Oppor-toon-ities in Animation and Computer Graphics

Pamela Kleibrink Thompson Simba’s Pride and Lady and the Tramp 2, two was Dreamworks, Fox Feature Animation and commercially successful direct-to-video Warner Brothers. The competition for talent As a recruiter and career coach in the enter- features; Rich Moore directed many episodes was intense. So intense, that I became a free- tainment industry, I help companies find the of The Simpsons, Futurama,The Critic and Baby lance recruiter for Fox, which was setting up people they need and help people find jobs. Blues; Greg Vanzo directed episodes of Futu- a studio in Phoenix,AZ. I traveled the country I have worked in all aspects of production and rama and The Maxx and started his own meeting students in animation schools. In know what it takes to succeed in this field. studio called Rough Draft. Sue Kroyer estab- 1996, Disney employed me as a freelance I’ve worked in television, features, commer- lished her own animation studio and recruiter to help them find the people they cials and video games, starting with an produced Fern Gully with her husband, Bill; needed for their Florida studio, which was animated ride film made with computers 23 and Ralph Eggleston directed a fabulous producing Mulan. years ago. This article will point out some short at Pixar and was a production Business people understand about basic highlights of the animation industry, and give designer on Finding Nemo and art director economics. Supply and demand. When the six tips on how you can build your career. on Toy Story. The list goes on. demand goes up, prices go up. That’s exactly There is no better time to enter the animation industry. There are lots of jobs for animators today. But it wasn’t always that way. Entertainment industry Animation Becomes Popular recruiter and career coach Twenty-three years ago there were very few opportunities to work in animation. There Pamela Kleibrink were a few features but certainly no animated websites. Animation in video games Thompson says the was crude, if non-existent, and done by programmers. There were no special cable opportunities for people channels like the Cartoon Network dedi- cated to showing animation. TV animation interested in animation was for kids. The idea that animated feature films could be profitable, or that anyone continue to grow. would watch animation on prime time televi- sion, was laughable. Then in 1986, Steven Spielberg commissioned a half-hour animated film for his Amazing Stories series, which was All those people worked as artists in this what happened. The salaries of animators called Family Dog. little downtown warehouse on a small rose radically. I heard one story where an It was my job to set up a studio from animated film because they loved animation animator was called by an animation studio scratch to produce that show. We converted and that was the only opportunity they had trying to recruit her. She said she was an old warehouse in downtown L. A. — the to animate. perfectly happy at the studio where she cheapest space we could find. I obtained Shortly after Family Dog came Who Framed worked, and was making a good salary. The animation desks that Hanna-Barbera was going Roger Rabbit,The Little Mermaid and Beauty and recruiter simply said, “Whatever you’re to throw away.The floor was concrete, and we the Beast, and studios realized that animation making, put a one in front of it.” It was a very had exposed plumbing.We had one telephone wasn’t just for kids anymore. good time to be an animator. and one bathroom — it was primitive. Then a startup network called Fox took a The cost of production increased dramati- Yet Family Dog was the only animated chance on a prime time animated series cally.There was a lot of press about the need project in town, so every animator wanted to called The Simpsons. The ratings climbed in for talent, and about the astronomical salaries be part of it — we had a team of very moti- 1990 beating out the live action competition being offered. vated artists who were excited to be working on the three major networks. As production Animation is big business. In 1994, The Lion on a quality project. Many of them were manager on The Simpsons, I hired and super- King ruled with over $787.4 million in world- students fresh out of school.Who were some vised many of the artists, some of whom are wide box office. Other studios scrambled to of the artists that worked on that animated still working on that show 14 years later. catch the audience’s appetite for animation. half hour? Now that’s a steady job in animation. But that Ten years after the Lion King’s success, in Brad Bird, the director of Family Dog, went is very rare! 2004, the trend continues. Audiences love on to direct Iron Giant and The Incredibles. The public wanted more, so other prime great animated stories, whether drawn with Many Family Dog artists became directors: time animated shows were made and it the help of a computer or a pencil. Finding animator Rob Minkoff directed The Lion King became obvious that adults loved animation Nemo netted more than $853.2 million in and Stuart Little; Chris Buck co-directed too.Today there are entire networks devoted worldwide box office, toppling The Lion King’s Tarzan with Kevin Lima, who directed 102 to animation. reign as the biggest animated box office take. Dalmatians; Don Paul directed El Dorado; In 1994, when Lion King’s box office neared It’s not just the Disney films that can make Brenda Chapman directed Prince of Egypt; the billion-dollar mark, other studios thought money. Other studios have had success. Kirk Wise directed Beauty and the Beast they should tap into the animation box office Audiences fell in love with an ogre in 2001, (which got a Best Picture nomination) as bonanza and built studios, developed scripts and Shrek saw $469.7 million in green. Shrek well as Atlantis: The Lost Empire and Hunch- and recruited animators. Disney wasn’t the 2 has added to the pile with $395.3 million back of Notre Dame; Darrell Rooney directed only animation player in town anymore.There so far.

August 2004 25 Animation Interest Continues Tip #2: Learn the Basics First Tip #3: Be Resourceful With numbers like that and no stars to A solid foundation in the principles of With a wealth of resources to draw from, contend with, is it any wonder that studio and animation will give you the edge over those animators can learn from others through television executives are interested in anima- who went to schools that simply teach soft- conferences like ACM SIGGRAPH, software tion? The animation industry will continue to ware or those that offer quickie degrees. specific user groups, or even through the grow with new outlets and expanding markets. Whether you work in computer animation Internet. Read the trade magazines like You can grow with it with these six tips. or cel animation, whether you work in 3D Cinefx and Animation Magazine, visit or 2D, you must know the principles of industry websites such as awn.com and Tip #1: Be Open to Opportunity animation, like squash and stretch, anticipa- highend3d.com and attend meetings of orga- There are tremendous opportunities to tion, staging, follow through and overlapping nizations like Women in Animation. Closely work in the animation industry today. You action. You must be an artist first. The soft- monitor what is going on in the industry so can market your skills in features, prime time ware in demand might change, but the basic you’ll be ready for whatever happens. television, Saturday morning cartoons, syndi- The Internet provides jobs for animators. cated series for television, cable, direct to Discussion groups and on-line courses help video and on the Internet. Almost every animators improve their skill by getting feed- website has some sort of animation, even if HowHow toto SucceedSucceed back from peers they have never met. But the it’s just a spinning logo.Video and computer Internet also provides something else. It is a games create a great need for animators, as inin AnimationAnimation distribution outlet for your creativity. You no do commercials. Those polar bears in the longer have to sell your project to a studio or soft drink commercials exist only in a a network — you can show it directly to a computer. Computer animation is used Be Open to worldwide audience. No censors, no broadcast extensively in visual effects. Computer Opportunity standards; you can put on whatever you want. animation is used in legal recreations, indus- * trial films and ride films. Animation can * Tip #4: It Is Who You Know recreate an ancient city or prehistoric Learn the When I first moved to Los Angeles, I thought animals for a museum kiosk or film. Medical Basics First I could do everything on my own. I didn’t visualizations help train medical personnel in ** want help from anybody. I learned that to get new surgical procedures or teach nurses ahead in any business, you have to help others about patient care. Animated films train and ask for help yourself. It’s called technicians in new assembly techniques for Be Resourceful networking. Everyone you went to school the space station or help NASA scientists * with and everyone you meet on every job * you have can become part of your network. explain their projects to gain government It Is Who funds. Animation is used in factories to train You Know You will see those same faces again and again. workers how to install engines into automo- ** Lend a helping hand, share information and biles and in architecture firms to pre-visu- help each other along the way.That’s the path alize buildings and bridges. The field is Be Prepared to success. expanding exponentially. Market yourself. Don’t wait for others to You no longer have to live near the major ** take control of your career. Don’t rely on a feature animation studios to work in the recruiter or anyone to get you a job. You animation field.There are small studios every- Be Patient, must make the calls, send out your work and where providing animated websites for local Persistent and go on the interviews. It’s hard work to find businesses. Tiny shops can produce commer- * work, but there are ways to make it easier. * Professional cials and training films. There are video game Build your network. Stay in contact with companies all over the United States who are the people you meet at school, at user group clamoring for animators. Explore your area meetings, at animation related events. Provide for opportunities to work in animation. Get support to each other. Join organizations like experience wherever you can. animation principles are the same that Walt ACM SIGGRAPH and Women in Animation. In the animation industry you must be Disney used in the very first animated short Subscribe and contribute to user groups on prepared for change. Be flexible. Take he did with Mickey Mouse in 1928 and that the Web. Attend software user groups meet- chances. You may be asked to relocate, to the best animators still use today. A ings. Attend trade shows and festivals. It’s a work in a part of the industry you didn’t computer is simply a tool for the artist - a great opportunity to network. anticipate or in a specialty you didn’t expect. very expensive pencil. You can rely on the When you’re looking for the next job, your Be open to opportunities. The more open foundation of the principles of animation network is the best resource. If the people you are to new opportunities, the quicker whether you work in prime time or Saturday you’ve worked with know you’re reliable and you will find work. morning television, video games or the Web, professional and easy to get along with, they’ll There are thousands of companies whether you direct a feature or open your tell you about opportunities and help you get producing animation in some form. If you own studio. your next job. And, you’ll always be looking want to work at only one specific company, If you are a recent graduate, you must for the next job. apply there, but be open to gaining experi- realize that your education has just begun, Do your best on every job, even if it’s not ence at other places and building your not ended.You will have a lifetime of learning. your ideal position. The people you meet on career. It may take a long time to land a job Learn from every animation or layout test that job may be the ones you work with on at your dream company, but you will be you take, from every artist and director you the next one, and a good reputation is vital to building your skills, portfolio and network work with, from every project or film you getting hired. while you wait for the doors at your dream contribute to. Learn the latest software. Keep Animation is a team sport. You might be company to open. your skills up to date. working in the same room with other people

26 Computer Graphics for 12 hours or more a day, under tough Tip #6: Be Patient, Persistent and Professional deadlines, with a great deal of stress. Make Animators must be patient.That goes without sure that you are pleasant to everyone you saying doesn’t it when it takes 12 drawings to work with and everyone you meet. Be profes- make one second of animation? Computers sional, be reliable, be a team player.You want have helped the process a bit, but it still takes to get invited to play again on that team. a long time. Animators must also be patient Remember what you learned in kindergarten. when it comes to advancing your career. Work well with others. Remember it takes a lot of work. Give it 110 percent and maintain a great atti- If you pay attention to the rules of the tude. That person working next to you might game, you will write your own ticket. Or help you get your next job. Never be a putz. perhaps I should say, draw your own ticket. The one thing you can count on in your career The myth of the starving artist is gone. as an animator is that you will look for work. Artists work in all kinds of companies. You Learn how to do it well.The best way to get a might work at a company modeling toys or job is through friends. Make sure you make cars, or creating educational software, or archi- some friends while you are making money. tectural walk-throughs. You might work at a company recreating accidents for courtrooms, Tip #5: Be Prepared or recreating dinosaurs for documentaries on Keep your resume, portfolio and demo reel television. Wherever you work, do your best up to date. Put your email address on your and build your reputation and your career. resume. And make sure your current phone With new opportunities and freedom number and area code are also on your comes some creative responsibility. What resume. Keep your demo reel under three kinds of stories do you want to tell? What minutes. Quality, not quantity, counts. I heard kinds of images do you want to create? a story about an animator who had one shot Remember the words of Walt Disney:“Anima- on his demo reel that lasted about 10 tion can explain whatever the mind of man seconds. It was a shot of a photorealistic can conceive” and choose wisely.Think about whale. It was so photorealistic that the what you want to contribute to the world. people viewing the reel asked him what he The opportunities for people interested in had done on the reel since it looked like a animation continue to grow. Twenty-three clip from a Sea World promo. He said he did years from now, there will be outlets and uses everything and told them how.They hired him for animation we haven’t dreamed of yet. Get on the spot, based on that 10-second shot. ready for an exciting, fun career. Decide what sort of company you want to work for and what kind of work you want to Resources do. Know what you are good at. Research the • http://www.siggraph.org/ is a fabulous employers that interest you and market your- resource for educators and students. There self well. Target your skills to meet their are links to publications and companies. needs. Be flexible and open to the possibilities. • http://mag.awn.com/ is a wonderful Being open to opportunities doesn’t mean resource, not just for students and recent you can’t target a specific company — every- graduates, but also for anyone interested in body has a dream job. Research that an animation career. company. Use the trade magazines, Internet, your network to find out what they do best, • Pamela Thompson writes a monthly column what skills are in demand. Then obtain the called The Career Coach on awn.com, skills that will make you an attractive candi- which also has sections devoted to date. Stress those skills in your resume and job postings and other relevant topics demo reel. of interest. The one thing you can count on is change, whether it is software or markets for your skills. Know what’s happening in the industry. About the Contributor Animate on your own. Practice your craft. Continue to build your portfolio. Continue to Pamela Kleibrink Thompson is a do life drawing. Draw every day. Get feedback recruiter/hiring strategist and career on your work whenever you can. You can coach. She is speaking at the SIGGRAPH post it on the Web and ask others in user 2004 conference as part of the educator’s groups to take a look and critique it. Listen to program on August 11: “Resumes and what others tell you and improve your skills. Demo Reels — If Yours Don't Work, Once you get a job, don’t go out and buy a Neither Do You.” She speaks at confer- BMW convertible. Put a little money away. ences and universities on careers in the There is no such thing as job security. It is entertainment field. She can be reached at likely that you will change jobs many times. [email protected]. There will be down times between jobs. Plan for those.

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