As a freelancer in the VFX industry you are applying to a lot of jobs and/or getting in touch with people who can get you in touch with someone who can get you a job. Urgh, exhausting! This application process also makes you very aware of all of the VFX facilities in the city or country that you are applying, which is great.
When you are looking for work and applying for jobs my best advice would be to research all the studios in the city. What are they working on, who works there, where are they located? A great way to do this is through LinkedIn.
When you are applying to an advertised position my best advice do what is requested of you.
If the job post is asking that you submit a resume and reel to a specific email address, do that. If they want something else, do that. If you are applying for an artist position you must send a link to your reel in this first point of contact (and make sure it works). I've received too many emails that don't have a link to the reel and then it may take me several attempts at contacting the applicant to get that link.
A breakdown is also a must. I want to know what part of the shot you contributed to. You can add this information in the reel while it's playing, at the end or in a separate document.
Here's a link to 'Creating a demo reel' from the Pixar website. There's some great tips and insights.
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When emailing your resume and reel to a Recruiter or Hiring Manager be sure to do the following things -
- Get their name right. I've been called Claire, Clara, Cara, Carly.
- Write a short email introduction. Who are you, what are you applying for, where are you?
- Keep it professional yet friendly. VFX is a fun industry so show some personality as that is taken into account when I'm interviewing you.
- Format the email. Don't have 3 different font sizes in 4 different colors with triple spacing. You're a VFX artist, you are supposed to create visually pleasing work.
- Include all of your information, links and attachments. Make sure you have a phone number on your resume and yes, I'd love to see your LinkedIn.
After you have applied for the position, give it some time before reaching out to make contact again. A lot of people apply for the position and you want to give the Recruiter some time to get to your email before you reach out again.
Don't be scared to follow up on an application. Recruiters are busy and they require time to gather a short list so that is often why you won't hear back right away or even within a week or so. They have to get Producers and Supervisors to look at reels and it takes time. Following up with them shows that you are interested and reminds them who you are. Keep this second point of contact light and don't ask too many questions. Its just a reminder for them that you are interested and still available. If you don't hear back after this second contact then it is probably not a good sign. A good Recruiter will get back to you and not leave you hanging and maybe say 'yes, were interested' or 'you're not what we looking for at this time'.
But in saying this, a Recruiter will get back to you quickly if they think you are a great candidate that they don't want to lose. Every Recruiter is different and works differently, this is just my way.
If you are contacted by a Recruiter and have a phone or in-person conversation be sure to show your full self, not just who you are professionally. Do you have a blog? Are you an illustrator? Do you teach art somewhere? These are things that are sometimes not on your resume and a Recruiter won't know about it unless you tell them.
Be yourself during the conversation too. The Recruiter needs to know that you will get along with the rest of the team so try to relax and make some small talk, this shows a lot about your personality.
Follow up after the interview/ conversation. This shows professionalism and attentiveness and will remind them to keep the ball rolling.
If you aren't hired for the position, be gracious. Thank them for the opportunity to interview for the position. Connect on LinkedIn and stay in touch so they will know if you get another job or become available again. You can never have too many good relationships in this industry.
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