Out of the many super cool careers in the world today animation and cartooning have to be at the top of the list. For those who can draw simple characters and those who can draw complex characters there are many great careers available in this industry.
It may just as well be one of the most rewarding and profitable careers as far as artists and their avenues of expertise. There are so many places that need cartoonists and illustrators that start at the smallest of newspapers to the blockbuster animated movies in theaters today.
Careers in Cartooning and Animation: The Many Branches
There are different types of cartoons and just because you may know how to draw well you might,. or might not, be able to effectively master certain skills essential for landing the job you want… so let’s go through them now.
Editorial and political cartooning is very popular. It is usually a comical depiction of top headlines in the world and/or humorous roasts about political parties and even politicians themselves. You must not only be able to make a very accurate likeness of the people you wish to portray but also be ‘funny’ while spinning your point of view.
Magazine cartoons are usualy amusing but often times make fun of celebrities or other popular people and situations. The tactful, and truly artistic, will do this in a non-offensive manner. Everyone should be able to laugh at themselves to a certainh extent so you really need to be careful not to cross the rude and distasteful line- if you do, you may not get another job in this field.
Comic srtips appear in newspapers, magazines etc. They are largely there to amuse everyone and the tone is usually neutral. This humor may be a little odd when needed but the way it is delivered should be clear and likable for everyone who reads.
Comic books are a different arena and are quite popular, but this type of cartooning requires many years in the field before being able to work for such a demanding outlet. For instance, if you are starting a new and unique comic book you will really need to know what you are doing to make sure that you will have readership or your idea will fail and you will lose money. If you work for a company that is already established then the main aspects tend to deal with conforming to how the boss wants each piece done.
Illustrative cartoons are usually advertisments which contain very little, if any, words or stories. This type of cartooning is primarily found in magazines and is trying to catch your attention to a product, service or company.
Animation production is the top career for illustrators. From TV shows to blockbuster movies, animation, animated cartoons, and the like are at the tippy top of cartooning careers. The pay is great the hours may or may not be long depending on the specific project at hand.
Careers in Cartooning and Animation: Getting Started
If you are just starting out and have recognized your potential for one of these rewarding careers in cartooning and animation then there are a few steps you need to go through to make it happen.
The first thing you must do is realize that it will not happen over night and therefore you need to start slowly, develop a readership and build your published credits. Start by submitting your cartoons whether they be color, or the simple black and white sketches to newspapers in your area. Remember to devise a good strong story line to keep the editor hooked.
If you are lucky you’ll get a contract from the syndicate which is usually between $2,000-$5,000 which will then tie your talents to them for a period of time – this is when you negotiate salary. If you don’t get a contract right away don’t worry- it is normal for some rejections and it is purely luck if it happens to you on the very first submission. These things take time for the unexperienced.
When you do get a contract and you offically work for a specific newspaper you have begun the process of working toward that one perfect job in this industry that has captured your attention. It is called your goal and it can be any number of jobs related to the animation and cartooning field.
Next, make sure you work hard on not only your sketches and cartooning but also the story line that comes with it even after you have been hired. The only way you can get a renewal contract or a brand new contract form another source is to keep developing your readership. The more people that like your work the more your work will be in demand. Just because you have made it past the gate does not mean that you have earned slacking room.
Careers in Cartooning and Animation: The Top of the List
By far the best team to work for is Disney. Why? That’s easy, they’ll pay you more. There are so many different artists in animation production teams. Depending on what area you wanted to specialize in, there are a lot of careers available to you in the following departments.
Story Sketch/Outline
Layout
Visual Development Artists
Background Painters
Character Animation
Effects Animation
Computer Animation
With all of the many outlets, styles, and skills that go into the cartooning and animation productions you can find your niche easily with a little determination, practice, and patience. But Disney is not the only team out there. There is a vast array of production companies that specialize in animated films and all of them can use a cartooning expert in one of the aforementioned departments.
Careers in Cartooning and Animation: Resources
No matter if you are just starting out or if you have been dabbling in this profession for a while you will still need resources that can guide you in the appropriate direction for your specific talents. There are entirely too many wonderful organizations and schools that help the aspiring artist, I obviously could not list them all. But, below are collection of well known associations that can help you on your way.
Organizations for the Aspiring Cartoonist:
National Cartoonists
c/o Wendy Little, Olson Management
4101 Lake Boone Trail, Suite 201
Raleigh, NC 27607
The Cartoon Arts Network
Cartoon Arts Network Administration
Federated Communications Ltd.
9-10 Jew Street
Brighton, England BN1 1UT
(44) 1273-4705
International Animated Film Society
725 S. Victory
Burbank, CA 91502
(818) 842-8330
Email: Antran Manoogian, [email protected]
Magical Momments & Memories
91 Rowan Way
Exwick, Exeter
Devon, England EX4 2DT
(44) 01393-431653
Comic Art Professional Society
P.O. Box 1440
Burbank, CA 91507
Animation Magazines Looking for Cartooning Professionals:
Animation Journal
AJ Press
2011 Kingsboro Circle
Tustin, CA 92680-6733
Email: Maureen Furniss: [email protected]
Animation World Magazine
6525 Sunset Boulevard
Garden Suite 10
Hollywood, CA 90028
Email: [email protected]
Comic Relief
Michael A. Kunz, Editor
P.O. Box 6606 Eureka, CA 95502
In Toon Magazine
P.O. Box 487
White Plains, NY 10603
Persistence of Vision Magazine
Walt’s World publishing
3136 S. 3200 West
Salt Lake City, UT 84119
Email: Matt Crandall, [email protected]
Schools to Help you Sharpen your Cartooning Skills:
School of Visual Arts
209 E. 23rd Street
New York, NY 10010
Ringling School of Art and Design
Sarastoa, FL 34234
(813)351-4614
San Francisco Art Institute
Chestnut Street
San Francisco, CA 94133
(415) 771-7020
Savannah College of Art and Design
342 Bull Street
Savannah, GA 31401-3136
(912) 238-2400
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
37 S. Wabash Avenue
Chicago, IL 60603-3103
Careers in Cartooning and Animation: Conclusion
If you like to draw and can write funny and truly humorous story lines then you can probably make a very good living in one of the many careers listed above. If you can set your mind to it, be patient, and have fun showing the world your funny side then you can definitely make it as a cartooning or animation specialist.
