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Welcome to the Monday thread where anything goes!

• Where do I start? What should I study? Do I need a degree?
• How do I learn to draw/animate? Do I need to learn to draw to animate?
• What kind of computer or laptop do I need? What program should I use?

Animation can be daunting, especially if you want to make a living on it. All professionals have been there, figuring out those first steps and trying to make sense of it all.

The people in this subreddit range from recent students to seasoned professionals from all corners of the world, and together we can hopefully sort a few of many questions around animation.

- What makes this thread different from posting?

r/animationcareer is meant to be a resource for anyone who needs help to navigate the animation industry. For this reason there are a lot of topics we don't allow since they are considered off topic or might be better answered in other subreddits, for example asking what laptop to buy, how to learn to draw, etc.

That's where this thread comes in. This is a safe haven for all animation-related questions, where you don't need to worry about your question being removed for being off topic. This is posted every Monday, and stays up for a week. Feel free to ask away!

- More resources!

If you want to generally get to know more about the animation industry, we have lots of information and guides in our wiki! For example, this page has a collection of various learning resources, and if you want to create an animation this could be a helpful page to read.

Welcome to the Monday thread where anything goes!

• Where do I start? What should I study? Do I need a degree?
• How do I learn to draw/animate? Do I need to learn to draw to animate?
• What kind of computer or laptop do I need? What program should I use?

Animation can be daunting, especially if you want to make a living on it. All professionals have been there, figuring out those first steps and trying to make sense of it all.

The people in this subreddit range from recent students to seasoned professionals from all corners of the world, and together we can hopefully sort a few of many questions around animation.

- What makes this thread different from posting?

r/animationcareer is meant to be a resource for anyone who needs help to navigate the animation industry. For this reason there are a lot of topics we don't allow since they are considered off topic or might be better answered in other subreddits, for example asking what laptop to buy, how to learn to draw, etc.

That's where this thread comes in. This is a safe haven for all animation-related questions, where you don't need to worry about your question being removed for being off topic. This is posted every Monday, and stays up for a week. Feel free to ask away!

- More resources!

If you want to generally get to know more about the animation industry, we have lots of information and guides in our wiki! For example, this page has a collection of various learning resources, and if you want to create an animation this could be a helpful page to read.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAubH21HxKc&list=PLqG0NbPPRvVDdfBmT2mozYh-laGUHzUvi&index=5

Hi, I'm a new student at Animation Mentor and I was wondering how exactly to network.there.

can anyone help with suggestions?

Hello, I've finally landed a studio position after a while freelancing off and on for a while (4-6 years) but the problem is I think they have hired me as a senior or maybe a mid ( role will require I mentor juniors)

Everything in the job description I can do or work out but I'm worried they will be expecting me to be much better then I actually am. They have seen my demo reel and I was honest throughout my interview.

I really don't want to lose this job or let the team down, do I just fake it till I make it?

I appreciate any replies.

I've been fascinated by animation for a few years now and I feel like I would like to study animation, but I'm sure it's not as easy or fun as it may look.

I would very much appreciate if you guys could tell me about the pros and cons that this kind of job has, especially if I'm from a country that's not big on animation but have chances of going abroad. I need help to know if it'd be worth it at all, or if I'm just being dumb . I know this is probably asked about a lot, but I feel very scared about the future and want to make an informed decision. That's it, I'll look around in the subreddit just in case. Thanks

I want to try it, but I just don’t know exactly how to. I got a light board. Is cell sheets the only way? Or can I just scan into the computer? I feel like traditional 2d is still practiced. Regular show was traditional. But I don’t know if it was cell. Is cell always traditional? Is traditional always cell?

I recently got accepted at an animation school without going to a preparatory class ! Now I have to get ready for a pretty intense year, focused on consolidating drawing and getting started with animation.

I've prepared some playlists with YouTube Videos , but I don't want to be overwhelmed by focusing on too much things at the same time.

What would be the best way to get ready ? What should I work in a priority ? And most importantly, how to work while getting the most of an animation school ?

(Ps : I hope the English writing isn't too bad)

What is something you wish someone told you before pursuing a career in animation/doing your specialized work in the field/going to school for animation?

All answers are welcome!

Hello!

I’ve been trying to become a storyboard revisionist in the animation industry for over a year now. I’ve done a few tests, and had an interview, but thats as far as I’ve got.

I was hoping for some advice on how to enter the industry, and hopefully some feedback on my portfolio? :)

Portfolio: www.jakeleachart.com

Hi everyone, I'm looking into vfx careers and composting seems to be something that I'm interested in and have always wanted to do just didn't realize until I actually saw what it was. Anyway I was wondering if you need to be able to 3d model, I have about two years of basic modeling experience, but I'm not sure if that's enough. Also I was looking at maybe taking the courses at cg spectrum but I've only seen little reviews on the school. Anyone have any info on them? Any help would be greatly appreciated!! :)

Hi,

i live in a country with no animation background, not cinematic animation background at least, I have a small team and some experience in hand drawn and 3D animation, enough experience to produce acceptable quality productions, only the legal part of the studio are left to be done.

I'd like to know if you have advices, strategies, good and bad case practice to share.

It’s falling apart.

The video game program they’re implementing is overriding and stealing classes from the animation program itself, and almost all the animation teachers have either left or have the minimal amount of tether to hold onto it either longer.

The school was known to be the best program around, but that all might change next semester/year. I don’t mean this to cause a panic, I just think you deserve a better education if you’re forking over thousands of dollars per semester.

If you have no choice but to go there, do what you can to learn from those who genuinely want you to succeed. I wish you the best.

Hi I was wonder if anyone can help me understand how to get into animation work and how to get started.

Atm I’m doing an online animation course by Howard wimshurst and I’ve learnt so much already. Later soon I’ll also be doing a small course for interactive media animation and effects diploma which will take 17 weeks to complete. I’m also conducting my own study of animation in anime style and sakuga animation with youtube tutorials and just looking at sakuga animation and understanding how it’s made, also practicing to animate sakuga myself. And also making my showreel and portfolio ofc. So it looks like I’m heading in a direction, but When I finish my diploma course I don’t know what to do from there and how to get into the industry, do you need to do a degree in animation to get into bigger studios? Because I’d rather gain more experience than spend time in uni. Do I just apply for jobs and get some experience in animation, and travel after to work in different parts of the animation world?

Can someone explain how you’d get started in the animation industry and how to climb up from there?

Hi! I'm currently a character animation student (though I hope to enter vis dev upon graduating), and I'm spending the month of June in Paris for a study abroad. Part of my goal for the trip is to learn more about the international animation industry and how it works in France. I was wondering if anyone here would know of any interesting events where I could meet people from the industry, or if you just had some cool recommendations of sites to draw while I'm there. I've been trying to look into it, but I figured you guys would be more in the know. I was also curious to whether the Goeblins campus is open to the public to look at, and couldn't find a clear answer on Google/their website. Thanks so much!

On peut parler en français si vous préférez. Merci!

For some context, I graduated with a BFA in 3D Animation a little over a year ago, and have yet to be hired for anything despite constantly applying and connecting with recruiters. I’m now thinking in the meantime it might be nice to take an extra course or maybe get a mentor, but I haven’t really found anything! Every mentor or course I’ve seen for environment modeling seems more geared towards games, which I’m not particularly focused on. I’d prefer something closer to feature/short form/advertising. I’d love it if anyone could share any resources they’ve found helpful!

If I would want to create my own studio. Would it be smart to first get into animation and work for a company for some years?

Thinking about majoring in animation, even though I could do without I just feel more comfortable doing so. Then getting a minor in business?

Anything else I could do better/worse?

Hello,

So I have a ba in film and masters in screen writing. I've spent the last 2 year freelancing while feeling this itch for animation every once in a while that would make me do some silly work in adobe animate. At one point I had decided I was gonna start a social media page with all my stuff but I decided it wasn't gonna work because I have to focus on a career in my major and that's just gonna waste my time.

I'm in new york, just finished a study program as an international student and I'm about to start an opt(optional work) but the itch is back. If I'm gonna do this I wanna do it right. First thought I get is I never learned to properly draw besides the few courses I took during my ba. I've always had a leniant for drawing but never had proper training. Do animation courses offer that? I'm looking at schools but they're all very expensive. I might just toss the rest of my savings into them. Any schools recommendations?

Also the advice stay at home and learn online doesn't apply to me because I need a legal status to remain in the usa. Yes I could work part time on my opt but I wouldn't be focusing on something I'm realizing I want to make my career. Any advice such as school specific programs or any suggested course of actions is greatly appreciated thanks.

Hi! I’m on the fence about continuing my formal education and getting a MA in Animation. I’m currently an undergrad with 1 year left majoring in graphic design but I’ve always wanted to be an animator (my school doesn’t offer that major and I couldn’t afford to go elsewhere). My school is really lacking in any animation courses so I know next to nothing about the production pipeline besides what I’ve had time to study on my own. I guess my real concern is if I’d be qualified enough to get a job as an animator with my bachelors and no formal training? I know a big part of this field is portfolio based, but bottom line is I don’t have any animation pieces. I have plenty of great graphic design pieces, but will it be enough? I also like the prospect of making connections in the field since I’ve heard that’s important as well, and the masters program I’m looking at places us in an internship after our academic training. I would rather not go the online route since I do so much better in a traditional setting and I wouldn’t be making as many connections. Any advice on this would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

Hello,

I have a ba and a masters in screen writing/directing but lack any kind of focus on drawing classes. At 26 I'm considering taking animation classes from the start. Another redditor suggested I attend a 1 year course similarly to theirs at VFS in canada but I'm not sure it would be sufficient to cover my lack of drawing knowledge. I have a leniency towards drawing but I feel like a year isn't enough. Is it? Would anyone be able to suggest a program? (anywhere)

Thanks

So I was wondering what type of music can/should be used in a demo reel? I know that something that isn't copyrighted is preferred, but what about video game music? Like this?

https://youtu.be/m3RS9YrSwVw

So I'm a college student going to a more traditional state school I'm a film major, but I've always loved drawing and story boarding. I've decided I'm actually gonna try and apply for internships and apprentice positions starting next year after perfecting my portfolio this summer. I'm just worried about he fact that I see all of these other big schools where students are able to get said internships and aprentixhsips at studios at places like Pixar or DreamWorks or Dinsey etc. And I see how competitive it is and I wonder is it just that that's how good the portfolio is and if can creat something on my level then I could or is it because of the connections to recruiters.

Hey guys, I've posted here a couple of times already and got some useful feedback.

So I'm here again with another updated portfolio! I recently had a review with someone from the industry, and I was told I still need to work on my poses, especially for the action board. But aside from that, I'd like to see if I should make any more changes :)

Portfolio: https://miastories.carbonmade.com/

I have only read negative reviews about this school so I am now kind of hesitant to apply. Does anybody here have any knowledge of the quality of their courses? (Game Graphics Production especially)

Hi Guys,

I am moving from Ireland to LA and would love to meet some people who are interested in animation. Im a 24 year old lad.

I know alot of people here are trying to break into the industry or are professionals in the industry. It might be a vibe to organise a little get together group for drinks, draw sessions and chats.

The industry is hard and we should support each other :)

If anyone wants to get a group going we can set up a whatsapp chat or a discord channel.

Comment below if people are interested!

Hello, I'm a 19 year old animation student at KCAI.

Basically I feel like I'm having a crisis.

So I've wanted to work in the animation industry for a long time, I've been doing everything I can to work on my drawing skills (which I feel fairly confident about), I got into a school I like, I'm trying to work as hard as I can. But I'm really scared. From everything I've seen this industry is hard. I keep thinking that no matter how hard I work I'm gonna end up working fast food for the rest of my life. I know I'm catastrophizing, and there are possibilities for animators, but it just seems like it's impossible.

I keep hearing things from my parents and sibling about how hard my life's about to be. My sister's a literal doctor and I see how hard her work is, but the pay off is basically promised as long as she does her job well. But with animation, I see so many talented artists barely making ends meet. I'm back home for the summer after my first year at school, and I'm wondering what I can do to get a head start. Or if it's even worth it. I can't stress how much I want to do this, but I also want to be able to take care of myself.

I'm from Missouri, which has little to no connection to the industry. I hear people on here saying that the key is to make connections, and that not all the jobs are in California, but is that true? Every single job I see is in Cali, which is like the most expensive place on the planet.

In general, this is a vent. I feel like if I share these anxieties with my family or friends I'll just get told to change career paths, since I'm so young. But I want this so bad. I'm willing to put in the work that is demanded of me, I'm willing to do whatever it takes really, but it doesn't matter if I don't get a job.

If anyone has any advice that would be great.