Shelley Page Explains How to Break Into Animation

Shelley Page Key Talent Liaison at Locksmith Animation 

Shelley Page, Key Talent and Artist Liaison at Locksmith Animation in London, joined us online on Friday to talk to our third year 2D Animation students about opportunities in today's animation industry.

What is Shelley Page's key advice for students just starting out? "Be flexible" and - if you find a junior position - "take it!".

How To Break Into The Animation Industry

Shelley Page from Locksmith Animation 

Shelley Page emphasised the importance of flexibility when building a career.  "Be flexible", and "always says yes to things - and not no". Do I want to travel for work? "Yes, absolutely". Luck is important, but "luck is something you have to make for yourself".  And always have "a positive attitude" to your work.

Industry Change

Shelley Page explained that the industry is going through a lot of change, and no-one knows what is going to happen, as "no-one has a crystal ball". But change has happened before, for example when Studios switched from 2D to 3D animation in the early 2000s, and "the sky didn't fall". Now that the internet has opened up new ways of working, things are changing again. People are working from home, but even now, "nothing replaces meeting people in person". Artists need to get out and meet each other, as it's "hard to do this online". 

Grab Opportunities

Shelley began her career at Richard Williams Animation

Shelley emphasised the important of grabbing opportunities as they come up - you never know where it will lead. If you get a junior position, "take it". At some point in your career, jobs will come to you. But first you must develop your skills and your network of people who like to work with you.  Make sure you volunteer at events like inMotion, these are great opportunities to meet animation people behind the scenes. 

Linkedin

Animators "must be on Linkedin"

Shelley Page explained that you "must be on Linkedin". This is the "most important" platform; Shelley is on no other social media but Linkedin. It is a "One Stop Shop"; embed your reel, make it easy for folks to find you. And never password-protect your demo reel. 

Background Art and Concept Art

Concept art: Tone, Colour and Lighting

Shelley Page began her career as an illustrator, painting backgrounds for animation. So how do students break in to the industry as a background painter or a concept artist? Shelley explained that "you must show variety". You must "show a range of work".  Clients want to know you can work in many styles, and are flexible.  Also "show atmospheres", show different times of day and night. Lighting "is very important". 

Production Designer and Art Director

On a movie, the Production Designer "creates the world", and the Art Director "implements it day to day". Then other artists in the Art Dept "do a bit of everything".  Production designers and background artists should also "learn to work in 3D", as this can help a lot. "Learn Blender"; 3D skills are very important nowadays.  Learn the craft of painting; understand tone, colour and lighting.  

Be Reliable

You must also learn to hit deadlines, being reliable is one of the most important skills in this industry. It is no use being a genius if you can't make the deadline. 

Storyboarding

The industry is always looking for good storyboard artists.  Too few graduates specialise in this important skill. Good board artists must "learn to take feedback from the director". Board artists tend to start out as board revisionists; typically a director will make some changes to a storyboard, and the junior board artists get brought in to make the changes. Good board artists draw well and clearly, and must always draw "faces and expressions".  For a story reel, Shelley wants to "see the flow of the work", ideally with "characters interacting".  

The Future of The Industry

The future is always uncertain, "no-one has a crystal ball".  So you must take opportunities where you find them. 

The Escape Studios Animation Blog offers a personal view on the art of animation and visual effects. To apply for one of our courses, follow this link.