Wednesday, 21 April 2021
Wednesday, 7 April 2021
Exit Strategy
Exit Strategy
Moving toward finishing the BA course, I have considered what I need to do with the rest of my studies to achieve a good stand point at a step closer to the professional world.
The contacts I have collated come from a wide range of people. Some of which are high up in animation studios. Other follow an independent freelance path and others are clients I could potentially work with in the future. To be in a place where such contacts take me and my portfolio more seriously I need to complete certain activities which will be achieved by the end of the academic year.
- Portfolio development
My work and methods are already displayed frequently on my social media so people can stay up to date with my projects and how I go about making them. To broaden this idea and present only my best work, I must create a website which demonstrates my chosen field. This will consist of a my showreel, and branch off into my animated and illustrated content with a respected section for each. Through this, clients can narrow down what they need by looking at my work and decide which style suits them best. The website is currently in development with help of a partner who creates code for websites.
- CV
I have a CV made for past jobs, but updating the items in it and presenting it better is a priority. The CV must reflect my most up to date achievements in filmmaking and also represent my interests (I think it it important to show this so employers can have an idea of my energy when working with others). By doing Adobe InDesign tutorials, I am learning how best to format the different sections of my CV to make it chronological and current
-Invoice
Another InDesign venture requires me to make a consistent invoice template featuring elements like my logo to add a personalised feel when working with me.
-Showreel
Updates on my showreel must be made as my skills in animation have progressed over the year and I have more content to present. I will focus on the continuity of it, making 2 showreels if necessary to demonstrate different fields of talent for different clients. This will be on the website with logos everywhere necessary to further the concept of my brand.
This is my plan for the rest of the academic year. The 12 months after that will be spent at Leeds Arts completing the MA course, for which I have received a conditional offer. Next year, with many aspects of professional practice in place, I can focus on gathering more contacts for freelance work by continuing talking to the contacts I have and working with new connections made through my website, social media and LinkedIn. I have already begun to create concepts for my major project next year with ideas such as creating a concept for a TV show of the Epic poem The Odyssey, Homer. By considering such projects, I hope that by designing characters and backgrounds, I can pitch this idea to an animation studio. All work will steadily build up my portfolio for a professional presence come May next year.
Network
Link to my LinkedIn profile
Mike Wyeld - Sound design and multimodality
As Mike could be extremely beneficial in creative discussion, networking and possibly employment opportunities, it is important to maintain dialogue with him.
POW Food - potential client
While developing my profile, I have been pooling past work I have done (creative or otherwise). I have realised that even corporations I have done work in outside my professional file could be useful. I have worked in a number of kitchens. Within these establishments is always the opportunity to offer a hand in advertising. Therefore I have reached out to POW food, who I work with over holidays. This is a healthy dialogue with a potential client I am already in contact with and animation could be a way to expand their market/social media.
NICK LANDON - Producer
Nick travels over the globe on various advertising projects. I have worked with him before on concept art for organisations like BETWAY. He is a good contact in industry. Although his specialism isn't in animated content the scope of projects he works on would be useful to me as I can assist on pre production processes and animation if need be.
Jobs in game concept art on LinkedIn.
This games cooperation is recruiting character designers in 2D and 3D. These sorts of jobs appeal to me as it is in pre production. My ability to generate ideas for characters in accords to a set brief could be valuable as I have an adaptable style and enjoy designing aesthetics for created worlds.
Pre Production work
2 more job roles involving pre production processes like storyboarding up to motion design in animation. I have messaged James Dyer for insights into networking opportunities as this is the calibre of job I can see myself entering after graduation. As I have dabbled in all stages of the production, I feel that I could be useful in flexible ways for companies such as these, learning more about the processes on the job..
Shane - Custom Slipmats
My network has ranged beyond LinkedIn through the custom slipmats platform, which I am now an online vendor for. Talks with Shane have been widening possibilities. Where I was vending for 50% commission on clothes and animated Slipmats. I have been working with him to expand this and am now designing for him to make the animations more advanced. This is leading to boosted advertising, reaching a wider range of consumers, and getting me commissions for designs. The system is effective as I create commissions for around £50 if a client has a specific idea, but can then continue selling the designs in bulk without having to handle stock.
Delphino Productions
An employer I have worked with in the past. The manager is freelance and has advised me to network by attending events with professionals you are interested in. Being able to make yourself known is important as people can know what you are about. With the pandemic in mind, attending such events isn't a possibility but social media is a powerful tool to stay present to other professionals. Following individuals I like and engaging with them in any way I can will aid my practice and approach to working post graduation.
Helen Hughes - Framestore
I have attempted to make contact with Helen Hughes, who was my contact in the art department of Framestore. Before she has allowed me into confidential sectors of their building to look at how they approach pre production processes like concept art and colour schemes for unreleased feature films.
Tim Searle
Through the visiting professionals lectures, I got in contact with Tim who recommended ways of adding exposure to my films. By investing money into organisations like Film Freeway, I have the chance to reach wide audiences and feature in their festival.
Angus Paskin Orr
Angus is a producer of documentaries with themes of sports and music. A meeting with him last summer instructed me about my dissertation project and I have kept in touch because I believed he could provide me with networks I need in the professional world. First he advised me that filmmakers he works with would usually have a website and showreel. (I am currently working on getting these out there). He has also invited me to sit in on one of his documentary sets shortly after the submission date on 05/05. Here I can get a taste of how he conducts such interviews (on a film set with limited people) and has given me the chance to talk to other professionals like Glenn Kitson.
Glenn Kitson
Glenn Kitson makes film shorts mostly for advertising. Watching his shower featuring work for companies like Nike, I realised how diverse filmmakers can be as he has both live action and animated content. I look forward too speaking with him to gain more insights into professional practice.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)