kidrow
Adept
Hi all,
Calling all CG/Animation pros & those in the know on TechEnclave for guidance. This is the content of a thread I've created on CGTantra, which I'm also posting here because I really need all the help I can get. Many thanks for taking the time to respond. It's much appreciated.
"
I really, really need guidance about whether the animation/CG industry is a good career choice in India/Mumbai, & the best way to go about it. Towards this end, I have a whole bunch of questions which I hope you'll will find the time to answer. Many thanks for your time. Greatly appreciated.
First, a bit about myself. I'm 30 years old & currently engaged in business in Mumbai [I'm a small store owner]. As regards academics, I've completed my BA & LLB about 5-6 years back. Though I've always enjoyed drawing & painting, I've never pursued it as a career.
Now, however, I'm seriously considering a career change, given that I can't entirely rely on the waning business. As soon as I was introduced to 3d software [3ds Max], I got instantly hooked & have since been learning 3ds Max in my free time, on Sundays etc. through online resources. I've done some hard surface modleing, texturing, & archviz in Mental Ray.
To get an idea of where I'm at currently, you can check these links - T-54, Bar, Automobile Animation & T-54 Break Wall & Composite. In animation, I've done nothing much beyond the basic bouncing ball.
So now, without further ado-
1. What is the CG job market in India/Mumbai currently like? I've read threads from over the past 2 years in the career & education section of this forum & the picture painted is bleak. Most threads lament the lack of opportunity for freshers, or speak of being made to work gruelling hours for peanuts. The pros, however, always seem to be saying that there is enough opportunity, provided you are good enough. Unfortunately, there isn't a single thread where someone who was dissatisfied with it all in the beginning, stuck through it, & is now satisfied with where he is at. So what is the realistic scene today in India/Mumbai?
Is the demand discipline-specific? For instance, are animators more in demand than say, modelers or lighting pros? Or is it the same irrespective of what discipline you are in?
Can a 30 year old make it in this industry? & if there is, as the pros say, opportunity for someone with a good portfolio, then what is good enough? Maybe, someone could link to a student portfolio which is of the standard expected, so I'll know what to aim for.
2. What kind of salary can a CG pro/animator expect both a) as a complete fresher, & b) 3-4 years down the line in Mumbai? Now, don't get me wrong here. I'm not in it for the money. I could very well pursue law or an MBA for that. But one can't deny that with the risng costs, one needs a decent pay merely to survive. So some rough figures would surely help.
Again, is it discipline-specific? Say, for instance, does an animator command a better pay than a modeler? Or it's much the same?
3. While studying/practicing/preparing does one choose any one discipline such as modeling, texturing, lighting, animation etc. & try & perfect it [while ignoring the others], OR attempt to be a jack of all trades? What are the job profiles usually like? What do the studios expect? Is it any different for a fresher as opposed to a pro?
If specialisation in any one discipline is the norm, then what is the level of specialisation required? For instance, if you are aiming to be a professional modeler, then are you expected to know all of human & animal anatomy, product/technical modeling, low poly modeling, Zbrush/Mudbox etc.? Or just a part of it?
4. What is the scope for freelancing in this field? How does one go about becoming a successful freelancer? How does one build contacts for freelancing?
Does one need to work as an employee in some studio for a few years & then move on freelancing, or is it possible to directly freelance as a fresher? If it's possible to do it both ways, then what's the recommended path?
Why do most people end up doing freelance [That's the impression I get as an outsider]? Is it better money or just a more flexible, structured work schedule, or lack of opportunity in the job market?
5. What are the job interviews like? I'v read there are some reasoning tests? [I may have got this terminology wrong]. What exactly are they? Many rounds of interviews are also usually conducted. So what are these multiple rounds like - mainly technical, or otherwise?
6. What are apprenticeships? What are they like & how do you go about 'em? Do you need to pay for them?
7. Is it necessary to join some institute for either a) learning 3d software or b) for placement? I'm actually pretty confident about learning the required software on my own through books or online. But is joining an institute beneficial simply from the point of view of getting good placements? Or is it all just hogwash?
What is the minimum qualification which is expected, or is there none?
Are there any courses of study which one can pursue that'll ensure you land a good job? Something which is recognized by the industry as being of a certain standing, & of repute
8. As a fresher, where will the best learning experience be - a small studio or a large one? Won't growth be stunted at a larger studio as a result of doing the same limited things over & over? Is there greater scope for being creative at a smaller studio?
9. Lastly, Max vs Maya? How much does it matter which of the big two you have learnt CG on? When studios cite a preference, is it the 1st thing they look at? Is it the end all & be all? Do they allow time to learn the other, if picked?
Again, many thanks to all. It's greatly appreciated. I hope I'm asking the right questions & hope the community can respond because this could very well serve as an FAQ for those keen on joining the industry. Bye for now.
"
Calling all CG/Animation pros & those in the know on TechEnclave for guidance. This is the content of a thread I've created on CGTantra, which I'm also posting here because I really need all the help I can get. Many thanks for taking the time to respond. It's much appreciated.
"
I really, really need guidance about whether the animation/CG industry is a good career choice in India/Mumbai, & the best way to go about it. Towards this end, I have a whole bunch of questions which I hope you'll will find the time to answer. Many thanks for your time. Greatly appreciated.
First, a bit about myself. I'm 30 years old & currently engaged in business in Mumbai [I'm a small store owner]. As regards academics, I've completed my BA & LLB about 5-6 years back. Though I've always enjoyed drawing & painting, I've never pursued it as a career.
Now, however, I'm seriously considering a career change, given that I can't entirely rely on the waning business. As soon as I was introduced to 3d software [3ds Max], I got instantly hooked & have since been learning 3ds Max in my free time, on Sundays etc. through online resources. I've done some hard surface modleing, texturing, & archviz in Mental Ray.
To get an idea of where I'm at currently, you can check these links - T-54, Bar, Automobile Animation & T-54 Break Wall & Composite. In animation, I've done nothing much beyond the basic bouncing ball.
So now, without further ado-
1. What is the CG job market in India/Mumbai currently like? I've read threads from over the past 2 years in the career & education section of this forum & the picture painted is bleak. Most threads lament the lack of opportunity for freshers, or speak of being made to work gruelling hours for peanuts. The pros, however, always seem to be saying that there is enough opportunity, provided you are good enough. Unfortunately, there isn't a single thread where someone who was dissatisfied with it all in the beginning, stuck through it, & is now satisfied with where he is at. So what is the realistic scene today in India/Mumbai?
Is the demand discipline-specific? For instance, are animators more in demand than say, modelers or lighting pros? Or is it the same irrespective of what discipline you are in?
Can a 30 year old make it in this industry? & if there is, as the pros say, opportunity for someone with a good portfolio, then what is good enough? Maybe, someone could link to a student portfolio which is of the standard expected, so I'll know what to aim for.
2. What kind of salary can a CG pro/animator expect both a) as a complete fresher, & b) 3-4 years down the line in Mumbai? Now, don't get me wrong here. I'm not in it for the money. I could very well pursue law or an MBA for that. But one can't deny that with the risng costs, one needs a decent pay merely to survive. So some rough figures would surely help.
Again, is it discipline-specific? Say, for instance, does an animator command a better pay than a modeler? Or it's much the same?
3. While studying/practicing/preparing does one choose any one discipline such as modeling, texturing, lighting, animation etc. & try & perfect it [while ignoring the others], OR attempt to be a jack of all trades? What are the job profiles usually like? What do the studios expect? Is it any different for a fresher as opposed to a pro?
If specialisation in any one discipline is the norm, then what is the level of specialisation required? For instance, if you are aiming to be a professional modeler, then are you expected to know all of human & animal anatomy, product/technical modeling, low poly modeling, Zbrush/Mudbox etc.? Or just a part of it?
4. What is the scope for freelancing in this field? How does one go about becoming a successful freelancer? How does one build contacts for freelancing?
Does one need to work as an employee in some studio for a few years & then move on freelancing, or is it possible to directly freelance as a fresher? If it's possible to do it both ways, then what's the recommended path?
Why do most people end up doing freelance [That's the impression I get as an outsider]? Is it better money or just a more flexible, structured work schedule, or lack of opportunity in the job market?
5. What are the job interviews like? I'v read there are some reasoning tests? [I may have got this terminology wrong]. What exactly are they? Many rounds of interviews are also usually conducted. So what are these multiple rounds like - mainly technical, or otherwise?
6. What are apprenticeships? What are they like & how do you go about 'em? Do you need to pay for them?
7. Is it necessary to join some institute for either a) learning 3d software or b) for placement? I'm actually pretty confident about learning the required software on my own through books or online. But is joining an institute beneficial simply from the point of view of getting good placements? Or is it all just hogwash?
What is the minimum qualification which is expected, or is there none?
Are there any courses of study which one can pursue that'll ensure you land a good job? Something which is recognized by the industry as being of a certain standing, & of repute
8. As a fresher, where will the best learning experience be - a small studio or a large one? Won't growth be stunted at a larger studio as a result of doing the same limited things over & over? Is there greater scope for being creative at a smaller studio?
9. Lastly, Max vs Maya? How much does it matter which of the big two you have learnt CG on? When studios cite a preference, is it the 1st thing they look at? Is it the end all & be all? Do they allow time to learn the other, if picked?
Again, many thanks to all. It's greatly appreciated. I hope I'm asking the right questions & hope the community can respond because this could very well serve as an FAQ for those keen on joining the industry. Bye for now.
"
