The Value of Work Experience

Graki_Khan

I am an animation student, having finished a diploma course, I'm currently on holiday before I start the degree course.

However, if I got a job doing graphic design, or illustration or (god forbid) animation, I'd forget the course and do the job. But all of these jobs require experience.

Originally I had planned to get some work experience at any animation studio that'd have me, but I'm wondering if there's really any point, as I'd have to get time off my current work to do the work experience.

My heads tired so.. simply put

Is there any real relevance to doing short term work experience - ie. 1 week

Gillo

If you have the spare time, I don't see how it can do any harm. If it's only for a week or so, chances are you will learn how to make a cup of coffee and collect people lunch for them.

You can still put it on a CV though.

TempestSabre

Animation is not like every other job. Your portfolio is everything. Do whatever helps your portfolio. Animation is a small industry, so you need to make contacts. A good way of doing this is relevent work experience. Anything not related to animation may pay the bills but it won't help your animation career.

Everyone who works in animation of the creative arts, started somewhere, ie with no experience. Its a tough career path, but you need to be determined, single minded and good.

Miss Fluff

Yes, anything relevant to the discipline which you hope to pursue is relevant. If your current role is unrelated potential employers will wonder why. If you can afford to take a week or two off your current role unpaid go and do it. THAT'S what will jump out on your CV and it shows initiative if you have been willing to do it unsalaried. Gives you that first step up the ladder and will provide you with invaluable, practical experience when it comes to starting your degree. Good luck

TempestSabre

Annimation being so hard to get into I doubt that anyones going to have an issue with non relevent experience on a CV. Most animators have done all sorts of jobs before they get going in animation.

Graki_Khan

Tempest, do you have much experience/knowledge in the industry?

DOLEMAN

TempestSabre wrote:

Animation is a small industry, so you need to make contacts.

I completely agree with this. Making contacts/networking is just as important (prob more important) than getting experience.

Cake Fiend

Don't think of it as 'just' a week - that week could get your foot in the door. Maybe you'll have the time to do another week further down the line, and the place you did the first week in might have been impressed enough with you to get you back in again. Then they might want you back for another week or two. Then they might want you for longer-term when you're finished your course, or they might be able to recommend you to someone. Who knows?

TempestSabre

Graki_Khan wrote:

Tempest, do you have much experience/knowledge in the industry?

Personally not really. Dabbled in it in the past as did a lot of friends. Only a couple of them kept going at it. When I say kept going, they do animation jobs from time to time, short shorts and stuff like that, bits of ads etc. How they survive the rest of the time I've have no idea. I suspect, partners and family support them. I don't consider web animation the same thing either, I'm talking about animation for screen (TV or Film). The ones who have kept at are not the best animators either, simply the most determined and driven.

EZee

Any experience is good, like someone here said, it's all about your reel and if you have a reel that stands out as a little bit different than every other graduate then you've got a head start.

If I was starting out again, young free and single once more (ahh, now there's a nice thought), I'd be concentrating on making my reel as good as possible. If you're going into your final year I'd be trying to make my final film something special that's going to stand out from the crowd. While in college it's easy to get bogged down in grades when they're not what's important at all (for animation). Some time in the real world may give you the edge.

Basically, if you get the chance at some work experience...go for it and sponge it all up while you're there.