15 Tips To Get A Job In Animation
ImagineFX|May 2021
Are you struggling to break into the animation industry? Netflix art director Drew Hartel has advice on surviving the “waiting room”…
Drew Hartel
15 Tips To Get A Job In Animation

2020 was a tough year for everybody, but along with the difficulty we faced together, there were some hidden blessings too.

As well as enjoying spending more time with my family, one of the unexpected blessings this year was getting to start a mentorship programme on Patreon to help people in all different walks of their journey either break into the industry or strengthen their skillset. There’s nothing more rewarding than helping someone get their first job and although everybody is a different case and some may take longer to get in than others, they’ll get in as long as they don’t give up.

The idea for this mentorship came from my own personal experiences. I remember being so frustrated when trying to figure out how to get into the industry. Do I need to go to college, do I need a mentor, or is it like a contest and if I get an internship then I’m the lucky guy who gets to be trained to work in the industry? I ended up taking out more loans than most doctors to get through art school and provide for my family. Yet once I got there I realised that this could have been a lot easier had somebody stepped up and helped me as a mentor and charged a fair price.

This story is from the May 2021 edition of ImagineFX.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the May 2021 edition of ImagineFX.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM IMAGINEFXView All
First Impressions - Glenn Arthur
ImagineFX

First Impressions - Glenn Arthur

Influences from Disneyland shape the artist’s work

time-read
2 mins  |
September 2023
THE ART OF BRIAN SUM
ImagineFX

THE ART OF BRIAN SUM

Dominic Carter talks to the mech master about honing his cyberpunk visions, character designs, and his new artbook

time-read
6 mins  |
September 2023
Karla Diaz
ImagineFX

Karla Diaz

Clean and cosy Discover a studio of two halves as the Chilean comic artist gives us the grand tour

time-read
2 mins  |
September 2023
A day in the life of...Daniel Hyun Lim
ImagineFX

A day in the life of...Daniel Hyun Lim

Learn smart The illustrator and storyboard artist opens up on his non-stop schedule, and explains why new graduates need to spend their time wisely

time-read
1 min  |
September 2023
MATTAHAN
ImagineFX

MATTAHAN

Dominic Carter talks to the EarthNight artist about making art for video games and how he keeps his creativity sharp

time-read
7 mins  |
August 2023
Technique focus: FIND THE RIGHT TOOLS
ImagineFX

Technique focus: FIND THE RIGHT TOOLS

LEONARDO GONZALEZ explains why specific pens and pencils are so important to his creative process, including his Pokémon fan art

time-read
1 min  |
August 2023
FXPosé
ImagineFX

FXPosé

SHOWCASING THE FINEST TRADITIONAL ARTISTS

time-read
1 min  |
August 2023
Technique focus: EMBRACE REFERENCES
ImagineFX

Technique focus: EMBRACE REFERENCES

Alone Lee explores being inspired by emotions, observations, and imagination

time-read
1 min  |
August 2023
Procreate: CREATE A BOLD FAN ART PORTRAIT
ImagineFX

Procreate: CREATE A BOLD FAN ART PORTRAIT

Bo Feng Lin shares the process behind his quirky Wednesday Addams painting, which features suitably abstract elements

time-read
4 mins  |
August 2023
Emily Chapman
ImagineFX

Emily Chapman

My aesthetic A personal haven where bloomcore meets splashes of boho, pastel and RGB

time-read
2 mins  |
August 2023