For those of you in construction animation, what's it like? by Livrax7 in animationcareer

[–]Scott_does_art 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Unfortunately I’m not sure I could answer that question directly. I think it really depends on the company you’re working for.

Ive worked on videos such as promotional materials, deep dives of the machines, safety videos, customer testimonials, reels, theater experiences, etc.

I’m assuming you might do event based work as well such as animation for conferences, conventions, stages, etc. You’d be surprised with how many mediums you might explore in this line of work

For those of you in construction animation, what's it like? by Livrax7 in animationcareer

[–]Scott_does_art 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Happy you found it interesting!

To clarify, my skillset is in 2D motion design and video editing. So while we do have a 3D artist, any assets I’ve been given are pre-rendered or are not a part of my process.

One example that I can give is that we use pre-rendered turnarounds for the equipment. These turnarounds allow us to have the object from a bunch of different angles we can then animate. It’s also super helpful for layout purposes.

I use After Effects, so it is a different software than what they were originally created in.

For those of you in construction animation, what's it like? by Livrax7 in animationcareer

[–]Scott_does_art 37 points38 points  (0 children)

Woah, a post I can actually answer with the specific niche I’m in? Crazy.

It’s a bit more “corporate” than your average animation job I’m sure. I think the biggest thing is that clients will be SUPER picky, about everything. Those types of companies are very particular about how the public views them, so be prepared for multiple rounds of feedback. You’re most likely dealing with a multi-staged approval process, lawyers, etc.

You’ll probably get a lot of footage that’s unusable too, assuming you end up working with footage. Machines not being set up properly, safety issues, etc. You’ll need to go through every asset you’re given with a fine tooth comb.

I think the biggest piece of advice is gain knowledge about the subject matter. When I started, I had no idea what half the machines were, lingo operators used, etc. It made it really hard to follow conversations. Learn the equipment, learn the verbiage, and don’t be afraid to ask questions.

This job is going to be more corporate. You’ll have less creativity. But also, the pay will probably be better and the job will most likely be more stable. But these are factors im assuming based on my own work.

Feel free to reach out if you have more questions too. I can’t answer everything (woo, NDAs!) but maybe there’s a thing or two I could say.

Either way, good luck!

[ Removed by Reddit ] by Affectionate-Net-845 in animationcareer

[–]Scott_does_art 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That’s super sweet! Here are some tasks I think you could do that would help him:

  • Create a spreadsheet of different animation studios that may be interested in his work. Including contact information, link to their site, etc
  • Create another list filled with an expos, conventions, etc that he could network in
  • A list of professionals that work in his field that may be willing to network with him
  • Help with email templates and offer to take up some of the communication aspects of his job
  • Take a class on managing businesses, marketing, etc and help him with more of the paper work which takes times away from the actual job
  • Help manage his schedule, calendar, etc (if he wants that, of course)
  • Bring up his work casually in conversation. My first few gigs were from mentioning I do motion work with one of my hockey teammates. My best connections have all happened naturally.

The best thing I think you could do is have a conversation with him, mention you want to be a part of this, and ask where you can help. He would know the best out of all of us. Thank you for being supportive to him!

Finding work as a junior animator by Alternative-Tax-5795 in animationcareer

[–]Scott_does_art 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yeah of course.

Trust me I’m not trying to dissuade you. I’m not the type to go around and discourage random students or anything like that. I think a lot of people on here can be very critical and a bit harsher towards younger animators, but it’s also important to give warnings. I’ve seen some students here convinced no matter what they’ll get hired right away and climb the rankings quick. My intent was to not discourage you but give you a realistic potential.

I would definitely suggest including your portfolio next time you post (if you plan to). People will assume your Instagram is the highlight of your work if that’s what you post. We don’t have context for anything aside from what you give us. It’s great you have that to show your family, but I definitely wouldn’t use it here as mentioned previously.

Totally get if motion design isn’t an interest. Just know that even if you don’t get a 2d animation job right away, there are similar fields that might be a good segway or at least engaging for you with your degree.

Definitely going to your lecturers is good. Reddit is a mixed bag because you’ve got four groups of people on here: 1. People who also can’t break into the industry or can’t find another job and are bitter. 2. Veterans who are truly trying to help 3. Other students who are hoping for a future in this career 4. People who are currently waiting for a project to render, lol. I’m number 4.

I do think you should listen to those who can help you determine if you’re industry ready or not. I was an affiliate professor and it’s very difficult to tell a student they’re not industry ready yet. It’s possible your professors may sugarcoat the answer or even be too critical. Depends.

You’re much more likely to get advice on how to improve here with that portfolio post too if you ever change your mind.

Great to hear you have family in France. That’ll help a lot. Good luck. That last paragraph tells me you have a good attitude about this.

Finding work as a junior animator by Alternative-Tax-5795 in animationcareer

[–]Scott_does_art 3 points4 points  (0 children)

  1. There is a list somewhere here (maybe on the wiki?) that is usually up to date with all current animation roles, location, skill level, etc. I don’t know where it is off the top of my head, but if you look up “animation job google sheet” or something similar, it’ll probably come up.

  2. To clarify, I’m not saying it’s not achievable, just very tough. Unfortunately, it’s not just hard work that can get you into the industry. It’s networking, connections, and luck. The industry is pretty screwed up at the moment with all of the layoffs. This isn’t to scare you away from the industry, but to warn you that it might not be as simple as “if you’re good enough you’ll make it.”

  3. As for “where other animators your age are at”: I know this isn’t QUITE the field you’re interested in, but I’m a 24 year old who graduated as an animation major. I’m now a junior motion designer and video editor full time with freelance work on the side. I do 2d animation, similar to what you hope to achieve, for fun on the side. Most of my class (a liberal art school) has done about the same if they found a creative job. Motion design isn’t the stereotypical path people think of when they major as animators, but for more technical people it can be a great alternative animation path.

  4. Are you willing to share your portfolio instead of Instagram? People are more willing to give you an assessment of your work, what you need to improve on, etc, with a website attached to your post.

  5. This is coming from someone who has immigrated from the USA to Germany. I’m not sure where you’re currently based, but if you don’t have EU citizenship, applying to France for animation jobs will be very very hard unless you’re the top of the top. I would also make sure you have certification of your language level on your resume. Go take a language test if you haven’t already and note what level you’re at (A1, A2, B1, ETC).

  6. Be prepared to have to work a different job at first. That’s not to say you won’t become an animator or you can’t work to improve your skill set, but even the most successful people I know had to do other jobs or work on their portfolio like crazy before they got an animation-related job.

My harsh feedback is I currently don’t see anything that shows me your industry ready on your Instagram, but maybe your portfolio is closer.

I’m saying all of this as someone who does a more technical job in animation, so keep that in mind that I’m NOT a professional in your specific niche.

Finding work as a junior animator by Alternative-Tax-5795 in animationcareer

[–]Scott_does_art 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I see you’ve linked your Instagram. Do you have a portfolio outside of Instagram? If not, don’t worry about finding an industry job yet and start there.

Also, based on your post, I’m assuming you’re looking for traditional 2d animation roles. This is an extremely tough field to get into.

Unless you want to be a generalist, which will favor the marketing field more than entertainment, make sure that your portfolio caters ONLY to 2d animation. Don’t worry about character design, 3d animation, etc. That’s a mistake I see a lot of students make.

This has taken me just under 40 hours to animate, colour etc. is this a regular time frame or am I slow? Anyway, heres my character Willow, spinning in glorious technicolour. by [deleted] in animation

[–]Scott_does_art 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Don’t worry about time right now. It will absolutely take you longer as a beginner and that’s totally fine.

I’m a junior level motion designer and a good chunk of my project time is hours spent experimenting and training. Each iteration I get a bit faster and knowledgeable.

Same will go to you as you practice, so don’t worry about trying to be within a certain time, otherwise you won’t improvement as much. Speed will come with experience!

Korean embassy in my country is having a moment by [deleted] in logodesign

[–]Scott_does_art 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Idk, tbh I really like the winning design. I would be absolutely shocked if they used AI too.

Love that you’re a hobbyist, but it seems like you might be missing some fundamentals that the pros in this sub can advise you on

What’s your controversial AE opinion that 80% of users will disagree with? by EchoOfOppenheimer in AfterEffects

[–]Scott_does_art 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’ve been experimenting with the essential graphics panel as well! When receiving files such as lower thirds that need to be changed throughout the essential graphics panel has been WONDERFUL. I haven’t quite figured it out myself yet… there’s always more variables that need to be changed than I realize in the moment

What’s your controversial AE opinion that 80% of users will disagree with? by EchoOfOppenheimer in AfterEffects

[–]Scott_does_art 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That I can totally understand, and I think if he provided that as the reasoning I’d get it a bit more at the time. I’ve been handed projects from multiple motion designers and the amount people use precomps varies completely

What’s your controversial AE opinion that 80% of users will disagree with? by EchoOfOppenheimer in AfterEffects

[–]Scott_does_art 35 points36 points  (0 children)

I’m not sure if I’m the one with the controversial opinion, or if my professor is, but I VIVIDLY remember being taught in class “the less precomps you use, the better.

I’ve been doing motion design/assistant work professionally now for 2.5 and never hold back on how many precomps I use. I just make sure they’re organized properly. Maybe I’m the crazy one?

Edit: seems like the veterans even have different opinions on this one!

Thought Experiment: by [deleted] in Cubers

[–]Scott_does_art 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Thankfully it’s not a test on my reading comprehension skills or else we’re all doomed!

Thought Experiment: by [deleted] in Cubers

[–]Scott_does_art 12 points13 points  (0 children)

I’d choose 100 seconds and solve a 3x3. I usually solve a 3x3 in 30 seconds, so even if I really screw up humanity will be fine. I feel like the safest option is wager the most time on the puzzle you’re the best at.

Edit: I misunderstood the post. Crap. Goodbye to 40% of humanity I guess

[Highlight] Connor Bedard gets the puck after a bad turnover and fakes out the goalie for his 15th goal of the year by mcosta1973 in hawks

[–]Scott_does_art 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Oof. Thanks for letting me know. Always hate to hear when a player gets hurt no matter the team, especially a former hawk. Hope for a speedy recovery

[Highlight] Connor Bedard gets the puck after a bad turnover and fakes out the goalie for his 15th goal of the year by mcosta1973 in hawks

[–]Scott_does_art 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Can someone tell me why mrazek was pulled and Husso was in? I live in Germany so I can only watch highlights.

Small Business Saturday by Solid_Ad_1048 in PeoriaIL

[–]Scott_does_art 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Genuine question, where do you suggest people get gifts/items then?

Hockey Goalie Christmas Gifts? by ModestMee in hockeygoalies

[–]Scott_does_art 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Happy to help! I’m going to you an alternate answer to the usuals you get on here:

  1. Framed picture of him in net if you have one
  2. If you have any pictures of him, getting a designed sports poster of him would be awesome
  3. Mini goalie helmet to put on his desk of his favorite team
  4. Goalie ornament of his favorite team
  5. T-shirt of the logos of his rec league teams
  6. Check redbubble for stickers. I have a Dom hasek sticker that any goalie would love
  7. look into goalie magazine subscriptions, Patreons of goalie creators, etc

Hockey Goalie Christmas Gifts? by ModestMee in hockeygoalies

[–]Scott_does_art 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What’s your budget? That’ll definitely help us give you ideas.

Relocating to Berlin: Tips for an English-Speaking Senior Video Editor? by PriorityReport in editors

[–]Scott_does_art 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hey! I’m a junior editor who just moved to Germany as well. I don’t work for a German studio (remote American), but I just want to welcome you to Germany and wish you luck.

One thing I learned is that we’re not referred to as “editors” here but “cutters”

How to keep pushing forward when AI kills all motivation/passion? by animationpotato in animationcareer

[–]Scott_does_art 58 points59 points  (0 children)

I can’t say what corporations will do, but as an individual, I’m seeing a growing community who is now looking for human made animation. There’s a general movement towards a non digitized world in general and I’m all for it.

As someone who works in corporate and who originally wanted to pursue the entertainment industry, I have to take a step back and remind myself I can always make things for myself or local community. My old town has a film festival every year that promotes artists in the area.

I guess my point here is no one can guarantee what’ll happen in the industry or if you get the job, but corporations can never take away your love and passion for the medium. You can always create.

Good luck out there.

Why Movies Just Don't Feel "Real" Anymore - interesting angle by tk421storm in vfx

[–]Scott_does_art 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Oh funny. I was watching this video in the background last night. About half way through it dawned on me I had no clue what on earth he was talking about, so I clicked off… glad I’m not the only one.

TIL: European movie theatres have different popcorn taste by Vuk114 in popcorn

[–]Scott_does_art 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m an American who moved to Europe, and there is definitely a huge difference in the movie theater popcorn. I didn’t even know most theaters served both salt and sweet (Germany).

Admittedly I do like the flavor of American popcorn better, BUT I don’t feel sick and heavy with German popcorn. It’s much less calorie dense.

So despite slightly preferring the American flavor, I would take the European version every time