After reflecting on what I’ve enjoyed throughout this course and researching a few roles I’m interested in within the animation industry, I’ve realized that the path I’d like to pursue after graduation—at least initially—is to work as an animator.
Based on my research and understanding from the ScreenSkills’ Animation Industry Career Map, I’ve learned that in 2D animation— the medium I most enjoy and want to pursue after graduation—starting as a junior animator is the first step toward becoming an animator. This role, often referred to as an inbetweener or clean-up artist, involves filling in frames created by senior animators or adding the final ‘line’ to their drawing. I have some experience with this through a university project. While working on our LIAF project, I also assisted second-year students with their graduation film called Sea Silk. I contributed by doing some cleanup and coloring shots in Adobe Animate, which I found both challenging and rewarding. While my ultimate dream would be to work on animated feature films or animated series, I believe the most valuable step for me as a practitioner right now is to continue developing my skills and knowledge in a studio environment.
Having started this course with no background in animation, I decided to further my knowledge and develop my skills over the past summer. I spent time researching, taking online LinkedIn courses, and learning from renowned Disney animators like Dermot O’Connor and Aaron Blaise. I’ve come to realize that not only was being an animator my childhood dream, but it’s also the most fulfilling and exciting thing I’ve done—and something I’m eager to continue exploring.
Ultimately, I aspire to tell my own stories and create work I’m deeply passionate about. For now, though, my focus is on becoming the best animator I can be and learning from experienced professionals in the industry. I want to understand how they make creative decisions to enhance their storytelling and improve my own ability to do the same.
I came across an interview with Swedish animator Simone Giampaolo on the Zippy Frames website, which deeply inspired me to pursue the path I mentioned earlier. In the interview, he shared that he began his career as a junior animator and generalist at Blue Zoo Animation in London. Giampaolo explained that he didn’t join the studio—or the industry—with the goal of becoming a director. Instead, his primary motivation was to push his own story ideas forward, pitch concepts, and suggest his own creative visions. Blue Zoo fostered this drive through an inspiring program that allowed employees to pitch ideas for short films annually. In 2015, his idea was selected, and he was given the opportunity to direct a Christmas short. Over time, he directed three short films at Blue Zoo before moving on. He emphasized that being able to pitch ideas and collaborate with a team was a crucial step in his growth from a junior animator to a filmmaker and storyteller—precisely the journey I aspire to undertake. The chance to pitch ideas and turn them into reality, as he described, was transformative and made all the difference.
References:
https://www.cgspectrum.com/career-pathways/2d-animator
https://www.screenskills.com/job-profiles/browse/animation/production/animator-animation/
https://www.zippyframes.com/interviews/simone-giampaolo-interview