Re: Should I change careers to 3D animation?

Hi Trea,

Some pretty big effects houses with the very best 3-D artists have collapsed due to no work. Schools are turning out 3-D artists every day that are willing to work for practically nothing just to get started. They are hungry and $15 an hour looks great to them. A very good friend of mine is one of the best in the country and he is battling for work every day.

There are several very good schools here in Phoenix and I am involved with both of them to some extent. Some of the graduates are VERY talented and can't find any sort of work in today's depressed economy. One graduate worked for me for two years after graduating and he loved/hated working here. He needed the income and the experience but was trapped in the corporate world of production. He did some pretty awesome work for us and it's all on his demo reel. At this time, he is making every connection that he can and some are paying off. He does most of his work over the internet and, for the most part, has been lucky enough to have been paid.

I would suggest that you really take a look at the employment opportunities in this industry. First, create a website that showcases the work that you want to do. Put several demos together that show some compositing over a video image and some ground up creativity.

Start here. There is a place here on the COW to showcase your work.

As for Dave, ask the admissions office if you can have a contact list of their past student or at least graduates. (You won't get it) See where they've gone to work. How much do they make?

You may actually do better by hooking up with a few local production companies and you can find out what companies are willing to pay and if there is a demand for your skill set.

Note: I get about a dozen resumes each month from graduates and highly experienced graphics/3_D designers wanting to do what you want to do. I never hire them. Well, almost never.

Years ago, a guy called me on the phone from somewhere else in the country and asked if I would be interested in motion backgrounds that could be used behind text or as show bumpers. I saw a need and suggested that he create one as a sample. Long story short, he went on to create Digital Juice and we now own his entire library.

There is no real answer to your question because two people with the same skills will achieve different results based on their drive, determination and entrepreneurial skills.

Good luck.



Steve Wargo
Tempe, Arizona
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