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.