Breaking Into The Animation World: Pt. 2 - Portfolio, Job Hunts, Tests and Rejections

A page from the board I worked on last summer to get my portfolio updated. 2018.

My friends Michael and Luccy were the ones who told me how much they loved living in LA and coached me on how to get my portfolio ready and apply to jobs. They both were already working on TV shows and I knew that’s where I wanted to be.

Getting my Portfolio up to speed

While we were fixing up the house, I wanted to focus on either becoming a storyboard artist or a character designer. I knew there would be a higher chance at getting a storyboard or revisionist job since they have more spots on shows for that. However, I didn’t have enough current work to show my skills in that area and I couldn’t start applying till my website was updated.

My friends suggested picking a current show on the air and create my own story so I could showcase writing skills as well. That summer a show just came out on Cartoon Network called Summer Camp Island and I thought it was really cute. I binge-watched it to get a grasp on the character’s personalities and the world and then I got to work.

Applying to Everything

Once my website was updated and ready, I started applying to everything. I went to job boards on studio websites, indeed.com, and paid for a Women In Animation membership so I could get their weekly job opportunities emails. I applied to storyboard jobs, character designing jobs and admin jobs (even though admin jobs were more competitive since everyone could apply for it).

My friends told me to leave my Georgia address off of my resume and website and let me use their LA address instead on applications. They mentioned how easy it was for studios to look past your artwork if they knew you weren’t in the area… it doesn’t happen always but I didn’t want anything hurting my chances. I also took my location off all my social medias just in case HR was looking through my stuff.

Testing

While I applied to a ton of jobs, I only ever heard back from studios where a friend gave me a contact to email directly. This led to my first storyboarding test on a show for Nick. I signed an NDA, got a script, character designs and a week to complete the test. You give it your best shot and then once you turn it in, you wait a few weeks to hear back.

You wait and wait… hoping to get that email that says “We want you!“ But instead you get the “We appreciate you taking the time to test, but unfortunately…“ and that always sucks. I emailed back to asked for feedback, but normally they test so many people that they only get a yes or no on candidates. I knew they were also holding test for a character design position in about a month, so they told me to reach back out and test for that.

A Second Chance?

I was holding onto that hope of getting a second chance. I waited for that chance. At the time, we were already showing the house and trying to sell it and after a month, I reach back out.

“Hey______, I hope you’re doing well! I wanted to reach back out regarding the test for the character design position.“ They reply with something like, “We’re sorry, but unfortunately we filled the position in-house“.

I felt so incredibly foolish. I waited for a 2nd chance that I never had. I waited for that opportunity when I probably could have been more persistent finding other ones. I starting to really feel the pressure. Getting rejected in the midst of selling all of our stuff and people telling us not to move until we had a job to move to.

The Luna Test

I kept looking for jobs but I was getting really discouraged. I prayed that God would give me a chance. I was so hungry to work with a team again and do work that I found truly fulfilling. Then out of nowhere I get a text from Luccy. She tells me a spot is going to open up on her show and that I should test for it!

I FOR SURE freaked out when I read the text… This could be my chance! It’s all about who you know, and my friend is giving me insight on a job opportunity that won’t even be posted online.

I knew I had to do this test differently. I didn’t want to make the same mistakes I did on my last test. I felt like my whole attitude shifted. When it was time, I was emailed all the materials (show bible, character designs, and an outline for the episode) and given the week to board it. Having an outline vs. a script was so exciting to me… I had room to create and do things that I couldn’t really do before.

I spent a day getting up to speed consuming all the materials, watching the episodes that were already on Youtube, and tracing over the character sheet to help me learn how to draw them. In my mind, I was thinking “I have to treat this test like this could be the one that will change my life and the course of my career.“ So I buckled down and put my all into that test.

When the week was over, I was still scrambling last minute doing some clean up and adding some funny stuff… but I prayed and sent that sucker over hoping for the best. After that, I just had to wait to hear back. All of this happened right before Thanksgiving, so after I emailed in my test, I slept for days and ate tons of food. I was able to relax because I knew I gave it my best shot, and if I didn’t get the job, at least I knew it wasn’t because I didn’t try.

I knew I didn’t want to wait like I did the last time, so I kept looking up other jobs. In the back of my mind, I was really wanting to get THIS job. I felt like that was MY job and no one else would love it as much as me. I know they say “Don’t get your hopes up“ or “Don’t jinx it“ but I think it’s better to be 100% in rather than being “realistic“ and not letting yourself dream. If I lived my life always trying to be realistic… then I wouldn’t be where I am today.

To be continued…