4 Sony Animators on School & Getting Hired

Today Animation Mentor Alumni & Sony Pictures Animation Artists share what their most important lessons from school and their jobs are, and how you can get started in animation!
It's been a few months since we recorded this, and some of these animators are now over at Pixar, showing that their comments on people jumping to different studios is super common- so play nice and work hard!
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0:00 - Intro
0:35 - Presentations
1:20 - What did you do after finishing Animation Mentor classes, how did you get into the industry after school ?
5:07 - Looking back at Animation Mentor from your past/current job, what are the most useful things you learned thanks to AM
11:52 - What are the things you learned from your jobs that you couldn't have learn from anywhere else ?
19:39 - What are you favourites shots you have been working on ?
24:03 - Is the animation industry good about hiring females and/or minorities ? Are studios putting efforts to put diversity into their workforce ?
28:16 - What was your experience as international students/animators ? Was it in issue in your career ?
32:15 - Should I wait for my job to be fully ready to show it to someone ?
33:07 - Any tips for people who are not quite ready to aply/finishing school
38:10 - Any tips for complete beginners, or people who can't afford a school ?
41:14 - Any thoughts that help you ?
46:52 - Should you incorporate all feedbacks in your shot ?
49:39 - Is the animation industry really that small ?
52:32 - Was Animation Mentor worth what you put into it ?
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In three years, I went from having absolutely no experience in 3D Animation to working at DreamWorks Animation Studios teaching just about all of the 3D software used to make movies! After 2 years there, I left to try freelance / independent content creation on KZbin for awhile, before I head back to Feature Film!
This is my journey- the entire process from when I decided I wanted to be an animator until I eventually get there, and everything along the way that will make it possible.
Whether you're chasing a similar dream, or just interested to see where mine takes me, subscribe to follow along with the incredible journey that it takes to become an animator!
You will not be disappointed.
Keep up with the action and connect with me on social!
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Thanks for watching!

[@SirWade]

Hope you took notes during this one!! What's your FAVORITE thing you took away from this interview? :D

[@bijoyp]

Sir Wade Neistadt after joining animschool and having been talking to people from those studios who teach us, i reeeeaaaaally feel like it's a small world out there :|

[@morbid1.]

Would be cool to see reels from them to check what kind of animation level is needed for anim job in features.

[@rishabhlaheja7689]

I really loved the parts where they emphasized on certain shots they made... For example saying a hand shot... Though seems easy, it's not and that's the best part... I love the thing abt animators the most is how detailed and creatively they think of making animations and It really inspires me... I have recently started animating in blender... My animations so far r not that great... Honestly... But really... I won't give up... I really want give in my best to think as an animator and make more smoother movements than the mechanical ones...could u give me some suggestions based on that... I am messing up somewhat in rigging I guess

[@aleph-tav]

Is it worth going to AM rather than a University? To study Animation ?

[@dannydelgado892]

yes. the difference between attending AM rather than University is that AM teaches 100% only animation so you can be good enough to get a job. Universities will teach you Rigging. Modeling. Texturing. and a lot of other stuff that you do not need to get a job as an animator. there are many many many people who come to AM after graduating with a BA in animation because they didnt learn enough to get a job.

[@ameliasmith5129]

All the questions + timing ! 0:35 : Presentations 1:20 : What did you do after finishing Animation Mentor classes, how did you get into the industry after school ? 5:07 : Looking back at Animation Mentor from your past/current job, what are the most useful things you learned thanks to AM 11:52 : What are the things you learned from your jobs that you couldn't have learn from anywhere else ? 19:39 : What are you favourites shots you have been working on ? 24:03 : Is the animation industry good about hiring females and/or minorities ? Are studios putting efforts to put diversity into their workforce ? 28:16 : What was your experience as international students/animators ? Was it in issue in your career ? 32:15 : Should I wait for my job to be fully ready to show it to someone ? 33:07 : Any tips for people who are not quite ready to aply/finishing school 38:10 : Any tips for complete beginners, or people who can't afford a school ? 41:14 : Any thoughts that help you ? 46:52 : Should you incorporate all feedbacks in your shot ? 49:39 : Is the animation industry really that small ? 52:32 : Was Animation Mentor worth what you put into it ?

[@beachchickensmedia]

Favorite section of the video is at 41:15. It’s great to hear about people who have moved out of other types of jobs and into animation. Also the girl who got told to throw her demo reel away and then used it as motivation is 🔥🔥🔥

[@FritzFD]

Thank you for putting this video out. It is really inspirational to me to see so many people who got their start in their 30's. Switching career paths and pursuing animation can be disheartening sometimes. Really appreciate the sharing and notes.

[@aleph-tav]

Im in my 30s now, and changing to animation as well! I'm an Engineer now.

[@ErkFX]

Fritz FD I completely agree! I just turned 25 and think about how at my 10 year class reunion I’ll have just finished at AM (If everything goes as planned) and will have barely stepped into my dream career and it’s like I’ve done nothing all these years since HS

[@reptilerule91]

I'm right about this you do not need a degree for cartooning and animation. This is correct.

[@Omer-or8pg]

extremely valuable interview. Everyone had such great things to say; it was very inspiring as well. I really loved it, thank you so much for taking the time to make this.

[@silasrobledo]

This was more helpful than you could've imagined, Sir Wade! Thanks for creating such valuable content.

[@vamsikrishna6636]

The most valuable interview ..... thank u so much wade 😊😊😊

[@blueberries7013]

this would be nice as a podcast episode hihi but thank u for hosting the interview it was interesting to hear these types of perspectives!

[@TheAeroflair]

This was so informative. I am so happy I watched it! Thank you so much

[@kayvesea]

This was great hearing from the perspective of Junior artists and learning about their journeys into the industry! I'm moving into my first animation role this upcoming week, and this helped ease some worries. :P Thank you for always putting out informative content; love your videos!

[@kayvesea]

@neelesh mahto I graduated from university two years ago and then took AM's Cartoony workshop and a RustyAnimator workshop.

[@SylvesterMassey]

Thank you Sir Wade for this video. I'm going back to AM with better mindset. And never giving up attitude, I'm 27 and I thought it's too late, I was stressing alot. But this motivated me. Thanks Brother ! Inspired and motivated ! Loved the whole video and conversation ! 🙏

[@bymindia]

your interviews are so intresting Thanks for sharing those !!! keep it up

[@user-dn9om6cx6q]

This is such a great video!

[@somethingaboutCG]

The story about Teresa's dad is so lovely! Just shows how much is put into these films even in the small details!

[@tahirahkhadija6486]

This was such a great interview! The whole panel really shared insightful tips and experiences. My question pertains more towards how I can best orient myself as a character designer. I know studying animation itself is important, but I was wondering if there are any tips you would know about pursuing character design specifically? School? Practice? Etc? Your videos are a joy, please keep them coming!

[@velvetscarlet3466]

This is really inspirational . I'm 22 right now . Finished my bachelors in IT but during my studies I figured out that IT is not something that i want to have my career on . But I was already in my 5th semester and I didn't felt like dropping out. Now finally I'm learning animation . Not in AM but my tutor is an ex-student from AM . It's actually really different from what i expected . Now I know how much dedication and time it needs to do even a 10s animation . By far I think i am doing well but I still have to improve a lot . And after looking at the shots from all the animators in the video I believe I am not even close yet. XD but I hope one day I will be able to get my dream job .

[@SirWade]

It's good to remember that every great animator was once just as bad as we all start out, and they also had those moments of "wow I'm nowhere close to that level." but they just kept going until they got better :) Not everyone get better at the same speed or with the same amount of work- but with dedication it will come!

[@velvetscarlet3466]

@@SirWade I will take your words into my mind . Thank you so much for taking your time to reply . ^_^

[@rigatoniryan]

@@velvetscarlet3466 How are you in your journey so far?

[@AsaTU]

Hearing that people who didn't go to any animation school still make it into the industry was really heartwarming. Just looking at the prices of Internet schools gives me a little panic attack hah Great video Wade! Thanks for sharing it ❤

[@efeemachado]

Oh, I loved this interview! It was great! Lots of awesome information and helpful tips. I've been a self taught animator for over a year now, and it is really tough not to have a proper guidance or so. But I'm planning on taking an animation course starting in November. I wish I had the money to take AM classes :/ Oh well, maybe someday :P Thank you for the amazing work, Wade :) Keep it up

[@rogernbezerra]

do as they said, contact some animator that you look up to and send your work, ask for some feedback.. maybe they're going to answer

[@Som3D]

I can’t believe this was 4yrs ago feels like 1 year ago time really does fly this was one of my fav sirwade video of AT

[@bentraje]

Thanks for sharing! :)

[@tonyOvarela]

You're really inspire me guys !

[@killakaiju]

I can't wait to work on dream projects such as those.

[@KM07749]

That’s one awsm one Wade 👌🏽💯

[@morbid1.]

spider-man's animations are really cool... it's interesting that in spider-man movies he doesn't move in that cool freestyle way.

[@Scroteydada]

Because live action is so limiting

[@animationjourney6586]

Sir this is so motivational and informative video 🙏, thank you so much for this

[@NoeliaEncarnacion]

This was amazing I can't really tell what was my favorite but I loved them talking about internships and showing your stuff to other animators and I 100% agree on that because I know an animator named Anthony Brewster and he currently works at Blue Sky with my mentor Scott Lemmers we met at AM and I've been sending him my weekly assignments and he's been really helpful and having that second pair of eyes is really good I can't express that enough. Also I am taking the next class and I hope to have enough material to apply to Blue Sky Internship in the next year in May so I'm working really hard on that but this interview it's amazing seeing how they grow awesome job!!! Side note That mic can catch anything seriously some times I got side track by the noise and just wonder like where is that car going and I wonder who just went through the door.

[@juliusgreaser6141]

Quality content, bro

[@Gates2Aion]

the animators at Sony are crazy good look at these beast!

[@uross.m]

Hey! Is there a way we can see their demo reels, just so I can expect what level of animations do they require at big studios since I am animation student myself

[@killakaiju]

They might have their demos on their Instagram

[@uross.m]

No luck. I guess they didn't put it online

[@SirWade]

I'll ask them :)

[@habag1112]

.

[@fdlarts7676]

Try Vimeo. I've found Paulie's (the girl on the far left ) demo reel

[@flatfacedcat]

Can you interview people who didn't go to Animation Mentor or a big art school? That's really important to me.. I want to know how possible that is.

[@SirWade]

They talk a little about some other artists at their studio who are self taught in this video, but you should definitely think about the implications of just how many of the people interviewed or mentioned in these videos have gone to an animation school specifically for this craft- that said, I'll see what I can do about some self-taught-specific interviews :) It's a very valid question!

[@flatfacedcat]

Thank you! My friends and I went to a state university for animation, but are having a hard time teaching ourselves what we didn't learn in school and finding necessary connections. It's difficult to guide yourself when physical and financial access to resources and education are scarce.

[@malloreyrogers7987]

Check out Laura Price (aka Lulusketches) on KZbin. She’s an animator at Disney and she didn’t go to art school. She has some great videos talking about her journey- check her out! And she would be a fantastic artist to interview Wade!

[@rishabhlaheja7689]

Great interview session.... Thank you sir wade... U are truly a great help to we animators... I would like to know which software is preferable to learn to do animation and also more in depth information regarding how and what a showreel should be like... I have currently gotten familiar with blender.... And now I am looking into maya... But there r a ton of these... Houdini, cinema4D... Which of all these r really beneficial?

[@nerd4922]

Hello!:) I'm new, great video, I'm subscribing, and you're awesome:D

[@masterskullking4929]

Your the best animator and love show some tips for someone who wanna learn be animator :)

[@BroRecordsTV]

Thank u

[@dannydelgado892]

3 cheers for AM students!! woot woot

[@RoboRibs]

Hey man, love your videos. Just thought i'd recommend something, you should add some chill music to these types of videos

[@SirWade]

I used to do that with interviews actually, but people kept saying that it was distracting haha so I'm not sure what's best!

[@ErkFX]

Awesome interview! I’m applying to start AM in January and I’ve been wanting to be an animator since my senior year in HS (2011) I’m considering learning as much as I can within the next month or two and putting a reel together to see if I can get an advanced placement just to help save money and hopefully get into the industry sooner. I’m sure if they notice my work isn’t strong enough they’ll want me to start with the basics, but I kind of get nervous if I do get advanced placement that I would miss out on some valuable information. Do you think it’s still worth trying for advanced placement or do you recommend starting from the basics if you already have a few months experience?

[@marceloiacovone]

Any advice for someone that is working on the TV industry and wants to migrate to Feature? Should this person stop work and focus 100% on studying to get a feature quality reel?

[@SimpleeDelights]

Would there be any possibility of you interviewing people from the modeling side of the animation industry too and their experiences? It was really interesting seeing the animation side, but I am really interested in the modeling aspect. Would love to know other's experience in getting into that field since I am graduating soon and pretty nervous about applying.

[@SirWade]

I definitely plan on it :)

[@SimpleeDelights]

yay! thank you (: been following your channel for a while and I'm so excited for the new content!

[@bijoyp]

Will the day come when people will ask me questions like this too? I wonder xD up until now I've been asking the questions. Gotta reverse the roles soon xD YOSH

[@bijoyp]

32:50 even the guys behind camera laughs lmao

[@anchitmathur1816]

is there a way we can see the lip sync lecture?

[@dhellan8811]

0:35 did she said INDONESIA?

[@Thirds]

Hey man, I'm interested in doing VFX and Animation for a career, what schools do you recommend for this? I'm thinking about D.A.V.E. School down in Orlando

[@klarnorbert]

If you have money, go to online school, Animation Mentor for example.

[@bitflakes9081]

I just want to become an animator so bad and study at AM but my parents won't take me seriously because the believe that is not a serious job.They also believe that studying at AM won't help me at all and it will lead me to nothing and i will fail..I really dont know what to do..I am afraid i 'll never have the chance to do my dream job which i am so passionate about :(

[@dziankolack9331]

Don't listen to the other guy who says get into a trade. Focus on animation. Animation Mentor isn't cheap but its so much cheaper than a big art school. Some people spend 60k a year on art colleges and they go for up to 4 years. Save up and go to Animation Mentor

[@aleph-tav]

Gives me hope that I can change even at my age. Wish I could go to AM to study, can you take it online or do you need to be on campus?

[@dziankolack9331]

You can, its cheap, easy to get into, and provides the best education.

[@NC-ij9rb]

Wow! So much animation mentor students! 🙂 would you say AM helped yout get an internship? Also, could you please make a video on how to get an internship in an animation studio like pixar/sony/etc?

[@SirWade]

AM DEFINITELY helps :) Teaches you the skills and helps connect you to peers and professionals in the industry.

[@biswas8547]

Sir I am 17 years old n I m in 11 standard can u help me to know how I can start learning animation n there is no one in family or friends who know about animation I have seen many videos but I don't get exactly what I have to do how I can start?

[@dirunfx577]

what's the name of the person from Indonesia? I am not clear about hearing it and social media

[@conner121100]

Did any of these animators go to a school before going to AM?

[@Som3D]

AM is a school tho

[@holly1025]

From the video, Teresa said she went to college & graduated with a degree before going to AM.

[@kingpen]

What are your thoughts on the feasibility of a remote animation team~? I've been training at Full Sail for the last 3 years, and they've taught me every leg of the pipeline. I'm also equipping myself with the knowledge that it takes to make an animation company( like reading Creativity Inc. and Producing Animation). Ideally I would love to have a remote team of animators/game devs to collaborate and create with. While building up to that, I'll be improving my strong suits.

[@doctor9551]

Im thinking of training at full sail too, if i do ill be graduating next year in november. Think we could network or simething?

[@kingpen]

Doctor Sure~! Send me your artstation link~😁😁😁

[@doctor9551]

@@kingpen ill make one. Whats your email

[@kingpen]

@@doctor9551 [e-mail]

[@punda_cino9600]

I'm currently at Full Sail and just started animation class. If you're still looking for people, I'll see where I'm at in 2 months!

[@fdlarts7676]

Suddenly changing shots near the final of the production sounds scary and stressful...

[@Patrick_Nguyen]

44:32 Literally me.

[@soorenaasl9519]

Hello 👋 I have a question If I want to go to work for big studios like Pixar or ..... should I’m go to school? Or can I practice at home and become good animator and go to Pixar or ....? Thanks 🙏

[@megaairstudio1451]

Soorena Asl to get hired by a big company like Pixar you’re better off going to school. It’s really hard teaching yourself plus school connect to big studios and connections are really big.

[@soorenaasl9519]

Nija Williams thanks for your answer But I’m live in Iran and for go to animation school is really really expensive for us If I’m work at home with a teacher and become good animator can I get job in big companies?

[@ErkFX]

Soorena Asl I’m sure if you’re very dedicated and work really hard you can do it without school. They mentioned a guy they work with is self taught, but mostly everyone there attended some sort of school. Animation Mentor is one of the cheapest. You should try looking into it more if you haven’t already.

[@Mr.C723]

I never knew Warner Animation Group got there Animation from Sony. How does that work ? Do they pay Sony to animate their movie while Warner Animation just makes everything else like the story, the music, so on ?

[@ewawojtaszek5504]

They mentioned one person who is self-taught with feedback from professional artist. Could you tell me who she/he is?

[@abyoussef734]

sir I just wanna to ask you how to apply for pixar internship .

[@SirWade]

Google it :)

[@abyoussef734]

i don't belong to any animation school will they accept me in an internship ? that's what makes me wonder

[@princealmighty5391]

@@abyoussef734 i think they will accept you the main thing that matters is your reel and make sure you work on projects and lots of them keep creating and pushing your boundaries and i think accept answers that arent seem straight foward and build a part toward it i think thats how people teach this stuff idk i might be wrong its a interesting field

[@sambusak]

40:00 Tinder notification :P

[@Patrick_Nguyen]

Should I go to university or start AM?

[@mudassirraza3625]

I am also confused to go to college or AM

[@netflixnetflix7918]

I have to disagree with Laura. She just doesn't understand the difficulties and the challenges of internationals animators when it comes to get a work visa in US or Canada. If you think you just need an outstanding reel or talent and every company will hire you, I think some of you will have a hard time competing against foreign workers. Me myself have worked on both vfx and feature and I was rejected by HR 2 times because of my nationality (Im from Asia). I will break it down for you guys down here so you can see how hard it is: First, in order to hire you. They have to get their lawyers team to prepare to process and the processing time will vary depending where you're from ( anything from 1 to 4 months). They have to offer relocation fee and accommodation fee for us since we are foreigners. So basically, hiring a foreign workers will cost so much more than a local animator. Secondly, since nowadays all jobs are projects based (2-5 months contracts). The work visa processing time will be a problem if it takes too long to obtain. I personally was rejected 2 times because of this, even when they already sent you the contracts and all parties agree to the terms. Third, she's right. Nobody care where you're from if you have the skills and talents. But the supervisors are not the ones who will hire you, they just select you based on your skill set. The people who are responsible for hiring are HR people. They will discuss your situation: what nationality, compensation, benefits, your input/skills to the show...Sometimes these factors will be the barriers for internationals workers. We have to prove that our skills are outstanding and superior than the locals in order to be considered. Why? Just logic, why would you go through all the hard work just to hire foreigners when you can get the locals and less paperwork? I just need to clarify this to you, so you guys can understand how lucky you are to have US passports/ canadian passport to work for big movies. For us foreigners, we have to give out 200% in order to get in. For all international fellows animators out there, keep being amazing and awesome. Don't give up! To

[@ohmyowen_]

sad but that's true

[@portalnik]

Sorry, i could not watch these because of the sound. What is wrong with it?

[@SirWade]

What's wrong with it? Is there a volume problem or something like that? Or do you mean that you can hear things like cars and doors in the background?

[@polarfox5454]

Small Foot is from Warner Bros not Sony .

[@SirWade]

Sony does the animation for Warner Animation Group movies, like Storks as well as Smallfoot

[@polarfox5454]

But why ?

[@fdlarts7676]

I'm guessing out-sourcing

[@BipinRaviEkka]

People who give critique & recommendations about animation always have a heavy portfolio....While common animators always get exploited by studios......No Wonder 11 Seconds Club has so much low entries nowadays...

[@tristanmartineau863]

Audio is soooo bad

[@SirWade]

I didn't have enough lav mics to do it the way I would've liked 😂 Gotta work with what you've got!

[@tristanmartineau863]

Sir Wade Neistadt I've done the same thing for professional work, even forgotten to plug in the mics until I started editing. The cringe enters your soul when you're sitting there realizing something didn't quite work right

[@regularladz]

There weren't as many😮, hire only women then, that will be enough