PLACEMENTS

JULY

Reached out to a distant family member who works as a Senior product Manager at BBC, specifically in CBBC apps and game. While there was no direct connection into this area of industry, she gave me a list of potential studios who she has worked with including Jollywise, Mobile Pie, and Chunk Agency. Having received no reply from these companies, I conversed with her about her journey into the industry, and she reviewed my cover letters and CV, editing them to a more user-friendly tone, and we practiced interview-like scenarios. This was beyond helpful in preparing me to contact studios.

AUGUST

Extreme difficulty finding anyone, reaching out only to be ignored.

Many promising conversations only to be gently let down.

Many opportunities I know I’d be an excellent candidate only to be declined.

After weeks of frustrating emails where I would take time to craft a well researched cover letter discussing and complimenting studios, I became overwhelmed. My inbox was empty and my hope was deflated. I realised I had to amend my approach, as asking for work experience or a runner position deemed futile, I instead requested minimal time to chat about the industry, and perhaps some feedback on my portfolio. And yet, the rare reply would only be automated.

I was struggling in London so I ventured back to my hometown Ipswich for opportunities, where I conversed with a Creative Director, and continued to have an enthusiastic email correspondence. When I hadn’t heard back after she went on holiday leave, I asked for an update only to be told there’s nothing, but good luck.

At this point I didn’t know how to proceed with emails, so I stepped up my game and shuffled out my comfort zone by calling up studios to see if they had read my emails, however was directed to more email addresses who failed to reply.

SEPTEMBER

My next step: STUDIO VISITS

After an online chat with Maliha, we agreed the best use of my time would be to allocate one day a week for emailing and calling up potential work placements, else the constant rejection would demotivate me.

By initially sending an email with a brief cover letter and my portfolio, I would find the locations in central London, and once outside the address I would call them up asking to discuss in person. This was largely unsuccessful as they all said no due to working remotely with no proper in-person studio, PO boxes only. Despite my research, I felt my eagerness was not appreciated, which was very disappointing.

The final studio on my list was Little Shadow, and I had a very promising conversation with the producer who was very pleased I decided to sought them out in person. I was shown around their studio and I was surprised to learn all of their 3D animators were self taught from YouTube tutorials. While their work mainly entailed 3D motion graphic videos for various clients, Amber Woodcock (senior producer) was very interested in my work and offered some interesting points on my portfolio – the overall interface could be simpler and geared more towards my speciality – and she wanted to tell me more about the team. I left the studio 30 minutes later feeling fulfilled, however upon emailing to thank her for her time, I never heard back. I chased this up by calling the studio and managing to talk ti her directly when she gave me her specific email address. Despite emailing this immediately, then again 2 weeks later, I heard nothing back.

OCTOBER

Approached with different angle by exploring LinkedIn, Art Temps and Art Opportunities to apply directly to positions. Via art temps I applied for Entry Level Animator at Domino Effect, followed up with an email to introduce myself to show my enthusiasm. I researched this studio but found very little information on previous or current projects, but I figured this inactivity suggested they were newly established and so I would have more of a chance to be involved. Received a reply a few weeks later inviting me to chat, but communication on their part was inconsistent as I wouldn’t hear back for long periods of time. With some internet sleuthing, I focused on messaging the associated members of this studio through LinkedIn, and was successful in maintaining contact after this. I finally felt encouraged to be insistent as we later met up in person to commence the JOHN HOYLAND PROJECT despite the end date for the application in a month (14th Dec).

This connection with Adil Oliver Sharif would be my only placement for the year, and due to the NHS project taking up my time, and preparing for my next client work under UAL, it’s unfortunate I was discouraged from reaching out to other studios. Sharif’s contact is invaluable to me and I am determined to produce some of my best work under his direction.