Becoming an Animator

The following article outlines the job duties, training involved and future prospects of taking on a career as an Animator.

Preview:

Animation is a specialized form of cartoon drawing. It is a branch of commercial art. Animators are illustrators who produce a series of very detailed pictures representing characters for a movie or even a film. Also, animators make 3-D models of characters from various types of materials.

The job:

Animations are made from a series of drawings, often a huge number for just one film. These drawings are then photographed and then projected at high speed to give the impression that the drawn characters are moving. Each frame has to be matched to a different body, base, and that movement and each drawing is different in only very small detail from the one that precedes it. These drawings are made on paper or acetate sheets using all types of different art materials.

Some animators are involved in making models, these types of animators first make sketches and designs before creating the model itself. A model for a film animation may vary greatly in size. The animator works with a variety of materials, including plasticine, modeling clay, dental wax, beeswax, and sometimes wire. Animators may or may not design the actual set in which the models are seen to perform within.

The hours of work are the regular and can be very long, especially when the filming session is taking place and the animator may have to make adjustments to the characters. Even when the animator is not involved in the filming process, animators may have to work under pressure to meet deadlines.

Animators, most of whom are self-employed or are independent contractors, may work for long periods alone in their studio or home. Animators have to work with other people attending meetings to discuss ideas and budgets and working in a team with camera operators directors or even Internet website owners.

Animation is simply commercial art. Whenever the client wants is really what counts. Animators must be prepared to have their ideas rejected, criticize, or modified.

Art school training is definitely very useful, at least in order to learn how to become an illustrator and cartoonist. This training may be acquired by attending a graphical design or illustration design school or taking part in these types of courses that specialize in film, cartoon, or web design work. Some people manage to master the art of animation without any type of formal training at all, however if you are not one of the very few of these types of individuals, then go into a graphical design school is probably a good idea. These courses may be at degree level or in some other countries, a diploma. These courses are held in universities, colleges, art schools, film schools, and Internet-based schools.

Future prospects:

Some animators are employed by the film studios or by animation companies, but many more are freelance. They often begin by submitting individual pieces of work to likely buyers or visit film, or Internet, directors with portfolios containing their best work. At first, animators and a half to accept smaller fees then they would prefer. When their work becomes more well known they can then demand more.

Success for salary and self-employed animators depends really on how much of the audience likes their work. Reputation is very important in this business and the animator is only as good as the last piece of work. Employing animators have the possibility of becoming film directors, off-line or online.

For further information contact the appropriate professional associations, such as those specializing in illustrators, cartoonists, or graphical design.