| Many who are curious about a job in the field are | | | | effects everything, and careers in animation are |
| not fully informed of what the outlook for a | | | | no exception. Aside from the obvious talents |
| contemporary animation position consists of, nor | | | | and passions, a career in a modern animation |
| the background needed to make an entrance into | | | | studio will require a number of associated skill sets |
| the business. | | | | and abilities. Both two and three dimensional, as |
| A career in animation will first and foremost | | | | well as special effects, animators need to be |
| require creative abilities. To complement an | | | | comfortable with current animation software, |
| individual’s personal passion and talents, an | | | | some of the most popular programs being Flash, |
| education in the arts and proper artistic training is | | | | Maya and Lightwave. Software is not the only |
| important to all aspects of a career in animation. | | | | tool a modern animator must be acclimated to; |
| The capacity to draw and compose images is a | | | | tablets in particular are a staple of every |
| necessity to clearly expressing the emotion of | | | | animation studio and, though simple to use, they |
| characters along side their larger physical actions, | | | | can be difficult to master. That said, they have |
| and understanding how to represent movement | | | | not replaced traditional equipment entirely, rather |
| will make a basic understanding of physics | | | | there is a melding of the old and new in |
| essential. Additionally, knowledge of presentation | | | | contemporary animation. Very often the |
| techniques from other forms of media, such as | | | | equipment used will depend on the particulars of |
| photography and live action film, would also prove | | | | the project. |
| invaluable in the creation of environment and | | | | Finally, it is important to keep in mind that, |
| character designs during preliminary planning of a | | | | although an animated piece usually appears to |
| project. | | | | have a smooth, coherent appearance and style, it |
| Animation is most commonly used as a vehicle | | | | is actually the product of a team of animators. |
| for telling a story, be it a short, a feature length | | | | Knowing how to work and communicate well with |
| film, or even an animated commercial. This | | | | others is as important in an animation career as |
| means that a career in animation also demands | | | | any other field. This means being able to follow |
| that an animator understand how to express a | | | | directions from clients and directors, and |
| narrative. Study of, or a background in, creative | | | | coordinating with fellow animators to achieve a |
| writing can be particularly useful in this regard | | | | polished end product. |
| towards the end of creating story boards and | | | | Any given day in an animator’s job requires |
| accurately matching the visual action to the | | | | the use of these skills in some way or the other; |
| directions of the script. | | | | for a flexible individual, able to multitask, it is a |
| The continuing march of technological evolution | | | | fascinating career to pursue. |