Animation Q&As
What's the job really like? And, how do you get in? Take a look at the following Q & As with people actually working in Animation.
In your own words, briefly describe your job.
''As co-owner of Aardman my role is to provide an overview and context for all the activity the studio undertakes. I also act as a sounding board for creative ideas alongside others, and in particular take a strong part in driving forward technical aspects.''
Founding Director, Aardman Animation, David Sproxton
''As co-owner and Creative Director, I steer and direct the company's creative direction in all forms - from TV commercials to feature films. I motivate the creative team, act as figurehead. From time to time I direct films - notably in the last year co-directing 'Chicken Run' with Nick Park.''
Founding Director, Aardman Animation, Peter Lord
''I direct a stopframe model animation series (Bob The Builder) and am involved in all aspects of the production - directing the voice over artists, cutting the dialogue with the editor, seeing the show through the studio with a crew of four animators then fine cutting the picture and dubbing and online editing it.''
Director, Sarah Ball
''I am a production runner for an animation studio which involves general delivering/collecting, domestic and organisational duties.''
Runner, Terry Bane
How did you get into the industry?
''How did I get into the industry... connections. Peter Lord, my business partner and I were at school together and spent a while messing around with a 16mm film camera. My father was a producer in the BBC and managed to show some of this work to a children's TV producer (Vision On) who commissioned some test work. We sold one of these sequences to him and continued to produce short animated films during our summer holidays whilst we were at college studying arts degrees (Geography and English). When we left our colleges we had a commission for further work from this producer and carried on being rather unfit for any other profession, or so it seemed to us.''
Founding Director, Aardman Animation, David Sproxton
''I got into the industry though lots of pestering! I did an animation degree then went on to the National Film and Television School. I started out model making and animating but carried on making my own films in my spare time and eventually got a break directing.''
Director, Sarah Ball
What training and/or education have you found most useful in progressing your career?
''I have no formal training in the craft I used to practice (Director of Photography) but my degree in Geography certainly helps me problem solve and see things from a wider viewpoint.''
Founding Director, Aardman Animation, David Sproxton
''As far as training goes, an HND and BA Hons in Animation at Glamorgan Centre for Art Design and Technology in Pontypridd is the best course I have come across. It teaches its students to a professional level of competence in most areas of the industry. It gets you ready for commercial animation, not just the artistic side of animation.''
Runner, Terry Bane
Are there any other points / reality checks you'd like to make?
''There are many opportunities in the industry at all levels, but fundamentally it's about telling stories in a strong and enrapturing way. That's the focus. If you can be part of the process and understand more than just the role you play then you will go a long way.''
Founding Director, Aardman Animation, David Sproxton
''The Runner's position is a great step into the industry and companies, as the right people get to know you as a person and this reflects in potential career opportunities.''
Runner, Terry Bane
What advice would you give to someone whose career needed a kick-start?
''Pursue excellence. Be flexible. Be aware of all media. Be intelligent, charming and hard working.''
Founding Director, Aardman Animation, Peter Lord
''My best advice is don't give up. Everyone wants to be in the industry (gawd knows why!) and there's serious talent out there. Take opportunities given to you and learn as much as you can. Don't get too hung up on technique or technicalities as these will change all the time but learn how to deal with people, how to be a team player and how to articulate clearly and concisely what you want and what you are trying to do. Assume you know nothing at the start.''
Founding Director, Aardman Animation, David Sproxton
''Give your all and believe in yourself! People always respect hard workers and eventually you'll get recognised.''
Director, Sarah Ball
What advice would you give to someone wanting to broaden the range of work they are getting?
''Some more advice - experience is much more important than money.''
Director, Sarah Ball
What impact will developments in New Media technology have on your career?
''People think that eventually all 3D animation will be done on computers and there won't be a need to use puppets but I think there's room for both. Model animation is still very much a craft-based industry with deep traditions and although computer animation is getting more and more impressive, you can't beat being able to pick a character up or walk round it on a set. There will probably come a time when we won't shoot animation on film, but we'll hold out till the bitter end as film is so much more forgiving!''
Director, Sarah Ball
What are you, as an employer, looking for?
''Send a showreel and/or portfolio. Something unique has to stand out and there are ways to express your creativity, even if you don't have much money. You're taking the viewer on a journey, so send documentation with the showreel, indicating its length, running order and your contribution. Showreels should show your best work to date and be no longer than 5 to 6 minutes. And say how long it took you to do the work - we need to know that people can deliver quality work on time. We're looking for basic skills - a walk cycle, a run cycle, as well as acting/miming ability. Take pride in your work and be professional: check that your work is actually on the tape - some people send in blank tapes, one even sent a recording of the previous night's Eastenders! We're not just looking for animators, we also need art directors, production designers, storyboard artists. Keep an open mind - once in the workplace you may find your strengths lie elsewhere. It's rare for a person to go straight from college to working on commercials and you need to have realistic expectations. There will be lots of knock backs, long hours and you have to start from the bottom. Do it for the passion, love and enthusiasm.''
Development Executive, Aardman Animation Ltd, Helen Brunsdon
How do you balance the demands of your professional life and your personal life?
''Balancing the demands of your personal and professional life is difficult! Work tends to take over and I have to remind myself there's a world out there! I'd recommend not taking work home with you (she says stuffing a load of scripts in her bag!)''
Director, Sarah Ball
What was the best career decision you ever took?
''There are so many small decisions that lead to a career but I guess, for us, taking on our first commercial was a stepping stone as making commercials has helped us fund so much of what we do. The other key decision was taking on Nick Park ("Chicken Run") who we found at the National Film and Television School where he was making his graduation film "Grand Day Out" around 1984 . Also staying in Bristol, as this kept overheads down and profits up, especially during the late 1980s.''
Founding Director, Aardman Animation, David Sproxton
In your own words, briefly describe your job.
''As co-owner of Aardman my role is to provide an overview and context for all the activity the studio undertakes. I also act as a sounding board for creative ideas alongside others, and in particular take a strong part in driving forward technical aspects.''
Founding Director, Aardman Animation, David Sproxton
''As co-owner and Creative Director, I steer and direct the company's creative direction in all forms - from TV commercials to feature films. I motivate the creative team, act as figurehead. From time to time I direct films - notably in the last year co-directing 'Chicken Run' with Nick Park.''
Founding Director, Aardman Animation, Peter Lord
''I direct a stopframe model animation series (Bob The Builder) and am involved in all aspects of the production - directing the voice over artists, cutting the dialogue with the editor, seeing the show through the studio with a crew of four animators then fine cutting the picture and dubbing and online editing it.''
Director, Sarah Ball
''I am a production runner for an animation studio which involves general delivering/collecting, domestic and organisational duties.''
Runner, Terry Bane
How did you get into the industry?
''How did I get into the industry... connections. Peter Lord, my business partner and I were at school together and spent a while messing around with a 16mm film camera. My father was a producer in the BBC and managed to show some of this work to a children's TV producer (Vision On) who commissioned some test work. We sold one of these sequences to him and continued to produce short animated films during our summer holidays whilst we were at college studying arts degrees (Geography and English). When we left our colleges we had a commission for further work from this producer and carried on being rather unfit for any other profession, or so it seemed to us.''
Founding Director, Aardman Animation, David Sproxton
''I got into the industry though lots of pestering! I did an animation degree then went on to the National Film and Television School. I started out model making and animating but carried on making my own films in my spare time and eventually got a break directing.''
Director, Sarah Ball
What training and/or education have you found most useful in progressing your career?
''I have no formal training in the craft I used to practice (Director of Photography) but my degree in Geography certainly helps me problem solve and see things from a wider viewpoint.''
Founding Director, Aardman Animation, David Sproxton
''As far as training goes, an HND and BA Hons in Animation at Glamorgan Centre for Art Design and Technology in Pontypridd is the best course I have come across. It teaches its students to a professional level of competence in most areas of the industry. It gets you ready for commercial animation, not just the artistic side of animation.''
Runner, Terry Bane
Are there any other points / reality checks you'd like to make?
''There are many opportunities in the industry at all levels, but fundamentally it's about telling stories in a strong and enrapturing way. That's the focus. If you can be part of the process and understand more than just the role you play then you will go a long way.''
Founding Director, Aardman Animation, David Sproxton
''The Runner's position is a great step into the industry and companies, as the right people get to know you as a person and this reflects in potential career opportunities.''
Runner, Terry Bane
What advice would you give to someone whose career needed a kick-start?
''Pursue excellence. Be flexible. Be aware of all media. Be intelligent, charming and hard working.''
Founding Director, Aardman Animation, Peter Lord
''My best advice is don't give up. Everyone wants to be in the industry (gawd knows why!) and there's serious talent out there. Take opportunities given to you and learn as much as you can. Don't get too hung up on technique or technicalities as these will change all the time but learn how to deal with people, how to be a team player and how to articulate clearly and concisely what you want and what you are trying to do. Assume you know nothing at the start.''
Founding Director, Aardman Animation, David Sproxton
''Give your all and believe in yourself! People always respect hard workers and eventually you'll get recognised.''
Director, Sarah Ball
What advice would you give to someone wanting to broaden the range of work they are getting?
''Some more advice - experience is much more important than money.''
Director, Sarah Ball
What impact will developments in New Media technology have on your career?
''People think that eventually all 3D animation will be done on computers and there won't be a need to use puppets but I think there's room for both. Model animation is still very much a craft-based industry with deep traditions and although computer animation is getting more and more impressive, you can't beat being able to pick a character up or walk round it on a set. There will probably come a time when we won't shoot animation on film, but we'll hold out till the bitter end as film is so much more forgiving!''
Director, Sarah Ball
What are you, as an employer, looking for?
''Send a showreel and/or portfolio. Something unique has to stand out and there are ways to express your creativity, even if you don't have much money. You're taking the viewer on a journey, so send documentation with the showreel, indicating its length, running order and your contribution. Showreels should show your best work to date and be no longer than 5 to 6 minutes. And say how long it took you to do the work - we need to know that people can deliver quality work on time. We're looking for basic skills - a walk cycle, a run cycle, as well as acting/miming ability. Take pride in your work and be professional: check that your work is actually on the tape - some people send in blank tapes, one even sent a recording of the previous night's Eastenders! We're not just looking for animators, we also need art directors, production designers, storyboard artists. Keep an open mind - once in the workplace you may find your strengths lie elsewhere. It's rare for a person to go straight from college to working on commercials and you need to have realistic expectations. There will be lots of knock backs, long hours and you have to start from the bottom. Do it for the passion, love and enthusiasm.''
Development Executive, Aardman Animation Ltd, Helen Brunsdon
How do you balance the demands of your professional life and your personal life?
''Balancing the demands of your personal and professional life is difficult! Work tends to take over and I have to remind myself there's a world out there! I'd recommend not taking work home with you (she says stuffing a load of scripts in her bag!)''
Director, Sarah Ball
What was the best career decision you ever took?
''There are so many small decisions that lead to a career but I guess, for us, taking on our first commercial was a stepping stone as making commercials has helped us fund so much of what we do. The other key decision was taking on Nick Park ("Chicken Run") who we found at the National Film and Television School where he was making his graduation film "Grand Day Out" around 1984 . Also staying in Bristol, as this kept overheads down and profits up, especially during the late 1980s.''
Founding Director, Aardman Animation, David Sproxton
