I thought I'd confess publicly that the reality of graduating college this May is slowly creeping up on me, and I'm a little concerned. I figure it'd be a good idea to move out to southern California if I expect to get a job making cartoons (in any form), but southern California is too expensive to just scoot on over and hope for the best. However, if I wait more than 6 months to move out, I will have to move out while paying for student loans.
...Does anyone know about how, exactly, to go about this? Really I just want a job that will pay my bills, give me some sort of experience with a studio, and allow me to learn and grow as a cartoonist. Unfortunately, I can't really see that happening with anyone but John (perhaps I've become a purist already). So, basically, I guess I'd be trying to pay my bills, get experience, and going home and studying (similar to how I'm doing now, only I'm taking classes and working as a barista instead of just having a real job).
Anyway, I'm free from school in May, free from my lease in August (I'd be ok breaking it if there was some extremely grand opportunity). I have to start paying off my loans in November.
I suppose I should be building a portfolio, but that cuts into my cartoon studies. Maybe I could spend some time after graduating building a portfolio? Would any place care about my studies? Ach.
Perhaps the biggest problem is that even if I had a portfolio prepared, I don't know of any cartoon studios that are making anything I actually like!
I guess I'm just posting out loud, but I thought I'd ask if anyone had any sort of advice on getting my career started.
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Just don't fail to plan, like yours truly
ReplyDeleteA good idea would be to rent out a house or an apartment with 3-5 friends, get a regular job. Then keep trying to get a position at one of the studios.
ReplyDeleteIf you move down there without a plan, you could end up broke, homeless and unemployed.
As someone in the entertainment industry, I'd say just go, go, go...all the best "I'm moving to LA" plans get shot to s*** in a few weeks (or days) anyway.
ReplyDeleteOne plan that for sure doesn't work so well is the "I'll get a job lined up, and THEN I'll move out there." It's practically impossible, unless you've got a fail-safe connection.
I'd suggest saving up as much $$$ as possible, then getting out there in late summer / early fall (well in front of the holiday season!) and getting some kinda entry-level job in the entertainment biz...PA, runner, etc...then build out from there.
Anyway...good blog, and good luck...