Forums » FAQ

• Angela Entzminger

  

  • 2 posts
   

  October 16, 2011 3:03 PM PDT

  Hey Buzz Members,

   

  has anyone gotten an internship at a studio or gaming company? (For example Disney, DreamWorks, EA Sports, Kabam, Pixar, etc.)

   

  If you have would you kindly share your experiences with all of us future animators? I will be applying for internships next summer  and I know that whatever advice you have will benefit not only myself but everyone on the site.

   

  Specifically:

   

  1. Where you worked

   

  2. What you did on a day to day basis (projects you worked on, special lectures you attended, that type of thing)

   

  3. What NOT to do

   

  4. And conversely, things that can make the internship more successful (this can include either things you did or things you wished you had done in order to have a better internship)

   

  5. A link (if you  have one) of the demo reel/flat art that got you in so we know what to strive for

   

  Thanks for sharing!

• Steven MacLeod

  

  • 22 posts
   

  March 13, 2012 10:00 PM PDT

  I interned for animation at James Baxter Animation (no longer exists) back in 2005. We did a bunch of animation assignments and got critiques. I feel like a large part of the reason I got the internship was because I went down to the studio and introduced myself and brought my portfolio. I do wish I had asked more questions and dedicated more time. I also got married that summer and had to work part-time at In-n-Out burger.
  
  I did a story internship at Pixar the following year (2006). It was an intensive story bootcamp. We did a lot of story assignments and activities, like gesture drawing and improv.

   

  I would definitely advise that you take advice (from whomever works at the studio you are applying to) when they give it, regarding yor portfolio especially. I've noticed a lot of people ask for advice, but don't apply it when submitting the portfolio. Whether the advice has to do with the format of your portfolio or the actually drawings used. They take notice of these things. Why would someone want to work with you if you don't follow instructions.

   

  I think one of the first things you should do is take inventory of all of the studios you are interested in, go to their websites, and look at their listings. The listings change all of the time. There are quite a few stories of people who do 'production' internships (not creative) at Dreamworks who ended up working (creatively) there after some time. It is not common, but it has happened. Your personaity plays a big role, as does your diligence and improvement and resourcefulness.

• Angela Entzminger

  

  • 2 posts
   

  March 14, 2012 12:32 AM PDT

  Hi Steven,
  
  thanks for sharing your experiences and offering suggestions. Your advice rings true. After I posted this message I found friends of friends who had the good fortune of getting internships and geting hired at DreamWorks, Disney and Pixar. Also, Tiffany Feeney from DreamWorks came to our school and gave a presentation on the different initiatives your company offers. She also showed us portfolios of students who were hired, so that was a tremendous help. My Storyboard teacher has helped as well in terms of what I should submit and the proper format to submit portfolios. And I've been combing lots of websites.
  
  It's been a great and eye opening experience as to what level my work should be at and I am working hard to get there.
  
  Again - thanks for the response! I know you guys are busy so it's cool that you take the time to talk to students.