3D Animator - Career Advice - Information, Media and Telecommunications

Animator
Storyboard Artist

3D animators design and create visual effects using 3D modelling, character animation, textures, lighting, rigging, rendering and compositing. They work with a special digital 3D mesh that forms Future Growth Strong the shape of the character or object. They can apply fur, hair, textures or other effects to the mesh to produce a realistic result.

3D animators may work in industries such as filmmaking, game design,
television, online content development, advertising, education or government. In Australia, 3D animators mostly work in the metropolitan areas.

ANZSCO ID & Description: 232412: Plans, designs, develops, and prepares pictures and diagrams to communicate messages, clarify meaning, assist in presentations and illustrate stories, using traditional and digital media such as drawing, painting, drafting, collage, models, photography, and image capture and manipulation software.

Knowledge, skills and attributes

A 3D animator needs:

creative flair and a high level of drawing skills
strong spatial perception skills
enthusiasm for experimenting with different techniques
knowledge of digital image production techniques
high attention to detail, and strong problem solving abilities
good planning and organisation skills
to be able to work individually and as part of a team.
good communication skills

(Source: Charles Sturt University)

Duties and Tasks

Meeting with clients and key stakeholders, such as directors, actors, video game designers and other animators, to determine the scope of the work and project deadlines
Researching subjects to ensure accurate animated representations
Communicating with other designers to ensure a cohesive vision across the product
Storyboarding to develop scenes that require animation
Using software to create animated characters, scenes and graphics
Adjusting colors, lighting, shadows and textures to perfect lifelike appearances
Integrating client and stakeholder feedback into final designs
Develop 3D multimedia projects involving computer graphics.
Coordinate and create illustrations, scanning and photo retouching.
Use imagination, judgment, skill, and experience to design life-like animations.
Create 3D art animation assets for interactive productions.
Design brochures, logos, presentations, print ads as needed.
Cooperate with the production staffs to analyze and understand the 3D graphic requests.
Change and control colors, shadow, texture, light, etc to create life-like animations.
Develop animation composites and renders for interactive productions.
Manage and store 3D animation images and files.
Review technology upgrades to ensure compatibility with existing and future requirements.
Coordinate with different departments to develop and execute computer animation project. Maintain production studio.
Attend project team meetings.

Working conditions

3D animators work in an office environment in a design department or studio and may work on projects independently or with other team members. They may be required to work on more than one project at a time. Designing and developing an animation project is a lengthy process and animators may work long hours (evenings and on weekends) to meet deadlines.

Tools and technologies

3D animators use specially developed industry hardware and software to create 3D and motion-captured digital animations, moving images and graphics. They predominantly work with computer-generated imagery (CGI) production techniques along with storyboarding and prototyping software. They may also use traditional drawn animation or 2D digital animation, depending on the project requirements.

Education and training/entrance requirements

To become a 3D animator you usually need to complete a formal qualification in animation, digital design or a related area. The Diploma of Screen and Media (Animation and Games Design) and the Advanced Diploma of Animation are offered at TAFE colleges and other registered training organisations throughout Australia.

You can complete a degree majoring in animation, digital design, integrated design, games art and design or a related area.

Additionally, 3D animators should be versed in a variety of industry-standard applications, including Maya, MotionBuilder, Mudbox, FBX, 3ds Max, ZBrush, Premiere and After Effects. Experience with Cinema 4D may also be required by companies seeking animators with motion design skills. As technology evolves — and consumers increasingly rely on smartphones and tablets — animators with mobile skills will have a competitive edge.

Employment Opportunities

While technical savvy and an artistic eye are certainly critical to succeeding as a 3D animator, employers also want candidates to possess robust soft skills. These techniques are not job specific, but they show potential employers that you can interact with others effectively to produce exceptional work.

Valuable soft skills for 3D animators include time management, multitasking and the ability to write and speak well. In fact, excellent communication is a must.

Did You Know?

Animated advertisements have been integral to the development of Australian animation since its very beginning. Although we are currently celebrating the centenary [2015], there were actually a few smatterings of animation that occurred in Australia several years prior to 1915. This included animated advertisements screened in cinemas.
(Source: The Conversation - 26/6/2015)

An animator creates models or draws characters and objects in a sequence of different positions to give the illusion of movement. They synchronise lip movements with words, and actions with music Future Growth Strong and sound effects. Animators can use a range of traditional and digital techniques, including cell animation, claymation, motion graphics, rendering and morphing.

An animator produces multiple images called frames, which when sequenced together create an illusion of movement - this is known as animation. The images can be made up of digital or hand-drawn pictures, models or puppets. Animators use computer or stop-frame animation to create movement and personality. As an animator, your work could be used in animated films or television cartoons. It may also be used for advertisements, computer games, websites and music videos.

Computer-generated animation features strongly in motion pictures (to create special effects or an animated film in its own right), as well as in aspects of television, the internet and the computer games industry.

The basic skill of animation still relies heavily on artistic ability, but there is an increasing need for animators to be familiar with technical computer packages.

You could specialise in one of the following animation techniques:

2D hand-drawn or traditional
2D computer-generated
3D computer-generated imagery (CGI)
stop-frame, stop-motion or model animation.

Producing an animation involves many stages and processes. This can include generating ideas in the development stage to building models during production, and editing the final piece in post-production. Working on a smaller project might mean that you are involved with production more broadly. On large or long-running productions, you could be part of a team of animators and assistants working on one project for several weeks, months or even years.

ANZSCO ID & Description: 232412: Plans, designs and develops the production of digitally delivered information, promotional content, instructional material and entertainment through online and recorded digital media using static and animated information, text, pictures, video and sound to produce information and entertainment tailored to an intended audience and purpose.

Knowledge, skills and attributes

creativity and imagination
good drawing or modelling skills
patience and concentration
acting skills to bring characters to life
accuracy and attention to detail
the ability to take direction and ability to work with others
artistic talent and technical skills
a good eye for detail
communication and storytelling skills
networking skills and commitment to projects through previous work experience
an engagement with the industry from submitting work to festivals and competitions
the flexibility to switch between several projects at once.

A Day in the life of an animator
(Source: Balance Careers)

Disney and Pixar’s Soul | Official Trailer | Disney+
https://youtu.be/xOsLIiBStEs

How would you draw this character???

Duties and Tasks

Producing animation involves a number of stages including generating ideas, building models and rigging lighting.

Computer animation uses software known as CGI (computer-generated imagery).

Tasks typically involve:

liaising with clients and developing animation from their concepts
creating storyboards that depict the script and narrative
drawing in 2D to create sketches, artwork or illustrations
designing models, backgrounds, sets, characters, objects and the animation environment
using a range of materials, including modelling clay, plaster, oil paints, watercolours and acrylics
developing the timing and pace of the movements of a character or object during the sequence of images and ensuring they follow the soundtrack and audio requirements
using technical software packages, such as Flash, 3ds Max, Maya, LightWave, Softimage and Cinema 4D
building up accurate, detailed, frame-by-frame visuals
recording dialogue and working with editors to composite the various layers of animation (backgrounds, special effects, characters and graphics) in order to produce the finished piece
working to production deadlines and meeting clients' commercial requirements
working as part of a broader production team, which might include liaising with printers, copywriters, photographers, designers, account executives, website designers or marketing specialists
dealing with diverse business cultures, delivering presentations and finding funding.
Much of the work involves pitching and being proactive in selling your ideas and work to prospective customers and clients. This applies whether you're self-employed, working freelance or employed within a company.

Working conditions

For many projects you would usually work normal office hours, Monday to Friday, but you may sometimes need to work overtime and weekends to meet deadlines. Animation work can be based at an office or studio depending on your role and the type of animation.

Working as a freelance animator may give you the opportunity to work from home.

In stop-motion animation you may spend a lot of time on your feet adjusting models. In other types of animation, you would spend most of your time sitting at a computer or drawing board.

Education and training/entrance requirements

You can work as an animator without formal qualifications, but increasingly, entry to this occupation requires completion of a university degree.

You can also become an animator by completing a degree in animation, graphic design, digital media, new media design, fine arts, creative arts, visual arts or visual communication. To get into these courses you usually need to gain your senior secondary school certificate or equivalent, with English. Applicants may also be required to attend an interview and/or submit a portfolio of work.

Consumers will continue to demand more realistic video games, movie and television special effects, and three-dimensional movies. They will also demand newer computer hardware, which adds to the complexity of the games themselves. Video game studios will require additional multimedia artists and animators to meet this increased demand.

For animators, a portfolio should contain a variety of pieces that illustrate your range, like life drawings, scenes or original characters and locations. You should also include examples of different mediums — such as paintings, sketches, sculptures or computer graphics — to emphasize the breadth of your abilities.

Storyboard artists work within the film, television, advertising, or video game industries. Storyboard artists translate the script and the director’s vision into pictures. They produce a series of panels of images to plan the shots and ensure continuity between them. These form the basis for the animation in the next stage of production.

A storyboard artist creates graphic images that represent the sequence of events. This can be in a film, television show, commercial, or other video production. Directors and producers use storyboards to plan the creation of these productions, to understand the vision for the Future Growth Very Strong project, and depict scenes. Their primary responsibility is to create sequences of images that tell a story to help directors plan out and shoot a project. A storyboard artist creates images that represent the sequence of events in a production. They may also work with a scriptwriter to develop the storyboard. Storyboards help to communicate the Director’s vision to the crew, who reference them during filming.

Storyboard artists may be asked to complete partly-drawn panels and ensure they are in the right style for the animation project. Depending on the production, the storyboard panels might need to be cleaned up (in terms of the lines and sharpness of the image), so that the drawings are tighter and more accurate. If the panels are being sent overseas to be animated this is particularly important.

Storyboard artists might also need to fill in background details or they may be asked to revise scenes already drawn by senior artist. They may be required to work using various different types of software to prepare panels for editorial.

Intro to Storyboarding
https://youtu.be/RQsvhq28sOI

ANZSCO ID: 211499

Alternative names: Visualizer, Story Artist

Specialisations: Film, Television show, Commercial, or other Video productions

Knowledge, skills and attributes

Excellent drawing skills and be able to produce artwork in a range of styles
Knowledge of animation: be literate in animation with a good understanding of layout, composition, sequential drawing and editing as well as a strong understanding of framing
An understanding of cinematography, plot, and character development
Storytelling: be able to communicate a narrative well and able to visualise stories
Must work well with others and take direction from those in charge - this involves communicating with the director and writer, and with the art designer.
Learning by watching and asking: observe what’s happening in your department and company, take initiative, ask questions at appropriate times
Watching animations: have a passion for the medium and a love of the industry

Storyboard Artist
(Source: MyJobSearch)

Duties and Tasks

A storyboard artist helps set out the look, timings, camera angles, and points of view of the sequences. This is a crucial part of the pre-production process as it is the first time that the script is visualized. They must be able to interpret and accurately translate the vision of the director because their storyboards will be used by the rest of the crew and production as a guide for the production process.

Role & responsibilities of a storyboard artist in film and games:

Liaising with writers, animators, and directors regarding the look, style, and level of detail required for the storyboard of each production
Reading and interpreting scripts
Breaking down the script with the director to identify key scenes and plan them visually
Sequencing the scenes from a script into storyboard format using panels of images
Including special effects in the storyboard frames
Identifying lighting requirements and articulating circles of tension within each scene
Including key dialogue or scene directions within each frame
Briefing animators on key scenes within the storyboard
Amending storyboard scenes during the course of production

Working conditions

The hours and schedule of a storyboard artist can vary depending on the project they are working on. An artist working on a feature film will have very different hours than someone working on a television commercial. In general, though, storyboard artists work regular business hours, Monday through Friday.

Working as a storyboard artist can be stressful, like when deadlines are looming. Yet many artists find the creative process enjoyable and ways to cope with the stress. Storyboarding is an important part of the filmmaking process, and artists need to work well under pressure.

The common work day for a Storyboard Artist can be long and tiring. It often starts with the Storyboard Artist getting to the office and starting to work on their storyboards. They will often work on one storyboard at a time, but sometimes they will have to switch between many storyboards.

Tools and technologies

Artists create storyboards by hand or using computer software. The Storyboard Artist creates visual representations of different media. You should also be proficient in industry-standard software such as Adobe Photoshop and Storyboard Pro.

Using programme
(Source: MyJobSearch)

Tools and Software for a Storyboard Artist
https://youtu.be/nlyY5HQZxbI

Education and training/entrance requirements

Most Storyboard artists have completed formal training in art and design.

Storyboards are often created by teams of artists, so it’s a good idea to get used to working with others. There are many ways to get experience. Some include internships, working on independent projects, or even taking classes.

Once you have some experience, the next step is to start networking. Storyboard Artists often work with many creatives in the entertainment industry. Building relationships with these people is important so you can get your foot in the door. The final step is to keep learning and evolving as an artist.

Many Storyboard artists also have experience working in the animation industry. Storyboard artists in the advertising industry may also have a degree in graphic design or advertising.

Many storyboard artists begin their careers as animators or illustrators.

Most Storyboard artists have at least five years of experience working in the industry.

A Master’s degree in Storyboard Artist is the best way to further your career and increase your earning potential.

Employment Opportunities

Storyboarding is an essential part of filmmaking, and storyboard artists are in high demand in the industry. There are a variety of places where a storyboard artist can work.

Storyboard artists are often employed by:

Advertising agencies
Animation studios
Film and television production companies
Video game developers

Did You Know?

Who is the most famous storyboard artist?

David Russell is the most famous storyboard artist. He has worked on features like Pirates of the Caribbean and Star Wars.