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Freelance Animators

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Freelance Animators

For those of you who are freelance animators or small independent studios, what are your strategies for getting clients?

Sharvonique Studios
www.sharvonique.com

Animated By Sharvonique Blog
http://sharvonique.animationblogspot.com

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Actually, I do a mix of freelance work for others and I develop my own animated concepts. However, I have been told by several companies in the past that they do not accept work of any kind unless they have requested it - including demo reels and portfolio work.

I guess it was my error to assume that this was the standard practice of most companies. I did not want to create an unprofessional reputation by submitting work to people who did not request it. But I've learned something new and I will put that knowledge into practice.

Thanks for the info!

Sharvonique Studios
www.sharvonique.com

Animated By Sharvonique Blog
http://sharvonique.animationblogspot.com

AWN Showcase Gallery

That seems odd (although I don't doubt your experiences). How do these studios find their staff if they don't accept even demo reels. Weird...

That seems odd (although I don't doubt your experiences). How do these studios find their staff if they don't accept even demo reels. Weird...

It is likely they take on people for colleges and from other companys.

I would think that they would know enough people through networking that they wouldn't have to search too hard to find them. Example: a cartoonist leaves, he or someone remaining on staff probably know thirty other people qualified for the job.

I would think getting a job like that would require really good timing, knowing someone, or a fantastic portfolio (like an award winning project).

It is likely they take on people for colleges and from other companys.

Based on what? You still have to see a demo reel at some point.

Based on what? You still have to see a demo reel at some point.

Well, at the end of the course you will have a demo real. I now that some campuses do a public viewing at the end of the semister of their students work. As for other companys, I do not know. I would think that they would let a person make a demo of their work, while they were with whomever.
I know that PIXAR hired a number of people form colleges for the production of "The Incredibles".

network...

network, network, network

That seems odd (although I don't doubt your experiences). How do these studios find their staff if they don't accept even demo reels. Weird...

They do accept demo reels, but ONLY after they've put out a call for them. Then it's a matter of timing to find out when they actually put the call out.

But some companies don't actually advertise their openings. Like SpaceGhost2K said, they prefer instead to network with their friends and colleagues to find someone to fill the position. They only post the openings publicly when they can't find anyone else.

There are a lot of jobs being filled by the friend of the plumber's sister who knows someone that did work for their boss' wife's brother-in-law who knows a guy across the street from his mom's house that knows how to animate! :p

Sharvonique Studios
www.sharvonique.com

Animated By Sharvonique Blog
http://sharvonique.animationblogspot.com

AWN Showcase Gallery

Live in Los Angeles or San Francisco where everyone is a freelance artist. Other than that, listen to DXV.

For those of you who are freelance animators or small independent studios, what are your strategies for getting clients?

Live in a studio-rich locale.

I've spent almost my entire 20+ year career in Vancouver BC. Networking really helps, of course. Doing one small job for one studio can lead to two, three more at another studio from another city, if they cannot take on all the work.
The usual sensible strategies are being nice, professional and trying to deliver a usable product on deadline.

If you have no clients, do something that gets you notice. get your work in the public eye, somehow. Do a cover for a free magazine, a poster, a store sign, murals. Do caricatures at parties.......teach drawing classes at local community centres or schools.

"We all grow older, we do not have to grow up"--Archie Goodwin ( 1937-1998)

This comment is from a newbie to the scene, as I have only been working for about 6 months now. It was my experience that you could send a demo reel at anytime...however, only certain times would certain companies actually take the time to look at them.

Networking is definitely the way to go. It seems many of us run in the same circles, and it can be quite cliquey.

Although I wouldn't advise this to everyone, I did the old fashioned "knocking on doors" routine to land my job. And smaller studios seem to be more receptive to this.

Live in Los Angeles or San Francisco

...or new york.

Actually, I'd think that it'd be easier to get noticed in and dominate a smaller market. Living in the Bay Area, I know it's hard to make an impression as an independant. However, if you're not adverse to being the big fish in a small pond, a smaller market (like the central valley) might be an enticing opportunity.

But then again, I'm in the Bay Area; what do I know? ;)

I got alot of my jobs by just sending samples to different places. For Flash animation, I haven't had a problem. With the way that's expanding, most people were glad to have another freelancer on board.
I live in the Boston area, and also do some onsite contract work. I'm also just a bus ride away from NY city for meetings.

Does anyone know any freelance artists interested in working with Japanese Anime studios (in Japan or from home)?

Thank you all for your comments! :)

Moving to New York or California is simply out of the question for me. I am trying to expand my business from where I already live.

Of course, networking is my bread and butter. I'm a member of several animation and film groups, I attend and submit work to animation festivals, and I even do some spec work. The problem that I am running into is trying to figure out how to expand my services to bigger clients, like other studios and networks. But without having to relocate to that area.

I haven't attempted to send samples to these companies because I thought it would be deemed as 'unsolicited material' and would be immediately thrown out. I was always under the impression that you don't send work to companies unless they've put out a call for it. However, if it's working for Sukie then I'll give it a shot.

And omnilord, I would be interested in working with Japanese anime studios, but from home. ;)

Sharvonique Studios
www.sharvonique.com

Animated By Sharvonique Blog
http://sharvonique.animationblogspot.com

AWN Showcase Gallery

Demo reels are not considered unsolicited material in the sense you mean. It's a demo. Unsolicited material is stuff someone's trying to get produced - a script, show concept, etc. That's not what you're trying to do, judging from your post.