Study Task 2 - Scan the Horizon

Where?

- Studio

I definitely don't want to freelance. I would like to find a job working for a studio or company. I don't want to move from place to place, I would much prefer to find somewhere for the long-term.

- Midlands

I would like to stay close to my family. Now that Covid and the subsequent lockdowns have changed the way in which animators are working, location may no longer be an issue, as remote working is currently the norm.

A possible route could be:

Rare Ltd

Industry: Media - Video Game Development

Most of the current jobs available are for senior and experienced staff, so I would have to look elsewhere for a route in. Such as, the annual internship they offer. To apply for this, I will need my CV, a cover letter, and a portfolio. I've missed the deadline for the 2021 scheme, so if I were to apply here, it would be for the 2022 scheme, and I would need to apply in December, assuming the timeline is the same. It would be a twelve month placement with a competitive salary.

Skills Needed:

- Competency in Maya, ZBrush, Photoshop and Illustrator

- Ability to collaborate

- Effective communication skills

- Passion for video games

Location: Twycross, Atherstone.

I could easily commute here, as it is only a twenty minute drive from my house. However, it does say on the website, that "Due to the global pandemic, the majority of our workforce is currently working from home.".

I looked through a list of animation studios in England to see where else I could apply. I would prefer to stay local, so areas such as Birmingham, Leicester, Coventry and Leamington Spa would all be within my reach. Potential other studios I could apply to include:

- Exient (Mobile Game Studio - Leamington Spa)

- Flix Interactive (Video Game Studio - Birmingham)

- Kwalee (Video Game Studio - Leamington Spa)

- Spark (Video Production - Birmingham)

- Pixel Toys (Video Game Studio - Leamington Spa)

- Ubisoft (Video Game Studio - Leamington Spa)

- Well Played Games (Video Game Studio - Leamington Spa)

I noticed however, that the majority of the studios near me specialised in video games, and required a knowledge of 3D animation, which isn't something I considered nor have experience in. If I did end up working at a gaming studio, the dream would be Rockstar Games however, there are no studios local to me, unless I continued living in Leeds.

Getting Noticed

I printed some business cards last year, with the intention of attending networking events. However, due to the circumstances, I haven't been able to use them. The icon on my card is the same for my Etsy and animation Instagram accounts. So, in order to potentially expand my follower count, I've been sending a card with my Etsy orders. When I make a website, I will stick to the same colour palette and layout so that there is a unity between my social media sites.

Focus and Goal?

- Producer

- Animator - 2D (key framing, clean-up, colour)

As I'm looking to become a 2D animator, I may need to look further afield as I'm currently struggling to find somewhere that I'm qualified for.