animation on my own—so if AI does take over (hopefully not), I’ll still have a job. Your advice is much appreciated!

8 Comments
2024/11/09
14:04 UTC

2

Commission timelines

Hey yall I'm a commission animator doing mostly music videos.

Anybody else doing music videos? If so, how long does it typically take for you to deliver a 3 1/2 - 4 minute animated music video?

Would love to get some perspective on this. Thanks!

4 Comments
2024/11/09
06:20 UTC

10

What is stopping you from learning 2D Puppet (Cut-Out) Animation currently?

Howdy! You lookin very good today, huh ;)

Animation student here!

As the title says, I was wondering... What do you guys, professionals, students and hobbyists think about 2D cut-out animation? Do you guys like using 2D Puppets or not?

What are the struggles you face when you just want to practice puppet animation, or need to make an advertisement video for a company or product?:

. Is it that you need to draw the cut-out characters or hire someone to do it for you?

. Is it that there aren't many already-made 2D cut-out characters that fit your project and needs?

. Is it the rigging or tech aspect?

. Is it the lack of information regarding the creation of 2D Puppets?

. Or any other reasons?

20 Comments
2024/11/09
05:12 UTC

30

What job do you work aside from animation?

I still have a lot of work to do on my portfolio, and I'd like to learn graphic design as well. Once I am able to move out of my parents' place, I'd like to use my free time and space to freelance or start some sort of art business/store on the side.

However, loans need to be paid. I'm currently working a $15/hr retail job and considering getting an additional retail/service job on the side. I have quite a bit of customer service experience, but jobs are hard to find, and in my area, you have to be making AT LEAST $22/hr full-time to afford the most basic apartments- and even then, you'll just be barely scraping by.

I really need to move out, though. That's my primary goal right now, regardless of if whatever jobs I get further my animation career. Recommendations? What jobs do you work primarily or on the side, aside from your art career? What jobs did you work before starting your art career? I'm feeling stuck. I'm very intelligent, graduated top of my class in high school, but since I got an art degree, I'm having a hard time finding well-paying jobs.

19 Comments
2024/11/08
19:58 UTC

5

How to get into a animator job in a studio.. currently I'm a character animator.. can anyone guide me in a right way ??

Animation

4 Comments
2024/11/08
18:16 UTC

10

Getting a job on the production side of things?

I met with someone from DreamWorks when I was at Lightbox and he said I should consider looking into jobs on the production side of things. The problem is I can't think of one that I would really qualify for.

6 Comments
2024/11/08
17:43 UTC

12

What would be better for my portfolio: Making a short film or creating unconnected pieces

I live in the US and I want to be a 2D animator and storyboarder. After I graduate I'm taking a year to build out a portfolio that I can be proud of. I also really want to start developing a short film because I haven't had the ability to be fully creative and explore my own ideas in that capacity. I was told studios like seeing your ability to complete your own projects but I don't want to pigeonhole myself by putting the bulk of my energy into one project in case that hurts me in the future.

I know I can do both but considering the fields I want to get into where would the bulk of that energy be better spent?

6 Comments
2024/11/08
13:18 UTC

4

Feedback on my 3D Animation demoreel

Hello!

I graduated in June and I've been looking for a first job as a junior 3D animator. I know it's hard to get your first experience, especially given the industry's current state, so while I continue looking I work on my demoreel and portfolio.

Here is my demoreel : https://youtu.be/WZA3r29gYs4

So, I would like to have some opinions on it, what I should work on, what to add, and simply feedback on it!

And I'm also taking this opportunity to ask, do you have any animator communities to recommend, to see the work of others and also post your work and get feedback?

Thank you!

9 Comments
2024/11/08
13:11 UTC

12

For Those Working in Vendor Studios, What are the Major Differences and the Pros and Cons When Working on a Japanese TV show vs An Americna TV show?

So nowadays lot of the actual "grunt" work in TV animation so to speak are done in outscored vendor studios and usually a vendor studio that specializes with American clients won't probably do work for Japanese clients and vice versa. But I do know that in many places in the world where there are lots of vendor studios, these vendor studios can be close to each other and it's not unheard of for someone to jump ship from one studio to another. I've read online of a comic artist that started work in a vendor studio for Pretty Cure and then moved to another vendor studio to work on My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic.

I'm curious, what are the differences in the pipeline for an animator working in a vendor studio when working on a Japanese show vs an American show, and what are the pros and cons of each? I have some awareness that there are differences in the pipeline for TV animation in the US vs Japan.

4 Comments
2024/11/08
10:55 UTC

1

Good Entertainment Art/Animation programs?

I’ve been researching grad schools over the past couple of months and am looking for recommendations on programs or colleges with strong, promising curricula that I might have missed. I’ve already explored well-known options like Sheridan, Seneca, and top U.S. schools like ArtCenter. Some others like Fullerton, DigiPen. Any suggestions for hidden gems would be greatly appreciated! (Specifically in USA/Europe). Little worried about moving to Canada atm because of how things are looking. Thank you in advance!

2 Comments
2024/11/08
08:10 UTC

8

For animation, is it more important to apply to internships early or wait to develop the skills and then apply?

A piece of advice I've heard a LOT in college is that one of the major factors in helping you move forward with an internship is applying basically as soon as the internship gets posted, or as soon as possible, and I can definitely see why that is true/can be a boost.

Some of the places I'm looking at have posted their internship openings recently, but the deadlines are not for a few months. There are some skills listed in their descriptions that I'm not extremely familiar with right now, but I would like to spend some time learning them even a little so I can have some experience or maybe even a project to put down on my resume before I apply. However, is it also true for the animation industry that the earlier you apply, the better your chances? If so, would it be wiser to take some time to practice the skills and then apply, or should I go ahead and just apply now to get my application in earlier? Thanks

3 Comments
2024/11/08
08:03 UTC

1

I need help-

Hii, I'm a Sophmore in high school and I'm planning on going to college for animation, I'm not sure if I want to go to a regular college or art college but I don't even think I know what I'm doing. My main question is: how do I start my portfolio? Also, would I be more seen if I were to go to a regular university or an art college?

3 Comments
2024/11/08
02:51 UTC

200

Headhunted & hired!

I feel like I've been very lucky considering the current state of the industry, because as soon as I graduated this summer, one of my teachers approached me and told me that she's moving on to become an animation supervisor for a pretty big animated movie - and she wanted to bring me along!

Today I was invited to chat in their studio and was offered a full-time position starting in February, and although it's only for a year and a half I'm super happy I even got it to begin with :)

There's still a chance for y'all out there!

46 Comments
2024/11/07
22:02 UTC

1

Narrowing the focus of what I do withdrawal

I'm coming up on 40 and I have a lot of animation ideas and game ideas because I do both animation and game development I recently decided to stop doing game development and focus on animations over the next 10 years making it easier to do more of one task than to try and do both.

The question is for me what is more important in the field of animation I like to tell stories that teach or that showcase something that you could not see otherwise. In the field of video games I like that I have really good unique game designs.

What is boils down to I guess is the need to say something and animations seem to do that better for me than making games though I'm definitely having some withdraw am I making the right move?

2 Comments
2024/11/07
21:00 UTC

43

Got an internship!

It’s a lil sketchy, unpaid and totally just someone using interns as free labor but im glad i finally have an internship under my belt. The first one is always the hardest to get…or so I’m told.

10 Comments
2024/11/07
20:08 UTC

1

Dissertation help request

Hello Animators,

I am working on my dissertation which is about animation creators on YouTube and I am looking for some professional animators who work for studios or do animation jobs for companies, but also manage YouTube channels. I have contacted some by email but no reply yet. I have got only 11 questions to ask and I would really appreciate if someone could answer them.

Thanks a lot in advance!

3 Comments
2024/11/07
19:07 UTC

13

Process in getting accepted in a studio?

Hi! I'm not really sure where to start, so bear with me.

For context, I've finished an internship a few months ago. The studio I've intered at really liked my work, and really wants me to be part of their team. I accepted it, but under the condition that I'll only work part-time (the offer they gave me was initially for a full time position), considering I'm currently a student as well as someone currently working on their thesis film.

Now, here's my... problem, per se. There really was no "formal" process, so no interview or of the like considering the person I worked with during my internship was with the studio's director, so he just straight up gave me the job offer. We had multiple meetings to discuss what my concerns were, what my position is, what he expects of me, etc., and I'm fine with that, since everything has been going well and my concerns were addressed. However, despite this, I was quite surprised to suddenly know that I'm up for work by next week, even when I did express I'm accepting the job offer.

I guess I simply want to know if there should've have been a contract to sign? All our interactions have been verbal, and with no concrete or a hard "solid" contract about my job other than emails, online meetings, and texts. Should there have been papers? Or is this type of casual and verbal exchange normal in the industry? I'm fairly new when it comes to actual work and still really early in my 20s so I'm still navigating the adulting world lol, but I know that contracts are important when it comes to these things.

Could anyone help or give me some insights?

12 Comments
2024/11/07
18:20 UTC

3

Work Experience Questions

Ooh, my first Reddit post!

So, my work experience is coming up and seeing as I want to pursue animation as a career in future, I wanted to do it at a 2D animation studio. Do any of you lovely people know any good animation studios based in the UK? I'm doing my own research but It would be amazing if anyone here could give me some direction on where to ask.

Thank you!

1 Comment
2024/11/07
17:56 UTC

13

As a skill, should a Character designer have 1 style reflected in their portfolio or an infinite?

I’m considering being a character designer…. is it better to be a one trick pony in that you design multiple characters within one style, or should you be able to come up with infinite styles across multiple genres?

I.e: I come up with Anime styles one day, then come up with Simpson styles the next?

Or do I have a personal style, where i’m Matt Groening, and design in Simpson styles one day, and then draw Futurama styles the next?

12 Comments
2024/11/07
16:51 UTC

3

How to Get a Job in Other Countries

Hello! I’m a 2D animator in the US and was wondering how it would be possible to land a gig in other countries? Every time I look to apply for a position that matches my skill set , they always say that I have to be a resident in their country to qualify. Sometimes I’ll throw in my application anyway and I’ll get the same response.

I know that it’s not impossible cause I have friends who were able to find work overseas, but I never get a straight answer as to how that happened. I think one of my problems is that I’m still entry-level, so I understand that there would be a bigger risk in hiring me. But based off of my freelancing experience, I’m confident that I’m a fast learner and can pick things up fairly quickly.

10 Comments
2024/11/07
15:00 UTC

16

Best place to live for an animation career?

Im from the UK, and want to know what would be the best country/city to live in for a career in animation in TV media (specifically storyboarding.)

13 Comments
2024/11/07
10:29 UTC

1

Please help me decide

I am a filipino, and currently in highschool. Would pursuing a career in animation ideal for me? Any job oppurtunities for me abroad? Or should I just give up?

11 Comments
2024/11/07
09:51 UTC

1

Erasmus internship Spain

Hello I'm an Italian animation student, I'm looking for studios in all Spain where I could do an Erasmus internship in my last year of university, anyone can help?

1 Comment
2024/11/07
08:29 UTC

2

Toronto Animation Arts Festival International

Me and my artists friends won tickets to the upcoming Toronto Animation Arts Festival International for placing in a contest and our animation will be showcased with the other winners. Have any of you been to this festival in the past? I don’t know what to expect, I know it’s an amazing networking opportunity and I don’t want to miss out. What can I do to prepare? What do I need to bring? I need any information! Thank you all 💜

2 Comments
2024/11/07
06:56 UTC

6

Making a Portfolio Website

Hi! I'm a sophomore animation student currently at a university and I was wondering what I should use to make my animation portfolio. My university won't show me how unless it's my senior year and I want to start doing freelance work early.

6 Comments
2024/11/06
20:59 UTC

0

How does animation industry feels about Trump presidency?

So like title suggests how does animation industry feels about Trump presidency? Many artists told me that things will get better when Trump get elected. I would like to know your opinion guys.

16 Comments
2024/11/06
14:19 UTC

26

How’s the industry looking in Canada?

Living in Michigan as a 2d animator and storyboard artist and I gotta say moving across that bridge is very tempting right now

35 Comments
2024/11/06
12:39 UTC

9

I’m confused

So I understand you don’t really need a degree in animation, but it will be better to have one if you are international (I’m from Ukraine) If I’ll want to migrate for work to Canada for example, do I need Bachelor degree or can I migrate there with Advanced diploma/ Graduate certificate? I want to go to school next year, I liked TAW in Denmark (bachelor in animation),

Seneca college(advanced diploma in animation) and Algonquin college (advanced diploma in animation) in Canada HSLU In Switzerland (bachelor in animation)

Looking for other options too, so I would be happy if you recommend anything else (I know only English, want to learn 2D animation mainly but would love to learn 3D on side)

Please let me know anything if you have experience something similar!<3

14 Comments
2024/11/06
12:31 UTC

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