What is the Fifteen Minute Rule?

Fifteen Minute Rule

What is The Fifteen Minute Rule? It's something I encountered for the first time while working at Sony Pictures Animation, on Open Season. It's a simple rule, and a good way to keep production moving ahead.

The rule is this: if you get stuck on a problem, spend 15 minutes trying to figure out the solution. Google it, Read The Manual, check out online forums - whatever works.

But, if you still can't figure it out after 15 minutes, ask for help. Someone next to you might be able to solve the problem quickly and simply, and you don't want to spend a lot of time trying to fix a problem that most likely has a simple solution.

Ask for help when you need it

Don't be shy to ask for help
Sometimes our students can be shy to ask for help. It happens at studios as well - you start off working as a junior artist and you may well feel to shy to ask for assistance if you get into technical trouble.

You may hesitate to be constantly bothering your colleagues, and you don't want to bother them yet again. But, production has to keep moving, and you have to get our shots done.

The 15 minute rule helps a lot, because that way you will have had a good go at solving the problem yourself before you ask assistance.  15 minutes is a good length of time to try to solve a problem; if you still can't figure out, you probably do need help.

Who should you ask?
Mostly, when you are working at a studio, your first port of call is the veteran at the desk next to you. Or, maybe even another newbie who perhaps has better tech skills. You're all in the same boat so you can always ask another animator to help out.

Feedback at Escape Studios

Take 15 minutes to solve the problem

There are many ways to get help on your work at Escape Studios. You can ask your tutor, ask a studio assistance, post a query at one of the Fb Classrooms, or ask the student sitting next to you. We also have an extensive list of tutorials at Vimeo to help solve problems; the important thing is not sit and stew for hours without finding a solution.  For more on how to get feedback and help at Escape Studios, follow this link.

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 starting in September 2020, follow this link.   To apply, visit the offical page here.