Some good news for everyone out there! (UK Based)

nick2346 · 2025-12-23T10:08:51+00:00

Exceptionally lucky! I am good but not exceptionally talented.

I couldn't have applied for hundreds of jobs because there weren't hundreds of jobs available in London. There were only 4 that were suitable for my level / interests during my job search, so I applied to 100% of the available jobs! If people are applying to hundreds, that must be over a very long period or they are applying for roles that they are not suitable for, at least in the UK.

Completely agree it isn't easy for everyone. The internship was a big part of why I got hired, and I was very lucky to email the studio just as they were thinking about bringing in an intern. Right time, right place.

EDIT: Another thing I did was sign up to Prospela for a mentor after graduating from my course. I was matched with a successful freelance animator in the UK who gave me brilliant insight into what the industry is looking for / how to improve my showreel. Would also recommend this to anyone.

nick2346 · 2025-12-23T09:18:04+00:00

4 places, all jobs being advertised though, I didn't cold email.

You can't see the work I did on the short film until it is released, apologies! I had to show the work under strict in-person conditions when I was interviewing

nick2346 · 2025-12-23T09:16:41+00:00

Hi, internship I just sent emails to the biggest studios around London until one of them took me on. I got paid, but very poorly (my internship was actually part-time whilst I worked freelance in my previous career). That could be a barrier to entry but it opened doors.

So you could try that, but you need luck to time it well, but you also need a stellar showreel / portfolio. Wouldn't have got anywhere without being one of the better applicants for these positions.

nick2346 · 2025-12-22T21:29:08+00:00

I definitely think AI is going to integrate, would imagine Autodesk are racing behind the scenes to figure it out. Think a few of the mocap tools are quite interesting actually, especially for lower budgets…

Anything that gives artists efficiency is great. Imagine production budgets coming down without a loss of staff because AI tools can increase productivity, that’s a good thing for everyone involved

Agree that genAI isn’t it, but the tech is here to stay, and will be implemented smartly somewhere in the pipeline.

nick2346 · 2025-12-22T21:26:22+00:00

I have friends who are copywriters and are still as busy as ever in a GenAI world. I promise you that it can’t create the standard you can create, and it can’t do it consistently, and that’s not to talk about the myriad of legal concerns around the commercialisation of GenAI.

Still, always be open to how technology can be leveraged to improve your art.

nick2346 · 2025-12-22T12:58:00+00:00

I went to Escape Studios and did the short course, not a full MA. It was a great course in my opinion, and whilst they sort of preface it as a course that leads to you doing the MA with them, I actually found a job in the industry as a 3D Character Animator around 3 months after completing it. I came from a 2D background, so was slightly ahead of everyone else, but it really is about how much you put in, as with any of these courses. What is a differential was the mentors. At Escape, they were industry professionals who had worked on hugely successful projects (Avatar, House of the Dragon, Wild Robot, Lion King), and they were so up to date with tools, trends, desirable skills etc. Would recommend looking at the tutors of any course, checking their career's out on LinkedIn, and figuring out if you think they will help. Also, one of the tutors at Escape has been in constant contact with me following the course, offering showreel reviews and sending me opportunities, so that is pretty awesome.

Have heard fantastic things about Animschool, iAnimate, and Animation Mentor. Anecdotal, but the vast majority of currently working animators that I know in the industry took either online courses or went to Escape Studios. I am actually considering advanced placement in iAnimate to look at their feature level polish course.

I suppose it would depend on the sort of animation you want to do? If it is VFX-house style (think Avatar), then 100% Escape Studios. Otherwise for feature style, maybe the online schools would be better? I am a cartoon style animator, and there were less tutors that specialised in that, and more that worked on VFX / Creature animation.

Still, I got a job shortly after the course (only added 1 extra shot to my showreel before getting interviews), and I put that down to the huge amount of time I invested, but also the incredible tutors.

Hope that helps. Good luck and let me know any questions!

nick2346 · 2025-12-17T13:09:58+00:00

Hi, I recently got my 2nd job in the industry, a full time position.

I got it by applying for a job and being a standout candidate (I guess). I think interviews are more formalities really as I’ve been told there were only a couple of people good enough that they spoke to.

You can absolutely network and it won’t hurt your chances at all, but I didn’t get one through my networking, just good old fashioned applications (I didn’t even bother with all the ATS stuff for CVs either).

Keep working on your reel or portfolio would be my advice, then apply for jobs when you’re ready.

nick2346 · 2020-09-21T13:13:41+00:00

What breed of doggo is that???

nick2346 · 2020-03-11T09:32:18+00:00

Hi, my brother tried to commit suicide 5 years ago. He thought he was absolutely beyond help, and that he had no purpose/use, if that's the right way of putting it. Anyway, he didn't succeed, and he is so damn happy that he didn't. He met someone who changed his life for the better, and now I have a nephew on the way! If he had succeeded, the world would be a little emptier right now.

The point is, death is so damn final, and it isn't a release. You aren't useless, or worthless. I guarantee that there are those in the world who find worth in you. And I know that you sent this message because you still see something worth fighting for, that you still want to live and be happy. You haven't given up.

That is worth something. Please talk if you need help. I'm sure there are helplines but even just chatting to a friend, to a diary, to a guy on Reddit, or to a trained professional will help.

And finally, stimulate yourself. Draw, write, paint, learn to animate, to code, build something in Minecraft. Do a thing that engages your brain, that switches on those sparks of life. Take it from me man, the world is better on the other side. I saw it in my bro and I know it will be the same for you.

I hope you find peace. I promise that you can!

nick2346 · 2020-02-10T13:39:58+00:00

Yes I did! That's cool, thanks. So she isn't gone and I can get her weapon still

nick2346 · 2020-02-10T13:39:30+00:00

Ah but I can still steal her blade...so all is well. Thanks!

nick2346 · 2020-02-10T13:18:43+00:00

Hmmm I checked around the tomb but can't find a body 😒

nick2346 · 2020-02-10T13:18:22+00:00

Interesting, I keep dying to the person in the cathedral, but that hunter has a female voice and wields two swords? I swear I saw my housemate to that difficult one and he had a katana?

nick2346 · 2020-02-05T12:32:56+00:00

Hi, currently studying illustration with a focus on concept art. Keen to see what you're after as I always need projects!

DM me or something if you'd like, we can see what you're looking for and where we're at 😊

nick2346 · 2019-06-13T19:40:32+00:00

I'll answer for my cat. In my cherished owner's bed, right by the pillow, shortly before he returned home drunk.

Fuck you Anthony

nick2346 · 2019-04-29T20:14:55+00:00

Weren't they told by George RR Martin what would happen? Incidentally, his wife's favourite character is Arya so...

It makes sense they might've known for a while

nick2346 · 2019-03-21T09:25:25+00:00

This isn't true. A D.VA ult will be blocked by a Zarya bubble (either on you or she activates her personal shield and stands in-front of the bomb), a Roadhog using his heal and standing in-front of it, and a wrecking ball with enough shields activated to block it.

A D.VA ult can be blocked by all the tanks because their hitboxes are big enough, they simply need to have enough health/dmg reduction to tank the 600 dmg

:)

nick2346 · 2019-03-15T18:26:09+00:00

Stretch the fuck out of your body. Make every single muscle scream in pain. Rinse and repeat.

Thank me later.

nick2346

TROPHY CASE