想在國外找到動畫工作,主要是重視經驗 ? 還是能力為重 ?
If you want to find an animation-related job in other countries, what is more important? Is it experience? or your skill?
有一次我參加一個動畫師講座,觀眾席學生有一位也提出了相似的問題。「請問如何能夠順利的找到工作 ?」 答案有點出乎意料,但仔細想想,也在意料之中——人脈。
那位動畫師回答:
我96%的工作,都是來自於親友或同事介紹。
人脈確實對於往後能夠持續接到工作,是最重要的。許多我的客戶,都是以前與我合作過的公司。紐約的動畫圈,大部分一開始都是從無薪(或低薪)實習開始。公司如果欣賞你的作品, 認可你的能力,以後自然會想與你合作。當你開始在公司工作,便會開始認識到不同的同事, 同事當然可能會成為你下一個案子的貴人。不同公司的老闆,也會互相介紹他們雇用的員工。 久而久之,你的客源便會被開拓。
A few years ago I went to a panel. One of the audience asked” How do I successfully get a job? “ The answer was somewhat surprising. But if you think it through it does make sense. The speaker answered “ Connection.”
Connection indeed has a huge impact on stable future job supply. A lot of my clients are more or less associated with my past jobs. In New York, young animators often started with unpaid internships. Instead of an actual paycheck, a lot of companies offer college credit or commute expenses. After you start working/ interning at a company, you’d be making friends with your coworkers and supervisors. If you prove your skill to them and present yourself as a friendly, open-minded person, they’ll potentially be more willing to pass your name around!
To sum up, the connection plays a big role in future job opportunities. However, in order to build a connection, you require both outstanding skills and a flexible personality.
會因為語言的關係,就算能力好,也無法出國工作嗎 ?
Is it possible that the language barrier becomes the obstacle of working in other countries? Regardless of your extraordinary skill?
這是非常有可能的。如果能再一次,我會希望當初我可以花更多更多的時間準備英文。
相信不管在哪間動畫公司工作,每個人的溝通都是非常重要的。因為動畫本身就是每個角色密切聯繫的產業。紐約的工作步調很快,每天都有大量的溝通,導演跟製作人、製作人跟動畫師、設計師跟導演、客戶跟導演等等….。雖然我認為美國人習慣外國人的存在,也非常樂意的、努力的去理解你的意思,但是當截止日期在即,如果無法傳遞彼此的想法,他們有很 高的可能性會錄用母語者以利案件的快速進行。
但我認為臺灣人普遍英文能力都在水準之上,只要是基本的會話,然後能知道你的老闆在說什麼,我覺得就很足夠了!
In my opinion, it’s highly possible. If I could start all over again, I’d spend more time studying English.
I believe that no matter what nation you’re in, communication is the crucial key in the animation industry. Constructed with a tight pipeline, the animation company itself is like a jigsaw puzzle and every person represents every piece of it. The puzzle can’t be solved if one of them is missing. New York is a fast pacing city. A lot of information and communication take place while the deadline is approaching. The director vs. producer, the client vs. producer, designer vs director……etc. Despite the fact that Americans are very used to work with foreign workers, it’s still possible that they’d eventually go with people that are native speakers just so the communication can flow smoothly.
Taiwanese people started learning English at a very young age. Personally I think our English skills are all above average. As long as you understand what your supervisor wants you to do and more importantly, make sure they understand your concern or questions, it’s adequate.
要在國外念過書,會比較容易在國外找到工作嗎 ?還是和能力有關 ?
In order to work in order countries, do you think studying in their countries makes it easier? Or does it come down to your skill?
雖然很現實,但這是真的。雖然也有非常非常少數的人能夠找到工作即使他們沒有在美國唸書。
其實畢業後,我認為學校真正給你的東西,最主要真的不是學歷,而是人脈。
我的第一份實習,就是我在學校時,一位動畫工作室的老闆來學校演講,我向他自薦而獲得的。紐約的動畫公司常會有招攬人才的活動,但通常是透過學校。雖然美國學校學費不貲,但確實是一個通往產業的管道!
Unfortunately, I’d say it is in New York. Although there are talented people out there who obtained job offers without a foreign degree, it doesn’t happen regularly. To be honest, the important thing that schools pass on to you is the connection rather than the degree. We learned knowledge from school and we might become the top student in our class as long as we study harder. But the truth is there are still so many good animators out there struggling since they have a hard time reaching the threshold to the industry.
I got my first job from a studio owner who gave a speech at Pratt. I emailed him about potential internship opportunities. I was lucky that they were also looking for interns at that time!
A lot of animation companies visit the school’s career events to recruit. I understand that tuition costs a fortune, especially in the US. However, the school does provide a gateway that leads to the industries.
國外的環境與生活,跟臺灣主要差在哪裡?
In terms of the living environment, what is the most significant difference between Taiwan and other countries?
不同的地區有不同的差異。在國外生活,一切都要靠自己。在紐約一開始有很多不適應的地方 ,例如超市、郵局都很早關。打客服會變成居家常態。沒有7–11(非常痛苦啊!)一切三餐與日常生活所需都要自理。
工作是非常準時的上下班。在美國大家重視下班後的生活,跟工作是同等重要的!當然我認為也是美國重視隱私的原因。
以我在紐約的經驗,加班是要特別規劃的,也是經過上面的人深思熟慮後做的決定。因為要預估額外預算並要與客戶溝通,所以加班也不會成為常態。
It varies from place to place. New York city everybody hustle and bustle and you’re on your own. When I first came here I wasn’t very used to a lot of customs and traditions. Grocery stores and post offices close very early. Only bars are open when it’s past 7 pm. It becomes a daily basis to call all sorts of customer services. There’s no 7–11( Well there is, but is polar different to our 7–11! ) and you’ll have to take care of yourself.
In New York, we work and get off work on time. Part of the reason I believe is that they’re respectful of people’s privacy. Moreover, people value their lives as much as their works. From my experience, asking employees to work overtime requires to be planned ahead of time. Not only because the client’s approval affects the decision, which means it’d be an additional cost to them, but also the whole process needs to be budgeted under the penalty of the law.
給想出國唸書、工作的人的話?
What would you say to those who want to study and work in different countries?
“去吧!” 我會雙手雙腳支持想要出去闖蕩的人!在你還能走路的時候去看看外面的世界!
我會告訴你,出國是很辛苦的。在臺灣的理所當然的每天大小事,在美國都要換成英文,做之前都要做功課。想像你去全聯買菜的時候,要把所有要買的菜換成英文呢 ! 或是去郵局的時候 ,快捷信件要怎麼說呢⋯⋯等等。
大腦幾乎是24小時運轉的。工作的壓力也不容小覷,例如擔心因為語言而耽誤工作與課業進度,或想與同事、老闆打好關係,同時又要維持作品水準。美國的社交文化也與臺灣大不同。 不同的演講、研討會、社團等等,拿著酒杯跟陌生人聊天是家常便飯。
最重要的是,你的家人很多數朋友都在臺灣。在你在美國打拼的同時,你也會發現自己漸漸的失去與他們相處的時間,你錯過了參與他們人生大事的機會,例如朋友的升遷、婚禮。家人漸漸地老去,而你在他鄉努力地工作著⋯⋯。
我不認爲在美國就是比較好,因為這是一種人生的選擇,有選擇就會有捨棄。
你知道你要什麼就去做吧 !
如果發現美國不適合你,就回來吧 ! 因為若你沒有踏出這一步,你也不知道你是不是適合待在國外。我一直都相信
” You will never know if you never try. ”
真正在阻止你的, 就是你自己 ! 所以,Good luck!!
“Just do it! ” I’ll absolutely support your decision! I believe people should broaden their horizons while they still can! After all, it’s your fear that’s stopping you.
However, I’ll say this “It’s going to be very tough.” Things that you’ve been taking granted every day will become challenges once you switch to different countries. The errands you run every day might transform into a Tofel speaking exam. Picture before you do grocery shopping, you’ll need to memorize all the English names of the stuff that you’re buying.
Your brain is operating almost 24/7. You might be stressed out since the language barrier might cause a delay in both your jobs and your school. In order to fit in, you start to change the way you think and dress. At the end, you might find yourself turning into a completely person with the old you who just got off the plane and stepped on this land.
Most important of all, most of your family and friends will remain in Taiwan. While you’re in the US fighting and building your career, the time you spend your loved one is also slipping away. You might find yourself skipping their weddings, gathering and all those big moments of all their lives. Your parents are getting old. However, you’re on the other side of planet, only able to catch a glimpse of their smile through a tiny flat screen.
I would not say that staying in the US is better than staying in Taiwan. I believe it’s only a choice of your life. It comes with a trade-off whenever you make the decision. If you know you want to, then just do it. If you eventually do it and realize that the life in US doesn’t fit you, then come back. I believe that “ You never know if you never try. ” What is stopping you is yourself, the indecision and most important of all, the fear of unknown. Hence, good luck guys!!
黃靖媛 Mavis Huang
出生於雲林,於2014年到 Pratt Institute 就讀 Digital Art MFA,目前定居紐約,為接案動畫師。曾與Hornet, BUCK, Transistor Studios 等知名廣告公司合作。目前在CBS擔任手繪動畫師。
經歷
2017
BRONZE AWARDS, North American Film Awards
2017 WOFFF Winners-Animated Short, Formosa Festival of International Filmmaker Awards
Young Filmmaker Short, Red Rock Film Festival
Gold Award Winners, International Independent Film Awards
2015
Senior Internship Award, Pratt Institute
2014
2014 Taiwan Mininster of Edication Scholarship Program For Overse, Taiwan
2013
2013 THE THIRTEEN international animation festival, THE THIRTEEN international animation festival

