Landing a first job in VFX, Gaming or Motion Graphics industry

We spoke to our lecturers Bogdan Amidzic (Digital Compositing, VFX in Houdini), Branislavom Pavlovićem (3D Essentials, Environment Art, Creating Props for Games) i Vladanom Vasiljevićem Đirijem (After Effects, Motion Graphics 2D, Motion Graphics 3D) and here’s a few important tips they shared for everyone starting out.

1. Don’t make a AAA game right away.

Beginners quite often place very high expectations from themselves, first job or first project they work on. Although it’s desirable to nurture ambition and goals, it’s important to remember that the process itself can be quite long, gradual and usually becomes a goal in itself. This is where patience comes in. You should begin with simple things and make sure your expectations from first paycheck or first project are realistic. Money and status become a question of time if you invest enough effort and devotion into what you do.

2. A good portfolio goes a long way.

In a visual industry such as Computer Graphics, your portfolio becomes your CV, ID and passport in itself. Very important, that is. In order to build a good portfolio, investing time into creating projects becomes essential. One of possible ways to do so is by working or volunteering on indie projects of other artists. Apart from that being helpful to your portfolio, collaboration with other artists gives a valuable insight into teamwork that will await at studios.

Creating a profile on platforms such as Artstation, Behance or Vimeo is a must, therefore. LinkedIn also plays an important part in your professional presentation and job hunt. On the other hand, Twitch and Discord are great if you want to connect and communicate with your peers. Social Media are as important as ever, no matter if you prefer Instagram, Facebook or TikTok. They could become a useful ally when it comes to presenting your work online, so don’t underestimate the power and opportunity these outlets could bring.

3. Search for an opportunity to volunteer or do an internship.

Volunteer work or internship is a great way to set your foot in the industry. Crater Studio offers internship opportunity to those who completed certain VFX courses at our Center such as Compositing. If you make an effort and do your work, it’s most likely you won’t go unnoticed. Many digital agencies are always on the lookout for young talents in Motion Graphics, while platforms such as Upwork or Fiverr can help establish yourself as a freelancer. Thanks to SGA job search you can also find an opportunity at a local gaming studio. The Rookies also offers an opportunity to compete for an internship at some of the greatest company names in the industry worldwide, while you become a part of aspiring community of artists.

4. Make sure you do your homework on companies you apply for.

Maybe you have a goal to work at well-known companies such as Nordeus or Ubisoft, but you shouldn’t cast off opportunities that come with smaller sized studios. This is why it’s always a good idea to do the research and list all companies that are active before you apply for an internship or job. If you invest a bit of extra energy and motivation to prepare your portfolio specifically for the studio you apply to, you could reap some amazing results.

5. Don’t be picky.

In a nutshell, use every opportunity for work you can get. The beginnings can be tough and you have to be aware that you might work on projects that are far from your wish list, however these projects are part of the journey that takes you where you want to be someday.

If you’re interested in a career path in Visual Effects, Gaming or Motion Graphics, you can choose a Professional or Starter Course Package at Crater Training Center.

Author:
Tamara Milovanovic