-
College Director Seeks Advice From Respected Cow Forum Industry Pros:
I have a few questions that would be most helpful to me as a director of an animation program for a community college that offers degrees and certificates in animation. Our programs are guided by the industry and industry-professionals who are applying the tools and techniques of the trade on a daily basis to make a living.
1. Where do you see areas of opportunity for students entering the fields of animation, broadcast graphics, special effects and gaming?
2.What are the most important skill-sets an artist must have to be hired in your line of work?
3. Is it important to understand particular software or is it important to understand the process regardless of which software you use? How has this played out in your career personally?
4. What is an entry-level wage in your area of the industry?
Thanks. I look forward to your responses.
Respectfully,
Don -
3 Replies
-
3. It’s like the old saying , “You can teach a monkey to turn knobs”. I have seen guys who barely know how to use software but because they are gifted artists with a solid vision, they make miracles happen with a few tools. Whereas I most often see guys who know programs in and out but make less than interesting stuff. So my official answer is yeah, know the tools the industry uses, but don’t think it stops there. I would say knowing HOW to use software is less than 1% of the requirement of a successful career. It is a requirement non-the-less, but only the very beginning of the journey. I would also stress not being application-centric. Compositing is compositing. Learn compositing and not just AE/Shake/Fusion/Flame/DS. If you are a gifted compositor, one just needs to see where a program is hiding the tools which should be a few days work. Also think outside the programs. All too often people think every thing in the world is done with one approach/application when in most cases a pipeleine of artists with different tools created a final piece.
my .02
Chris Smith
https://www.sugarfilmproduction.com -
[Lstr8or1] “1. Where do you see areas of opportunity for students entering the fields of animation, broadcast graphics, special effects and gaming?”
Making coffee and running errands.
[Lstr8or1] “2.What are the most important skill-sets an artist must have to be hired in your line of work?”
Staying awake.
[Lstr8or1] “3. Is it important to understand particular software or is it important to understand the process regardless of which software you use?”
There’s a process?
[Lstr8or1] “How has this played out in your career personally?”
I wouldn’t call it a career so much as a mistake.
[Lstr8or1] “4. What is an entry-level wage in your area of the industry? “
A little less than the receptionist.
The best advice is get a degree and get a job in educational so you get the summers off.
ok try this
1. Get to know people who are doing the kind of work your interested in.
2. Be personable
3. Both
4. The wage (when you start) is not as important as being allowed to participate in a meaningful way.TonyTony
-
Thanks for your input.
It is very helpful.
Don
Reply to this Discussion! Login or Sign Up