A Guide for 3D Animation and Visual Effects Enthusiasts
I decided to write this page because I have been contacted by many budding artists who want to jump into the field of 3D animation and Visual Effects for Films or Games. I am in this industry since 2008 and I have learned a lot about the industry but still I would say my knowledge about how industry works may not be complete but to so far what I have known about the Animation and VFX industry is that it is for the people who are passionate of making films and not for those who want to get wealthy.
So my first point on this page is : Do not join this field if you want a good salary. This field is for those who keep a vision to create something out of their imagination by applying digital skills that one develops overtime. So yes now I will talk about the time(second point), which is very less in this field, in fact their is no time at all. A production coordinator may want a shot to be done ASAP, and he/she may even want you to sit and work overtime, this may or may not be what company may say or want from an employee, but this industry does have all types of people and all types of companies where artists work hard overtime. I have myself worked continuously for a week without going home. I remember I used eye drops to keep my eyes open. But those were the days when I started in this career. As you become more experienced these types of situations tends to become less occurring. It was then for me but now I am very happy to be a part of a great organization MPC where I get to leave office on time and even have weekends off. But that's also because I am not into being an artist anymore. Since I started my career as a programmer before taking a course in VFX from Canada, after having spent 3 years in VFX i have turned back to be a programmer as Pipeline Software Developer here. You can read my blog post on "hard work has paid off" if you want to read how it all happened. Now, heading towards the aim of this page's existence. Since I went to Canada to study Visual Effects from Vanarts and have even been working with Prime Focus as a start of my career, I most often get emails from aspirants about how to start in this career & where to study animation and VFX. Well, based on my experience I can say this is the only field that won't really look into your degrees, Every company in this industry is looking for a talented artist, so for a fresher they may want a good portfolio/ showreel and may even look for good communication skills. And TRULY SPEAKING you really do not have to join any Animation or VFX school or college like MAAC, Frameboxx, Lovely Professional University, Picasso, Whistling Woods, MDS, Lost Boys Learning, VANARTS or VFS. Read Animation Fraud in India on VFX Soldier [vfxsoldier.wordpress.com/2013/05/20/animation-fraud-in-india/] You really do not have to spend your money into going into any of institution to study animation or VFX, The greatest gift of the internet age is you can get all the lessons at home from many online companies that teaches 3d Animation and Visual Effects and a lot more. |
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3D animation learning resources:
- Video Tutorials
Google is your friend, you may even find more.
Online Discussion forums and groups
A discussion board (known also by various other names such as discussion group, discussion forum, message board, and online forum) is a general term for any online "bulletin board" where you can leave and expect to see responses to messages you have left. Or you can just read the board.
1. http://forums.cgsociety.org/index.php
2. http://area.autodesk.com/forum/
3. http://www.vfxtalk.com/forum.php
4. http://tech-artists.org/forum/forum.php
5. http://www.blender.org/forum/
How to take advantage of Discussion forums : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3xo1RipS-c
A discussion board (known also by various other names such as discussion group, discussion forum, message board, and online forum) is a general term for any online "bulletin board" where you can leave and expect to see responses to messages you have left. Or you can just read the board.
1. http://forums.cgsociety.org/index.php
2. http://area.autodesk.com/forum/
3. http://www.vfxtalk.com/forum.php
4. http://tech-artists.org/forum/forum.php
5. http://www.blender.org/forum/
How to take advantage of Discussion forums : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3xo1RipS-c
Various Profiles in the 3d and VFX industry:
3D Animator | 2D Animator | Riggers | 3D Modeler | Texture | Lighting | Compositing | Rotoscopy | Prep/Paint | Technical Artist | Software Developers | UI | Layout | etc.
(Rotoscopy in 2d Animation is/can be the first step based on skill for startup but tough and ugliest in most studios of India)
On forums and groups you can talk to people who are working in the industry anywhere in the world. I am also on few of the above mentioned forums but I am not active participant.
You live in digital age when you can make the most of internet. You might think internet is very slow but the price you pay to get good speed of internet is very less in comparison to fees you will pay at the schools or any institute. But if you find it hard to what people are saying in video tutorials then going to animation would be only option.
I hope the above reading helps you choosing for career in Animation and Visual Effect
3D Animator | 2D Animator | Riggers | 3D Modeler | Texture | Lighting | Compositing | Rotoscopy | Prep/Paint | Technical Artist | Software Developers | UI | Layout | etc.
(Rotoscopy in 2d Animation is/can be the first step based on skill for startup but tough and ugliest in most studios of India)
On forums and groups you can talk to people who are working in the industry anywhere in the world. I am also on few of the above mentioned forums but I am not active participant.
You live in digital age when you can make the most of internet. You might think internet is very slow but the price you pay to get good speed of internet is very less in comparison to fees you will pay at the schools or any institute. But if you find it hard to what people are saying in video tutorials then going to animation would be only option.
I hope the above reading helps you choosing for career in Animation and Visual Effect
Goodluck !!!
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