#05 Animation - 10 Things To Never Say To Animators
So I've actually done '10 things about Animators' in my long long time ago in a far away post. I've decided I haven't been actually talking much about animation. So I've compiled a list of
10 Things To Never Say To Animators
1. You'll Get Great Exposure
Basically, you are asking animators to do something for free using their skills that they trained and are trying to make a living at. You can't pay bills, groceries, rent with exposure and the animation process is a time consuming one. Wasted time that could be used earning money. That being said, I do help friends do some simple designs on Steemit. :) Just talk to me nicely on discord & see where we go from there. But I do like getting paid. I mean who doesn't.
2. It Doesn't Need To Be That Good
Actually, it is up to the animators. For me personally, I take pride in my work. Any work I do is my passion and pride. And I wouldn't be proud to put something I myself don't think is worth out there. Most of the time when the client says 'It doesn't need to be that good', they will probably still have a bunch of things to say about the work.
3. I've not seen your work anywhere
OUCH!!! There is definitely a better way to ask about the work he/she is doing. A lot of us animators do dream of hitting it big time. I mean...who doesn't. Name in the credits, big time Hollywood movies, fame and fortune. Not all of us are taking photos for National Geography or work for famous studios for famous people. And being reminded that our work isn't seen is pretty sad for us who spent so much time painting, sculpting and animating.
4. Can You Give Me A Discount Since We're Friends
Unless it was offered, the answer is NO. And you should never ask.
Well, can you pay more since we're friends?
5. I Know It's Last Minute, But Can You
Animations, videos, designs, anything that is of these forms takes TIME to produce. Time needed to create, plan and execute everything and to troubleshoot problems all takes time.
Fun Fact : A 3 second clip (25 fps) in a Hollywood animation movie takes a week to be done if you're working in Pixar.
6. Why don't you get a job at Disney or Pixar?
Believe me, I've heard this countless times when people approach me and after hearing my career starts telling me where I should go and get a job.
'Hey bro, why don't you go Singapore?'
'Hey bro, why don't you go US?'
'Hey bro, I heard Australia is a good place for the animation industry'
'Hey bro.....BRO UR HEAD'
If it was sooo dam simple, I would already be working there. And a lot of times, I would constantly update myself on my industry growth/news etc etc.
7. Just make a short film and you'll be famous if it goes viral! Shouldn't take you long
Yea... just take a look at all the names in the credits. Heck, you don't even have to see a movie's credits. Just a short film by Pixar will do. There is NO WAY an animator working alone can achieve a high quality animation in 1 week. And that's just animating. We have lighting, compositing, rendering, texturing, modeling, storyboarding, layout, concept art and the list goes on.
8. Oh wow, your animation lacks originality
I do appreciate people coming up to me to critique my work, but so far they've been all nice and thankfully using the right words. Sometimes we animators spend countless nights just grinding up an idea and finally being able to bring it to life just to hear that our ideas 'lack originality'.
'Oh, I've seen this somewhere' would pinch at my heart when I genuinely came out with the idea myself.
There's always a better way around this.
9. Can't you do it like Pixar?
Stop with the PIXAR already... If I am at that level, I would already be in Pixar. Many times, people do not know what are the system/software/mechanism to create certain effects that you see in movies. So NO, I can't do it like PIXAR.
10. Oh wow! Your job is really cool!!
Keep it coming! This is all we need to keep us going.
And payment of course.
Bonus Nuggets
I have done many international cartoon series and I would like to share with you the projects I've worked for.
Disney Junior's DocMcstuffins
Toei Animation - Miraculous Ladybug
Geomecha
GIFs taken from www.giphy.com
Thank You
If you like what I do, don't forget to check out my other posts on my artworks, photography & animations.
I'm also open for
Personalized Steemit Profile Banner,logos & GIFs
DM me on discord : zord189#7776
Credits to @pinstory & @coloringiship for this lovely photo of me.
Writers and artists of all kinds get these kinds of requests ... constantly. It's like people think because it's easy for us (because they sure can't do it!!), we won't mind the imposition -- usually for free. Or they think that because we enjoy our work that we'll be happy to squeeze it into an already busy schedule "as a favor."
I could translate all your examples over into the writing work I do and see my own history reflected there. (When I took up a recent curation project for a group, I was told "it will only take about 15 - 20 minutes a day." In fact, I spend between 4 and 6 HOURS a day putting it together because I take real pride in anything that carries my name.)
Counselors and website owners get this kind of attitude from people, too -- especially when it comes to payment. After all, counselors are only "giving advice" ... and website owners are thought to be so vain and hungry for attention that just getting visitors to click on their site makes their day.
The truth is, we have bills to pay and families to support and other obligations and interests that comprise a fulfilling life ... and that's a big part of why we do what we do. If it's not worth it to you to help us in that effort, it's certainly not worth it to us to make room for you and give other accommodations to fit your "budget."
Not only that, but the ones you do a favor for will be the very ones who turn out to give you the most trouble. If you can learn this early in your career as a writer, an artist, a musician or a counselor ... you'll save yourself boatloads of grief in the future.
@zord189 this was one of the best posts I've read in a long, long time -- and I read a lot of them. Your humor was charming, your honesty refreshing ... and, sweet child, I feel your pain!!!
OMG! So much truth in everything u said here. I really agree on
That's what they always say ey?
I believe as writers and artists, through experiences and trainings, the skills are already there. With these skills, we are able to do things fast and efficiently, that is why the results we produce in 30 mins is far diff from those who aren't in this field. Not because it is easy to being with...
We'll just have to watch each other's back from now on. :)
Great work my dude. It's been awesome having you as part of the group, and I genuinely appreciate your talent! Never quit!
Thank you @unmentionable :)
It usually happens with all type of artist, not only with animators. There are some people, their job is to pinch people. They don't care about the effort of the person. Each and every word reflects, what people usually say in daily life.
That's true! A lot of artists in general faces these sort of things daily. The most undervalued job!
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Thank you@enchantedspirit! :)
You're very welcome. Thank you for being part of the Steemit community and for the exceptional work you turn out consistently. We always enjoy seeing your latest projects.
From personal experience:
"But I saw you do that in 15 minutes!"
No, you didn't. I spent nearly 300 hours on this presentation so that I wouldn't waste your time.
"Can you do it for 20 bucks?"
You see that idea I wrote? That's 20 bucks worth. What you want is worth way, way more.
And on and on.
Trust me, I'm a doctor.
Haha, urgh... countless times... countless times.
@zublizainordin says @zord189
#zublizainordin
#teammalaysia
Artists from all spheres are probably .... no not probably.... DEFINITELY, the most UNDERVALUED individuals on planet earth! NOBODY except the artists themselves will EVER appreciate the time, effort and hours that often go into the simplest things.
I stopped doing "freebees" a VERY long time ago. Time is money my friend!
One of my favourites in my specific field is:
"Why does it cost so much, surely it can't be THAT difficult."
Well, actually, no, it isn't very difficult (not for me anyway lol) but do you know how to do it?
"No I don't"
"Well, then shut your trap and pay me!"
Haha! The only reason I can do it fast because of years of experience. Like you said, it may seem simple, but the work behind it still needs time.
Agreed... and that warrants lots of muchachos lol
Great post from you @zord189 deserve appreciations..
A great post @zord189
Thank you :)
Welcome