Does anyone have any stories on how they quit their boring 9 to 5 job and made the transition the industry? And/Or how they managed to get projects done while working around this schedule?
I remember I'd have to clock in at my 9-5 job sit in front of a computer all day long and work on tedious, mind numbing jobs. I'd sit and do the same thing day in and day out. Oh wait... thats what I do now as an animator! :P I'm kidding. Sorta. Being an animator isn't just goofing off all day and everyday. Sure it's fun, but it's a lot of hard, mind numbing work as well.
Aloha,
the Ape
—
...we must all face a choice, between what is right... and what is easy."
Well, working in the animation biz can be tedious, boring and frustrating, and a 9 to 9 job--at least.
It can be heart-breaking because the work you do can be rejected out of hand by your supervisor/director and you'll be forced to re-do the work to demand--and often under the same price. Doing the job twice means you get paid HALF ( and reduced again each time you have to correct something) and it takes twice as long.
You have to create work to standards set by the production, and you'll be compelled to adhere to those standards ( model, deadline etc) or be dumped.
Yes, when things go smoothly it can be enjoyable, but it can also be a gut-renching, soul-ripping nightmare if you are not prepared.
Now, as for doing both a stale 9-5 job and animation work at the same time, I'm going to invoke a little Anthony Robbins.
You can do it, if you set your focus on it and have the drive to succeed.
Not a lot of people can muster this--otherwise we'd have a LOT of successful people walking around. Physical and mental fatigue are real, ever-present issues, and managing work, and a secondary work goal AND a private/family life is a LOT on anyone's plate. Most folks do their run-of-the-mill and the schlep on home to veg in front of the TV until they have to turn in for the night. What you bring to your efforts, in terms of how you manage your life in respects of diet, exercise, finances, emotions etc will determine how much time it'll take to be successful at a secondary career.
I've managed teaching and freelance work at the same time and its hard to do. Its exhausting with just one job, but coming to the other with a fresh rested mind is a daunting task. I HATE doing double-duty like that and more often than not the work suffers and I land into trouble doing so.
Mind you, I've given up teaching so I can devote my efforts soley to freelancing so this is no longer a problem for me.
If you have the passion and drive, anything is possible. Thing is, in the practical world, those things suffer compromises from the swirling life around each of us. For some people giving up things like time with family or friends just isn't worth it.
But that's what you'd have to ask yourself.
—
"We all grow older, we do not have to grow up"--Archie Goodwin ( 1937-1998)
I'm not working professionally yet, but to the end of what Ape was just saying, the fun and the hard work are often the same thing. There's lots to do, and so much you have to be aware of and be good at to get anything accomplished, but there's great fulfillment and satisfaction when you realize either what you're working on is coming together, or that you're genuinely learning.
Does anyone have any stories on how they quit their boring 9 to 5 job and made the transition the industry? And/Or how they managed to get projects done while working around this schedule?
You might have to be willing to quit some of the stuff you ordinarily devote your free time to - whether it's watching TV, playing XBox, going to bars, or partying on the weekends - and spend that time learning the software and building a portfolio. If you give up all that other stuff, you could easily put another 40 hours a week into prepping for your job interviews.
But I'd say that since you haven't already figured that out, or figured it out but don't want to sacrifice your playtime, then you probably don't really have the interest or drive to become an animator.
I remember I'd have to clock in at my 9-5 job sit in front of a computer all day long and work on tedious, mind numbing jobs. I'd sit and do the same thing day in and day out. Oh wait... thats what I do now as an animator! :P I'm kidding. Sorta. Being an animator isn't just goofing off all day and everyday. Sure it's fun, but it's a lot of hard, mind numbing work as well.
Aloha,
the Ape
...we must all face a choice, between what is right... and what is easy."
Well, working in the animation biz can be tedious, boring and frustrating, and a 9 to 9 job--at least.
It can be heart-breaking because the work you do can be rejected out of hand by your supervisor/director and you'll be forced to re-do the work to demand--and often under the same price. Doing the job twice means you get paid HALF ( and reduced again each time you have to correct something) and it takes twice as long.
You have to create work to standards set by the production, and you'll be compelled to adhere to those standards ( model, deadline etc) or be dumped.
Yes, when things go smoothly it can be enjoyable, but it can also be a gut-renching, soul-ripping nightmare if you are not prepared.
Now, as for doing both a stale 9-5 job and animation work at the same time, I'm going to invoke a little Anthony Robbins.
You can do it, if you set your focus on it and have the drive to succeed.
Not a lot of people can muster this--otherwise we'd have a LOT of successful people walking around. Physical and mental fatigue are real, ever-present issues, and managing work, and a secondary work goal AND a private/family life is a LOT on anyone's plate. Most folks do their run-of-the-mill and the schlep on home to veg in front of the TV until they have to turn in for the night. What you bring to your efforts, in terms of how you manage your life in respects of diet, exercise, finances, emotions etc will determine how much time it'll take to be successful at a secondary career.
I've managed teaching and freelance work at the same time and its hard to do. Its exhausting with just one job, but coming to the other with a fresh rested mind is a daunting task. I HATE doing double-duty like that and more often than not the work suffers and I land into trouble doing so.
Mind you, I've given up teaching so I can devote my efforts soley to freelancing so this is no longer a problem for me.
If you have the passion and drive, anything is possible. Thing is, in the practical world, those things suffer compromises from the swirling life around each of us. For some people giving up things like time with family or friends just isn't worth it.
But that's what you'd have to ask yourself.
"We all grow older, we do not have to grow up"--Archie Goodwin ( 1937-1998)
I'm not working professionally yet, but to the end of what Ape was just saying, the fun and the hard work are often the same thing. There's lots to do, and so much you have to be aware of and be good at to get anything accomplished, but there's great fulfillment and satisfaction when you realize either what you're working on is coming together, or that you're genuinely learning.
You might have to be willing to quit some of the stuff you ordinarily devote your free time to - whether it's watching TV, playing XBox, going to bars, or partying on the weekends - and spend that time learning the software and building a portfolio. If you give up all that other stuff, you could easily put another 40 hours a week into prepping for your job interviews.
But I'd say that since you haven't already figured that out, or figured it out but don't want to sacrifice your playtime, then you probably don't really have the interest or drive to become an animator.
Thanks for replying fellas.