11 Lessons I Learned Working at DreamWorks

Time to pull back the curtain on a bunch of things I learned during my 2 years working at DreamWorks Animation Studios! :)
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[@SirWade]

Hi! Anything here that was new information to you? What'd you think of the puppet show? :P Also drop any helpful things you learned working in the industry, down below! :D

[@JamieDunbar]

Yes! Yes! You must post the full puppet show. The world needs this Wade.

[@joshvibin1233]

Hello! I have a quick question, how do you deal with the urge to just play video games instead of animation because I have a huge problem with that, also love the Chanel you are such an inspiration!

[@RonaldBradycptgmpy]

Excellent video! full of things I had to learn the REALLY hard way after graduating from the now-defunct ITT Technical Institute. Also, the social links in your description aren't working for some reason. Just a heads up! Keep it up, dude!

[@RonaldBradycptgmpy]

@@joshvibin1233 I used to work on a mod when that would happen lol

[@XorxeBueno]

Please post the full video, it looks hilarious!

[@LombaxKat]

I'm really glad you touched on the "You have to be animating all the time or you wont make it" mindset, this is the thing that scares me all the time, feel like it was drilled into my brain that in order to be good enough to get a job I have to constantly be working on it every waking moment, but I'm glad to see that a lot of people in the industry don't' let it take over their lives and they have a nice work/life balance!

[@efemji]

true! even my lecturer always says this every single time we meet.. every Monday, which terrifies me really badly because I'm a really slow learner.

[@rockon8174]

Once you know how to animate, it becomes like breathing. It never leaves you. 😐

[@rockon8174]

@@efemji no such thing as a slow learner.

[@ranguy1379]

yea, that was a big relief

[@nanmause.animator]

@@rockon8174 this is not true tho everyone has their own learning curve. their own pace at how fast or slow they get a hang of it and it’s totally normal to be slow as well.

[@sehece3557]

I discovered your channel when I was an animation student. 4 years later, I am a full time Animator in a great studio and its still a pleasure to watch your videos and follow your work. You'll stay a source of inspiration for me ! Keep going Sir ! 👊

[@g24eva27]

This video is coming out in time in the right time of my life. When I'm almost finished with my final animation for my portfolio. I'm super nervous about job hunting. Without prior experience in the industry. Just have to find the right places to apply to. And I feel personally called out for being living and breathing animation....... It's nice to know I can have a normal life that isn't into super grind culture. It's going to be hard getting back into that mindset sadly. This video is a wonderful wake up call to that problem I have. Also I came from one of those universities. And I can honestly say after 3 years and after job hunting all this time. I wasn't prepared by the time I graduated. But most of what I did was self learning and I'm not giving up. This is to inspire others who went down the same path. You can do it!!

[@rockon8174]

Make NFTS

[@Cxeri93]

did you find anything?

[@mA-nd1xr]

3:02 Just like in the movie "Soul". For Joe, playing jazz with Dorothea was kind of like his "ultimate goal in life", but he learned that there's no such thing. Quoting Cellspex "He wasn't gonna get endless orgasms for the rest of his life once he achieved his goal"

[@KenOmollo]

I mean. ...even endless orgasms start being weird after the third one.

[@mA-nd1xr]

@@KenOmollo Oh right 😳

[@thephilosopher5799]

Yeah I loved that movie. So the real goal is just to enjoy life and have fun.

[@M_Lopez_3D_Artist]

Yeah that film was a bit confusing, it was a bit weird it was a bit confusing for me, but what i found out actually from the documentary about it, was the director is actually using his own life experiences to basically say what his life was in this film, its not exactly the same but pretty close, so if you watch that it really explains it.

[@Karin029_]

The audio seems a bit off 20 seconds into the video! Gets a bit loud for no reason :D

[@SirWade]

Aghhh how weird!!! I missed that, good catch, thank goodness it goes away :O

[@himanshuchauhan1015]

I thought some exciting cut is going to roll in 😂

[@joelanimatesthings]

Sir Wade! You are such an encouragement for weary hearted animation students out there! Keep up the positivity!!!

[@gracev7855]

This is a great video! I'm glad you're shedding light that the industry doesnt have to be all blood sweat and tears, even if there are a lot of memes that portray it that way. Especially for students overworking themselves, work smarter towards goals and take care of yourself. I definitely am one of those who mess around during work a lot, but just for the sake of my sanity. Helps in the long run, since it's a marathon and not a sprint.

[@efemji]

Hi Wade, I'm just here to thank you and tell you how much your videos helped me go through this tough learning process and ups and downs after a year in college learning Maya from zero, this pandemic is slowing down, even at some point really demolished my creative energy, sometimes I just lie down and do nothing.. and i discovered your videos. it was the best thing that happened in a while. thank you so much. and keep up the great work!

[@Jessicanimation]

Thanks so much for this channel! I decided to become an animator pretty "late" in life, ever since I saw Disney's Frozen. I was in the military at the time but I decided that I was ready to get out and change my career goal. Now I've been an animation student since 2016 and I know this is what I want to do for my career.

[@carlosmiret35]

Thankyou for your message to the world of animation, we apreciatte your job in youtube.

[@claradv0n1v3]

Great video as always ! I am so glad you’re talking about schools that « teach » students that if they don’t work day and night they won’t make it to the industry and they Just have to get used to not have a Life . I am a french animation student, and I have seen so many of the students going into depression because of that! Such a Shame ...

[@Brietron]

Your videos are always SO helpful! Thank you so much! I'm putting my demo reel together now to begin applying for jobs. Your about resumes really helped.

[@TalonNO]

I really appreciate that you made this video! I've been too nervous to try my foot into getting into the animation industry since after graduating from my community college which sadly only offered a graphic design degree. Already I'm not happy with being a graphic designer since I've always seen my real passion shine through the silly character animations I'd make since I was in highschool with free animation softwares such as Source Filmmaker. However I never really look at my animations are being demo-worthy or anything of the sort which led me into learning how to use programs like blender so that I can prepare myself. Just recently a friend let me know about the summer jobs that DreamWorks is offering, and although I admire that studio's amazing work and have always looked up to it since How to Train Your Dragon, I've been feeling hesitant and nervous to give it a try to apply to their positions because I don't feel like I'm ready. I finally pushed myself today to do further research and get started on dusting off my resume and I saw this video. Hearing about what you have to say and what and how I should present myself gives me some confidence. Afterall, it's better to try and hear a no instead of not trying anything at all. If I don't go forward, I'll never know how to start. I really do appreciate it and this video. This has turned out to be quite the wordy paragraph, but I want to say my thanks! Cheers!

[@bawhabmw]

Love the vid! Great advice and insight bud!

[@ashen_dawn]

I love the point about recruiters - like yeah if you have a recruiter reach out to you it's because they legitimately want you to get the job. There's very few situations in which they're not on your side.

[@unclejhin]

Youre keep in lighting my path in every video! Thank you sir!. I mean.. Every question and overthinking about this industry is covered and I know more is coming. Much respect and love. Fast note:....dude you speak to us like a real friend, brother, dad..! I mean.. your level of care in your content is highly motivative and goes straight to my heart. Hope soon ill be able to share some work with you

[@Eric-cj9mu]

Thank you! This video helped. I've been frustrated for the past year or so trying to figure out my next move. I graduated last year, after switching from a school that closed down. Like you said, some of these bigger schools don't teach you everything you need to know. Right now I'm just working on my portfolio and hoping that maybe this year I can find something entry level.

[@melanyw7077]

This is the video that I needed to hear! THANK YOU!!!

[@cameronedwards751]

Week 2 at animschool, loving it so far. I came from a state school where the art program was very lacking. If you're thinking about switching, DO IT

[@unknownclint1740]

Lol I’m dead, the dudes blocking the ball with his face

[@acamporota]

Really good video :) The issue about some famous college/school trying to teach animation..is a big issue. And I talked about it quite few times. People spending 100k for 3 years and get nowhere close to other online school like AM is just wrong, unfortunately most people when they apply to those kind of school have no idea what a good animation school suppose to teach you. I had a bad experience my self. the best we can do is spread the word so more people are aware, not do the same mistake over an over and get in huge debt.

[@reginaldforthright805]

College in general is a massive racket. And so many people are invested in perpetuating the scam. Should be just trade schools for everyone.

[@Thecreator301]

This video is really great, fun, and helpful. Amazing. And that hand puppet show, freshen up my mind.

[@KimAllenAnima-Saurus]

Heaps of great advise in this video, Sir Wade. Thanks for putting it together and great articulation on the concepts. Especially just being a nice person, because they are the people that you want to make crazy hand puppet shows with.

[@nicholasa813]

MY FAVORITE KZbinR EVER!

[@SirWade]

WHY THANK YOU!

[@humandarion]

Same

[@anji9806]

“Social Lives, I cant imagine whats that like” Same *sigh* Same

[@rockon8174]

😐 change that. You get one life. This ain't a dress rehearsal.

[@monhoobatraa3967]

Animation was my primary goal but now I realize video game animation is a much more suitable job for my talent for now. For now, I don't anything else than my job because right now the only thing that makes me happy is character animation and working on unreal engine.

[@bauerDOWNFALL]

i can agree to this! my school taught me to always be working and updating your portfolio

[@juniorsdxz]

I just started Animation Mentor because of your videos 😅 after graduating from university my skills were nowhere close

[@urmommma4942]

Yesss welcome back I missed your videos 🥲😫

[@HeliosAnimation]

I love your videos! Have you thought about making a series where you go through making an animation step by step again thank you so much you help out all us animators on KZbin

[@forgeflarion8362]

Hey; I would just like to say that I appreciated you take on how people are expected to live and breathe what they do. Anyway, I hope you have a good one!

[@johnvelazquez9854]

You're right about the parties Wade. Seemed like there was one every single Friday. And yes your talent is what eventually gets you in....knowing someone definitely helps. Once I was in I was always trying to get my friends and old co-workers into my dept.

[@spelacekada8207]

Some people said Blue Sky... F in the chat bois

[@daemonjofficial]

Great advice! This is where I’m at. I’ve found an area I love, but I am always open to try something new.

[@shlokhoms8081]

Dude everytime i get worn down from some animation toxic teachers i watching you're videos and getting my passion back.

[@abhishekladole1721]

I am new in animation industry and your video helped me learning more about industry and animation thanks for that. Can you make video were should we find audios for dialogue shots.

[@seanakima50515e]

I never had friends that were interested in animation or vfx and it kinda sucks tbh. The people I went to university with all dropped 3D for basic jobs. While I've still been going for 3 years now, and it sucks that people dont want to stick out the grind. You lose people to show your work to, you lose the feedback, and you lose the camaraderie. I just want to be a character modeler and have creative friends to do fun weird crap with.

[@aioros6748]

Well since Internet is a thing, use it. Make new friends, they dont have to live on your City, im from Mexico and im learning 3D modeling and animation by my own, because as Wade said, collage teach you way down below the bar for a good demo reel.

[@seanakima50515e]

@@aioros6748 my problem isn't learning 3d I've learned on my own for 3 years and gotten pretty far. I miss the fact of talking to people interested in 3D throwing ideas back and forth. Doing artistic crazy things because it's fun.

[@At_Amsterdam]

I’m in the same boat dude. Most students I’m friends with dropped 3D for various reasons and sometimes I feel like I’m the only one that wants to animate for a living

[@Sherif-the-Watcher]

Thanks, Sir Wade!!!

[@kcravenfilms]

this was very helpful, especially the resume section

[@ammpavlog4042]

Hi, I just wanna say that I love your videos so so much! they're really helpful for me as a beginner who want to animate.

[@Bridget7521]

This is very helpful, thank you.🙂 I wanted to work at Disney when I was younger but through the years I started to like DreamWorks and Pixar because of their creative and colorful characters and stories. I am in my in 40s and I'm just taking the knowledge and insights I've learned and start experimenting with different types of art skills and see where my strengths lie. 🙂 Instagram is my project to start this project. 😅

[@toapyandfriends]

😆' It's so awesome you worked at dreamworks! Subscribed! Subscribed!!

[@locusruizlopez5997]

Nice, I'll try the conquest

[@StorytellerTreehouse]

Basically EVERYTHING you said about schooling is so so true.

[@ufoalien3274]

Sir wade is alive

[@theNightFuryfan95]

Hey, I was interested in checking out the Resume/Cover letter workshop linked down below, but it doesn't work. New link, please? (BTW your Anim Apparel and Website links gave errors also.) Great video btw! Been watching your stuff for 6 years now. Seems like it's been awhile since you've uploaded something; glad you're back!

[@PierreEliott_]

Thank you !

[@ShadowFirek52]

Hi sir wade i hope one day can get a Job like that with hard work, grettings from México

[@MDanimations44]

That Voldemort analogy is priceless!! Had a good laugh at that!!

[@JSAbbott]

+100 for the Harry Potter reference!

[@kenji3060]

I arrive early through discord

[@khalilboss2855]

Cool video! Keep it up

[@gckpotti]

Thanks for the video.

[@JAYROUTHIER26]

Hey Sir Wade, Sick video! looks like you got crazy audio a little after 0:20. not a biggy, just thought I would flag it

[@SirWade]

I think I misplaced an audio keyframe, thanks for the flag!! :)

[@pudpudjd]

"There are prerequisites, like not sucking" is what I'm taking to my next job-themed conversation

[@clo7263]

Enjoy your conent glad to see a new video ^_^

[@SeuDigao]

You got me there. HAHAHA

[@aqualust5016]

I'm a student and definitely felt the cringy reality that comes with fending for yourself rather than offering opportunities to others who are more capable. Needless to say I did not get an internship and my insecurities got me to act against the interests of others. Won't make that mistake again.

[@chrizzmuzic4131]

Hi sir wade I've got a question about the animation entries in the MSI award program. I read that it was a requirement to add the MSI logo into the animation submitted. My question is, does the animation have to be about the logo? or do you judge them based on how good the animation is regardless of the MSI logo being incorporated into it? and lastly, I'm a character animator, and I can't think of any idea that connects with the theme (tech meets aesthetic). Thanks.

[@mehulshah7205]

Thank you for these wonderful tips. I have one question The music between 23:10 to 23:52 can u please tell me where did u get it from i loved the beats

[@user-ve7du7jd7w]

Learning mean learn what you are interested with and bring fortunes to your household or life as benefits. . Learning is also a process of redesigning your lifestyle and rearrange time into your daily chores with your kids and to do lists.

[@derekgutierrez1048]

What schools would you recommend to get into animation or visual effects? Either to get into those concepts or to get a degree in.

[@MDanimations44]

I want to commend you on on mentioning that working in the industry isnt the be all or end all for animators, I too thought making it would be a life changing event and found that it really wasn't. Dont get me wrong, I enjoy my job and working on different projects and have been in the industry now for almost 10 years, but you are corrent that it is in fact a "Job" and not a lifestyle and students should prepare themselves and their mindset for that when they start out. Kudos!

[@Paperaincoat]

I can see that you kinda stumble off and talked about schools 😂, but I really like the opinion you shared about the toxic influences from them , I think a lot of people know about this but they are just used to thinking of it as misguiding. Awesome content as always ;)

[@Eddierath]

I recommend people develope at least some friendship KEEPING social ability... Interacting is easy to the point it will eventually happen to you by accident if you are forced to meet or collaborate at some point, that's not the issue we have as introverts, the problem we have is maintaining/ nurturing those friendships . That's what will determine you're longevity because there always comes a time when you need to rely on your fellow human being.. trust me it comes for every one.

[@aaravshirpurkar5140]

Finally he remembered his password

[@newgamers8028]

I had started animation 6 months ago, I'm finding lot's of difficulties, but as you are here you are really helping a lots, please create some regular video series for someone begginers or Amature like me. Thanks for your support

[@Mw2shotgundestroyer]

I go to a 4 year university that just has animation as a major. I can agree that the level of animation that you leave with is not very high at all. Its quite sad really. I worry about this for sure. It would be nice to hear more about your perspective on this, no bars held back.

[@89emeza]

I went to college. Got into alot of debt. Got a job in the industry. But had to go back to construction to pay off my debts.. been away for 5 years. But finally coming back! Be weary of expensive colleges young ones!

[@ohidontknow25]

A lot of youtube motivational videos peddle the message unbalance your life entirely to produce success in a single area. Always thought that was counter productive in living a happy life.

[@ZUnknownFox]

5:47 well... So I guess my mindset right now is a bad thing? yeah I've gotten super focused on animation and wanting to do nothing but animation because at the moment it's all I like a know how to do... I want to learn and personally ... I have a problem

[@SirWade]

Passion and focused dedication are great tools, but you'll want to find a healthy balance in which you're still taking care of yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally :)

[@PersePixels]

Recruiters are like elephants, they never forget

[@clubedeanimacao3d]

Muito Bom.

[@andrelima4831]

I don't know if I can ask it here, but ... In your productions, how do you deal with gimbal locks? : l I mean, do you just change the order of rotation for each animation, or do you change it once per character character? How do you fix this? :l

[@dmath1490]

It might be little late but have you tried having two empty objects, one for X rotation and one for Y rotation and have your mesh object paired to the y rotation object and then the y object parented to x? so you can rotate the x empty on its yaw axis and the y on its pitch?

[@russianmuffin98]

Can’t beleive your over 1000 k

[@weeksend3762]

maybe its just me, but the link to the resume workshop is broken.

[@durratulaishah3703]

17:24 Resume part

[@cartoonox9635]

What movies did u worked on in Dreamworks . Plz Tell

[@dyfx9788]

He said he teached people.

[@KevinIsAMilitaryGenius]

i really want to be an animator and I'm almost planning to attend shsu since they offer a bachelors in fine arts in animation. and when I search up what qualifications i need to get a job in animation it says I need a bachelors degree so I'm scared to go to shsu and possible not learn anything or go to animation mentor to learn more about animation and not getting a job due to me not having a degree in animation,. do you need a bachelors degree to get a job as an animator please tell me I'm so confused?

[@kurtholus]

You do not need a degree to get an animation job unless you need to get a VISA from your government to go to the job. Other than that you would only need a degree to teach at a University. All that the studios care about is your demo reel when it comes down to it.

[@KevinIsAMilitaryGenius]

@@kurtholus thank you so much you dont know how much that saved me

[@KevinIsAMilitaryGenius]

Im a freshman in college so i was confused whether to go to shsu or animation mentor

[@DL88740]

Do dream works hire a motion designers?

[@johncecilaguilar2553]

When did HP become such a rich source of meme material for you? xD

[@lucamarinelli5913]

What are the best Animation courses to learn for 15-year-olds?

[@thephilosopher5799]

Same but I’m 16. I think we just have to research.

[@Xaniyo]

I automatically skipped this video cuz it was uploaded on April 1st. that was a mistake

[@artypow1601]

If not secret what do you do since you left Dreamwork?

[@prajwvaljain4945]

how to get an internship in dreamworks?

[@britishthought4018]

If your not getting married on your desk or dieing on your desk are you even in the industry? /s

[@KevinIsAMilitaryGenius]

Do you have a bachelors degree?

[@matfobund874]

Early😎

[@gracev7855]

wow I am early, is this how "first" commenters feel?

[@mg0930mg]

😆 genuinely

[@Aharon_I]

i think the video would have been a lot better without the music

[@foxspace33]

Hook me up with a job how do I apply at dream work

[@zeurumvr]

First

[@SirWade]

You actually are, but will you be the first to FINISH the whole video? ;)

[@090simran]

It's not true sometimes the HRs are so irritating. .

[@jeanmichelmichel3817]

I don't want to be that guy but isn't it misleading that you are promoting the fact that you were at dreamworks for animation advices and tips when you actually weren't an actual animator. Its cool to share tips and tricks and to create content to help people but using dreamworks to legitimize your animation knowledge and then using patreon and so on to gain money from it is very sketchy ...

[@dyfx9788]

Yea ok try going to dreamworks lets see how it goes. He was a animation teacher you cannot call your science teacher shit because he isnt a scientist.

[@mekaylasheely1388]

PCAD sucks they have nothing for us 3d animators

[@loodgack]

I'm near age 30 and I have issues with finding a job that 1) actually pays 2) lasts longer than a month. additional info is that I'm living in eastern Europe, which seems to be a crazy big dfference. here, many jobs don't end up paying, or not the amount they promised, and yes, they do get away with it. - I wanted to be an animator, but honestly, I may be better with keying, character design and stills. I never put a leg to animation/art school, because the local ones only suck your money and teach you absolutely nothing. I've learnt traditional art, then digital art, and currently learning blender on my own(with existing models and rigs). I actually have a link to my socials on my page, since my channel focuses on something else, I really wanna show my ""artstation portfolio"" to someone a bit more professional/past industry worker, but I guess I'm afraid to do so - what if they take it as a joke? - not just in the art industry, but in my own field too (I have a degree in media and communication) I saw that despite I'd meet the requirements of a job AND have years of experience, they just reject me, and then I see some beginner getting hired to the position - makes me question a lot of things. this is why I have to be alert on a lot of fields, and focus on many things, and seek for jobs, which is exhausting, honestly. - we have one small animation studio in the country, and despite you said "jerks won't get hired" I see the opposite. not just locally, but in general, people push each other from the way and even kick others, to get a job. and they get it! heck, even I knew a person, who tried to make friends with me, ONLY because she thought I was working at the local studio, and when she's got to know I didn't, you could feel the literal disappointment. she's got hired with no artistic skills, because she's had many friends in the studio and the industry - I'm not joking. it happened. - I'm having an issue with making my perfect CV/resume, but sadly the link doesn't work anymore, I'd have checked it.