Great Advice from Grads: LA Sector
A big discussion erupted on the Ai VFX Lounge Facebook page — student Conrad Flemming posed the question to the alumni body at large and got some great responses that need repeating. He asked, “Can you sound off on your location (state, country) and the studio/studios where you work? ~What is the most satisfying part of your job? ~What do you wish you’d known before you got into this business?” The answers that follow, in the words of one current student, “have taught me more than any class I’ve ever taken.” I tend to agree, as it is the bottom line to surviving in a competitive industry. Here’s a collection of responses from grads who are making it on the west coast.
Will, CoSA VFX – Taluca Lake, CA. Seeing something you’ve created on the big screen and/or television and learning new techniques and tools to get shots done. How much student loans will kick your butt. How a creative directors mind works (but let’s be honest, most of the time when you get notes it seems like they are just trying to justify the position they are in). A special note for anyone just starting or looking for work, BE HUMBLE! No one likes a know it all or cocky bastard.
Greg, Look Effects – CA I like wearing flipflops to work and meeting different artists. (What is the most satisfying part?) Nothing. The industry is messy at times but let me know which career isn’t.
Laura, Burbank CA, Nickelodeon Animation Studios, Texture Artist Most satisfying part of the job is the learning experience. Getting this fresh out of school, I am learning tons on the job. All the time there are new techniques, softwares, styles, just loads to learn about. If I could have known one thing before I graduated, it would have been to really know the industry and where I should be. I should have started sooner, focusing on what I wanted to specialize in. Really look hard at the quality of work that is being produced and do your best to replicate it. Also, know what you should charge hourly depending on where you are located. Lots of places will try and take advantage of you as an artist, working you OT without pay, having you take on outside responsibilities, so make sure you stand up for yourself; if you wont, then no one will. Understand that in the beginning, you wont be making great money, but really think about what you need to earn to live, then add some so you have cushion to talk down. And about the student loans, yes they are painful. Im paying around 1200 a month and its not easy, but find a good job, and its not impossible.
Bethany, Culver City, CA I’ve worked for Zoic, AsylumFX, Digital Domain, ILM, MPC, Shade VFX and a few more. Paint/Compositing is my thing! The most satisfying part of my job is seeing my art on the big screen and seeing it being enjoyed by all those in the theater. I credit my internship before graduation for giving me the insight as to how the industry is run. It’s a tough career but if you stay true to your work and consistently show your worth you will make it.
Great Advice from Grads: Minneapolis Sector
A big discussion erupted on the Ai VFX Lounge Facebook page — student Conrad Flemming posed the question to the alumni body at large and got some great responses that need repeating. He asked, “Can you sound off on your location (state, country) and the studio/studios where you work? ~What is the most satisfying part of your job? ~What do you wish you’d known before you got into this business?” The answers that follow, in the words of one current student, “have taught me more than any class I’ve ever taken.” I tend to agree, as it is the bottom line to surviving in a competitive industry. Here’s a collection of responses from grads who are making it in Minneapolis.
Kyle, Target, promedia productions As far as what’s most satisfying, I love learning new ways of doing stuff, new techniques, new ways of looking at something. I think the most important thing to know is ( as others have said) is networking with a many people as you can, professionals, and other class mates. That’s really how I got my start (thank you Ryan Purnell) and this new client I’m starting to talk through was given my contact info from someone I work with. Meet all the people you can, always have a business card on you, and keep in touch with those people. And I agree with Will 100% on the creative director thing. Look out for them, they can make your life hell.
AC, White Rice Productions. Most satisfying part of my job is closing deals, I love getting a down payment for a job because after that meeting we go back to the office and start working. I really enjoy wearing multiple hats and meeting the who’s who of our professional media network in the twin cities. It’s a great community. Also, Brian and I have been showing off our 2012 demo reel in meetings and the response we ve been getting from that when it’s only 70% completed is extremely positive. Things I wish I would of known before I started my own full time business would probably the importance of networking meeting, I never thought you have a 30 min meeting just for the fact that you need to meet someone. Once you know that person or team and they know you, it’s really easy for you to sell. Going into a meeting trying to cold sell is hard, I don’t care how amazing of a salesperson you are, cold selling is very nerve racking. Networking is extremely important.
Betty, Row27 Studios Most satisfying is finally completing a project and hearing happy comments from the clients afterwards. The long nights of loss sleep, being food/sleep deprived had been worth it. I wish I’ve learned Cinema4D a lot sooner, before exiting school, and putting on the big girl pants. Also another big problem for me is budgeting time. I have no clue how long, or how much to ever bill people. My estimates were always way off. I do try to track time now on a weekly basis. With the crazy render times, R&D, redoing mistakes, a project that I thought took 10hrs, ends up being 40+!! No fun… but I’m learning. Production Studio class, was one of my last classes I had at Ai. It’s a GOOD one guys! When it comes to doing the informational interview, remember to do more than you’re required to. Go to networking events, volunteer, and put yourself out there. Listen to Michael Heagle . He is always RIGHT! ;D Pay extra attention in that one. 
As far as finding work, don’t forget to follow companies on facebook / twitter. Did you know it’s $200 just to post a job on a site like Linkedin? That’s the reason why a lot of positions are kept hush hush, and never posted anywhere on places like motionographer. So it’s important to meet people and get outside your comfort zone asap. I wish I did this earlier too…the whole networking game. It’s like speed dating.
Kyle, HDMG. The most satisfying part of my job is that I have the ability to kick ass and take names. I get to do everything from IT to Animation to Visual Effects Supervision and back to Scripting. My general skills keep sharp and I never get “pigeonholed” in to ding the same thing every day. If I could have known just one thing coming in to this business, I would have liked to know the people in the industry. I would have liked it if AI was more active in connecting with the industry in this state and beyond. The teachers who have connections know who they are, and they do a great job trying to connect, its the rest of the crew who should support them and reach out.
RUIN
Check out this post-apocalyptic short (a teaser for a bigger project?) that includes some incredible environment work and animation.
RUIN from OddBall Animation on Vimeo.
Great Advice from Grads: Tiffany Germann
A big discussion erupted on the Ai VFX Lounge Facebook page — student Conrad Flemming posed the question to the alumni body at large and got some great responses that need repeating. He asked, “Can you sound off on your location (state, country) and the studio/studios where you work? ~What is the most satisfying part of your job? ~What do you wish you’d known before you got into this business?” The answers that follow, in the words of one current student, “have taught me more than any class I’ve ever taken.” I tend to agree, as it is the bottom line to surviving in a competitive industry. Here’s Tiffany Germann’s responses to the questions.
Tiffany Germann, Santa Monica, CA – I’m a freelancer(and love it!) So I have worked at many studios- Current Rotation is A52, Stardust, Superfad, Oishii Creative. Studios I have worked include- Brand New School, Logan, Dtrain, The Mill, Zoic, Screaming Death Monkey(now joined with At the Post which I have also worked)Eight VFX, could be more than that I don’t remember hahah! Brand New School was my first job out here in CA. I had worked at Fischer Edit in Minneapolis for 2 years before hand and assisted Tony Mills and Mark Youngren.- I love meeting people! There are some amazing people in our industry and they are from all over the world. Like eight VFX is run by mainly French people and they love to teach people how to speak it. So as I’m working I got quizzed on different words! Also you better like sharing food cuz they will take a fork full if yours looks good! With my job I’m usually an assistant to the Flame and a lot of them have been in the business for years. Hearing their stories on how they got started and what it was like back then, very inspiring.
What I wished I had known was what bookings,challenges and holds all meant! Out here they put people on hold for jobs a lot. If you are put on hold. That means that company basically gets first dibs on you but that doesn’t mean you get paid for those days. You will only get paid if you get booked. You can get a first hold a 2nd hold 3rd hold etc. 1st hold has first dibs. If your 2nd hold wants to CHALLENGE you for that time that 1st hold has you on, You have to email that 1st hold company and tell them hey I have a challenge. They then have 24 hrs to get back to you and either book you or release you to the 2nd hold company. If you get a challenge you know then you will be getting paid for those days no matter what because you are getting booked somewhere. If you are booked even if you work or not work at the company. You still charge and will get paid for those days. It has happened for me that a company won’t end up needing me for a day that I was booked for and then another company wants me to work. Those days are like Christmas!! You get paid for double that day!! One full day for one company and one full day for another!!
A lot of people do always say that they already have a 1st hold. That way they can choose to not work for that company. Basically you’re saying the first hold is yourself. That way if another company comes along and that job sounds better. You can make them your 1st hold. Another reason to do this is pay. If another company will pay you better you can choose to go to the place that pays better. (I’m sort of demanding on that area…so I don’t worry about that…lol..not easy when you’re starting out though) Usually the longest holds will ever get is a month. A lot of companies like to block off in month format. A lot can happen in a month though. And just because you have a hold….does not mean you stop looking for work. You continue to look for work….projects disappear all the time. I’m not a fan of saying that I have a first hold if I don’t have one. But I do do it once in a while. I have friends though that do it religiously. Also, you don’t have to tell a company who the other holds are if you don’t want to. So if someone asks…and you don’t want to tell them. Just say that I am not allowed to/ or unable to disclose. Ok….that’s it…I think!?
Everyone knows everyone else because we network so much. If you are difficult to work with, word will travel. Also make sure that you treat everyone with respect. A PA at stardust 2 years ago was my producer on a job 2 weeks ago. They remember if you put your dishes in dishwasher!
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