What year is it? 2009. And I graduated and started working in the industry back iin...2006. So, I've been working for about three years now and I've already done a lot, from doing bitch work like cleaning up cels, to teaching in a Korean portfolio school, to doing story work for feature. But I am not "the shit" - I'll be the first to tell you that. I haven't accomplished anything. I'm far from mastering my craft, and my poor grandmother is still holding onto her dear life to finally see my name scroll up in the credits at the end of a movie.
But I do think I am in a unique position, as far as knowledge of the industry goes.
When we go to film school, we're either taught by our peers, who haven't really experienced enough, or veterans in the industry, who often times, like Yoda, speak in riddles. I am, on the other hand, right in the middle. I am a veteran at being new in the industry.
I was asked by a friend to write about my experiences, because she refers my blog to some aspiring animators. My friend Austin is also making an effort on his blog to communicate to students. So I think it's only fitting to, how shall I say, "put out."
With that said, this blog will be start to have some musings about my experiences from trying to get into CalArts, doing the rat race in school, playing survival with my internships, falling off the face of the earth after losing my job, moping around the house looking for work, having bouts of self-loathing, moving to New York and Portland, etc. etc.
The difference between this and a book about a career in animation, is that it's going to be spoken in your language, from one friend to another. It's less "do this now, you will understand why someday" and more about "if you do this, these are the results." It's more near-future results, mind you, but sometimes it's good to be practical. That's why I think what I have to say is worthwhile, in addition to what peers and veterans in the industry have to say.
Hopefully someone will get something out of it, but if not, I'd at least have gotten to practice my writing chops.
So stay tuned!
-v
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
I'm an Expert at Being a Newbie
What year is it? 2009. And I graduated and started working in the industry back iin...2006. So, I've been working for about three years now and I've already done a lot, from doing bitch work like cleaning up cels, to teaching in a Korean portfolio school, to doing story work for feature. But I am not "the shit" - I'll be the first to tell you that. I haven't accomplished anything. I'm far from mastering my craft, and my poor grandmother is still holding onto her dear life to finally see my name scroll up in the credits at the end of a movie.
But I do think I am in a unique position, as far as knowledge of the industry goes.
When we go to film school, we're either taught by our peers, who haven't really experienced enough, or veterans in the industry, who often times, like Yoda, speak in riddles. I am, on the other hand, right in the middle. I am a veteran at being new in the industry.
I was asked by a friend to write about my experiences, because she refers my blog to some aspiring animators. My friend Austin is also making an effort on his blog to communicate to students. So I think it's only fitting to, how shall I say, "put out."
With that said, this blog will be start to have some musings about my experiences from trying to get into CalArts, doing the rat race in school, playing survival with my internships, falling off the face of the earth after losing my job, moping around the house looking for work, having bouts of self-loathing, moving to New York and Portland, etc. etc.
The difference between this and a book about a career in animation, is that it's going to be spoken in your language, from one friend to another. It's less "do this now, you will understand why someday" and more about "if you do this, these are the results." It's more near-future results, mind you, but sometimes it's good to be practical. That's why I think what I have to say is worthwhile, in addition to what peers and veterans in the industry have to say.
Hopefully someone will get something out of it, but if not, I'd at least have gotten to practice my writing chops.
So stay tuned!
-v
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thank you for doing this!
ReplyDeletethis is exactly the kind of thing that every student wants to know about, but for some reason no one writes down or talks about while they are "veterans at being new in the industry"
Can't wait!
haha, your poor grandmother. Laika needs to do the Pixar thing of putting everyone's names in the credits. Then you'd be on Coraline!
ReplyDeletelike anonymous said above, thanks for doing this! I just started at CalArts this year and am hoping to get all I can out of this place while I'm here. You've already said some really insightful things that I'll have to think about! I'll be following your blog, keep posting : )
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to hear more. Truly inspiring.
ReplyDelete