I don't usually post on here, but I was just thinking about something and I'd like to get the 2 cents of people on here. With the way the animation industry is currently, which I doubt I have to go into further detail about, the more jobs I apply for I find myself becoming increasingly more exhausted by corporate, professional language that, for some reason is "expected" in resumes; especially cover letters. I have heard from multiple people looking for jobs right now, that cover letters are really what drive them up the wall. I just applied for a role at Sony Pictures Animation as a production manager, a job that I would jump up for in a heartbeat, whatever the project was. It could be spiderverse babies for all I care. While writing the cover letter, I allowed myself the freedom to write it as I would speak, how would I actually talk to these people? How can I convey who I am through this letter? Because isn't that what we're supposed to be doing anyway? I feel this might set us apart, give us a voice that is different than the corporate diction that people seem, almost, socially obligated to upheld. Allow yourself the freedom of individuality, without the fear of sounding OH NO "unprofessional". and, with all due respect I haven't met one animator that wasn't sick in the head in some sort of way, so professionalism is a bit of a farce once we get inside the studio anyways.... Just some thoughts
Honestly, from personal experience working with some major animation studios as a freelancer & other media companies, it’s really all about networking with the staff of these studios so that they can remember who you are & showcasing a strong portfolio/reel through your body of work is much more important than randomly submitting your resume/cover letter to these companies. Mind you, these studios are receiving THOUSANDS of submissions per day so you really have to stand out in the crowd in order to get notice by these studios unless you keep in touch with either a recruiter, staff member or even an alumni who works for any studio. Also, don’t limit yourself with just animation studios. Research media companies in general that might need a similar style of art that you do. I can’t stress to you & many of my peers who are struggling to land a position how important networking is and I mean NETWORKING! For example, I got the GIPHY job from networking at a music event so you just never know who you might meet from networking events, even if it’s not animation related. Other than that, I tell all the young ones I currently mentor the same advice I’m giving you & one of my mentees is currently working at Dreamworks Animation 👍
Ah! You said this perfectly. 👏🏼✨
Communications, Marketing, and Multimedia Designer
10moThank you, Zoe! In the age of ai-assisted writing proliferated in mass, it really begs the question; who's voice do we actually want to hear? I find myself more resistant than ever to molding myself to suit an expectation in the workplace. If I am hired for my craft, it needs to be foremost understood than I am being hired for my vision, my experiences, and my voice as a package deal. That humanity is what gives the arts industry the vibrance, cultural impact, and staying power it has rightfully held for more than a century. As you say, professionalism is a filter, and it's the first one that melts away once genuine human connections are established. We ought to carry ourselves this way more often, rather than narrowing the lens through which we allow others to see us. It only further constricts our isolation and unmet need for authenticity. IT MAKES FOR BETTER ART AND STORYTELLING, TOO! 📣