Surviving Unemployment in the Animation Industry

Summary

In this candid video, the creator reflects on their struggles as an artist during a time of industry challenges, specifically in animation. After being unemployed for 11 months, they discuss the economic shifts in the film industry, the impact of streaming, and the difficulties in securing work. The video also emphasizes the importance of leveraging transferable skills, building an online presence, and networking with industry leaders. Despite the hardship, the creator encourages resilience, highlighting the need for emotional and physical self-care while navigating the unpredictable job market in creative industries.

Takeaways

• 😀 The artist is currently facing challenges in the animation industry due to the streaming boom's collapse, affecting job availability.
• 😀 The artist has been unemployed for almost 11 months but is using this time to reflect, hustle, and find new opportunities.
• 😀 The financial strain is real: the artist has depleted their savings, which they had been diligently building in preparation for such a downturn.
• 😀 While the film industry struggles, the artist emphasizes that certain industries like healthcare and agriculture remain essential, unlike entertainment.
• 😀 A key strategy for survival is leveraging transferable creative skills like videography, photography, or design to explore other job markets.
• 😀 The artist has embraced a proactive job search, focusing on reaching out to project directors and producers rather than recruiters, who are overwhelmed.
• 😀 Some people mistakenly believe it's impossible to break into the industry now, but the artist highlights that studios are still hiring 'green' talent for lower pay.
• 😀 Consistency on social media (especially LinkedIn and Instagram) is crucial for getting noticed and showing you're active in your field.
• 😀 The artist is not interested in independent artist work but prefers the stability of a full-time office job, highlighting the importance of knowing personal preferences.
• 😀 Taking care of emotional and physical well-being is crucial during unemployment, and the artist started an 'unemployment journal' to track personal growth and learning.
• 😀 It’s important to be patient and flexible during times of job uncertainty, and seeking help from local communities or support networks can lead to hidden opportunities.

Q & A

Why has the speaker been less active on social media and YouTube recently?

The speaker explains that they have been struggling emotionally and didn't feel capable of being educational or inspirational, which contributed to their reduced activity on social media and YouTube.

What is the current state of the animation industry according to the speaker?

The speaker mentions that the animation industry is going through 'growing pains,' largely due to the collapse of the streaming boom. Studios are realizing that streaming is not a sustainable revenue model, and theatrical releases are considered more lucrative.

How did the speaker prepare financially for the challenges in the animation industry?

The speaker saved about 30% of their monthly income, anticipating potential challenges in the industry. However, after nearly 11 months without employment, all of their savings have been used up.

What is the speaker’s perspective on the necessity of entertainment jobs?

The speaker acknowledges that while art and entertainment are important for cultural and philosophical reasons, they are not as foundational to society as industries like healthcare, agriculture, or government work.

How does the speaker view their own transferable skills?

The speaker recognizes that as a creative professional, they possess transferable skills such as photography, videography, and design that could be applied in other industries while they search for their next job in animation.

What approach did the speaker take to find alternative employment during their job search?

The speaker created a hidden sub-website displaying various portfolios showcasing different skills, including wedding videography from college. They also actively searched for job opportunities through LinkedIn and other job search platforms.

What is the speaker's stance on retail or food service work during tough economic times?

The speaker suggests that if they are finding it difficult to get a job in retail or food service, they would prefer to focus on finding higher-paying opportunities that leverage their transferable skills, instead of settling for lower-paying work.

What valuable lesson did the speaker learn about job searching in the animation industry?

The speaker discovered that connecting directly with project leads, such as directors and producers, is more effective than relying solely on recruiters. These are the people who ultimately make hiring decisions.

Is it still possible for newcomers to the animation industry to get hired despite current challenges?

Yes, the speaker clarifies that studios continue to hire 'green' or entry-level talent, often at a lower pay rate compared to veterans. This presents an opportunity for newcomers to break into the industry.

How does the speaker suggest using social media in the job search process?

The speaker advises being active on platforms like LinkedIn and Instagram to gain visibility. Regularly posting content can attract more attention to your profile and demonstrate your active engagement in the industry.