This is a bit of a tangent, but have you read this article?

http://www.scottberkun.com/blog/2010/why-you-are-not-an-artist/

It’s an interesting take on art as a job vs. as a vocation.

That’s great that you have decided to pursue animation, and that you are doing pre-AM prep work. Your comp sci background will be a great help to you I’m sure. That’s an area of knowledge that I’m lacking in and I need to catch up a bit post AM.

As for the official AM networking events, they are mostly based in the US and the large CG conventions that happen here. Graduation, the job fairs, the annual bbq, Siggraph, GDC, CTN expo, etc…it all happens here in the states. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but since you are working right now at least you can factor that in to how much you need to save up for AM. From what I know about other international students, it seems like the most cost efficient way to take advantage of these opportunities and not go broke hopping back and forth across the ocean is to graduate during the summer term (preferably a year when Siggraph is in Los Angeles) and make a combination graduation/bbq/Siggraph trip.

Unofficially, there are lots of networking opportunities at AM that are student organized and you will be able to take advantage of without traveling too far. Mostly people find each other through the AM website but there are also Facebook groups, skype chats, and gamers groups on Steam and Xbox. If you can get to Annency or one of the other European cons you’ll be able to hang out with other AM students, even if the school isn’t hosting any particular event.

Anyone considering a commercial art career like animation needs to comprehend that economic reality. I know they wont’, but they should.

It’s a buyer’s market. It’s like acting; there are more people who want to do it than can ever possibly be hired.

First of all, this is a really great and helpful post for people planning to start AM.

I have one question though. You’ve mentioned Animation Mentor networking events. How many such events are there, how important are they, how much will ones animation skills and job opportunities suffer due to not attending them? Are there other things organized “in life”, not virtually that would require travel to US?

I’m asking this because I’m from Poland and traveling for such events would be a big financial problem, especially considering Polish salaries. Paying for AM is a pain on its own already.

Of course if I had the possibility to get an animation job in US I’d relocate without hesitation, but single events are a totally different story.

I have some time before I start AM, but it would be great to know these things upfront. For now I just started learning animation (I’ve graduated from Computer Science and I work in a bank right now, but I dream of a career change to character animation) on my own and am planning on building a solid base before starting, so that I’ll be able to make the most of the time at AM.

Cheers,
Chris

However I sympathize with your frustration at still being unemployed and you are not the only person who has written or spoken to me about AM this way, so I think I should respond.

It is true that the job prospects of AM grads are different than they were a few years ago. The economic crash/crisis/depression/recession turned out to be far worse and longer lasting than anyone (OK, most people) predicted it would be. I am sure that when the numbers are calculated next year, all animation schools will find that their placement numbers have nose dived and there was no way AM was going to be immune. It’s harder to get any job, much less a highly desirable one. In my area several small game studios have closed, ImageMovers Digital just closed, and Tippet laid off people at the end of it’s most recent project, throwing a bunch of experienced animators and tds into the local unemployment pool.

At the same time, enrollment in animation programs overall has risen- there are simply more people training to be animators. Around here, several local colleges have added an animation program or expanded the existing one in the last 2 years. AM graduates a bunch of new students every 6 months too and the program is harder than it was before. So us AM grads have to struggle in a job market less hospitable than we would have hoped. If you aren’t better than the other animators out there, or don’t have the connections, or you can’t relocate, etc…well that’s kind of just life no matter what school you had chosen to go to, and those other schools certainly aren’t cheaper.

If you feel that one reason you are having trouble finding a job is because AM’s Career Services isn’t giving you the support you need, then I have to ask- are you working with them? Do you let them know when you apply for a job? Do you attend networking events and check in to get the inside scoop on recruiters or other contacts that might be there before you do? Do you check in on the job sections of forums and try to stay in touch with your mentors and classmates?

Before AM I went to a 4 year university to study design. The Career Services department there was impossible to get in touch with, and completely geared towards non-creative jobs. It was utterly no help at all, and they never contacted me after graduation. AM’s Career Services have been light years more helpful and responsive.

Maybe you are doing everything you can and still getting no where. If so, I’m very sorry and I hope things start to work out for you soon and that eventually you feel that the time, money, and work you put into AM was worthwhile.