10 Steps to Getting Your Dream Job in Film Special Effects
1. Create a strong portfolio of your work
2. Be patient and persistent
3. Apply to all relevant roles but don't be afraid to start at the bottom
4. Don't sit back and wait for the phone to ring, approach companies you like the look of
5. Visit film festivals and meet people in person, it's a great networking opportunity
6. Work on your own little projects on the side such as stop motion animations or RC cars with llers, this can provide valuable experience while working towards your main project which will ultimately help you professionally
7. Think outside the box and consider applying to companies you wouldn't normally consider
8. Try to get a job or internship even if you have no experience or qualifications, the experience can be invaluable
9. Don't underestimate internships, they could be a great opportunity
10. View unpaid roles as an investment in your career and future salary
Expert Quote: "Try to get as much experience as possible on little projects before taking on a big one." / Tasha Sounart, Senior Creature FX Artist at MPC London
Also Mentioned: (Some of) The 10 Best Animated Shorts of 2011 L.A. Movie Premiere
'A Dash of the Orient'
This short reminds us that 'The Simpsons' was once called 'The Tracey Ullman Show'. Written and directed by Steve Oedekerk and produced by Paramount, this short is what makes the world go round. It's one of the best animated shorts of the year with a wonderful soundtrack, top notch animation and a great story. The short tells the story of Tracey Ullman who finds herself in Hong Kong after parking on her boss's spot. She panics and flees from being alone in an unfamiliar place but when she gets back to LA she realizes how miserable her life has become.
"This is one of my all-time favourite animations, visually and conceptually. From the moments you get that first look at her in the tuk-tuk, you start to build this connection to Tracey, and it's this relationship with her that carries the short through. I think for me personally there are so many great memories that are attached to 'The Simpsons' - watching it on Sunday nights as a family was something I looked forward to every week. A Dash of the Orient' is a vivid reflection on those feelings."
"In terms of what goes into making something like this work, I think it comes down to 3 things: 1: smart writing 2: excellent design 3: great animation. I mean that's how any project works, and this is no exception. It's the reason why we love things so much, they all have a point of view... and this one definitely has it. It's a strong story with strong characters and great entertainment value." - Steven Espinosa , Director of 'Gravity Falls'
The Top 3 Animated Shorts of 2011
Believe it or not, there are some really great animated shorts out there. Here are a few I'd recommend checking out:
1. 'Adam and Dog' [ LINK ] From iTunes, Amazon Instant Video or Google Play
2. 'Fresh Guacamole' [ LINK ]
3. 'The Numberlys' [ LINK ]
4. 'Paperman' [ LINK ]
5. 'Fresh Guacamole' is all about the value of growing old with someone and how it's important to share your lives together even if you lose touch with each other. It teaches us that we don't have to be close all the time, we can live our lives apart sometimes, but that doesn't mean we don't miss each other. The final shot when they hold hands is probably the most memorable part of the whole short." - Ben Smith, Lead Animator at MPC London
Image from: freshguacamole.blogspot.co.uk
The Top 10 Animated Shorts of 2011
Here are a few other shorts I'd recommend checking out:
1. 'Hybrid World' [ LINK ]
2. 'Run, Rabbit, Run' [ LINK ]
3. 'Gravity Falls: Apple Day' [ LINK ]
4. 'Bandersnatch' [ LINK ] (Watch the whole thing)
5. 'Death Egg Stories'(Death Egg Saga) [ LINK ] (Watch the whole thing)
6. 'The Numberlys' [ LINK ]
7. 'Under the Double Decker' [ LINK ]
8. 'The Stolen Kiss' [ LINK ] (Watch the whole thing)
9. 'Back to the Future: Nine Lives' [ LINK ]
10. 'Anomalisa' [ LINK ] (Watch the whole thing)
What are your favourite animated shorts of 2011? Let me know in the comments! If you liked this article, I'd also recommend checking out my animated shorts for filmmakers course . You can find more free and low-cost resources here . Also, check out my Tumblr site for free assets and other cool stuff: www.gryffindoranimationassets . This is my 500th article and to celebrate I'm giving away a FREE asset every single day until Christmas. Come back tomorrow and every day until Christmas for a free download!
I love reading all your comments, so keep them coming! Thanks for reading! - James gryffindorproduction@gmail.com
Welcome to the fourth part of a four part series detailing the 10 best practices for successful school projects in animation. In this part of the series we'll be looking at general advice for students from industry professionals as well as educationalists and learning consultants. Hopefully by the end of it you'll have an idea of what's required in order to create a great animation project and will have received some helpful tips from people who know what they're talking about.
A big thanks goes out to the following people for their invaluable help for this article. I couldn't have created this article without them:
Steve Wright , Associate Head of Animation at Falmouth University
Image from: www.falmouth.ac.uk/animation Andrew Butters , Director at Big Jump Productions & Lecturer at Falmouth University Image from: www.freshliving.co.uk/big-jump-productions/ John Bartlett , Lecturer in Media Production and Head of Game Design, Games Innovation & Interactive Media, Faculty of Creative & Digital Industries, United Kingdom Image from: www2.warwick.ac.
Conclusion
I hope you guys have found this article useful. It's been a great pleasure researching it and learning about all the amazing projects that students produce. I'd love to know what you think about all the top tips for school projects, so leave a comment below and let me know!
Hope this helps!
This is my 500th article and to celebrate I'm giving away a FREE asset every single day until Christmas. Come back tomorrow and every day until Christmas for a free download!
References: Schmid, Tracey (1999) Animation Production Management: The Organizational, Strategic, and Financial Management of Animated Motion Pictures.