Animation as a career choice

[@freerangeeggs6442]

Anyone else questioning themselves because they think they're super passionate but are second guessing their judgement. Or is that just me?

[@catalinaburgos6649]

You are not alone! I'm also questioning and searching for answers!

[@Kb.animates]

Oh me too, hey, you don’t know if you don’t try I guess

[@galaxydeathskrill5607]

Me too

[@kewlozer7979]

Same. I’m passionate but my skills just aren’t there yet

[@Rubber_duckie_floating]

Same.. but I'm thinking game developing in the future for me

[@PikaPetey]

So glad that Covid-19 happened to teach the industry that You don't need to live at the stupid expensive LA county to work for the job.

[@pam_param3462]

With the catch being that the competition for those jobs could now become global if companies become very efficient with work-from-home workflows.

[@dragoniraflameblade]

And there's a recent anime that opened Korean doors to collaborate with Japanese animators on the series, which is possibly a HUGE STEP in international collaboration. Maybe good signs for animation? I know Studio Trigger also helped with one or two episodes of Steven Universe.

[@hinamatsuro1908]

@@dragoniraflameblade which ones?

[@dragoniraflameblade]

@@hinamatsuro1908 God of High school was the anime.

[@hinamatsuro1908]

@@dragoniraflameblade oh damn it was good but the ending was kinda anti climatic

[@ComicalRealm]

I think the most important thing is if you enjoy it and are good at it. Those 2 things combined are lethal

[@NamHerTab]

Hello Animator

[@laurenaspreyart]

And even if your not good at it, anyone can learn

[@elsv99]

@Jaegar19Ultima depression can (with a lot of time, work and help) heal

[@SayuriYaki]

@Jaegar19Ultima Yeah but besides someone maybe becoming depressed, blind or dead, people can learn to become a good animator. I don‘t see the need to tell people when they say they want to learn something: ‚yeah but depression will make you fail‘. However it kinda sounds like you personally have to deal with depression and if so I wish you the best. :)

[@dusk12978]

@@SayuriYaki i agree!!

[@TheHuskyK9]

My advice: If you are new to the industry, don't get discouraged when you don't get the job. The animation industry is very competitive, and more often than not, studios will look towards those with impressive portfolios and resumes. Patience and determination is key 🔑

[@tuktuk6919]

also those who do what they are told no questions asked>they want machines

[@p1ntu_]

So is it better to work after getting the bachelor or pursuing for the degree?

[@pinkymii072]

i'm fucking terrified about it tbh

[@xdrazormon454]

That’s why I’m learning a high demand skill first on web designing and trying to learn to make websites first before I become an animator 2nd

[@xdrazormon454]

@@p1ntu_ you don’t need a degree you need a good portfolio 💼

[@macaronimadman7160]

“Projects will usually end in a short amount of time” One piece animators *meancing laughter*

[@StnkyDinky]

Lmao I don’t watch one piece but I get the joke

[@macaronimadman7160]

@@StnkyDinky me neither

[@springsnapped5435]

Lmao yes

[@wirathe_normalguy2721]

​@@macaronimadman7160 he​ means he​ got​ the​ punchline of​ the​ joke

[@dexterdj1586]

​@@wirathe_normalguy2721 you're late bro😔

[@shadeszn2355]

I don’t wanna be rich, I don’t wanna die and be that guy that was rich and had nothing else to offer in this world, I wanna create things, leave something behind for the world to appreciate, I was second guessing myself if I should purse animation but I truly believe this is what I will enjoy doing

[@shadeszn2355]

I’m also from LA so I gotta take the opportunity 😂

[@MOUNTAIN-098]

Don't give up man I'm Young and I'm starting animation. Just remember this... Art takes time.

[@MOUNTAIN-098]

And I'm next to LA 🤣😭

[@SinjinVega]

Good luck!!!

[@believerchances8600]

I don’t wanna give up, I feel like animation was what I was meant to do and I feel like if I don’t do animation I lost my purpose. I know it’s Risky but life is risky no matter what you do. I rather live and struggle doing what I want, than live somebody else’s dream just to possibly be comfortable. I know me and I would still be sad.

[@mitxyfox]

You and me both

[@HybridSaga20]

at least that we get to be the bosses of our own jobs if we were to have our own animation, something we love because that is what i would do

[@amritvir7969]

Cool, where are you from

[@punkmusicjunkie160]

Hey I'm on the same boat. I was questioning my Major for a long time whether I should go for a computer science degree or an art degree. I've started noticing that Comp Sci was really not a thing for me yeah sure the money was good but what was the point in doing something you don't like I spoke with my counselor and told her about my change with 3D Animation and well everything now all connects I'm highly motivated to draw and learn more and more everyday looking up videos on 3D Animation or other drawing tips and tricks I'm happy to take this risk if it means to be happy and the end of the day we will all reach our goals it just takes time but will get there stay strong and motivated. 💪🏻

[@onyemaobichukwulionel3216]

I ain't giving up on my vision.

[@LunaArtGallery]

The comment about "Don't define yourself by the Studios you work at" is so important. Big studios don't care about your feelings or dreams, they are corporations. At the end of the day it's about the bottom line. You as the artist have to define yourself by your craft and passion for your work, something that doesn't rely on anybody else.

[@Kalaxian80animations]

Umm, ye

[@Audiomaker49]

EXACTLY

[@Raedragonfae]

I’m not gunna lie, I’m 28, decided to go back to college for animation and chase my dreams as an animator, but everything is so competitive. I’m trying not to be discouraged, I just started animation courses at college.

[@snugray_p1659]

Oh man, goodluck! I'm 15 so I'll eventually get to take courses. I hope it goes well for you

[@meloza]

I’m 24 soon to be 25. I graduated 2 years ago got my bachelor degree in agriculture science. two years passed, i’m not so passionate finding a job relevant to my education background. and studying art is kinda haunting me all the time. it’s my dream to work in art field especially animation. finally found an animation school, and my parent supports me, but I suddenly feel scared to make this decision to study Animation. ik it will take time, energy, money. i’m scared if i dont have enough ability, idk tools nor animation pc program, I only use procreate. I’m worried if I fail being responsible of my own choice. as I already feel guilty too of not ‘using’ my first degree for career. I also rejected a job offer in a big agricultural company. idk why i suddenly doubt my dream passion and skill.. but there are some moments in a day when I feel like can’t wait to start my animation class. Hope this is the best decision I make. will never know except I try it first

[@Raedragonfae]

@@meloza how has reflecting been? its been about 3 weeks and im curious where your thought process is at. I decided to go back to art school at community college, and I realized I just hate school and it is costing me money and time to invest myself into school at 28 years old. Ive realized school isnt for everyone, and even if I do like the subject, I find it draining the passion of my soul to do things I love in my current present life, such as.... well.... art. going to school left me no time to actually do art that I enjoyed or wanted to do. Also, I found out animation schools are really expensive and they will refer you to great companies straight out of school but its not worth it for me. its a high risk environment. SO currently I am practicing art, building a portfolio for tattoo, and doing animation on the side. I am a person who needs money gauranteed from my efforts, so tattoo and animation are building for me right now, good luck and I hope u see this soon. cheers. good luck in life.

[@LAZYPAN-vt7bv]

​@@Raedragonfae how is your days at college. My boyfriend also decided to take animation collage at Tokyo. He can't draw quite well in my eyes😢 is it possible to get better when your skills are like five years old at 26

[@johnDoeann]

Legit how’s the animation job going?

[@SWATDRUMMUH]

My animation teacher actually pulled me aside to talk about my future in animation. Because I didn't have as many sketches were as much progress as my other classmates, he made me doubt myself and question whether I really wanted to go into animation. In a sense of the word, it demoralized me hearing I wasn't cut out for animation. This video does help me realize what I want to do; I just work at a slower pace then everyone else. I think I just focus too much on the details. Apparently I get so focused, I lose sight of the bigger picture. Just because I'm focused on something, it shouldn't mean I don't have passion for it, right?

[@tvsonicserbia5140]

That's no way to address a student. What an asshole.

[@rcKlsS_-iw3kg]

Don't listen to that dumbass teacher don't let anyone bring you down don't give up

[@paulwoodford1984]

Your animation teacher was envious of your talent and saw you as a threat. F them. You should always use that to make you more determined to succeed.

[@chanpiggy3938]

@@paulwoodford1984 No, the teacher is a savier for actually telling the student. They don't want you to blindly follow a passion

[@johanneskirestos5316]

That's actually a sign of ur passion. Getting so focused and lost in your work to that point can't be reached without being passionate on what u do. Don't give up

[@moderndayjames]

Adult animation? Guess it's time to pursue my hentai career

[@OneAndOnlyCookie03]

*oh no*

[@macaronimadman7160]

God has a question for you WHY!!

[@velstorios9473]

Go away man, the internet is rotten enough

[@tobiii2020]

Yes

[@necrago]

@@tobiii2020 UwU

[@dannphan]

"Make twice as much as your living expenses" Animators in Japan: **sad sobbing noises**

[@jinwood]

When I was a kid, I dreamt of becoming an animator. I love drawing! Eventually, I got a job on a small animation studio (it's my second job). But because the pay is so low, I had to make the decision and give up on the animation. I did the normal jobs (likes of tech support and such) here on my country. I thought I'm just doing those jobs to earn a bit of cash while I draw as a hobby. As years go by, The tech support jobs became my main source of income and I stopped drawing totally. This was 10 years go. Now I want to draw again but I can no longer do it. I regret not pursuing my dream of animation... Now, I learned how to make videos, and animate PNGs. I have another channel where I make short videos. I'm also doing commissions as a full time job. It's not the same as the real animation and it's not paying much but I'm betting on this new passion and dream. TLDR: Follow your dreams

[@SandboxerSandy]

This is interesting!!! Can you plug that other channel where you animate?

[@caittoons]

I'm trying to pursue animation by starting off here on KZbin. Trying stuff in my own style. Animation and comics/webcomics is something I've always loved doing. Not just for the money it's something that's genuinely enjoyable and feels more like a passion than just a job. I loved this video and it's really helpful when trying to learn more animation-wise. :D I hope I can learn to do 3D animation or cgi animation one day too :D

[@lordsolrak1713]

okey , i will se your work . new sub

[@caittoons]

@@lordsolrak1713 thank you! :D

[@WillyToons]

You are pretty good!

[@napiltree5917]

That’s amazing! I love your art style! I’m also trying out animation here on KZbin. For me, animating is very comforting and it feels accomplishing when I complete a video!

[@caittoons]

@@napiltree5917 That's awesome! And thank you!

[@justanothercomment]

I kinda feel into animation as a career. I always sucked at all the 'smart' stuff in school, and have always had pretty limited interests. Animation is one of the few things I really love, and one of the few things I _didn't_ suck at. So the choice was kinda a no-brainer for me. This career path may not be for everyone and it certainly has its hardships, but I get to do work that I enjoy and which doesn't leave me drained and unhappy. And unlike most things in life, I actually feel like I kinda know what I'm doing! Which is a wonderful feeling. So yea, I wouldn't change it for the world. :)

[@snugray_p1659]

Oh shoot, really! You work in animation? How hard was it to get your foot in the door, what do you do?

[@aguydan866]

Well, as a career choice it surely requires lots and LOTS of patience. I always considered it to be one of the most important skills aside from drawing and knowing how motion works. But as a hobby it is really fun. Is there even a better feeling than seeing your drawings, your characters, your story coming to life?

[@aguydan866]

@Memes For Lunch Yeah. Good point actually) I noticed that music often makes everything even better.

[@hannahdeards9652]

My boyfriend works in the animation industry (as a tech guy) and the people I have met through him are some of the sweetest and down to earth people I’ve met. I’ve been told that of course there are some egotistical pricks, just like any industry, but the majority seem really lovely. I went to my partner’s studio (Not quite as popular as Pixar or Disney, but a big player in the industry) and they were really happy to show me around, the artists showed me their work and told me about the industry - good and bad. I’ve had offers from people saying ‘When your storyboard portfolio is ready, I’ll be happy to ask my friends from Disney to offer some critique.’ It’s just really nice. I think this industry is pretty hard to break into, especially since lots of animators and people in the industry including the tech nerds are all pretty introverted, but it’s definitely not because of gatekeeping or anything negative. Everyone’s just chill and love what they do.

[@pyxn420]

What does he do exactly?

[@sueaniart]

Very much agree on all your points! Every job has its ups and downs, animation just feels more visceral because 99% of the time people join the industry because they love and are passionate about art and therefore the falls and the downsides hurt more than joining an industry predominantly for the status or money. It's tricky because getting into the animation industry requires us to wash away all the traditional teachings that say we should put all our focus on our jobs instead of personal projects. So in the end, a lot of people get heavily affected by unfulfilling animation studios especially if they didn't build art projects outside of their main job. Whether it's teaching art or making a webcomic, short animation or animatics on youtube, even small time personal projects help so much in maintaining that little fire of love for art. It's also a added plus if it can be monetised in some way (putting comics up on tapas/webtoon, having a patreon or selling online classes etc)

[@dragoniraflameblade]

The funny thing about the Miyazaki quote: He leaves the interviewer to go talk shop with Hidieki Anno, one of the directors he climbed the animation ladder with (key animators to directors). And what were they doing? Going over a dog fight scene with model planes. Lol, idk, something feels ironic about it. I've really nestled into comics, but I love animation. I feel like they kinda go hand in hand in a lot of ways.

[@akiraishin7141]

Well... the quote was never the quote to begin with. He never said that, someone on the internet took the moment in the interview where he supposedly said "animation was a mistake" and simply removed what the actual translation was and placed the fake quote there.

[@alanaflynn8878]

I definitely agree animation and comics have a lot of overlap as mediums; the entertainment arts (and really any arts!) have a lot they can learn from each other, and that's what makes them so fun and interesting to learn about.

[@milddiffuse]

@@akiraishin7141 Indeed, what he was actually complaining about was that most anime aren't based on real life, probably also referring to the big amount of "moe" anime being made. He wasn't really talking animation coming from anywhere else, although I wouldn't say something similar doesn't exist everywhere else as well.

[@kristofgriffin384]

Generally speaking and with very rare exceptions, in order to get your cartoon on a network like Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, or Disney, you need to give up your copyright to it. For example, Alex Hirsch, the creator of "Gravity Falls" needs to ask permission to take creative liberty with his own show, that he created. Even sketching out images of Gruncle Stan without asking Disney for permission could get him sued for copyright infringement. This is why Cartoon Network can give "The Powerpuff Girls" and the "Teen Titans" to whomever they like. Or when Nickelodeon announced that they'll make a CGI spin-off of Spongebob, even though Stephen Hillenburg directly said that he didn't want Spongebob to have any spin-offs. They literally waited for him to die so they could ignore his wishes and rape his creation however they want. Usually, this is a trade-off to getting the pilot off in the first place. Copyright control in the animation industry is used as a bludgeon and it's scary how very few people outside the industry seem to have a problem with this - despite the fact that it is a very, very bad problem. This isn't a recent issue either. This has been going on since the '90s. It boils down to this: If you don't do what the network wants, they will kick you off your own show and give it to somebody else. Even if you do end up doing as they say, if you get too much respect to kick around like Craig McCracken, they'll end up giving your property to some schmuck who's much easier to control and do EXACTLY as the network wants. This problem also extends to animated movies. The movie "Sausage Party" was filled to the brim with controversy, even though it's the very first R-rated CGI animated film, most of the controversy wasn't from its content, but how its animators were treated. They were told to work overtime for free. They were threatened with termination for not hitting deadlines. And in the end-credits, half of the animators' staff wasn't even credited. This is the standard that many, many animation productions have. A lot of animators are forced to work under these conditions because if they don't work for a minuscule amount of money, the company will outsource the production to South Korea. This is the reason why so many western cartoons nowadays like "Steven Universe" are animated in South Korea. The bottom ten percent of American animators get paid 38 thousand dollars, per year. The median animator in South Korea gets 21,600 USD per year. That's a cost reduction of 40% per person, in the production of hundreds if not thousands of people. It basically boils down to: "if you don't do your job for the price we tell you, we will find someone to replace you". In some cases, they will make it so everyone will turn on you by creating false allegations. Or, you'll be blacklisted for saying the slightest thing wrong about a certain person or network. This is why it's so hard to find cartoonists who complain about a network. Most of the money that's made from a cartoon is from merchandising because the creators usually don't get royalties for this. The only one that benefits from merchandising is the network. Even if you buy the toys or DVD for a show that you like, it's up to the studio whether or not they'll pay the animators.

[@alzamonart]

This info is golden for some of us who have always had a critical eye to animation as a living career choice. If anything, it makes me feel less bad for younger me not having had the chance to make it in the business and having to settle for web development instead, which still pays my bills. Life works in mysterious ways I guess.

[@lockheart619]

Thanks for the abundance of information!

[@sabrinan.4640]

I was just about to applied to a South Korea animation university 😀😀😀

[@joykennedy3478]

@@alzamonart I think you should still do animation as a hobby and maybe collarborate with other animators who will honor your creative liscense.

[@R1209-s7y]

@@sabrinan.4640 Go ahead if you want to, you could study there and find a job outside the country when you’ve obtained your bachelor’s/master’s degree

[@allyrecords8379]

Honestly, I'm often insecure and sometimes overthink stuff but one thing. One thing I will never let myself doubt is whether or not I should become an animator. Screw everything else but I have stories and they demand to get released to the world.

[@MOUNTAIN-098]

What's your stories about? For me I'm creating a movie/show called (BUMPER AND CARON) its about cars and a whole L O T of action!!!

[@BATMADZ_]

⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠@@MOUNTAIN-098that sounds SO awesome and like a fun story with a fun name!! How do you guys come up with stories? I’ve only ever made a FEW characters and never fleshed them out much, let alone write whole stories :/ How do you guys see yourself getting your stories out there?

[@aspenmp4222]

same,,I have a story idea though and it was inspired by my dream I had😅

[@allyrecords8379]

@@aspenmp4222 dreams are the BEST inspirations!!! If I may ask, what's your story about?

[@Raedragonfae]

Honestly,.....from what I have gathered from taking a class in animation at a community college.... is have a great portfolio, go to conventions, and build an online presence (tiktok, youtube) and you will get seen. alot of schools just have references to big companies, but from what ive gathered.... you can just build your portfolio outside of school, and they dont require you to have a degree if u have the skills. they really dont care.

[@ayersjrmichael]

To be honest, I would never, ever think that Animation is a mistake industry to get into because I’m in love with it when it comes to cartoons and 3D concepts. This is why I draw my own characters because, I love cartoons and I always feel passion about creating them and bring them to live in a story.

[@bonbon5189]

Do you work in animation?

[@moajrtoons]

@@bonbon5189 yes.

[@Nu3lla_]

What country do you live in?

[@moajrtoons]

@@Nu3lla_ USA

[@MangaSkills]

@@moajrtoons I live in brooklyn and NY to college, can you tell me more about how your career, income, challenges. Im a freshman-college student thinking of going into animation, worried abut finding a animation job or income stability later on. Also is finding a job hard?

[@ivankovwink1311]

My grandfather (who is a lawyer and believes I ruined my life by changing my major from engineering to animation) made a speech to me today about how pointless majoring in animation is in his eyes -_-

[@brondize]

There were any solid arguments or was just grandboomer rambling?

[@claraartnow6645]

Well, prove him you're going to be great! Edit: what if he played the game of Phoenix Wright and he didn't like it, so that's why he criticises animation now? 😂

[@BrooklynKitty852]

I feel that, even if you're successful in your creative career, the family will always belittle you compared to any STEM or health grandchildren...

[@littlereuby]

I would say, listen to him. If you want a comfortable life, I would do engineering. Use the money from that to make your own projects, hire animators and you'll have a much better life. You can climb the ranks faster, with your own full projects.. And get those lucrative streaming gigs. I wouldn't recommend doing animation as s job. It's not worth the roller coaster. It's more like being an actor. There's so many of those. Do engineering, use the money from that, and make your animation projects. Otherwise it will be a rollercoaster ride. And many months of no work.

[@dylanmalan4378]

I'm glad I am not the only one. Not with engineering, but with chemistry

[@OpposeArt]

This video not only had perfect timing, but it was really well put together, amazing video and constructive overall!

[@GeorgeEgroed-e7f]

You have to be insane to persue animation as a career. That was a first thing teacher told us on the prep courses that i got before aplying to an institute of film and tv as an animation director. This man , who was at the forfront of the industry before turning to teaching, spend first two "classes" not only introducing us to the job , but discouraging us, explaining how much it sucks. No one turned back. We were the insane. That year i failed to get in , sorted out by the cultural knowledge and memory part of the exam.(i can barely remember names of things i dont have strong as fire passion about) but i didnt give up then nor ever since. No rational. I suck at drawing but process math efortlessly, i was gonna be a programer before i discovered the magic of animation for myself. (And yes animator and director differ, but we all knew that our only animators would be ourselves, it was just a profesion that covers more ground to us.) (Sidenote: we all sucked there and then , but we sucked with flame in our eyes , goddamit!)

[@awwab3488]

So are you still pursuing animation or did you change to a different course ?

[@GeorgeEgroed-e7f]

@@awwab3488 i am. Slower then expected , but still

[@arjb1046]

In a sense, the more you work in this industry the easier it gets. I haven't experienced that yet, and don't know how true it is for anyone here who's worked but just something I've heard. In any case, I'm so happy I decided to make this my career. There's so many ways to work and thrive in this industry.

[@pinkiepurplez]

The thing that scares me is that I love animation when I get it done. But in the middle of working on it is where i question whether i like it or not. I keep juggling whether or not I'm improving fast enough to meet the deadline of when I can start work. This video helps me to find confidence in ways, but I still tilt back and forth.

[@Raccatoons]

A lot of the time I end up roping myself up with the thought of only having one career choice as an option, but yeah like you said you don't want to be a one-trick pony! I appreciate your insight as always Toniko

[@trustlesseyes]

your videos always have perfect timing for me because just a few months ago, i graduated university and am now working on building a career in animation and illustration. little problem i have, is that germany (where i am from and where i live) has basically no real animation industry :s p. s.: i turned on the notifications for your channel because your videos always give me so much information, sometimes a reality check and motivation to keep going! thank you so much :3

[@ayior]

Moin! Ich bin auch in der Animationsindustrie in Deutschland unterwegs :D

[@rice1936]

Hi I am also from Germany. I am still a student but I am considering a career in animation. Do you think that even with a small industry in Germany it is possible to find work?

[@trustlesseyes]

@@rice1936 i myself work for a small company making (mostly) 2d explanatory videos and i believe, there are multiple companies like this in german cities, so yes, it is possible but i doubt there’s any work for storytelling or frame by frame animation. but i could be wrong, who knows

[@chriserony]

Gave up on my dream of being an animator maybe a decade ago. I'm still absolutely passionate about it and considering a career change. :)

[@Kotaru09]

If you want freelance is a choice

[@gremlin_2020]

My wish is to study animation. Sadly Im in Latino America, there's literally 2 to 0 job opportunities. Its such a shame that the place where you live actually kills artists!. And not everyone is wealthy enough to migrate to other countries. People who say that its important to pursue your dreams, that is indeed very true! But you also have to consider your life conditions, the animation jobs here are so badly payed, like for real, its not even enough for a rent. Some are forced to study other things to have a sustain, if you have a good life condition, talent, and a passion for art and animation, you should go for it! But I think that the sustainability is still an underground thing that is not often discussed.

[@otherprofessions9582]

Hey if you want to learn animation check out this video! kzbin.info/www/bejne/sKLbqamih9l-p80

[@laurenaspreyart]

That’s true but I also believe there are more opportunities to do animation work from home (especially now) and send it to the people managing the projects. I don’t know how it works specifically but I know people have done it 👍🏻

[@gremlin_2020]

@@laurenaspreyart you are actually very right! Ive seen how some of my college friends work in independent studios and such, its a great idea!

[@andresamaya6187]

@Gremlin _ I can relate to you in a personal level, I'm also from Latin America and I also want to study animation, but the situation in my country basically don't give me too much opportunities

[@randomrandle9141]

@@otherprofessions9582 I haven't clicked but I already know it's the principles of animation

[@floraldisaster4192]

This actually really thought me a lot, I’m still young and I want to become an animator. Thank you so much for making this video, I got to see more on what can happen or what I could do as an animator! Appreciate your work pal!

[@adultishgambino8713]

Never animated but I love drawing and using animation principles in crazy dynamic pose drawings. I honestly just want to have my own show but I know that that’s crazy hard

[@lumpystilskin5367]

Of course it is

[@jalenmacon]

For the show thing, might be easier to make a comic/manga first and pitching it to a studio to make it a show. So many of the best shows and movies originate from some sort of novel, comic, or manga

[@Phoenix.Sparkles]

@@jalenmacon Wouldn't be THEIR comic anymore then, that's basically like selling it off

[@FrancisChenSF]

I love your thoughts. You're right - animation is a calling where you have to invest time to the craft of storytelling, independent of the studio, outside of your 9-5. Other white collar jobs delineate work life balance better, haha. but animation as a medium is one of the most fulfilling crafts in the world, and i wouldn't have it any other way, regardless if youre part of a big studio. and you're right about the big studios... they can lay you off or let go of you anytime after a gig ends, so developing your own voice / craft is what keeps your career resiliency stronger, since thats how you get hired for future projects.

[@finalfroevo]

I wouldn't mind working with smaller studios someday. I really liked that you mentioned the one trick pony because even though, ideally I want to go with 2D animation I am open to more creative outlets related to that

[@JoJ0Kun]

i studied animation for two years in latam. i always loved animation, it was my dream since i have memory, but i eventually dropped out which was one of the hardest decisions i have made. not only because of my declining mental health but because where i was studying was mediocre when it came to organization and the people they contracted to teach, everyone excusing their mediocrity behind "i worked for this x studio". don't get me wrong, i adore animation still, but passion is not the only thing you need if you want to be an animation but the mental strength of accepting that everything you've work can be discarded just because your boss or teacher decided to. i accepted is not my thing sadly, but i will still follow the art way because at the end it can still be connected to animation in some way and i'm happy about it.

[@WafflesX3XD]

i couldn’t find any illustration degrees on offer in australia, so instead i applied, got accepted and enrolled into a bachelor of animation program last week, so this video was really helpful for what to expect once i finish up

[@DejiDigital]

I swear this is like the 8th video I've watched about animation/art/3D/etc as a career on youtube in the last 4 days

[@MangaSkills]

Any updates? Did you get into animation career?

[@12ilara]

Tbh, as someone who still struggle to get a job in animation and currently in a state of questioning myself in animation career... Im glad i found this vid. It felt like a bright lamp appear on my head lol. "Dont let the studio defines you, you, defines you" is godamn right. *Salutes*

[@emmayin1419]

I was so relieved I the last section, because all I want to do is personal work, and funnily the things that bothers me is knowing I have to start working for studio first in a way really similar to industrial line.

[@MOUNTAIN-098]

Don't give up, try doing your own animation at home, earn money and buy yourself a nice Microsoft 4 tablet, or do it on paper, the choice is yours you have full control over it. If you want you could even start your own company like Walt Disney and warmer bros did! Don't be discouraged because at the end of the day you are making entertainment to make people laugh and injoy your creation and your style.

[@Antony_Oscar]

I am thinking of applying to study animation at a pretty good school in my city in Finland. They take like 12~ students every year and the competition is tough. However I want to try... and it's not like I'm in a hurry. I really like storytelling and I'm interested in storyboarding, character design, writing and comics.

[@marinaivanova8573]

@Antony_Oscar hey, what happened. Did you become an animator?

[@delightfulsquirtle]

Man, I love your little doggo intro animation.

[@InauspiciousGamer]

This honestly helped me affirm my headspace is in the right place. No matter what I'm doing I always find a little time, a couple minutes even, to play around with other ideas that spark in my mind. The things that always rattle me the most is when I'm suddenly put under pressure to come up with new stories or ideas when man, sometimes it really feels like the tank is empty lmao.

[@Felix.Wingfield]

My daughter wants to go to Sheridan in Ontario for animation... However, I've recently learned Canada won't let her in 'cause we're autistic. I'm glad to hear that, hopefully, that won't slow down her career.

[@lockheart619]

That's so terrible and ableist! How are they even able to do that?

[@golfwang8084]

I was gonna apply there, kinda glad I didn’t. The portfolio was intense, I was willing to do it but it was definitely mentally draining. And with the border situation…. I would not wanna be stuck in another country and be unable to come home 😬 So yeah, it’s completely valid to not wanna go there

[@haileyparsons3844]

Really, that’s weird, they shouldn’t be able to do that. (I’m autistic myself) I live in Ontario and I know how competitive Sheridian animation program is alone. (You have to get 89% or higher) If your daughter still wants to go to Sheridan, I would talk to OSAP. Now if she still want to go to college for Animation I would recommend Scenca, or Alogonquin. I attend Loyalist for animation program and I wouldn’t recommend Loyalist, it’s way too small and the teachers are leaving one by one.

[@haileyparsons3844]

@@DavvyKat As someone who lives in Ontario, it’s expensive to go to any animation school in the states, let alone someone with a disability.

[@ritageraghty4404]

There are more animation jobs in Dublin, Ireland than in California. Some American animators have moved to Ireland.

[@PHlophe]

Eire, pays peanuts. and they want US material anyway.

[@crisptomato9495]

Yeah Ireland, Canada, and Japan are all really good for 2D.

[@caithlin]

@@PHlophe how do you know tho?

[@caithlin]

I'm irish, that's nice to see. Bcfe student

[@PHlophe]

Cait, that's because employers tried to relocate me several times and their salaries weren't great.

[@ЮляСамсонова-й2о]

Well ... I was also told that the animation is a big mistake. And now I'm kind a stuck. It turned out that due to the fact that our teacher animator quit, we were left undereducated. I was more fortunate then others and another mentor took me under his wing. He was a puppet animator but he tried to teach me traditional hand-drawn animation (because there were no other traditional animators at that time). I tried to learn the best i can and in the end i was among the best ones on the course. But when I began to work, it turned out that I dont know many nuances and techniques necessary for work ... Also have less practice. And of course everyone needs specialists and no one wants to mess with me. And now I am in a situation when no one do not hire me to work and there is no money for study... I don’t know what to do. I love animation and especially traditional hand-drawn. So now I just sit at home and sometimes draw for my own pleasure. I was hoped that I will work on some cartoon or series in a good team where I could learn from others and just be a part of something ...But for now I dont know what to do and where to go.

[@JGTtoday]

Animation is definitely one of the career choices of all time

[@alexmanrique2280]

Hi I´m 20 years old, i study animation in Mexico and to be honest many times i got the fear of not making it. Idk, I think this fears come with my age, I love animation, i love film and storys and I want to give my life to them, but I want to have social life, I want a good house and I want to be able to buy a car. When I see people who I admire, like you and many other artis, I get this fire inside me what makes me go on, that makes me think that this is worth it and iposible, but then I see this things like the Warner Discorvery bullshit or the Marvel VFX problems and I get sad and questioning everything. In the end I just want to live of what I love, and I want to be succesful, but most important I WANT TO BE HAPPY!. Thanks to people like you I get to put my head on reality and I learn how to keep learning about the thing I love the most.

[@chrisreid8298]

I’m not an animator but I just want to say to all you discouraged animators out there, I have so much admiration for what animators do. Artists make this place worth living in and I wish you all the best.

[@sarasuarez5529]

I'm entering my senior year of high school, and I have this summer to complete my portfolios. I don't feel like I'm ready, and that my art isn't good enough yet. But I have so much passion for animation I know that I will improve as time passes. i'll return to this comment next year and see where I am.

[@animator049]

I've learnt animation for the past 5yrs, so far I do commissions at $100 per second

[@41-siddharthabehera6]

Noice man

[@tejeraillustrator3810]

Per second?

[@memelord582]

@@tejeraillustrator3810 Probably not per second worked. I'd assume they're referring to every second in the animation itself.

[@cherryb.8076]

@@memelord582 personally I'm not informed much about this career. 100$ per second seems much at first but it probably takes much time to make

[@memelord582]

@@cherryb.8076 I started learning how to animate just this month, and I can tell you that $100 is actually quite reasonable considering the hours it takes to do each frame. It also depends on how many frames per second are in the animation and the skill level of the animator. It shocked me when I first got started learning because it makes you realize why most studios have switched over to 3D. Though it also makes 2D animation all the more admirable and special. :)

[@vernonarufa6258]

Thank you for making this Video. I want to be an animator but I only started art 2 years ago and I'm 18 now. I had a bad past so I never really get to focus on the things I love and enjoy and I always doubt that myself that I'll probably not achieve my dream since the people around me doubt me. Knowing more about Animation just gets me pumped up and I'll be more passionate about my own works!!!

[@hamzazad5258]

This video is very useful for someone who start a career in animation. Straight up no BS...thank you. So helpful

[@patchlily9444]

thank you for the amazing information. watching your vids alone give me so much inspiration! love from vietnam waaa

[@otherprofessions9582]

Hey if you want to learn animation check out this video! kzbin.info/www/bejne/sKLbqamih9l-p80

[@iridescentlytey4933]

The point you made about passion was what I needed to hear. This makes me excited to keep working on my own stuff and hopefully move I to the industry one day 😁

[@GraphicGinger]

I always get so nervous about my future, I have a diploma in graphic design but my true passion is with animation. I'm constantly working to improve myself as I have no formal training (and can't really afford it right now) and I'm always working on personal projects so hearing the end part about NEEDING passion for the medium really comforted me. I want to make it happen.

[@otherprofessions9582]

Hey if you want to learn animation check out this video! kzbin.info/www/bejne/sKLbqamih9l-p80

[@Loralis_]

I'm trying to choose between an animation course and graphic design rn because when I think of learning animation I get really excited but the unstableness of the job and competitiveness is a real turn off. I like how stable the graphic design industry is for example graphic design studios seem to get better rep then animation. It's been a year since your comment maybe you have more insight?

[@PortableJam_Yt]

I thank you for making this video as someone who wants to work in the animation industry when I'm older this gives me a level head as to not expect praise to do just one thing but to do other things as well like character design,music composer,etc.....

[@dwabees]

Well said, well said. it's funny that you released this video cuz I was lyterally thinking about it earlier today. Crazy how these coincidences happen. And thank you for it, it made me feel even more confident about my choices💕

[@sillyfloofer]

i keep on second guessing myself. i've been animating for about five years now and i've put so much time of my life towards understanding principles, professionally used programs, and so much more yet i can't decide whether or not this is the career path i should take. i've always loved it, but im so scared i'm going to end up unstable or become less passionate about it all. i'm scared to turn what is currently a hobby into a career, because then it goes from animation being fun to do to something that i have to do in order to make a living. i want to give it a shot, i mean i've put so much into it already that there's no reason to just wave it off, but im just so terrified it wont end up being for me. however, i do feel like i'd enjoy the courses. when it comes to the college aspect, i feel like i'd be pretty successful with it and would enjoy the classes a lot. it'd most likely help my improve with what i struggle with and make me want to learn more about everything. im so unsure about it though, i just really want to be able to be stable. i've considered going into culinary since it's something i was also passionate about, but in all honesty i don't really feel the same spark. i've been so connected with art for so long, and i feel like i'd really enjoy the atmosphere of it all so much more than i would with culinary. aaaaa im struggling so much- it's so scary making the decision of what you're going to do because i feel like it determines the rest of my life. i've been so on and off with choosing animation as a career, especially since i do 2D which seems to be losing its light in the industry, but i guess if it doesn't work out i can always just restart and try something else. this is so scary :(

[@Emanny360]

This video has been on my recommendations for a few days and decided to click as I'm very passionate for animation but always questioning myself if it's the right path to take. I've gone through your vids and I love your content😉new subscriber👍🏾

[@nachoeld]

thank you man, its been super helpful and well questioned from a buch of very important labor perspectives, great work, helped a lot

[@nammajeff38]

is animation fun and amazing? Yes! Would you recommend it as a career? HAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

[@silvasoul8938]

Meh, just seems like it depends on the person.

[@T4eva]

Yeah you have to be either rich or know someone in the industry for sure

[@krimmAnims]

@@T4eva what?! no dude, you need a good portfolio/demo reel and the right mentality

[@T4eva]

@@krimmAnims As if I have all that too, still never helps trust me.

[@rafile6]

@@T4eva I came from a third world country, didn't know anybody in US. Moved to Cali with barely any money and sleeping in my buddy's car to try and meet people in the industry and learn from them.

[@rafaelojeda2777]

Glad i found this video... reassured me of wanting to be an animator! Thanks!

[@mitxyfox]

I admit, I am not the fastest animator in the world. I'm not even going to school for it since I'm in college to major Computer Science. Whenever I collab with other people, I tend to not be the best at speeding up with my keyframes. Regardless, I still want to pursue it as a passionate career since I love to draw as a hobby! I may not be the best regarding anatomy or background choice atm, but I still don't want to give up! I know I'll speed up within time and adapt even better! I'm going to keep using my skills and go all round so I can also be part of the animation community, especially since everyone I've encountered are very welcoming and understanding.

[@domastalks]

I love how you talk over the a video of you actually doing the animation. Just what i was looking for! !!!

[@nunupon1359]

Personally I was inspired by animation to get into drawing and writing. I stayed up late on a school night and Toonami came on, I was memorized by the show I saw and started drawing the characters, and later on drawing became a part of me. I start as an Illustration major in a few weeks, as much as I love animation I have too many ideas and projects I don’t complete!

[@analogman9697]

I wanted to be an animator, but in the 70's there were no resources. The only class I found was at Georgia State U in Atlanta. It was a senior level elective for art majors. Being 68 and seeing all these tools available now is sort of frustrating.

[@snugray_p1659]

I'm nervous about getting into the animation industry. I'm 15, I'm young. But it's all coming so fast now and there are doubts about this. Being good enough, having freedom of creativity, having enough money to financially support myself. It's making me nauseated with thoughts of doubt and makes me feel like I should just do something else in high demand for jobs. Like, a mechanic or a mortician or something. But then, animation is something I want to do. Because I enjoy seeing things come alive. Does anyone else feel the same way? Is there a way to be certified in another job to fall back on but still have your foot in the animation game?

[@MOUNTAIN-098]

Sorry if this is late..... I'm 15 as well and I want to get into animation to! Im working on an independent film called (BUMPER AND CASON)... Anyway you should not give up! Keep going with it get better at drawing stuff be creative!!! I have a broken spine but yet Im still motivated to do what I love!!!! That being said I recommend you have this as a fall back job..... ( Custom designs) It is basically taking making something that you like and putting on stuff like shirts cars stickers etc... For me I do custom bikes and I'm going to work at blaze pizza, it's Okay to feel down or bad.. all that matters is that your willing to make something for people to injoy and I hope you succeed at it👍😄

[@MOUNTAIN-098]

Anyway... What's your show/movie called? Maybe I can help! I know where to get all the mitireals you'll need and I know a little bit about characters! Heck I'll even add up the cost of all of it!!

[@animationwriter]

Thanks for the video, it has so much important information! This really told me, that animating is something for me. :) I'm already making animations and am planning to publish them on KZbin. The idea of not having just one job for years and changing animation styles just sounds so exciting and comforting!

[@marionberry2648]

I can't wait to see them!

[@buda3d2007]

If you get into it for the wrong reasons (money, lifestyle) you might regret it, do it for the love of the art and what inspires you, if you do it in your spare time to begin with then branch out from there, also try to have a second career choice if you want stability in your life.

[@lumpystilskin5367]

True

[@golfwang8084]

Yes exactly. I’ve always wanted to be an artist regardless of money. Even if I get a low paying job in animation, all I really want is enough to rent a small decent-quality apartment for me and my ferrets lol

[@laboratory_222]

this was a really cool video, I leaned a lot. I am a second year animation student at College for Creative studies, and im always trying to learn how to better navigate what Ill be getting into. Love your work, really beautiful!

[@claimingagate]

i want to do it as a career because i have nothing else ive felt so passionate about accept game design

[@rowanvezeau5729]

Just wanted to say, these videos are really helpful. As someone who is working really hard to get good at animation and is still pretty young, these give a really honest unbiased idea of what doing this will be like, and helps me figure out what I should improve on! Like learning other styles for example. I'd barely considered how important that is until I saw a video of yours a few months ago, and now I've managed to make a Steven universe run cycle that replicated the style well enough that my little brother got confused and asked if I "worked for cartoons" XD anyway, this ended up being really long but I just wanted to say that I love what you're doing. and thanks!

[@zealous6832]

As a self-practice 3D animator ((No, I don't share my works on KZbin, yet)) I recently also decided to pick up Chroma Key, where you use Green Screens in Live Action. Thought it'd be cool to learn how to combine my animation methods and adapt them into real life. The greatest weapon for an animator is knowledge. Can you actually do the work? If so, how much of it can you do? Upgrade with those questions in your head, and you'll find yourself with a little Entrepreneur attitude.

[@sampogita7455]

Stumbled on this and I was a bit worried at first- But after this video I can say that I really wanna pursue this career! It was really informative,, thank you sob,,

[@sussy9891]

paying for photoshop is just like paying for Netflix.

[@RafiSG]

Thank you for doing this.

[@otherprofessions9582]

Hey if you want to learn animation check out this video! kzbin.info/www/bejne/sKLbqamih9l-p80

[@peteredwards2318]

The thing to watch out for isn't ones own abilities or skills. All such things can be trained and learned and refined until saleable. What can't be learned, trained or improved by ones own hand, is the industry itself. Ensure that if you are going professional, you do it in a country that values the skills you have and in which it is common for those skills to be richly rewarded. Don't try and go to Japan to do anime, for example, expecting excellence to gain you the trappings of success (like earning you leisure time, a roof over your head, savings for the future or even a full belly). Even if you're good, you'll be worked to death and have nothing financially or asset wise to show for it.

[@smileguyanimations8776]

I prefer keeping animation on my “fun hobby” side of my life and not the “career job” one.

[@smileguyanimations8776]

@Reverence93 because when I start doing animation as a job or as a career it starts becoming a needy/necessity thing rather than a way to escape from stress/work.

[@fizzydizzystudios4768]

Yeah that’s how I feel as well.

[@smileguyanimations8776]

@Mark Jefferson I don't have one, but I'd probably try going into culinary arts or acting

[@raelexi]

Thank you for this video and your insight! I’m currently in architecture school, but after two years in, I’m still contemplating on changing my focus to animation. It has always been a passion and interest for me! So I am stuck in between both worlds. I’m trying to gather as much information as possible to make my final decision. So, thanks again for the insight!

[@paulwoodford1984]

Simply never get into that line of work to begin with. Get another job and work on your own anime in your free time and build a name for yourself

[@SeaSerpentLevi]

Ty for your hardwork toniko!

[@CharyllGabrielCAclao]

i really want to do animation because i really like making my own characters and make them move but idk how so im watching this for the future

[@ljsebastian9432]

i really need this right now. thank you ❤️

[@Chichilovely666]

Don't try to shrink the competition =.= thank you for making this video. It's nice to encourage people

[@ysabelmariacartago-garcia265]

Thank you for addressing important points and making young artists’ lives easier ❤️🥺

[@ringstar3316]

I dont even have to watch this video to know that animation as a career is a mistake (even if all the doors seem to be closed and reluctant to open), but Im a little too stupid and stubborn to stop trying.

[@silvasoul8938]

You just gotta be realistic about it. Thing is, I feel like a lot of people, animators and non-animators alike, assume a career in animation won't be as grueling as other jobs. If you give yourself a healthy dose of reality you'll be less likely to psyche yourself out over one or two bad experiences. As long as you're not blinded by your dreams you'll be better off, and maybe you'll be sober enough to understand a career in said industry isn't something you can just jump into with immediate success.

[@T4eva]

Your telling me..

[@nicolenicki1362]

Same

[@joykennedy3478]

Just stick with it as a hobby for now. Pursue anther career path to pay bills and have job security and when an animation position opens, you'll have a portfoilo to show.

[@golfwang8084]

Lmao same, I know it’s gonna be a fucking struggle and It’s gonna make my life hard when it doesn’t need to be. But (and not to be dramatic) art is my life. I draw every single day, it has been part of my daily or weekly routine since I was 10. It is one of the only things I have never stopped enjoying, and never gotten tired of. I very rarely have artist’s block. If I don’t at least TRY to get a career in what I love, it’ll be my biggest regret in life.

[@leam1978]

IMO this is a great example of economics determining the production of certain forms of art, especially when the career is determined by corporations. Sorry that you’re struggling.

[@alancastaneda8322]

If I may add, copyright your personal works! It's cheap and easy! Between $35 and $50.

[@beamslinger]

thank you for this, big fan of your work and im dead set on making animation my full time career :)

[@ajishehu502]

Well no matter how hard it gets animation will be my dre job

[@heyhoneybunny763]

Thanks you for this video, help me a lot !

[@6lbsofshrimp]

The thing I worry about moving to LA or California is yes I would be earning 30~ USD per hour but doesn't it cost an insane amount to live in even just an apartment? I'm hearing like 3000-4000. It just worries me that that 30 dollars an hour will end up feeling like 8 dollars an hour.

[@sunnysunshine8897]

That's why people get roomates. Share rent.

[@6lbsofshrimp]

@@sunnysunshine8897 I don't want to work a career in an industry and still have to need roommates. I'd like to earn enough to be living on my own.

[@sunnysunshine8897]

@@6lbsofshrimp Lol then good luck with that in Cali! Maybe you can try freelancing at home where you are, but I'm not sure how good that option is...

[@aniiinerd]

I’m only 13 and I only discovered my love for animation this year when for 13 years I hated art because my art teachers never helped me improve and gave their attention to my more naturally talented classmates. I’m now trying to learn how to animate and draw better by myself along with some KZbin tutorials I found, but I still constantly compare myself to other kids my age who sketch so much better than me. I constantly feel like I’m not going to make it into the industry because I can only do digital art, not real-life art, or cause I can’t draw realistic people or proportions yet, or cause even my friends don’t like my art style so I constantly punish myself for not being able to make anything better (I actually like my style but low self-esteem is a b*tch). Now when I watch my favorite animated shows, which are the reason why I want to be in the industry, so that I can tell stories that inspire future generations like they inspired me, I always feel like I won’t amount to that and I should give up. I’m now in this current state of being afraid to lift up my Apple Pen cause I don’t want to create something that would make me cringe, but I’m trying to get out of it by finally trying to design the characters I wrote for a little passion project I’m making, and I feel a bit better. However, the thing I’m worried about the most is if this is what I really want. For 13 years I wanted to be scientist or doctor or something that would make my family proud, but I’m giving up those aspirations to try and pursue this, but I don’t want to end up having made the wrong choice. I’m sorry that I ranted, KZbin’s just the only place I feel like I can talk about my doubts about my dream 😔

[@GoldenJoe101]

Doppleganger

[@aniiinerd]

@@GoldenJoe101 What?

[@Random-p4u9q]

I feel disappointed when there are people whose art is way better than mine but the only way to improve to continue and yea I too am terrible at anime body proportions let alone realistic ones except for eyes and noses. Tbh you are looking at the output and not the amount of work ppl put in their art . I feel satisfied with the work i put in even though my art may not be the best but I feel good becuz I have atleast done something.

[@Tommyknocker.]

​​​@@aniiinerd Doppelganger means "Clone" or "Same looking people". I guess it meant that this person is just like you. My advice, never compare your art to someone else, it makes it worse. Just keep drawing and looking for tutorials. I recommend being silent, but sometimes you'll need to hear the criticism. The animation industry is competitive as heck. And it mostly takes at least 10 years to get into it.. so be sure if you really want it or not.

[@philosophyfrog2653]

There's plenty of jobs in the creative industry because not a lot of people can do it but that is also why so many people fail, not because a lack of jobs or bad pay but because it's too difficult and requires too much practice and discipline and on top of that you need to be very broad and good at advertising yourself. So if you don't believe in yourself and lack the discipline and stubbornness to be able to compete with current industry standards then this is not for you. It is important to be clear about this because it can ruin your life. However if you feel like you check all those boxes then it will be the best career choice you could have ever made.

[@langstonj2476]

so helpful man, thank you! also, incredible work :)

[@cesaraguilar593]

I'm trying to be serious about this but God! I keep hearing "Tiddy animation" 🤣

[@spikey950]

Damn this video couldn't come at a better time. I wanna be an artist, but I'm getting a lot of crap from people picking more conventional jobs. I'm glad you could give me this info. One day I wanna give my characters life one day and make some badass animations.

[@moss5356]

I definitely enjoy animation, and I’m getting better at it. So I guess this wasn’t a mistake for me at least

[@DeejayGrafixx]

yaay we past 100k you need more subs keep up bro,all your videos are gold