Career Goals in the Animation Field

In a recent blog post by Will Finn, he gives a little insight on his personal animation career. Will shares his story of hopping from job to job and doing some freelance work on the side. What's interesting is that he doesn't put this in a bad light. The way he words it gives the reader the idea that this is okay, that it's okay not to take root in one singular job for too long. His story details his unique and under-told experiences in the world of a real animation career market. Not everyone will get a permanent spot on the Disney or Pixar animation team, and that's fine. Will was fine with the career that he set out for himself, a career that he says he has to be solely responsible for based on his reputation, ability, and preferences. If he fails, it is nobody's fault but his own. If he succeeds, it's because he worked for it. This is the way he is happy. This is his personal experience (which may not be right for everybody).

Even now, he still remembers the very important lessons that he learned in year one, "...I will never forget the things I learned in that fateful Year One, including this: 1. Never take a gig for granted. 2. Each job is not an end in and of itself: it’s a piece of something bigger: something called a career."

When I read the article title, I was concerned and confused. After reading it, I realize that the post wasn't to discourage the pursuit of an animation job, but an encouragement to make a career out of it and to have your own unique experience.

I learned that there are more ways to have a profession in animation than just a sit down, plant your roots kind of job. Some people are nomadic (in a way) and there is nothing wrong with that.

In many ways, I agree with what the article is saying, yet there are still parts with which I disagree. There is nothing wrong with having a job in animation if that is where you feel most comfortable/fit in best, but that is not the only possibility and an animator shouldn't be limited to any one choice.

Where are the best places to begin for either a job or a career?

Nobody should be limited to one option in the professional world. If you want a sit down job with one singular studio, that's fine, but you should also be given the opportunity to have a career with a bunch of different studios and do some freelance work if you feel up to it/are capable of doing so.