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Break Into The Animation Industry

Lucas Ridley

4.8

Based on 155 ratings

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Lucas Ridley

Welcome to this course.

My name is Lucas Ridley and I've been a professional animator for 10 years working on major movies like Avengers: Infinity War, Ready Player One, Transformers: The Last Knight, and games like The Last of Us Part 2.

In this course, I will share my experience and knowledge about how I kickstarted my animation career and went from knowing nothing about animation to working at an Academy Award-winning studio and on blockbuster movies.

Welcome to this course.

This course is not an animation tutorial. It's career-focused strategies I learned by breaking into the industry myself. Most of this is not taught in school or textbooks. We will also hear from 7 other industry pros about their diverse experiences and backgrounds. I will speak openly and honestly so you can save time and energy by learning concepts I figured out the hard way.

By the end of the course, you will have a roadmap and understanding about what it takes to get into this competitive but rewarding industry.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

Strategies for kickstarting your animation career
Insider knowledge about the hiring process
What's expected on a demo reel

How to be successful at a studio
What qualities you need as an artist to be hired and in demand

Strategies for kickstarting your animation career
Insider knowledge about the hiring process
What's expected on a demo reel
How to be successful at a studio
What qualities you need as an artist to be hired and in demand

Syllabus

Course Lessons

Introduction

Your Animator's Journey

The Big Picture

Here's the website I mention: https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/

Download the pdf here to review the salary survey results. I breakdown my experience working internationally and the results in this YouTube video: https://youtu.be/Lt_6gdn1npY

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Features interviews with industry professionals, offering diverse perspectives and experiences that can help learners navigate their own career paths

Shares strategies for creating a demo reel, which is essential for showcasing skills and securing job opportunities in the animation industry

Explores the hiring process and what qualities studios seek in artists, providing valuable insider knowledge for job seekers

Includes a discussion of contracts and negotiations, which are important for animators to understand in order to protect their interests

Discusses the state of the animation industry, which may help learners understand current trends and future opportunities

Requires learners to consult external websites and videos for salary information, which may be inconvenient for some learners

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Create your own learning path. Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.

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Reviews summary

Guide to breaking into animation industry

According to students, this course offers a largely positive experience for those aiming to enter the animation industry. Learners praise the honest look and practical advice on navigating the professional landscape, highlighting the invaluable demo reel guidance and insightful expert interviews as standouts. The course benefits greatly from a credible instructor sharing their extensive experience. Students report receiving a clear roadmap and actionable steps for their career journey. It covers a broad range of topics beyond just making art. However, it's important to note that this course focuses on career strategies and is not animation tutorials teaching technical skills.

Focuses on career path, not skills.

"Crucially, this course is NOT about how to animate, but how to get a job animating. Be aware of that."

"If you already have animation skills but need career guidance, this is perfect. If you need technical training, look elsewhere."

"It clearly states it's career-focused, and it delivers on that promise, not on teaching software."

Covers many career aspects.

"The breadth of topics covered, from networking to contracts to pay, is impressive."

"Touched on so many different facets of the industry beyond just making art."

"A good overview of the different roles and paths available in animation."

Provides actionable steps and roadmap.

"I feel like I finally have a clear step-by-step plan on how to approach applying for jobs and networking."

"The course gave me a roadmap and actionable steps instead of just abstract ideas."

"Left the course feeling much more confident about the next steps in my career journey."

Advice from experienced professional.

"Lucas's own story and experience are shared so genuinely. His credibility makes the advice land."

"His passion for the industry and helping others break in really comes through."

"Appreciated Lucas's honesty and straightforward approach to tough topics like pay and contracts."

"It feels like getting advice from a mentor who's been through it all."

Helpful advice for portfolios.

"The two lessons on demo reels were invaluable. I finally understand what recruiters actually look for."

"Specific advice on tailoring my reel for different roles was a game changer."

"The breakdown of common demo reel mistakes was super helpful for refining my own."

Gives honest view of career.

"The candid look at the realities of the animation industry was exactly what I needed. Lucas doesn't sugarcoat anything."

"Got practical tips on navigating studio politics and day-to-day work that school never covered."

"Learning about the hiring process from someone who's been there saved me so much guesswork."

"I appreciated the frank discussion about the challenges as well as the rewards of working in this field."

Features valuable pro perspectives.

"Hearing from different people with diverse paths was incredibly inspiring and broadened my perspective."

"The interviews alone are worth the price of the course. So much insider knowledge shared."

"Loved hearing the different stories and challenges faced by other pros, it felt very real."

"Getting insights from multiple areas of the industry adds significant depth."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Break Into The Animation Industry with these activities:

The Animator's Survival Kit

Show steps

Reinforce fundamental animation principles to improve your demo reel and animation skills.

View Adventures in Animation: How I Learned Who I... on Amazon

Show steps

Read chapters on timing and spacing.
Practice applying these principles to simple animations.

Practice Basic Animation Principles

Show steps

Review and practice the 12 basic principles of animation to strengthen your foundational skills.

Show steps

Choose one principle to focus on.
Find examples of the principle in animated works.
Create a short animation demonstrating the principle.

Create a Short Animation Demo Reel Piece

Show steps

Develop a high-quality animation piece specifically tailored for your demo reel.

Show steps

Brainstorm ideas for a short animation.
Create a storyboard and animatic.
Animate the short, focusing on strong animation principles.
Polish the animation and add sound effects.

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Attend Animation Industry Events

Show steps

Connect with industry professionals and learn about job opportunities.

Show steps

Research animation events in your area.
Prepare a short introduction about yourself.
Attend the event and network with attendees.
Follow up with contacts after the event.

Analyze Demo Reels of Successful Animators

Show steps

Study successful demo reels to understand industry standards and expectations.

Show steps

Find demo reels of animators working in your desired field.
Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of each reel.
Identify common elements and best practices.
Document your findings and apply them to your own reel.

Acting for Animators

Show steps

Learn acting principles to improve character animation and storytelling.

View Acting for Animators on Amazon

Show steps

Read chapters on emotional expression.
Practice animating characters with different emotions.

Provide Feedback to Junior Animators

Show steps

Reinforce your knowledge by mentoring others and providing constructive criticism.

Show steps

Find junior animators seeking feedback.
Review their work and provide specific suggestions for improvement.
Explain the reasoning behind your feedback.

Career center

Learners who complete Break Into The Animation Industry will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Animator

An animator brings characters and objects to life through movement. This course can help you become an animator by providing a roadmap for breaking into the animation industry. It focuses on strategies to get hired, including what's expected on a demo reel, and what qualities you need as an artist to be in demand. The course also provides insights from industry professionals about their diverse experiences, which further helps you understand the animation field. You learn how to approach the competitive landscape, saving time and energy by learning concepts others figured out the hard way. This course is especially useful because it is career focused and not a tutorial.

See salaries and explore the career path for Animator

Character Animator

A character animator creates the movements and expressions of characters in animation. This course helps prepare you for this role by focusing on the career-focused strategies needed to break into the animation industry. It covers what's expected on a demo reel and what qualities are needed to be hired and in demand as a character animator. The course includes interviews with other industry professionals, providing diverse perspectives on how to succeed in this career. The course content can help you learn about how animation studios function and what they look for in character animators, helping you to tailor your approach.

See salaries and explore the career path for Character Animator

Effects Animator

An effects animator creates the animated visuals that represent things like fire, water, and explosions. This course helps an aspiring effects animator by detailing strategies for breaking into the competitive animation industry. It emphasizes what studios seek in a demo reel and what qualities make an artist in demand. The included interviews with professionals can help you learn about their experiences and diverse career paths. Since it is career-focused, this course is especially helpful in preparing for an animation position.

See salaries and explore the career path for Effects Animator

Animation Supervisor

An animation supervisor oversees the work of animators and ensures production quality. This course may be useful for someone who is, or wishes to become, an animation supervisor, as it provides career-focused strategies for breaking into the animation industry. The course emphasizes what is expected on a demo reel and what qualities are needed to be hired and in demand as an artist. The knowledge gleaned in the course about the insights of industry professionals should benefit a supervisor in understanding the various roles. The course may prove especially useful to someone wishing to advance in their career to become a supervisor.

See salaries and explore the career path for Animation Supervisor

Compositing Artist

A compositing artist combines various visual elements into a final shot for an animation. This course may be helpful for an aspiring compositing artist, as it provides career-focused strategies for breaking into the animation industry. The course includes insight into what studios expect on a demo reel, which is critical to demonstrating your skill set, and what qualities studios look for in potential hires. In addition, the course includes the experience of other industry professionals, from which you can learn important lessons.

See salaries and explore the career path for Compositing Artist

Motion Graphics Artist

A motion graphics artist creates animated graphics for a variety of media. This course may be useful for a motion graphics artist, as it provides actionable strategies for breaking into the animation industry. The course also includes insights from professionals in the industry and covers details such as what's expected on a demo reel and what qualities are needed to be hired. By learning about the experiences of others, you can gain valuable insights into how to position yourself for a role as a motion graphics artist. The course provides a roadmap for entry into a competitive though rewarding industry.

See salaries and explore the career path for Motion Graphics Artist

Layout Artist

A layout artist determines the camera angles and staging of scenes in animation. This course may be useful for a layout artist by providing insight into the animation industry. This course focuses on career-focused strategies for breaking into the industry including what studios look for in a demo reel and what qualities an artist should possess to be in demand. Learning from the experiences of professionals working in studios can help aspiring layout artists prepare for this competitive field. The course can help you understand what is expected on the job.

See salaries and explore the career path for Layout Artist

Storyboard Artist

A storyboard artist visualizes the narrative of a film or animation through drawings. This course may be useful if you are interested in becoming a storyboard artist since it emphasizes strategies for breaking into the animation industry. A deep understand of the industry will be useful in any role, including that of a storyboard artist. The course covers what's expected on a demo reel, which is important for any visual creative position, along with other qualities that studios seek. Hearing diverse perspectives from various industry professionals will help inform your own approach to breaking into this career.

See salaries and explore the career path for Storyboard Artist

Concept Artist

A concept artist creates visual designs for characters, environments, and props, which helps to guide production. This course may be helpful to someone hoping to become a concept artist, since it covers how to break into the animation industry. The course also covers the qualities that studios seek in artists. Since the course includes interviews from professionals with diverse backgrounds, it can offer different perspectives on how to approach a career as a concept artist. The course provides a roadmap to breaking into a competitive industry, which can help even an experienced concept artist get to the next level.

See salaries and explore the career path for Concept Artist

Rigging Artist

A rigging artist builds the skeletal structures that allow animated characters to move. This course may be useful for aspiring rigging artists since it provides key information about breaking into the animation industry. Even though it is not specific to rigging, it will provide insight into the industry as a whole. You can learn about what is expected on a demo reel, which will help you prepare your portfolio for a job as a rigging artist. The course also includes advice from industry professionals on what qualities studios are looking for in artists.

See salaries and explore the career path for Rigging Artist

Visual Development Artist

A visual development artist helps to define the overall look of an animation project. This course may be useful for an aspiring visual development artist by offering insights into breaking into the animation industry. It includes the experiences of industry professionals which will provide you with different perspectives from people who have worked at studios and on large projects. The course provides a roadmap and an understanding of what's needed to enter the animation industry, including what studios expect on a demo reel and what qualities they are looking for in artists.

See salaries and explore the career path for Visual Development Artist

Lighting Artist

A lighting artist creates the lighting and shading for animated scenes. This course may be useful for someone interested in becoming a lighting artist. While it is not specifically about lighting, it offers strategies for breaking into the animation industry. It also covers what studios expect on a demo reel, a key component in getting hired as a lighting artist. In addition, the course reviews the qualities studios seek when hiring animators. The professional insights from diverse animators are beneficial to anyone interested in a career in animation.

See salaries and explore the career path for Lighting Artist

3D Modeler

A 3D modeler creates the three-dimensional assets used in animation. This course may be helpful to someone seeking to become a 3D modeler because it details strategies for entering the animation industry. While it is not specific to modeling, this course provides insight into the industry as a whole, which is useful for any role. It covers what is expected on a demo reel as well as the qualities studios are looking for in an artist. The professional insights offered in this course provides valuable information about breaking into the industry.

See salaries and explore the career path for 3D Modeler

Technical Director

A technical director is responsible for the technical aspects of an animation project, including pipelines and tools. This course may be beneficial for a technical director as it offers strategic insights for entering the animation field. While not specifically addressing technical skills, the course provides a roadmap for navigating the industry and learning what is required for roles in animation studios. The course covers what is expected on a demo reel, as well as the qualities that are sought after by studios. Learning from industry professionals can help you understand studio dynamics and expectations as a technical director.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Director

Art Director

An art director oversees the visual style of an animation project. This course may be useful for those seeking to become an art director by providing a better perspective on the animation industry. While it doesn't focus on the creative process itself, the course provides a roadmap for breaking into this competitive but rewarding field. It covers what studios expect in a demo reel and what qualities they look for in artists. This information may be useful to someone on the path to becoming an art director. In addition, the interviews with professionals can provide a wealth of insight.

See salaries and explore the career path for Art Director

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Break Into The Animation Industry.

ADVENTURES IN ANIMATION

Save

Is considered the bible for animators, covering fundamental principles of animation. It provides a comprehensive guide to traditional animation techniques, timing, and spacing. Reading this book will give you a solid foundation in animation principles, which is essential for creating compelling demo reels and succeeding in the industry. It's a valuable reference tool for both beginners and experienced animators.

Adventures in Animation: How I Learned Who I...

Hardcover

Acting for Animators

Save

Focuses on the principles of acting and how they apply to animation. It teaches animators how to create believable and engaging characters through understanding emotions, body language, and performance. Reading this book will help you improve the acting in your animations, making them more compelling and memorable. It provides a unique perspective on animation that is often overlooked.

Acting for Animators

Paperback

Acting for Animators: 4th Edition

Paperback

Acting for Animators

Kindle Edition

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Rating

4.8

Effort

7 total hours

Via

Udemy

Instructor

Lucas Ridley

Language

English

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Features interviews with industry professionals, offering diverse perspectives and experiences that can help learners navigate their own career paths

Shares strategies for creating a demo reel, which is essential for showcasing skills and securing job opportunities in the animation industry

Explores the hiring process and what qualities studios seek in artists, providing valuable insider knowledge for job seekers

Includes a discussion of contracts and negotiations, which are important for animators to understand in order to protect their interests

Discusses the state of the animation industry, which may help learners understand current trends and future opportunities

Requires learners to consult external websites and videos for salary information, which may be inconvenient for some learners