Research
2D Character Animator/Junior Animator
Who is an animator, and what do they do?
They are artists, actors, and storytellers who understand how to convey emotion through characters and possess a strong technical grasp of motion. They create still images that, when played in rapid succession, produce the illusion of movement. By blending realism with artistry, they craft believable worlds.
Animators begin with a visual brief from a storyboard and a verbal brief from a director. With this information, they produce drawings, models, or computer images that animate the movement. The ability to translate a brief into motion is the essence of all animation.
In my research, I focused on two specific animator roles:
2D Animators
2D animators create each frame by hand. Today, they often work with animation software using a graphics pen and tablet. While they don't always produce the final 'line' seen on screen, they concentrate on the overall action and character performance in a scene. Typically, they create a few clean, on-model drawings, known as tie-downs, for assistant animators to follow.
2D Assistant Animators
Also known as junior animators, in-betweeners, or clean-up artists, assistant animators take the drawings created by the lead animator and ensure each frame is precisely on model. They apply the final 'line' that appears on screen, which is known as clean-up. These animators often fill in missing frames that the primary animator did not create. They do this by following the animator's charting—visual instructions that indicate where additional drawings are required in the timeline. Assistant animators may also engage in lip-syncing, which involves drawing the mouth movements to match the dialogue.
Junior animators assist senior animators in creating animations. In 2D animation, they fill in frames produced by a senior animator or apply the final 'line' to the senior animator’s sketches.
Senior animators take a visual brief from the storyboard and a verbal brief from the director. They collaborate with a team to interpret the brief and generate drawings, models, or computer images that create the illusion of movement. The ability to translate a brief into movement is crucial in animation. Since animators commonly work in large teams, maintaining a consistent look and animation style across all pieces is essential.
Why did I choose those roles for myself?
I chose these roles in the animation industry based on what I enjoy most about production.
While I have a rich imagination and many ideas, I'm not the best storyteller. I often struggle to fully develop a world and narrative for my characters, because I tend to get sidetracked and focus on unnecessary details.
However, I excel at writing characters, understanding their personalities, psychology, and demeanour.
And I've been interested in this for almost the whole of my life!
My primary interest lies in visually conveying the nuances of characters through their behaviour, gestures, and emotions. The way a character moves can reveal a lot about their personality without the need for descriptive dialogue.
I plan to advance my animation career once I start working full-time in the industry. For now, I see myself as a junior animator, supporting senior animators in production.
What skills does a Junior Animator need?
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Passion for Animation:
A genuine love for the medium and enthusiasm for the animation industry are essential for ongoing learning and motivation.
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Knowledge of Animation:
A solid understanding of animation principles and mechanics is crucial for creating believable and engaging animations.
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Artistic Skills:
A junior animator should be able to draw and express attitude, emotions, and mood through a character's movement. They should also possess spatial awareness and an understanding of movement over time.
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Teamwork and Collaboration:
The ability to work effectively within a team is essential, along with the capacity to follow a brief and contribute to group projects.
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Communication Skills:
Junior animators need to communicate effectively, sharing creative ideas, engaging in productive discussions, and taking constructive notes on their work.
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Organisational Skills:
They must manage their time well, adhering to the production schedule and meeting deadlines for their drawings and animations.
These are general skills required to enter the animation industry.
However, different companies have their own requirements, which I will explore in the' company research' section.
Which sectors in industry did I choose to aim for?
Entertainment, TV Animation, 2D Video Games, Indie
Here are my top three companies I aim for:
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SPINDLEHORSE
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CARTOON SALOON
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GLITCH PRODUCTIONS
Why am I targeting indie studios specifically?
I am particularly interested in working within the indie side of the animation industry for personal reasons. Typically, indie studios have small teams, which makes it easier to feel comfortable, especially early in one's career. Additionally, in recent years, I have found that projects from indie studios inspire and engage me the most. The work produced by these smaller companies aligns more closely with my personal aspirations and the type of 2D animation projects I've always dreamed of being a part of.
This is my favourite studio, and I have relied on their content and quality throughout my university studies. While their target audience is primarily young adults, they also aim some stuff at teenagers.
All of their shows are, in one way or another, among my favourites.
Although the studio is based in the U.S., much of their work is done remotely, with staff members from around the world, including artists from my home country.
This gives me an understanding that, despite the current sanctions related to my nationality and my home country, I would still be able to receive a salary.
The audience demographics for this studio reflect a distinct mix of age groups and interests, significantly influenced by the themes and animation styles of their shows.
Audience Age Range
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Teenagers (13-19 years):
The shows are particularly appealing to teenagers, with humour that often resonates with issues and experiences typical of this age group.
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Young Adults (20-35 years):
A substantial portion of the audience comprises young adults, many of whom have grown up with animation and are now engaging with more mature themes.
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Older Adults (35+):
Although the primary demographic skews younger, there are also viewers who appreciate the stylistic and narrative depth of these series, including adult animation fans.
Interests and Behavioural Traits
Who else is targeted in Spendelhorse shows?
Animation Enthusiasts:
Viewers typically have a strong interest in animation and often follow the creators and studios dedicated to producing quality animated content.
Content Creators and Fans:
Many audience members engage on platforms like YouTube, where the founder of SpindleHorse actively shares additional content and updates, fostering a community around the shows.
Gender Representation:
The audience is generally diverse, with balanced gender representation. Many female fans appreciate the strong female characters and thoughtful narratives present in the shows.
Inclusive Content:
The shows have gained recognition for their portrayals of LGBTQ+ characters and themes, resonating with viewers seeking representation in media.
The demographic for SpindleHorse's works is primarily youthful, characterised by a mix of teenagers and young adults, with an increasing interest from older audiences. This audience seeks relatable content that combines humour, unique animation styles, and inclusive storytelling, contributing to the popularity of SpindleHorse's projects.
This is the latest requirements company posted on its LinkedIn for the position I would like to be in:
Cartoon Saloon primarily targets various demographics but focuses particularly on:
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Children and Families
Their films, such as *The Secret of Kells* and *Song of the Sea*, are designed for children, offering engaging stories that families can enjoy together.
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Young Adults
Some of their works incorporate themes and narratives that resonate with older audiences, combining visually stunning animation with deeper emotional or cultural elements.
Who else is targeted in Cartoon Saloon projects?
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International Audiences
Cartoon Saloon aims to appeal to viewers worldwide by incorporating universal themes and rich cultural references, especially those rooted in its Irish heritage.
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Animation Enthusiasts
They attract fans who appreciate unique animation styles and storytelling, often appealing to those who value artistic and independent film production.
Cartoon Saloon's focus on high-quality animation, rich storytelling, and deeper thematic elements helps them create broad appeal across diverse age groups and cultures. Would you like to know more about specific films or their cultural impact?
Interests and Behavioural Traits
Art and Animation Enthusiasts:
Viewers often admire the studio's distinctive animation style and artistic storytelling, engaging with behind-the-scenes content and discussions.
Cultural and Mythological Interests:
Many audience members are captivated by the folklore and cultural themes integrated into the films, leading to an appreciation for storytelling that reflects heritage and tradition.
Environmental and Social Awareness:
Films like Wolfwalkers touch on themes of nature and conservation, attracting viewers interested in environmental issues.
Gender Representation:
The audience is diverse in gender, appealing to both male and female viewers. Many female lead characters resonate with audiences seeking strong, relatable heroines.
Cartoon Saloon's audience demographic is broad and varied, encompassing children, teens, and adults. The studio's commitment to quality storytelling, artistic innovation, and cultural relevance has created a dedicated following among animation enthusiasts and families alike. This diverse appeal contributes to the studio's reputation as a leader in the animation industry.
Unfortunately, there are no open positions for me to apply for at the moment. But I found this list of requirements on the studio website:
Glitch Productions has developed a distinctive audience, characterized by its engaging storylines, humor, and strong community involvement.
Audience Age Range
Children (8-12 years):
The studio creates content that is accessible and entertaining for younger viewers, combining humor with captivating narratives.
Teenagers (13-19 years):
A significant portion of the audience consists of teenagers who appreciate the humor and themes that resonate with their experiences, often participating in discussions and creating fan content.
Young Adults (20-30 years):
Many young adults enjoy Glitch Productions for its nostalgic elements and its ability to blend humor with more complex themes; they often share their favorite moments on social media.
Animation Enthusiasts (All ages):
Fans of animation and gaming across various age groups are attracted to the unique presentation style and creativity of Glitch Productions' content.
Interests and Behavioral Traits
Gaming Culture:
A large segment of the audience engages in gaming communities, as many of the shows reference gaming culture and popular games, particularly Super Mario.
Online Engagement:
Viewers actively participate in discussions, share fan art, and create content related to the series, contributing to a vibrant online community, especially on platforms like YouTube and Twitter.
Interest in Humor and Parody:
Glitch Productions' knack for merging humor with parody of well-known franchises appeals to audiences seeking light-hearted, entertaining content.
Gender Distribution
Diverse Gender Representation: The audience includes individuals of all genders, with characters and themes that resonate across the spectrum, appealing to a wide range of identities and preferences.
Glitch Productions caters to a diverse audience aged 8 to 30, encompassing children, teens, and young adults. With a strong focus on gaming culture, humor, and community engagement, the studio has successfully built a dedicated following that appreciates its unique blend of animation and storytelling.
Unfortunately, there are no open positions for me to apply for at the moment. But I found this list of requirements on the other website:
