The Jobs Map for Animation, Visual Effects and Games

Where are the jobs?

Finding work in the animation and visual effects industry isn't easy, especially getting that vital, elusive first job. Sometimes it seems like every vacancy is advertised for professionals with 2-3 years of experience, which means that finding your first gig can feel like a catch-22. You can't find a job without experience, you can get experience until you find a job. So what is the secret to finding work in these most competitive but most rewarding of industries?

jobs page at the AWN

The answer, of course, is the traditional recipe:

1. Hard work, studying at a good school with well-qualified tutors
2. Talent (important, but less important than hard work!)
3. Research (where are the jobs? They will not come to you)
4. Persistence (don't give up!)
5. A good dose of luck. (But you can make your own)

To help you on your way, I have listed below some super-useful websites which can help you get a head start.

Games Development map. This map shows the locations of Games studios all over the world. Click on the red dots to find 'em.

CG Studios Map. As above, this map shows the location of CG studios all over the world.

Animation World Network. Sign up for their job alerts and get a weekly email digest of who is hiring all around the world.

Film and TV Pro. Sign up for more free job alerts. Some are paid gigs, some not.

Finally, keep in touch with your fellow students! Your class at Animation Apprentice is a community of talent, you can keep each other informed about who is hiring and who needs bodies in a hurry. Media companies tend to practice crisis-management, which is to say that when they need people, they tend to need them right away. So keep you ear to the ground, polish your online portfolio, and be ready to move quickly.

----Alex

To sign up for our September classroom at Animation Apprentice, follow this link. For more information on finding work and surviving in the animation and visual effects business, read our post on how to find a job in the animation industry, and check out our post about what not to do at a job interview. Also see our post on starting your own small animation business, learn how to create an invoice, and see how we are helping our students find work through our film co-operative Nano Films.  Download the free Escape Studios Careers in VFX Handbook. Take a look at how awn.com can help you find a job, and read our piece about how to survive as a freelance animator. Also, find out what Cinesite look for in a student's demo reel, and read our post on setting up your own animation business. Also see our post about freelancers and taxes.