Imagine Magazine - Johns Hopkins - November/December 2012 - (Page 41)

What computer animators do Combining artistic and technical skills, computer animators create the series of images that come to life in ﬁlms, video games, TV shows, and commercials. blUe skY stUDiOs/20tH centUrY fOX Where they work What changes have you seen in the animation industry since you’ve been working in it? there’s a lot more opportunity as Cg [computergenerated] animation is more widely used. it’s not like when Pixar did Toy Story and Cg was brand new and very few people did it. now it’s more accessible than ever. You can learn how to do it online, and there are studios popping up everywhere. work onscreen. foundation skills like these can only help. Most computer animators work for commercial studios, though the animation teams vary in size depending on the studio. Others work for companies specializing in scientiﬁc or forensic visualization. Education required What about personal qualities? Collaboration is really important in animation, so you need to be easy to get along with. this is a very, very small industry, so it’s easy to find out who is good to work with—and who isn’t. You also need a thick skin. You will get a lot more notes and corrections than accolades or “attaboys.” You have to be willing to accept feedback and not get too close to your work because it’s going to change. the director has final say, and you’re making his film, not yours. What skills do you think somebody needs to be successful as an animator? to this day, when people find out i’m an animator, they’ll say, “oh, so you do the drawings for the movie.” i don’t draw the images. i manipulate a digital puppet, a digital marionette. But still, being able to draw helps, so i would recommend taking figure drawing classes. it will help you understand the form and pose your character better. or if you’re into sculpture and you can sculpt the character, you will better understand the form and how the body connects. i took a lot of photography courses in college, and that helps me with composition and understanding visually how things Computer animators usually have formal art and technical training at the undergraduate or master’s level. Those working in medical or scientiﬁc visualization need relevant scientiﬁc coursework as well. Salary range is there anything else you’d like aspiring animators to know? animation is a relatively competitive field; however, if it’s something you really want to do and it’s something you’re willing to work hard for, you shouldn’t give up. it can take time to find your way to the job you want, but i am proof that if you want it bad enough, and you put in the time and effort, you can eventually get exactly where you want to be. blUe skY stUDiOs/20tH centUrY fOX The 2010 median salary in the video and ﬁlm industries was $66,190 (source: Bureau of Labor Statistics). Glassdoor. com shows salaries ranging from $80,000 to $100,000 at major studios. For more information Animation Magazine www.animationmagazine.net Animation Mentor Podcasts www.animationmentor.com/ resources/podcasts Animation World Network www.awn.com Blue Sky Studios http://blueskystudios.com www.cty.jhu.edu/imagine imagine 41 http://www.animationmagazine.net http://www.animationmentor.com/resources/podcasts http://www.animationmentor.com/resources/podcasts http://www.awn.com http://www.blueskystudios.com http://www.cty.jhu.edu/imagine

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Imagine Magazine - Johns Hopkins - November/December 2012

Imagine Magazine - Johns Hopkins - November/december 2012
Contents
Big Picture
In My Own Words
Well of Dreams
Making History Personal
A World Full of Stories
The Month of Writing Dangerously
Japan Adventures
Storytelling 2.0
On the Frontline of Digital Journalism
Once Upon a Summer
Awakening the Storyteller
Selected Opportunities & Resources
On the Doorstep of Discovery
When You’re Ready to Do Research
Off the Shelf
Word Wise
Exploring Career Options
One Step Ahead
Planning Ahead for College
Students Review
Mark Your Calendar
Knossos Games

Imagine Magazine - Johns Hopkins - November/December 2012