jobs

Where To Find Games and Animation Jobs:

• Concept-Art-Jobs.com 
• The Creative Talent Network (CTN)
• The CreativeHeads.net Newsletter

 Recognition: conventions, portfolios personal projects, gathering a fan base. 

http://chrisoatley.com/animation-jobs-go-fast/ 

Chris ovately (a visual development artist for disney and owner of online art school) talks about responding to job openings within the gaming and animation industry:

Animation and gaming industry anounce job openings all the time.

he states "As soon as I started referring my friends for jobs in animation, I discovered an epidemic of artistic dilly-dallying that continues to drive me bonkers."

when referring to the time it takes for people to apply for jobs or to be prepared and motivated for a job, and states that because of this he does not know many people that have got the job that he has referred them too after applying for it (due to being to slow).

"We’re all aware of how insanely competitive this industry is If you’re applying for a job in animation or games and you want your portfolio to actually be considered YOU MUST GO FASTER!

…not two weeks.…not two days. 24 hours."

Submit a relevant, competitive portfolio (and resume, etc.) within 24 hours of a job posting.

meaning that i have to be prepared before the job becomes available, and potential;ly have work ready that i would be happy to send off before even looking for the job (before the job has been posted) so that when it is posted i can submit it straight away.

How to do this:

BEFORE Opportunity Knocks:

Ovately explains that a good thing to practise is to visit the links to the games & animation job resources in the next section and look through the PAST job postings as studios are structured. Those same jobs will become available again in the future.
Use the guidelines in those past job posts to create a relevant portfolio for specific jobs at studios whose creative sensibilities match your own. …and be specific. that way when a job opening does come up you are quickly prepared for it.


Motionographer

motionographer is a website that posts about upcoming events, news and new relevant works that could inspire my own work. It is a website i am currently checking up on every now and then and it also has a section that shows new relevant job openings in my area in the job search section of the website advertising what places are hiring. 

This is a good way to keep up to date with what is currently available and could increase my chances of getting hired or receiving an internship. 

example of motionographer current job openings advertisement:

CV http://bucksanimation.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/six-rules-for-good-cv.html :

its purpose is to summarise my education, life history and skills as clearly and concisely as possible, and to put the best possible gloss on your achievements.  Employers will expect one. Edit it regularly and update it.

Rule 1: Find a good CV that you like.and use it as a template, and adapt it. Don't try to re-invent the wheel. 

Rule 2: Keep it short.

No-one wants to read anything longer than 2 pages. Employers will probably scan your CV rather than actually read it, so keep it short and punchy.

Rule 3: Edit your CV for each job you apply for.

Just like your animation and visual effects demo reel, your CV should be directly relevant to the job you are applying for. Edit out anything that doesn't support your job application. Scout merit badges are not relevantfor visual effects work.

Rule 4: Add a personal statement at the front

Add a brief statement at the front, saying what your goals are. Again, keep it short.

Rule 5: Add a referee

At the bottom of your CV, add two references available upon request. These can be course tutors, or former employers - anyone who can vouch for you personally.

Rule 6: Always send in a cover letter.

CVs seldom travel alone. They are usually accompanied by a cover letter, addressed to your (hopefully) future employer, saying what the job is you are applying for and why you think you are suitable for it. Cover letters should short and to the point. Don't gush, grovel, or go on too long.

Demo Reel:

according to http://www.animationapprentice.org/blog/how-find-your-first-job-animation-industry.html#sthash.BMEgUqmF.dpuf 

it should be completely free of mistakes. Most studios get piles of unsolicited demo reels. The good news is - they will probably look at your reel. The bad news is - they will probably look at your reel for ten seconds or less. So you have, in effect, ten seconds to impress. If there are any errors in your work, they will notice, and they will assume one of two things: either you saw the mistake, but could not fix it, or, worse, you didn’t see the mistake. Either way, you’re in the bin. Remember - no mistakes.

demo reel examples:

Demo Reel 2010 from Jesper Lindborg on Vimeo.
one song to link all the pieces together and so it dons seem messy or disjointed, work flows one into the other shows clips of same piece of work in unsequenced order (to add suspense) e.g. the piece of work made showing the water bottle turning into a bunny, it show the bottle splashing into water, then showed other sections of work, then showed the water forming into the shape of the bunny.




Giant Ant's Summer 2012 Reel from Giant Ant on Vimeo.
Demo Reel 2012 from Brice Linane on Vimeo.

Nowadays it will be online at a website or blog. A great demo reel brings in work
Make a Website:

blogger and wix.com are free. 

(good website examples to refer too):

 http://www.3dfiggins.com/Resume/ 

http://jameswoodsportfolio.blogspot.co.uk