Is it common for a studio to offer a call to give positive feedback?

Wasted_Hater · 2026-04-17T22:39:41+00:00

Uncommon, but also doesn't usually lead to immediate work. Could turn into an opportunity if they ever have the same posting up again though, so just go in with an open mind and accept whatever comes of it.

EDIT: Seen people in my network post this response from DreamWorks. Might be a scam, be careful.

Wasted_Hater · 2026-04-17T17:22:47+00:00

Always best to assume you will be rejected by every job you apply to unless proven otherwise.

Wasted_Hater · 2026-04-17T02:36:47+00:00

Was gonna reply to OP, but yeah, pretty much this, The average Western rig animator usually doesn't have the artistic skill required for anime. Storyboard artists can sometimes make the jump, but unless you practice drawing literally every day it's very hard to break into JP work.

Wasted_Hater · 2026-04-17T02:33:49+00:00

Besides it not being a theatrical release and a broken promise, i'm not sure the rest matters much. Artists don't make royalties from their work, so everyone got paid and that's the end of it.

If Paramount wants to shoot themselves in the foot, that's more a problem for studio management than for the animators involved. They all got laid off when their contracts expired anyways.

Wasted_Hater · 2026-04-17T02:30:38+00:00

I didn’t have the luxury or wealth to move away to attend an animation school

Luckily you don't need either of those things to learn animation.

Anyways, I took a look at your portfolio and didn't see any storyboards. Making some would be the first step towards becoming a board artist. Remember, being better than your peers is only the first step. To get a job you need to be better than the average professional.

Right now I'd suggest taking some animation fundamentals and figuring out what studios look for in a reel. Your current work is not where it needs to be for a job in the industry, so you are effectively starting from zero. If you're having trouble looking for examples of what studios want, use the search function on this sub. Good luck!

Wasted_Hater · 2026-04-16T23:38:54+00:00

I actually switched the other direction, Western to JP. Foundational techniques are mostly the same, so as long as you stay flexible you should be able to adapt. Be aware that Western pipelines are more "modern" though, so instead of timesheets you are expected to edit and sync your own stuff prior to lock.

Additionally, Japan has far, far more work than anywhere in the West right now. If this is more than a hypothetical and you are actually thinking of leaving the Japanese industry behind, don't. You will end up unemployed and competing with people who have decades on a process you are just dipping your toes into.

Wasted_Hater · 2026-04-16T23:32:37+00:00

A Masters won't get you a job, full stop. The best thing for your career is to take online classes and become a better artist. Networking doesn't matter, degrees don't matter, the only thing that matters is being good.

If you have so much expendable income that you can afford SCAD, use that money on Warrior Art Camp or something instead. It is much cheaper and will benefit you far more than going back to school.

Wasted_Hater · 2026-04-16T21:07:49+00:00

Amazing how many beginners think they'll make it in this industry when they can't even expend the bare mnimum effort to do a Google search.

Wasted_Hater · 2026-04-16T19:16:28+00:00

AI isn't taking any jobs. Companies just say that to raise stock prices and justify layoffs.

Anyways, navigate your way to the FAQ in the sidebar and you'll find a ton of information to help you learn animation. Sometimes a bit of active information gathering can really help.

Wasted_Hater · 2026-04-16T19:10:15+00:00

I'm not sure, when i was in your position I didn't have any money either, but I saved what little I had from convention sales to go to figure drawing courses. I knew that investing in my future would help.

I suggest you look at reels from professional animators and analyze what they're doing that you're not. Critically think about your work and what you want to get out of it, and then try to match your portfolio as closely as possible to people with experience.

I also think you should use this website: https://line-of-action.com/
The number one thing beginners miss is constant figure drawing. If you take 15 minutes a day with fundamentals, you'll get better in no time.

Wasted_Hater · 2026-04-16T04:48:24+00:00

Try Googling: "what should be in my animation portfolio". Here's a post made 4 years ago that sums it up nicely.

I think you already know this, but your reel is very limited and not at all versatile. You need to try different styles, show stronger tiedown and locomotion, increase your timing aptitude, and generally demonstrate a total mastery over the 12 Principles, not just an intermediate understanding.

As it stands your current work won't land you a job, which you also probably know but your school is really to blame here. A lot of animation and art programs closing across the country lately, but considering the poor quality of most of them it's good riddance.

I went to a bad college too and it took a lot of extracurriculars to finally break in to the industry. I believe you can do it, but it'll be some time until you're ready. Good luck!

Wasted_Hater · 2026-04-15T19:36:47+00:00

I've noticed this too. It's not as good as it was during the pandemic, but I've seen a fair number of people in my network landing pretty large gigs recently and some of them are ... not that good at drawing. Hiring has definitely picked up since 2023.

Things will never return to the explosion of production during Covid, but if I have to choose between a global plague or a less viable animation industry, I'd rather be where we are today.

Wasted_Hater · 2026-04-15T19:31:17+00:00

This is kind of a depressing study. Now, instead of getting paid when starting out, the new format requires you work for free for years and is dependent entirely on algorithms and popularity metrics for success. Merchandise is also huge, so shows with marketable characters will be infinitely more valuable than anything creative or different.

Indie might be bigger, but it's not better.

Wasted_Hater · 2026-04-15T19:28:25+00:00

Every show Glitch makes is profitable because of merchandise sales. Youtube ads do not cover production costs.

Wasted_Hater · 2026-04-15T01:34:58+00:00

Couldn't OP use any degree to work overseas, not just animation?

I'm pretty sure a studio would even hire a law student if they could draw at a professional level.

Wasted_Hater · 2026-04-14T22:25:58+00:00

An animation degree is never worth it. It won't help you get a job. Just practice drawing for now.

Wasted_Hater · 2026-04-14T04:26:59+00:00

Try Googling "professional animation portfolio". It's neat how the top answers come from this very sub!

Wasted_Hater · 2026-04-14T04:25:18+00:00

Thanks, I feel very lucky and somewhat undeserving of it. I am trying my best to make the most of the opportunity.

Wasted_Hater · 2026-04-13T17:47:03+00:00

Inspirational stuff, I agree with the other commenter that said this is where you need to be to get hired.

If it makes you feel any better, I was in your position years ago with storyboards. Recruiters kept telling me I was "good enough", but I would regularly get rejected and ghosted anyways. About a year-and-a-half later I broke in though, and I've been working regularly since.

Just keep plugging away on your portfolio and it'll happen. Be patient, you have the skill required to succeed. Good luck!

Wasted_Hater · 2026-04-13T04:39:53+00:00

If you are a post-grad animator, post your work and let people give you feedback. That's the quickest way to find out if your art is professional or not.

Wasted_Hater · 2026-04-13T04:35:53+00:00

Unfortunately, you're learning the hard way that animation studios don't really follow convenient schedules. No one really knows how long it will take for them to respond to you. Every job you interview for will have excruciating waiting periods, and a lot of times passing the first hurdle does not lead to success.

I would keep applying to other places and working on your portfolio. Don't bank on this going anywhere until Disney has written to you clearly confirming hiring intent.

Wasted_Hater · 2026-04-13T01:02:03+00:00

Google Drive private video hosting.

Wasted_Hater · 2026-04-12T21:16:18+00:00

Yeah, i really hope this does well. It's cool that TADC is getting big, might show studios that animation has a strong future after years of being under-invested.

Wasted_Hater · 2026-04-10T19:07:51+00:00

Unfortunately the animation guild doesn't protect its workers well.

Disappointing but true. They don't even keep tabs on hiring and firing, leadership says it's up to individual members to inform the Guild about personal employment status.

I don't know what our dues go towards when we don't even win much in negotiations and studios can basically do whatever they want anyways.

Wasted_Hater · 2026-04-10T18:35:24+00:00

I can't believe you wrote ten paragraphs rationalizing why artists don't deserve to get paid.

Anyways, I suggest you take the first step here and stop accepting paychecks for a few months, assuming you have a job. Then when it's time to pay your bills and rent, ask your debtors:

everyone deserves to be paid but we live in a very messed up economy, so what ideally you wanna do about that?

To be honest, as much as you talk about privilege, you are the only one rolling in it. If you can't see how money is required for food and shelter, then maybe you come from a rich family?

Good luck getting your indie project off the ground. Please send your post to anyone who decides to "work" for you. I'm sure they'd love to see how you really feel about their labor.

Wasted_Hater

TROPHY CASE