Melissa took our animation short course at Escape Studios earlier this year, and we asked her a few questions about the new position, how she got it, and what advice she might give to other students hoping to break into the industry.
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| Melissa Coarezza |
Melissa: Technicolor Academy offers a new 12-month paid program that allows students and recent graduates to fill the gap between the school and the VFX industry.
They offer intensive training for different disciplines (Animation, Compositing, RotoPrep, etc.), in partnership with some of the leading VFX companies such as MPC, The Mill, Mr.X and Mikros. Following a period of training, successful artists are moved to the production floor of the studio they have been assigned to.
What does the new position involve?
Melissa: The first couple of months are dedicated to intensive training within one of the studios, getting used to the pipeline while developing technical and creative skills to the highest standards. After graduating from the Academy, artists are evaluated in which skill they have developed the most, and are put to work on the appropriate show. Now the artist is part of the team - ready to start their career.
How did you get it?
Melissa: I applied for the Animation track as soon as the job was advertised on Linkedin, with my showreel, my CV and a brief cover letter. After a couple of weeks, I was scheduled to have a Skype interview with one of the senior mentors at MPC.
What advice would you offer students hoping to break into the industry?
Melissa: First of all, never stop improving your skills. The VFX industry is such a fast-paced environment, with new technologies popping out every year. So, study hard in the field of your choice and practice every single day you can, even when school is over. It's not a waste of time, it will be time spent wisely - that will get you to your dream job. Mentors and tutors are there to help with your creative and professional growth, so don't be afraid to ask them one more question.
Apply as soon as they advertise the job, because the major companies will receive tons of applications, so the sooner the better. Don't be afraid to apply, even if you think you don't have specific demo material for that particular company. Focus on your best pieces of animation - because you never know what they're looking for. Some companies are looking for creativity more than technique; for other companies it is the opposite.
The interview is an opportunity to get more details about the job and what will be expected of you as part of the team, and it is your chance to get yourself known. Listen carefully and show them you are interested, enthusiastic and cut out for the job.
Last, but most important: be ready to make sacrifices to get what you really want from your career. Work hard every day since you're at school, and be true to your family and yourself. The job is going to be tough but, with the right support, you will be able to overcome problems. Focus on your objectives and write down a list of the steps to the achievements; it will help you visualize what your priorities really are.
You can see Melissa's animation demo reel below:
Melissa Coarezza | Animation Showreel 2018 from Melissa Coarezza on Vimeo.
The Escape Studios Animation Blog offers a personal view on the art of animation and visual effects. To find out more about our new BA/MArt, now recruiting for September 2019, follow this link. To apply, visit the official page here.
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