Animatronics Designer
How did you get into the industry?
''I first got into the industry 14 years ago. At the time I was an art director in an advertising agency and just felt that this was more appealing. And after 2 years of trying, I eventually struck gold and got a job in Jim Henson's creature shop.''
How did you arrange work experience?
''Training in Jim Henson's creature shop is pretty informal, as it is with most places for this sort of thing. You tend to learn on the job as you were and if you do well in one particular aspect then you get more work and continue to flourish as it were and go on. So there is no regiment training in the sense of the word. Just life experience, I suppose, the work, and the work place itself.''
What advice would you give to others seeking work experience?
''Yes, well, only persist. Don't be daunted if you get refused on your first try and just keep banging away at the door. You'll get your break sooner or later.''
Is there a skill you need or want to learn?
''I want to get into computer graphics. The computer side of things is not going away - so, if you can't beat them join them.''
Do you have to multi-skill, or do you work in one area?
''Multi-skilling is quite important, I think. The sort of industry that we work in does mean that you may find yourself doing various other parts of the jobs yourself- sometimes model making , painting, art finishing, maybe a little sculpting.''
How do you find out about available work?
''Finding work these days can be quite tough. You tend to rely on word of mouth and people you know. Unfortunately, there isn't a notice board where one can wander up and take one's choice. So, we tend to just rely on the contacts within the industry and buzzword - if you hear a new film is coming to town. So, it can be potluck but generally it's who you know.''
''I first got into the industry 14 years ago. At the time I was an art director in an advertising agency and just felt that this was more appealing. And after 2 years of trying, I eventually struck gold and got a job in Jim Henson's creature shop.''
How did you arrange work experience?
''Training in Jim Henson's creature shop is pretty informal, as it is with most places for this sort of thing. You tend to learn on the job as you were and if you do well in one particular aspect then you get more work and continue to flourish as it were and go on. So there is no regiment training in the sense of the word. Just life experience, I suppose, the work, and the work place itself.''
What advice would you give to others seeking work experience?
''Yes, well, only persist. Don't be daunted if you get refused on your first try and just keep banging away at the door. You'll get your break sooner or later.''
Is there a skill you need or want to learn?
''I want to get into computer graphics. The computer side of things is not going away - so, if you can't beat them join them.''
Do you have to multi-skill, or do you work in one area?
''Multi-skilling is quite important, I think. The sort of industry that we work in does mean that you may find yourself doing various other parts of the jobs yourself- sometimes model making , painting, art finishing, maybe a little sculpting.''
How do you find out about available work?
''Finding work these days can be quite tough. You tend to rely on word of mouth and people you know. Unfortunately, there isn't a notice board where one can wander up and take one's choice. So, we tend to just rely on the contacts within the industry and buzzword - if you hear a new film is coming to town. So, it can be potluck but generally it's who you know.''
