Guidance finding 3D Jobs – A Studio’s Perpective
by Riyaz on Nov.30, 2010, under 3D Animation Courses, 3D Animation Institutes, 3D Animation Jobs, Training Program
In this post, I’m going to discuss what you need to keep in mind while searching for 3D jobs.
I have interviewed hundred’s of freshers who are frustrated hunting and unable to get 3D jobs in a Studio like ours. I noticed many of these students are often misguided by their institutes.
I’m aware that many studios don’t reply to every student who applies and there is no reason given if a students reel is rejected. Through this post, I will share what a studio like ours looks for when hiring 3D Artists.
1. Experience
Experience is a must, no matter however good your reel is and no we don’t consider working in a architecture firm, freelance job, animation teacher or basically working anywhere alone without guidance as experience.
Having experience means that you can solve problems on your own and produce quality work that will be used without issues by the rest of the team.
I know its funny but you require ‘ experience for a job and a job for experience’. It does seem like there’s no solution but don’t lose heart because there is.
Solution 1 – Join our 3D Advanced Internship Program 
Sure this seems like a promotion of our program and of course it is but this is probably the best solution which will help you gain experience.
This is a project based program where I will make you work in our studio, on projects designed to challenge you and provide you guidance to complete those projects. At the end of this program you should be able to work on your own without my help and also have a new professionally made reel that showcases your talent.
Solution 2 – Try to get a job working for free in a studio
Unfortunately, this rarely works as its very expensive for a studio to train students without any guarantee that the student will be able to perform well after the training or even stay in the studio after training.
I have only heard of Rhythm & Hues having an free training program but they only train a limited number of students that they are interested in hiring, for which the students have to undergo interviews and tests and also have to sign contracts with them if selected.
Generalize not Specialize
Many animation institutes advise students the opposite but its just stupid advise according to me. I’ll explain why:
1. Smaller studios don’t hire specialists
By specializing, you are limiting your job opportunities to larger studios. Small studios usually hire generalists who can handle more than one task.
2. Specialists should be excellent and experienced at their work
Lets say for example two 3d artists come to me for a job. Lets name them Bob and Jack.
Bob is a fresher who is a modeling specialist, whose work seems to be decent as expected from a fresher. Jack on the other hand is also a fresher but can model as well as Bob but can also texture, light and do basic animation.
Its obvious that I’m naturally going to hire Jack because he’s gonna give me more bang of my buck.
3. Specialist get fired first
Yep, It’s a fact that’s well known in the industry. Let me give you another example:
Lets say XYZ Studios is working on an animation movie and hires 50 modelers, 15 riggers, 65 animators, 20 lighting artists and 15 render artists.
Here’s how their production would go:
Finish Modeling – Fire 40 Modelers and keep 10 modelers for minor corrections that will come up later.
Finish Rig Objects and Characters – Fire 10 Riggers
Finish Animations – Fire 50 Animators.
I think you get the picture by now.
A generalist on the other hand will just move from 1 department to another to wherever there is work.
4. Specialists stay where they are. Generalists become team Leaders and production heads
A team leader is someone who can knows all aspects of production and can supervise the same. (Sounds like a generalist )
Show Reel
It’s weird but I’ve had 3D artists come for interviews with just a resume and no reel and then there are some 3d artists whose reel consists of work that looks like it was done in 15 mins.
A reel is more important than your resume or certificates. Each project on your reel should take nothing less that 15-30 days. An experienced artist can take one look at your reel and make out how much experience you have and if you have potential or if your lying on your resume.
To improve your chances of getting into a studio, your reel should preferably contain work relevant to the studio. For example: Don’t send architectural renders to a film studio.
Spend time on your reel and preferably have get professional help from me through the internship program so that don’t waste months working on your new reel without proper guidance and land back at square one.
Interview
If your one of the lucky 3D artists to be called for an interview. Make sure you follow these basic but often forgotten rules
1. Be on time…In fact come a bit earlier to show that your eager
2. Carry your reel on multiple media like CD, Flash Drive and probably have a link online for backup
3. Don’t write that your an expert in a particular software. I’ve got 13 years of experience and I consider myself a beginner.
4. Avoid canceling or postponing your appointment. Understand that we probably have called many other artists whom we will interview in your absence.
5. Its my opinion that an artist should never discuss salary unless he is shortlisted or selected. I personally get a negative impression when artists quote their salary expectations on their resumes. For me that translates to ‘Will work for the highest bidder’.
5. Don’t get the job first time? Try to improve your reel with the advise given and re-apply again.
Job
So now you’ve finally managed to get a job but here are a few tips to ensure that it helps you taking your career forward.
1. Stay on the job for at least a year. Jumping from job to job does give us a bad impression.
2. If you are planning to move on to another job, then ensure you provide sufficient notice to your employer, maintain a cordial relations and provide his reference on your resume.
3. Never criticize your ex-employer during an interview. Remember that your ex-employer gave you a chance to be part of this industry and its very likely that one day the studio your applying too will also become your ex-employers.
About the Author:
Riyaz Gomes started out as an 3D artist working with Virtual Reality Interactive Technologies and has worked with international studios like Octoplus Entertainment and BlueMoon Studios as Lead Artist before becoming the Studio Director at Dimension-Z Studios.
At Dimension-Z Studios, Riyaz has supervised over 65 commercials, 4 channel promotions and 8 international games. He has been responsible for everything from hiring artists to managing projects, in-house training, upgrading in-house artist skills and provides one-on-one training with students, sharing 13 years of his experience teaching them the art of 3D.
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