How to break into the animation industry

[@TherealChainsawmaniac]

lol I just spammed my Resume everywhere, everyday for like six months while freelancing and eventually landed an animation internship, from there I just worked my way up and after a year I was interviewed for the head of the animation department position. I turned it down though and just settled for a lower animation position because head of the animation department would be way too stressful 😆 Love the videos, keep up the work and stay awesome 😁✌

[@evankam2251]

Thanks for heads up on this. I'm gonna try to spam for a specific role once I've organized a portfolio website from school at multiple places. That said, what role did you apply to when you were brute forcing the application process and how did you land work outside of it?

[@TherealChainsawmaniac]

@@evankam2251 I just applied for a junior animator position and got offered an internship

[@misspsyy2383]

Thanks for the tip ^v^

[@MariJadeWrites]

Oh that's great 😊 congratulations on getting the position to do the work you're interested in

[@gabrielegarcia358]

Thank you so much for this comment! I am from Brazil so a lof of these tips were kind of unavailable for me, this gives me hope because it's exactly what I've been doing 😂 Just a question for anyone: to get an internship, do I have to be studying any course? I am self-taught and am not in any art school, but I'd love a smaller position to work myself up in the industry.

[@caroodraws]

I'm graduating in less than a month so this is extremely well timed!! My plan is to make a big batch of personal work, post on social media at least once a week, and take what I have to Lightbox this year. I want to go as ham as I can in talking to people and getting feedback on my work... I feel like I have a ways to go until I'm ready to break in, but I'm going to keep trying until I do.

[@kornyDoesVFX]

I'd really recomend going for an internship! I graduated a year ago and applied to a couple companys in my area with a reel made up of mostly personal and some uni work. Internships are way easier to get without experience if you have a decent reel, mainly because youre a much cheaper than the average artist. Also should you prove yourself during your year/half a year of work there, you'll most likely get an offer to stay as a junior artist.

[@trashbug4843]

congrats!

[@caroodraws]

@@kornyDoesVFX Hey, thanks for the advice! :D I'll definitely apply to all the internships that I can.

[@kingcabbage9502]

I've been a 2D animator for over a decade now and I've had to cobble my hand-drawn animation knowledge together online mostly. I went to college for animation for a couple of years but I know that I learned most of what I now know from self-study afterwards. Videos like yours (thank you!!!!) and whatever other blogs or resources I could scratch together, or friends who are more advanced whose brains I could pick. I feel like there is not a good 2D school online like there is for 3D. As someone who is more advanced now, I yearn to learn more highly specialized skills, or even get with a mentor. When people want to learn 2D from the start, I send them on to your fantastic gumroad course, or aaron blaise's. But there isn't something for advanced animators looking to hone their craft. I got excited when you talked about some non-traditional-school courses....only to find it's mostly concept art/painting and 3D animation. No one out there seems to be TEACHING 2D in the way they teach 3D. Your courses are invaluable for those wanting to jump in. I just wish there were an online school like animationmentor.....but for 2D folks.

[@pobrezaanimation3998]

I went through the exact same issue as you! My college didn't prepare me for 2D at all. I understand 3D is the hot new thing but there's still a ton of 2D work. Overall, my art college did not prepare me for industry work. I've had a job animating for a 2D movie and some freelance work; but, ultimately, my own personal projects have been the shining parts of my portfolio. Not every project you get paid for will be that interesting or high quality for your demo reel. All these years really feels like we're on our own. I wish we could have gotten more mentorinor assistance but at least the internet has been a helpful resource. I hope you have been able to get animation work since you made this post!

[@afrinaut3094]

I’ve been at it for over five years now. I gave up trying to get into the industry, but I still do work on my portfolio just because I love making my ideas come to life. My school wasn’t the greatest, I got great grades but graduated with a portfolio that just was not to industry standards for a internship or “entry” level gig (those usually require 3 to 5 yrs experience from the jump). The one place I got an internship at, paid me, but it wasn’t an internship. I was just a bus boy, running food & laundry errands for the studio artists. Plus I was literally told before I graduated, that because of my racial & ethnic background, I might want to think about making my own company. It’s funny to, because in 2017 when I graduated, a paper came out expressing that certain youth of a particular group, were having a hard time getting jobs in certain fields because of a lack of “connections” & recruiters not being able to “relate” to such applicants. At least my teachers were honest.

[@kastrosadam892]

Damn

[@venomtang]

You're better off, go into real estate, you're probably not good at math since you're an artist like us, but if you are you could do coding

[@MariJadeWrites]

That's... Disappointing that you gave up but nice to hear you're still making animation for yourself. Are you sharing any of it online somewhere? That could help you getting more noticed. You mentioned making your own company, have you considered making a bigger animation project and recording the process to share online, like on KZbin or Instagram? That could gain you skill, work ethic and get seen by others too. Good luck, hope you don't give up on your dream!

[@stickybonez]

This is a similar situation to me. University was terrible and so I couldn't make any good connections or be taught well enough to make a competent hireable portfolio. Almost a year after graduation and still no job or even internships. University is basically a scam. I learned more from an online course I attended in March from my entire three years there. My course tutor even said it himself, since he'd actually been and taught there a few times. Also I feel that nepotism is really bad in this industry. But that's a problem in every job market. As long as you know someone on the inside you can skip half the uphill climb. That definitely needs to change.

[@BENWELLAnimation]

I might still have two years of studying ahead of me but I need to prepare a portfolio for an internship in the fourth semester and these advises are really helpful. You hear from people landing a job easily through networking and others having to write thousands of applications. Thank you a lot for sharing your experiences and tips with us. I feel like in the end it is most important to get a foot in the door and from then on learn as much as possible from actually working in the animation pipeline and I find this is what most universities do not prepare us for enough. So I am most grateful for channels like yours giving constructive input and sharing experiences and knowledge. This input helped me a lot focusing on what to improve and what to work on to be best prepared for the industry. You are as much a teacher as my professors are!

[@escrubby8330]

I went to my first convention (CTN) in November of 2021. Met so many cool people and now Im going back to see them again and hopefully make some more connections!

[@Voltergeist]

you do that big arcing head-swivel motion when your characters change emotions or are about to act. It's like a very specific movement you do with almost all your character's heads and it's like a tell for your work.

[@kmscape333]

I like when Toniko Pantoja start talking the "do not do this" ( around 11:52 ) the character looks complaining

[@SKORPIO_WITH_A_K_3344]

Like to see the fully made version of that tho...

[@MariJadeWrites]

I am working on learning animation now, started with the basics of the basics, the bouncing ball animation. I am having fun learning and am not yet thinking too much about breaking into the industry as i am so new to animation and have little skill to show. But it's fun for me and i am hoping to eventually, one day, make an animated movie (s) featuring one (or more) of the stories i have written myself. I am overall interested in several creative fields, so i am self learning a few other things as well ☺️ good luck with your projects and dreams/goals, everyone!

[@Rawr0s]

You're giving all this great advice, meanwhile I'm just enjoying the dragon animation going on. Love to see it.

[@evankam2251]

Hey Toniko, just wanted to say thanks again for your input and guidance in learning how to animate and working in the animation industry. I haven't been able to watch all the videos you posted this year thanks to school, but I'm extremely grateful for it and the work you've done on your channel and in the industry, as it gives hope and better direction for those of us aspiring to this field. Thanks again, and keep up the videos and care for yourself.

[@sirninjaraiden]

Just the video I needed. In the phase of looking for internships

[@jaybclark]

Same- The amount of positions I’ve found that are reserved for students or ask for already on the job experience despite being an intern position is far too many, I just want a shot to prove my skills and drive lol

[@sirninjaraiden]

@@jaybclark I feel you so much on that

[@iceteazer8028]

​@@jaybclarkDo you mean these companies have spots reserved for students from surrounding animation schools that are graduating?

[@_casg]

Like this inspiration, I started making animation but eventually derailed to animating mechanicals references, engineering construction animations, and I’m also trying to dig into cosmetic surgery animations

[@CMak3r]

1. Get good. 2. Punch walls of studios with bare hands until someone notice you and help you to get actually good

[@SKORPIO_WITH_A_K_3344]

And make sure those knuckles bleed:)

[@tatianan.9435]

Honestly just graduated with my associates in animation and its been difficult looking for internships

[@abe6281]

Any luck a year after? I gratuades with an associates in digital animation, but I've also struggled, and I'm thinking to either switch go get a bachelors or switch careers.

[@tatianan.9435]

⁠​⁠​⁠@@abe6281 Lol it has been a year and so much has changed 😭 A quick update, currently i don’t work in the industry. HOWEVER, i do still plan to just ,through a different door. I decided to go down the design route and currently work as a floral designer. So far, i really enjoy it! Some advice, 1. have a back plan. Ive had several friends who decided to go into coding instead or design. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. 2. If you’re not sure in pursuing further talk to people in the industry currently. Its possible to find a mentor in their off season 3. Take atleast 1-3 months and figure out what made you want to pursue the industry in the first place. Learn about your interests and find the community. . Good luck!

[@F4sy]

nice, came here right as it uploaded! Always good to see your work :)

[@bleachedout805]

This is actually useful. Thanks.

[@panicclinic]

Wait, so using a crowbar isn't how you break into the animation industry? That explains the police and terrified screaming.

[@theanimationmaster724]

Awesome!

[@TipToey]

Hey Toniko, I've recently graduated from college with an animation degree but I didn't have the time to enter internships and I fear my portfolio is lacking. Do you have any advice on where I should look to gain experience. Maybe even directions on how to find collaborative projects?

[@ollietheartist1719]

Thank you Toniko!!!!

[@cerberoarte]

Tanks tonico

[@Chopperdragon39]

I'm going to apply for the best film (and animation) school in my country. Reply to this comment in 3 ish years to see if I did it or not!

[@analien7337]

I’m not gonna be going to the best studio but gonna start my journey as well, see you in 3 years buddy, best of luck.

[@matthewrausch1837]

Hi Toniko. First off I'm a huge fan of you and I learned so much from you. I was thinking about the whole builidng connections. Unfortantly I don't do well in a tradtional school setting. I am somebody who is a hands on learner and can benifit from a mentorship. The whole workshop thing sounds very appealing to me to build up a good portfolio. Any good workshop classes to help me out tht you can reccomend?

[@venomtang]

Good vid, it's all about connections and ass kissing

[@fake8064]

Its good how you talk right about everyone's most relatable view

[@nytrodioxide]

.... So, 'Rock & Rule Reanimated' project when? 👀

[@gracefuldisaster5161]

Does anyone know how to find out about Reanimated collabs? I always hear about them after the artists have all been chosen. Is there a certain website/account that usually advertises these things?

[@FuzBrain]

I usually see them advertised in a similar way to multi animator projects, like people will make a KZbin video showing where each part is during the timeline, and then you ask for specific parts (if they're open). you can also start your own if you have enough time to organize it and edit the video

[@TonikoPantoja]

I usually find them on Twitter! They kinda just pop by

[@kanadchakraborty7434]

I always dream of becoming an animator for Disney. Can anyone tell me pls what will be the best step to start🤲🏻

[@TonikoPantoja]

I would say attend any Disney animation career oriented events, and expos to meet Disney professionals

[@Gleamiarts]

What was the Eurpean animation event mentioned?

[@Axiasart]

I'm soon going to immigrate in America and dream of working as an animator, this video help me have broader view

[@MariJadeWrites]

Good luck! What personal/learning projects are you currently working on?

[@jaydibari]

If people have done work that's under NDA, doesn't it mean that they've already broken into the industry? 🤨🤔

[@joannabevan5456]

I wonder if I have potential? I'd LOVE to work in animation.

[@SKORPIO_WITH_A_K_3344]

All fun games tell you have no sleep due to over 40 scenes that has to be animated every day, and get paid less then a teacher

[@AmbroseReed]

Would you say it’s worth taking a class / technically being a student to get access to internships? All of the ones I see need you to be in school, but I’m going more of a workshop / self-taught route

[@TonikoPantoja]

if thats the only reason for going to school, then its not worth it.

[@noel_curray]

Dapat sinunod ko na lang yung sinabi ng tropa ko na gawin na lang ang "animation as a hobby". ang trabahong ito ay hindi pang may pamilya.

[@VJArt_]

Side note, could you please make a video on how you create your style of videos, and how do you store so much video footage of your work and some tips on remembering to record it or something lol

[@TonikoPantoja]

It’s really just recorded with obs and the. Slapped on a premiere project file with text overlays

[@VJArt_]

@@TonikoPantoja I guess so, personally i have issues with space management and the remembering to actually record my stuff. So yeah.

[@PG0777]

What classes did you take at Cal arts ?

[@SKORPIO_WITH_A_K_3344]

Can you tell me where I can watch the full version of your animation or studio project

[@minou2980]

what animating applications could you recommend for a 16 year old wanting to try animate again after a few years? i dont want to "break into the industry" but instead i want a start before i consider entering an animation or art college.. thanks!

[@Ren-rn5xv]

as a 15 year old artist myself, I chose clip studio paint (which I highly recommend). I heard from the tonari animations channel that many studios use clip studio paint for animations. You should check out their channel btw. TV paint is a great software too, have had many animators recommend it, though it may not be affordable for many.

[@gabonunez3723]

Idk

[@TonikoPantoja]

Krita is free as well as opentoonz, I tried it out again recently and it seems pretty nice. I’ll have to look into that program more.

[@nytrodioxide]

Pencil2d is also a good choice

[@MariJadeWrites]

I am just starting in my animation learning, i did a few very simple exercises in Flipaclip app, it worked fine for me for these simple animations to start with. ☺️ Just another option for you, good luck!

[@squishylee427]

does anyone have any tips for the UK?

[@animefreak8535]

Hey I know jobs are in the bigger states like New York or California but to you know a way for me to look up events in my area I live in TN right now

[@FelixTheAnimator]

Look for film festivals. I'm in the boonies too, & animator conferences ain't near us, but we have film fests here & there.

[@animefreak8535]

@@FelixTheAnimator thanks were to look into more gov websites or what?

[@TonikoPantoja]

I would look into a website called filmfreeway so you can find festivals near you. A lot of them do offer online submissions

[@animefreak8535]

@@TonikoPantoja thank you

[@Tenchinu]

im conflicted about the art degree discussion. I went to collage… but never used anything I learned in my real art job. I basically had to start from scratch after getting the job… so, I don’t know if just making a youtube/portfolio page and going at it is more useful than getting into massive debt for something u might end up regretting later

[@TonikoPantoja]

I would say look into workshops more so than degrees but you also have to remember that most international work visas like the American h1b does require a degree to qualify for it

[@Tenchinu]

@@TonikoPantoja if you’re a student outside of the US or Europe, I would say for sure get in a collage. That gives you the possibility to live and study while opening the door for a career later if you excel. They even sometimes extend you visa so you can try and get a job. But, if the person is an american… I would probably work on my portfolio while trying to get a job directly. That debt is too scary

[@Anpex.]

XD "Bullsheto"

[@charlotteph8454]

Still hiring??😲

[@BeansChild]

RIP to all the people that graduated art school during the pandemic so no connections were made :_(

[@C.T.T535]

Lol. Most of us wouldn't have needed the pandemic's help with that in the first place.

[@RedGallardo]

That's the "bloody sacrifice" choice all artists face. Fullmetal Alchemist kind of choice. Join a huge soulless group of people who can give you power but will demand a lot in return. Most likely all your life. Or stay safe but never match the masters because the knowledge is kept in secret and no one would share it to prevent rivals among the non-leashed artists. Animation is the kind of slavery that created pyramids back then in Egypt. Become a part of the machine that builds something all the world will notice or go build a sand-castle at the beach that won't survive 1 tidal wave, no matter how beautiful it is. I tell you, it's a very difficult choice, not obvious at all. Of course I'm the sand-castle type. I know I wouldn't be able to blindly jump into that cruel system of giant cogs that never stop but destroy all elements that don't work in sync with the rest. I'd sacrifice a lot for the top skill but not anything. Not everything else. But I definitely can't say it's the wrong way. Seeing the masterpieces of Disney, Dreamworks, Don Bluth, Miyazaki, Sinkai etc I know it was worth it. Even if it destroyed many lives... it was worth it. Lives pass anyway. Masterpieces stay forever.

[@anyaisma4878]

You truly understand that this guy doesn’t give a damn about his subscribers when you hear “anyways that’s all bye” all of a sudden and an ad starts playing

[@BothStudentDoesGames]

Flipaclip is easier, and slower