Professional Practise 3 - Study Task 3: Networking

Professional Practise 3
Study Task 3: Networking

• Part 1 - Updating LinkedIn:

• Here is a link to my LinkedIn Account: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisha-little-3a89bb199/
• I had fully completed my profile last year, however I have now updated it with a link to my portfolio and changed my profile, based upon what Kate Lander said about having a professional image/photo of yourself, rather than an illustration.
• Identifying and Making Connections:
• I already have a lot of connections on LinkedIn, however I made further connections with 2D Animator and Visual Development artists. I also considered connections with Talent and Recruitment roles, to possibly discuss how they look for Talent and what they look for with graduates. 
• Here are the people made connections with:
• Fernanda Valverde - 2D Lead Animator at Blue-Zoo Animation Studio
• Chloe Peters - 2D Animator at Blue-Zoo Animation Studio
• Nicolas Leger - Animation Director at Magic Design Studios
• Enrico Buffa - Visual Development Artist
• Sophie Gallo - 2D Animator at BlinkInk
• Nicola Finizio - 2D VFX Animator
• Jez Hall - Director at Blue-Zoo Animation Studio
• Edd Benson - Junior Animator at Blue-Zoo Animation Studio
• Nicola Finizio - 2D FX Animator at Sony Pictures Imageworks
• Tim Dillnutt - Freelance 2D Character Animator
• Isadora Morales Chaves - Storyboard Supervisor/Story Artist
• Isobel Stenhouse - Concept Artist at Supermassive Games
• Amanda Jesperson Holm - Animator at The Line Animation Studio

• I, then, attempted to contact some of these professionals, asking them how they developed their skills and acquired roles within the industry.
• Tim Dillnutt:

• I asked Tim about how he chose to become a freelance animator and how he is finding work at Golden Wolf and The Line!
• Tim gave me a lot of information on the Pros and Cons of freelancing vs. working in a studio! He also explained about why he went into freelancing and prefers freelance now, over a full-time studio job.

• Ed Benson
• I attempted to message Ed, asking about how he had gotten his role as a Junior Animator.
• Nicola Finizio
• I attempted to message Nicola to ask about their VFX Portfolio and how they've developed their 2D VFX.

• Isobel Stenhouse
• I contacted Isobel, after the talk she had as part of visiting professionals. I asked her for more information about online courses to improve animation skills and what she has found best to expand portfolios.
• She replied to me 
• Nicolas Leger
• I attempted to contact Nicolas to ask about 2D Animation within video games and how opportunities come up for VFX Animation in video games.

• Part 2 - Identifying Networking Opportunities

• Yorkshire Games Festival
• Usually at the National Science and Media Museum in Bradford, however will be online this year. I have already purchased tickets to attend this.

• Bring Your Own Animation 2020 - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bring-your-own-animation-2021-zoom-edition-tickets-54882284390?aff=ebdssbonlinesearch
• An online networking event for any level of skill, to bring animations and network with other animators.

• Cardiff Animation Festival - https://www.cardiffanimation.com/
• Unsure when the 2021 festival will be, but it would be worth submitting my final film into this festival, when it is complete!

• Motion North - https://www.meetup.com/motionnorth/
• Manchester based group for animators, filmmakers and motion designers. Meetups have moved online, due to COVID, which means I could attend the next event on July 15th 2021. 

• Online Animation Dingle - 24th March (£34 for Students) https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/virtual-animation-dingle-tickets-138920526033?aff=ebdssbonlinesearch&keep_tld=1
• Online Animation festival, with portfolio reviews and networking opportunities. Tickets go on sale 15th February!

• ANNY (Animation Nights New York) Festival - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/animation-nights-new-york-anny-virtual-events-tickets-138891501219?aff=ebdssbonlinesearch&keep_tld=1
• Has a screening and mixer event all online!

• Animated Women UK - http://www.animatedwomenuk.com/events/
• Usually has events on, however none are scheduled for 2021.

• Vertex Conference - https://www.vertexconf.com/2021/782692
• For both 2D and 3D artists, online tickets cost £25. It offers portfolio reviews and artist lounges, for networking.

• Traditional Animation Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/groups/traditionalanimation
• You can post to this page for feedback and social media growth, chat with other animators and artists of all skillsets.

• Manchester Animation Festival - https://www.manchesteranimationfestival.co.uk/
• The 2021 festival will be running online again, similarly to 2020. This allows for networking opportunities online, with the addition of submitting films to the festival.

• Leeds Young Professionals Network
• A networking event for all professions for young people.

• GAMAYO - https://gamayo.co.uk/
• Whilst they don't have events planned at the moment, I will have to keep updated!