You want to break into animation. How can you find a mentor who will help you achieve your goals?

To find a mentor in animation, research, engage in online communities, attend local events, approach professionals directly or indirectly, and demonstrate your passion and dedication for the field.

Before you get involved with animation, you really need to decide what kind of animations you want to create and what is your goal. Are you doing them for yourself, or are you going to offer animating as a service? Do you want to create 2D or 3D? What style of animation are you interested in studying. As animation covers a wide range of areas, I would suggest that you research well before you decide who to contact as a mentor, as you have more chance getting help if you know the direction you want to pursue.

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DON'T LAZE OUT! Animation needs a lot of patience and effort to get it right and don't settle for anything less that what you set out to get done! The moment you settle and give up it shows very clearly on the final piece for you and the audience both, one you learn to put in that effort diligently then you will need a mentor to cross the skill barrier you arrive at

Dans le monde de la création contenu audiovisuel, les créateurs sont les architectes de l'imagination, tissant des récits qui captivent et inspirent. Leur art transcende les frontières, éveillant les émotions et offrant une fenêtre sur des mondes infinis. Dans chaque image, chaque son, réside le pouvoir de transformer, d'éduquer et de divertir, portant ainsi la flamme de la créativité à travers les époques.

The best place to find industry experts whose work you admire is in the credits of your favorite films and TV shows. Use these credits to find people you would love to talk to about their experience on a particular show/movie, and THEN politely reach out over LinkedIn or email. Do not cold call or text, and be respectful of working professionals’ time.

While online is a good place, it gets too saturated and it takes a while for people to respond as they are surely busy with their own work. The best place to start for me back then was when I attended design conference to meet people. It does not even need to be an event that's related to animation. Some of the people I look up to for advice are those from different disciplines when we met during business networking events or any interest groups. They are able to see things from a very fresh perspective for me to apply in my own case.

I think LinkedIn is probably the best way to find a suitable mentor. Animation directors and experienced animators often share their work on the platform, which can help you find people to reach out to. Using the messenger feature, it is easy to connect with potential mentors.

Look for experienced professionals in the animation industry who inspire you and whose work resonates with your goals. Explore online communities, social media platforms, and industry events to identify potential mentors. Research their backgrounds, achievements, and areas of expertise to ensure they can provide valuable guidance.

Find your favourite artists, look up their story and where they go for feedback. I'd suggest looking for either big convention-style events where you can talk to the people you aim to learn from, or small communities where you'll learn everyone's name and build trust as you learn together. Find peers.

I found that the best way to reach out to people in my profession is by doing a lot of networking i.e. connecting with a lot of people in the medium on social media. I see what animations they’ve posted, check out their profiles and learn from them.

Experienced professional animators are usually happy to hear from junior designers who are looking to learn. So, it's best to be friendly in your approach and try to compliment their work. After all, who doesn't like compliments! However, it's important to keep in mind that busy animators may not be able to respond immediately. Therefore, it's best to be patient. But, it's always a good idea to follow up on your initial outreach after a week or so.

I think it's best not to expect any specific amount of time or commitment since mentoring is typically done as a favor. Being a mentor can be rewarding just by seeing someone's success rather than receiving anything offered in return.

You can reach out to people over linkedIn, email, public social media profiles. Not everyone may have the bandwith to reply, so be persistent but there is a thin line between persistence and annoyance (learnt the hard way). In your inmail or email try and include all the links to your work portfolio and resume/profiles. Youtube/ online courses were my mentors before I could have an actual one, so use all the resources that you already have. All the best!

In my experience, I've discovered that networking is key when it comes to connecting with others in my profession. This involves actively engaging with fellow professionals in the field on social media platforms. By exploring the animations they share and taking a look at their profiles, I've been able to learn valuable insights and techniques from their work.

Show interest, be attentive but don't kiss ass. Learn their story and what they focus on when they work, both in the micro- and macro-view. Everyone's just a person so treat them as such. Don't put them on a pedestal; you can't build a connection if you put them that far out of reach.

Keep attending webinars/seminars, join groups, communities, you don't always need 1 mentor, best minds are their to help others without being their mentors, so go and speak with strangers.

Always be open to learning from your supervisors and peers. Their guidance can offer valuable insights and strengthen your professional relationships, without the need for additional social outings or shared travels. Simply practicing a spirit of mutual exchange can go a long way. Remember to respect their personal boundaries and maintain a healthy balance between work and personal life, both for yourself and for them. It's about fostering genuine connections while honoring everyone's individual space and priorities.

Found a potential mentor? Contact them respectfully and professionally. Introduce yourself, highlight their work you admire, and explain your specific learning goals. Be mindful of their time and keep your message concise. Mention your expected commitment and what you offer in return - gratitude, feedback, or collaboration. Remember, professionalism goes a long way! If they connect with you, fantastic! Now, foster a genuine connection. Ask questions, actively listen, and showcase your work while seeking valuable feedback. Implement their suggestions and respect their time and boundaries. Regular follow-ups and expressing your appreciation go a long way in building a rewarding mentorship.

Join a discord group, or an animation forum or group and make friends with fellow animators. I would lookout for animators that have great work and speak with them, asking them to share their workflow and tips with me. Also be respectful when you do it and do not demand.

One of the most effective ways to learn from others in the animation field is through mentorship. Establishing a mentor-mentee relationship with an experienced animator provides invaluable guidance, feedback, and support. A mentor can offer insights into industry trends, share practical advice on navigating challenges, and help you refine your skills to reach new heights in your animation career.

Don't hesitate to seek critiques from peers, clients, or even audience members. Compare and contrast their insights, discovering hidden strengths and areas for improvement. Analyze successful animations, identifying elements that resonate with you. Experiment with incorporating them into your own work, but always maintain your unique voice.

When I started I would do this and what I learned is that to get a good mentor or even just feedback from a great artist, you need to approach them with humility and willingness to learn more, don’t immediately showcase your work, unless they ask, you could say, “hey Sarah, It’s….. I really love your art style, I am just starting out in animation and I find it hard to……how can I breakthrough that? Any pointers you give will be very helpful to me”

Find a core group of peers you get most of your feedback from, and supplement that but don't get in too many groups all at once. You have to curate your sources of info or you might get overwhelmed by the amount of impressions and information. Try different sources before you settle entirely. Online, offline, local, remote, whatever options you have.

Taking initiative in my mentorship was crucial for my growth as an animator. I actively sought feedback, asked questions, and eagerly tackled new challenges to expand my skill set. Embracing constructive criticism and demonstrating a willingness to learn were key factors in accelerating my progress in the industry.

Don't get complacent after landing a job. Over time I've seen that it is the animators who continue to work on their craft and keep their demoreel updated that stay while some others fade away. Be proactive in helping your peers out at work and being a joy to work with, that way even if they shift companies they will think of you when they are looking for an extra member in their team. It is a small industry so you can likely bump into the same people.

Much like in any creative field, asking questions and seeking guidance from experienced animators is crucial. By actively engaging with professionals in the industry, you not only demonstrate your enthusiasm for the art form but also gain invaluable insights into the techniques and processes involved.

Being proactive in my mentorship journey really shaped my growth as an animator. I made a conscious effort to actively seek feedback, ask questions, and tackle new challenges to improve my skills. Embracing constructive criticism and showing a genuine eagerness to learn were instrumental in helping me progress within the industry.

Mentorship is something very dynamic in my experience and this could be anyone in certain areas of life that I'd like to improve on. I learn that if we are open enough, we will learn much more than just animation. There will be many diverse perspectives and approaches in professional and personal life that we'll get from good mentorships. A mentorship does not restrict to one person as well. It could be ever changing with a few people in a different areas.

Finding a mentor is obviously a great bonus to your career as an animator or indeed a Film Maker but firstly, they must align with the story type and animation style that you like working with, and sometimes you need to work really hard by practising your art and entering as many competitions as possible before you start to get any notice from potential mentors, either that you have selected or you have been identified by. And indeed, some of these mentors may actually be from Film schools that you may be lucky enough to be excepted into. My advice is perseverance and hard work will always be rewarded in case of the time, as you never know when your going to be successful it may take months it may take years

Lorsque j’ai commencé à vouloir créer des animations, c’est venu du fait que j’ai été ébloui par le travail de RSA Animate. Je pense que c’est comme cela que ?a commence, par une inspiration. On a envie de créer le style qui nous a attiré vers l’animation. Ensuite, j’ai trouvé sur Youtube des motion designers qui expliquaient les techniques qui pouvaient mener au même rendu que les animations de RSA. J'ai interagis avec eux en laissant des commentaires qui incluaient des questions ou des remerciements, et la relation de mentorat est apparue naturellement. La création d'animations est une activité qui offre de nombreuses possibilités et qui requiert un travail intense et persévérant. Ne partez pas dans tous les sens.

Finding the right mentor may require patience and persistence, but the insights and guidance they provide can be invaluable on your journey in animation. Remember to stay humble, stay hungry, and never lose sight of your passion for the craft. And above all, cherish the mentorship relationships you cultivate, they can truly make all the difference in your career.

There hasn't been a great animation series since SouthPark (maybe Adventure Time)... and most of the great animators are dead. Chuck Jones, Hanna-Barberra, Phil Seger, Pat Sullivan... but there are a few who are still alive you may like to study the work of: Mike Judge, Matt Groening, Matt and Trey... have a look at Goodbye Kitty. Now them there's real cartoons. They are all anti-woke, badass and genuinely funny brave guys. Unlike Disney who are soooo bad they don't even know what a cartoon is anymore. If you are into sad social disillusions like "Inclusivity" and "Diversity" then you have already failed as a cartoonist/animator/writer.