Steps to Becoming an Animation Professional
Animation is a swiftly growing field but also one that also attracts many creative and skilled people. For this reason, it is helpful to gain as many relevant skills and experience as possible.
In mapping out a strategy toward getting the resume you want, you'll first need to decide what type of animation you want to specialize in. The most popular animation jobs involve creating characters in animated films. But those jobs represent only a portion of the many animation jobs available. Some animators work for game companies. Others create animated graphics for web sites. Animators may also make television commercials.
While you're in school developing your animation skills, you'll want to begin researching organizations with whom you'd like to pursue an internship. An internship can provide an effective way for you to get exposure to a company that is doing the type of animation you're interested in. It can also provide critical on-the-job training to complement your academic work. Furthermore, it will give you an opportunity to build your portfolio.
Your animation program, of course, is central to your training as an animator. In class you'll learn the basics of animation on which your career will be based. You'll learn about story telling and developing characters. You'll hone your illustration skills and also develop mastery over computer animation hardware and software that is used in computer-generated imagery. You might even take classes on producing and directing, skills that can be useful for animators overseeing the production of a television commercial, video game, or film.
In following these steps, you'll be on your way towards getting the academic and practical training needed to pursue a career in animation.
