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Every so often, I get the chance to sit down and talk candidly to fellow artists about their experiences in the industry. Recently a friend was telling me about their latest wake up call and expressed that they would like to share this with our readers. Due to wanting to keep their name anonymous, we will call them “SkribbleMonkee”.

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”Through every experience in life, good or bad – you can learn from it”

I believe this rings very true for the entertainment/visual communications industry. For those of you who are new to the industry or even the most seasoned veteran, sometimes we forget. We become so focused on the work that we might not think of the other things that we often deal with day to day. I have been in the industry for just over 10 years now, and every studio I have been with, I have taken very valuable information with me to my next job. Although, I must admit, I was caught a bit off guard recently. And now I hope to offer some advice.

I found myself working for someone that I didn’t feel I fit with.

Although I felt it would give me a great opportunity, and would allow me to learn and grow as an artist. However, I did quickly feel that something was not quite right. I was meeting a lot of very nice, talented folks and was working on a great project. I thought maybe it was the nerves of being in a new place…maybe the hectic deadlines and long work weeks I jumped into without hesitation…I wasn’t sure. I was worried and felt a lot of constant stress. I am a very hard worker, and am very willing to pitch in and help out wherever I can. Yet, no matter how hard I tried – it didn’t work out, and I am no longer there. I believe this decision is better for me and I am moving forward towards my next job.

Don’t let a hiccup in the road put you off of your goal

If you love what you do, you will find another place to continue your work. But for the next time, here are a few things to remember. We will all start and end several jobs over our careers. That is the nature of what we do. I have learned over time, what I do and don’t like in a place that I work. Some of these things are hard to determine from just an interview, but the first bit of advice is to ask questions!!! If you are new to a company or are thinking of coming on board, is this a place for you? Is it a work environment that’s comfortable for you? What are the days like? How many hours will you be expected to work? Keep in mind everyone has a right to a comfortable and safe workspace.

Contracts

Not to delve too deeply in this area, because one, I am not a lawyer, and two, there are so many different ways to word a contract, that it would be impossible to be too specific. However, the next piece of advice I can give is get it in writing! If you are working some details out with a studio, please get them to put it in writing. Most contracts are for the benefit of the employer. So, if you have specific things you need, and can get them to agree to it – put it in a contract that both sides are liable for. If you promise to work a certain amount of hours…then they promise to pay you a certain amount. Yes, especially things such as salary (weekly or hourly) need to be agreed to before you start to work. Is there healthcare or additional benefits? Will they help pay for your relocation if necessary? Some places where you might enter as a freelance status employee, you should be especially specific.

Expectations

Another area to get straight is what will you be expected to do work-wise? How many different tasks? Will there be training? Are you senior or junior level? This is unfortunately an area that can be gray in certain smaller places. If you are specific to a certain area say lighting & compositing, make sure that is what you will be doing. Often you will be asked to pitch in and help out, and that is a good thing – but don’t get in over your head. It is great to have the chance to learn a new skill and build your talent range, but if you are being expected as say a lighter, to suddenly switch gears and perform tasks expected of that as a character animator…that might be difficult. (Although this is an extreme example, it does happen.) If you are uncomfortable please speak up and make your concerns known. Pitching in and learning is one thing; being taken advantage of is another. Do take the time to express your thoughts and get feedback, sometimes it can be an issue of miscommunication.

I thought this may be helpful to those of you newer to these situations. It doesn’t matter if it’s work with games, film, commercials, etc. There is a certain expectation that you have of a work environment and also expectations of what your perspective employer has of you. This isn’t really any different than any other job, so that part shouldn’t be surprising. However, you do need to do your research. What type of place is it? What job do you want to do there? What do they need for you to do? There are so many ways to research companies through the web, word of mouth, friends, instructors, and events within the industry.

Moving Forward

It would be impossible to cover everything, and any professional would tell you they are always learning. We have all been there before, and never thought it would happen to us. Sometimes it is a combination of things that can make your job unpleasant. One day you are working, and then you are not. Projects & studios come and go. Do not take it personally and whatever experiences you have, whether good or bad learn from them and use them as a powerful resource for next time.