How to Succeed in 3D Animation and VFX for Film
If you've been wondering on how to succeed in 3D Animation & VFX for Film, this is your chance to discover if you have those traits often found in the VFX artists who help create award-winning films and are employed by the industry's top studios.
Grit
For some people, passion is like an unquenchable thirst. You have your mind set on the end goal, you’ll do whatever it takes to get there.
You’ll see through everything to the end, even the short-term goals you’ve set for yourself to get to where you want.
You may not be completely sure how long it will take, as it could take many years to reach to your destination. The person with grit knows this well and isn’t disillusioned that the end goal is owed to them, because it is not a matter if you deserve it. It is a question of if you’ve earned it.
The people with grit are the ones who see a project through to the end, no matter how many times the team has failed on the way there.
Willingness to adapt.
With those many short-term goals you are likely to face many failures. This doesn’t dishearten the person who has grit, as they see their failures as learning opportunities. Your ability to turn those failures into your strengths all depends on your willingness to adapt.
Adapting takes practice but it is highly needed when you’re working on a project, since things don’t always go according as planned. The mountaintop might be where you want to be, but it is up to you on how your journey on the way there will play out.
No matter what odds the team are up against, the person who is willing to adapt will always persevere to help their team brush off the soot and get back up to try again from a new angle.
Professionalism.
If you are willing to adapt and you are a person who has grit, it is important to maintain a sense of professionalism. This goes for in-class discussions, hanging out with classmates outside of class, at industry events, no matter where you go and whatever you post on social media.
When the going gets tough, you lead your team will a clear mind and a professional attitude.
Nothing is worse than seeing a team fall apart from a team discussion going sour and resorting to a blame game. Talking over everyone else and putting everyone else down isn't what makes a professional.
Professionalism is a high-five to a colleague for having an awesome idea, or asking a quiet student their thoughts on the creative direction.
Professionalism is when you allow yourself to actively listen to other perspectives, and participate even when your ideas weren't further considered.
If you want to be treated as an industry professional, you must leave your ego at the door, and open your mind to team-based creativity.