Animation and Visual Effects Jobs

Pursue a career in the growing field of visual effects and animation
By Sharon Cullars, Freelance Writer Animation and visual effects employment is a very competitive field, but if you have the requisite talent and skills, you can find a very rewarding career as an animator. Animation jobs are available in many industries, ranging from film and television to even medical imaging. The booming area of video games offers many visual effects jobs as well.

So, where do you find these jobs? Peruse the various boards and websites that list creative jobs; that's a start. Here are some facts you should know about employment in animation:

1. Many schools offer affordable programs to prepare you for animation and visual effects jobs.
2. Find animation jobs -- including specialized jobs in character animation, storyboarding and 3D modeling -- on creative job boards.
3. Participating in an internship is a good way to pursue a career in visual effects.

Peruse the many creative boards and websites that list animation and visual effects jobs

Specialized job boards are the best sources to find work in the animation and visual effects field. You will see listings for storyboard artists, graphics designers, production assistants and other positions. Some websites let you create an online profile in addition to providing members with selective job listings.
Try:  Online sites such as Motionographer and Creativeheads provide up-to-date listings of animation and visual effects jobs available around the country, while Animation World Network's Animation Industry Database is a resource where you can find various animation and visual effects communities as well as a list of visual effects companies around the globe.

Find an internship position that will get you started in your animation career

Yes, the main studios like Walt Disney Animation and Pixar offer internships, but you can imagine how competitive they are. Realistically, a smaller studio would be a better fit and offers you an opportunity to become more than just a cog in the machine. Not to say you shouldn't reach for the ultimate, but realize your chances for an internship get marginally smaller the bigger the studio.
Try:  Walt Disney Animation Studios offers internships and associate programs to learn the various areas of the animation industry, both creative and technical. Pixar Studios provides an FAQ's page that answers questions about its internship program. Entertainment Internships lets you instantly access 4,000 internships in the entertainment field, including animation and visual effects. Get that Gig also provides listings for animation internships.

Look for job sites and jobs that differentiate between animation and visual effects

VFX jobs and jobs that are strictly for animators can differ tremendously in terms of the companies that offer these jobs, as well as the duties and pay associated.
Try:  VFXTalk.com lists jobs for visual effects specialists and 3D visualization artists. Look to Simply Hired for jobs that are primarily for animators.

• SIGGRAPH's annual convention provides a great networking opportunity for those interested in visual effects careers. It also showcases the largest display of computer and animation technologies.