Bring Character Animation Skills to Life
by Debbie Wilson
debbie.wilson@computeranimationsschoolreview.com
Computer Animations School Review Columnist
If the idea of character animation gets your heart racing, now might be the perfect time to enjoy a rewarding and fulfilling career. With the hot new craze of bringing members of the animal kingdom to life, people all over the world are becoming fanatical about character animation.
Character Animation Professionals
Character animators have the special knack of being able to marry their creatures to an eccentric voice, resulting in a hilarious, yet believable story plot. Take for example DreamWorks' newest animated film, Over the Hedge. With its backyard ecological comedy plot, fine slapstick humor, and clever character animation, it is a blockbuster hit that offers quality entertainment to both children and adults alike. Under the supervision of directors Tim Johnson and Karey Kirkpatrick, the character animation team is able to develop and fill the screen with lively and amusing animated characters. The characters: porcupines, possums, a squirrel, a skunk, and a chipmunk, all led by a tortoise, have the daunting task of trying to rediscover their food source after a housing development has overtaken their forest.
Join a Character Animation Team
Like Johnson and Kirkpatrick, you, too, can enjoy a highly rewarding career in character animation. And while there are no guarantees in the animation business, obtaining the proper training and skills is critical to your success. But don't wait until you have the optimum package and hardware to begin. Take courses to learn the concepts of 3D animation, computer graphics animation, and the ins-and-outs of producing models and demo reels. Then, get to work creating your character animation samples. Working as part of an animation team is a great way to supplement and complement your skills. For instance, if you are good at character animation, find someone who is good at music, sound effects, digital imaging, painting, etc. By building a little virtual character animation team, you'll not only be able to present a more finished and professional product, but you'll also learn other facets of the animation business, which can go a long way when looking to get your creations produced.
Finally, don't forget that companies like ILM, Disney, or Pixar are looking for the best. And while the animation business is one part talent and two parts luck, once you break into the character animation industry, you are over the biggest hump and looking forward to obtaining bigger and better job opportunities.
Sources
www.overthehedgemovie.com
www.animationcareer.com
About the Author
Debbie Wilson currently operates a lakeside resort. Her previous experience includes profitability consulting for a national health-care company.
Posted on June 23, 2006 at 05:57 PM
