True Placement Rating for Animation

Hi there,

I completed a degree in animation from the Rhode Island School of Design, and I was lucky enough to get a job right out of college. However I have had experienced several instances of unemployment since then due to the project based nature of the industry. Much of the work available in animation is contract work. This means you are paid a day rate and no taxes are taken out of your pay. Sometimes the pay is hourly, however this is less common. Because it is contract work, often projects will last for a few weeks or months, and then you will have to find another project. This kind of work requites budgeting and planning for a period of unemployment of a week to a month after one project ends and before another project begins.

A lot of whether or not you get a job depends on your area of focus within animation. Many animation studios are looking for computer based skills. If you focus on motion graphics for example, a lot of corporate businesses are looking for that. If you are looking to work for advertising animation companies, I suggest practicing your craft with hand drawn or other traditional styles of animation, and merging it with computer programs when you are ready. If you would like to work on feature films, I would again suggest working a lot on your craft. This means practicing a lot. Also, don't forget to have fun! If there is one aspect of animation you absolutely love, like facial expressions or run cycles, start practicing there!