So You Want To Be an Animator - Building Your Career - Extra Credits

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• published: 30 Mar 2016
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What does it take to become an animator? Where should you start, what should you study, and how can you get better? Dan answers these questions from the perspective of a professional animator who's worked in games and movies! Recommended Reading: Pick up "The Animator's Survival Kit": http://amzn.to/1q1Mm14 (---More below) _________ Subscribe for new episodes every Wednesday! http://bit.ly/SubToEC Get your Extra Credits gear at the store! http://bit.ly/ExtraStore Play games with us on Extra Play! http://bit.ly/WatchEXP ___________ Enjoy the guest art? Get more from Micha Frar! http://michafrar.tumblr.com/ You can also reach out to Micha on Twitter: @michafrar ___________ Watch more episodes from this season of Extra Credits! http://bit.ly/1GwiJWQ Get more advice on careers in gaming: http://bit.ly/1ADVKuj Watch Dan's series studying animation in games: http://bit.ly/1ROCNi5 Talk to us on Twitter (@ExtraCreditz): http://bit.ly/ECTweet Follow us on Facebook: http://bit.ly/ECFBPage Get our list of recommended games on Steam: http://bit.ly/ECCurator ___________ What is an animator? Aside from a miserable pile of secrets, animators are puppeteers who take inanimate objects and create the illusion of life and motion. They craft movement and perform through their characters. If you want to become one, you should start by deciding which of the many formats - 2D, 3D, stop motion, etc. - you want to work in. There are a number of excellent schools we can recommend in North America (Cal Arts, Ringling, Scad, Sheridan), but you don't necessarily have to go to school as there are programs online that are cheaper and will help you learn the craft (Animation Mentor). If you do choose a school, make sure you look at the quality of its students' demo reels and its job placement rates. Animation is a competetive field, and the strength of your portfolio will be what gets you hired. Make yours better by studying demo reels from animators you admire in your preferred field. But remember, you're always a student when it comes to animation. Study movement, study acting, study the work of other animators - there's always something you can learn. When you do get on a project, understand the purpose of the animation you're crafting and be ready to communicate with a team, since this is a rarely a solo endeavor. And finally, while you're pushing yourself constantly to get better, make sure to take time to congratulate yourself on the progress you're making. ___________ Would you like James to speak at your school or organization? For info, contact us at: soraya[at]extra-credits[dot]net ___________ ♫ Get the intro music here! http://bit.ly/1eIHTDS ♫ Get the outro music here! http://bit.ly/1SwNKBD