Study Overseas

"Education First, Travel Next:
Tips From Some of the Pros in Women In Animation"

It's a hard time to ask animation professionals for 1an opinion of the current prospects for women entering the field, as the field is currently undergoing a sharp contraction at least in the United States. The economics of animation production have changed over the years, due to the proliferation of studios overseas, especially in East Asia. Cheaper trumps both better, as Network and studio budgets are squeezed by shrinking revenues. Ironically, Canadian studios, which have been looked on as the main competition to American shops, are also in trouble.

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Things are slightly better on the digital side, as computer animation is currently the Flavor Of The Month in the movie business as seen with the success of "Shrek," "Monsters, Inc." and "Harry Potter." The U.S. studios constantly look for gimmicks and formulas, often forgetting that those successful films are successful because they are good films. However, if you think that digital animation guarantees success, we invite you sit through "Final Fantasy."

Old-fashioned 2-D animation is currently in the doldrums. TV production is mostly going overseas, so less and less actual animation is being done in the United States. Pre-production and storyboard work is what you find here, and a number of animators have had to switch to storyboarding in order to find jobs. Animation is still alive on the Internet, but not as well as it used to be. Nobody has really cracked the problem of how to make money on the Web, so funding has dried up for a lot of artists.

So if we are going to give advice to that theoretical young woman who wants break into the business, we'd suggest that she consider all the options and specialties that exist in the field, and expect to travel. Animation is international, and most animators are migrant workers. It's is also a time to focus on the art as much as the industry of animation. Celebrate the artistic reasons for entering the field, rather than perceiving it as a way to make a fantastic living. A good living can be had, but the next generation of professionals should also appreciate the image of the romantic starving artist, learn money management skills, and be flexible.

What kind of education do successful animators usually have?

The most important thing for any student wanting to be an animator is to get an education as an artist first, that includes everything, get it all, history, painting, drawing, printmaking, photography and all the rest a real art education offers. Animation students should start with the real tools of art: pencils, paper, canvas, and most important the ability to "see," "observe", then "translate" life into images, film, dance, literature, storytelling, and theatre. Students should learn the computer programs as another tools to create, but shouldn't shortchange themselves by substituting computers for the hands-on art experience. A successful animator has all of the above skills plus a sense of humor, a sense of timing, and dedication. Remember you are an artist for life. Master that and animation will be easy.

What is it like to try to break into the animation industry?

A good portfolio is definitely the make-or-break of an artist getting into the animation field. One can graduate from the best school in the world, but if the proof isn't in the portfolio breaking in will be tough. On the other hand, a remarkable portfolio or short film will put an artist candidate in the running regardless of their alma mater. Students trying to break into production management should also consider obtaining an internship. If one gets an internship and really excels...a position might open up and then they'll be off and running.

Has animation traditionally been a male-dominated field? If so, how has that changed?

While in the past men have occupied the majority of artist positions, this is changing in the industry. In an attempt to engage more viewers by capturing another point of view, women are even being sought out. At some of the major studios and networks, women dominate the production management positions. Jean McCurdy ran Warner Bros. Animation during its most recent Golden Age; Betty Cohen helmed Cartoon Network during its rapid worldwide expansion; and the creative power behind Nick Jr. is a collection of very talented women. The examples in these roles are endless. Plus, we cannot forget that women were involved from the very beginning in the animation field. Although it was in the ink and paint arena, it definitely put women in a position to move up as soon as they were allowed to into areas like storyboarding and directing. Today there are fewer obstacles of the sort that women faced when we started our careers. Few art teachers today would tell female students, "You draw like a man." And women who apply to Disney and other major studios aren't automatically steered into the Ink and Paint department. As noted above, the dominance of post-adolescent males is tempered lately by the proliferation of female producers and executives. So, while it's a strange time to get into the field, in some ways it's the best time ever for women who want to do animation.

Why should potential students interested in animation careers come to the US to study?

The best schools in the U.S. focus on the art and industry of animation, priming students for what is needed in the mainstream world of animation. By coming to the production centers of Los Angeles and New York, students may also have the opportunity to visit or intern at studios and network with working professionals. Organizations like Women In Animation and ASIFA, as well as media resources, can help students connect with potential employers via industry events and job boards.

It should be noted that the European Union is strongly supporting animation and offering funds and incentives that are leading to a much more lively European production scene. Through events like the Cartoon Forum and Cartoon Movie, Europe is now a booming marketplace for animation. Before deciding that the U.S. is the "place" for animation, students may want to consider coming to the U.S. to study only with an eye for returning to the EU. Production in Europe has increased dramatically in the past five years, and is only growing. Currently, due to significant shifts in the way television production is financed in the U.S. our industry is in a time of flux and uncertainty. However, if digital production (CGI features) or effects are your passion then the marketplace is definitely strong. Still, even in this arena the U.S. no longer holds the corner on the market with strong British and French companies entering the field.

As we mentioned before, ours is a world market. By garnering international experience, via education and work, young women and men entering the marketplace will have an advantage. This is true for all professions, and is the basic foundation of a well-rounded person. If you feel animation calling, answer. But be prepared to speak many languages in order to translate your dreams into reality.

This article was written by Heather Kenyon, editor of AWN; Bonita Versh; Linda Miller and Jessie Nagel, Special Agent of Hype.

For additional information on Women In Animation, please visit the
organization's web site at http://wia.animationblogspot.com/