Why Failure is Feedback

Why Failure is Feedback

Failure is feedback.  Every time you apply for a job in the animation industry, the chances are high you will be rejected.  

Most likely, the studio isn't hiring right now, so don't be disheartened. Just apply again in a few months. If they are hiring now, and you didn't get the job, ask for feedback. What was missing from your demo reel? What needs improvement?

Now you have feedback - information. You can work on your weak spots, improve your work, and apply again. 

 

Why Animators Must Fail Upwards

Animators are made, not born.  All of us are likely fail in most of the things that we do, at least at first.  The key to success is to keep at it, and  fail faster.

Great animation doesn't emerge fully formed, it needs to be tweaked, revised and perfected. When you see a Pixar or Disney film, you see the finished, polished result - you don't see the pain the animator went through along the way.

Everything we do can be done better. If you don't keep trying, and practicing, and getting feedback, you will never create anything good.  Your animation does not have to be perfect; you just have to get on with it and keep practicing your craft.

Jason Thompson explains why students must fail, and why professors should watch video games

Jason Thompson

Last week at the SAS (Society of Animation Studies) conference in Toronto, Sheridan professor Jason Thompson gave a brief but fascinating talk on "Why our students need to fail". Citing the book by Guy Claxton What is the point of school?, Jason argued that school is important because of eight critical things that students must learn: