Thursday, December 27, 2012

Erikos

Disappointing as it may be, after half a year of job hunting, I am still unemployed, so it is time to move back to The Netherlands. Right after graduation, I was quite optimistic, as a fistful of studios had shown interest in my work, but during summer, I realised once more that a Canadian 'Wow' means just as little as a Dutch 'leuk'. That is, most of the studios that had asked me to contact them, did not even respond to my email or phone calls. One the major studios had already told me they were not going to eat through the red tape of supporting me getting a work permit. I appreciate their honesty in this, but in general, the bigger studios have no problem in hiring people, while the smaller studios shy away from the necessary formalities. On top of that, I learnt that it is not always an advantage to be a Max the Mutt graduate, as the reputation of the school seems to be less than stellar.

During the school's Industry Night, I learnt that two of the four 2011 graduates were still unemployed, while one of them seems to be freelancing in his home country; I do not now about number four. So, I was already a little prepared that it would not be so easy to find a job but, of course, I had hoped to do better. Of the seven 2012 graduates, I know that one is working, one is fighting the evil Turks in his homeland Greece and I can only hope he will survive, as he still owes me $2. I spent some time practicing google-fu, but I have not been able to secure a definite status for the others. I wish them good luck.

For now, I will need to find a home in The Netherlands, and hope to start freelancing there, although the emphasis will be more on illustrating than on animating, as the Dutch do not really have an animation tradition. In the meantime, I will keep looking for jobs abroad, preferably out of the euro zone. I am a firm disbeliever in Europe, and am afraid the single Greek who still owes me $2 will be the least of my problems.

5 comments:

NHT said...

took you four years to research the school had no reputation ?

Anonymous said...

It is always easy to blame others for lack of will determination and talent(I did not check your work)...Problem with art students that talent and their work is recognized in instant.If you go by the grades, you will never find job.For example,if you complete accounting school even if you are crappy accountant you can fool someone and get hired.Because people in that industry do go after your grades, and what is hidden in your head. So it is not up to school to give you job.It is up to you to constantly upgrade your skills! And even after school to target and narrow your interest in portfolio.So if you are applying for Illustration (I have no idea what you completed) you narrow portfolio with 10 exceptional pieces.But before getting into illustration there is a little secret that nobody told me.It take 5 years before you get a meaningful jobs and become well established.If you do not also have your own connections and friends,than I do understand why you have such a tough luck in finding a job.So head up and work on that portfolio!Applying with your portfolio as an artist for me is like being naked, all my imperfections are exposed, unlike applying again for accountant, where you are completely covered dressed up in a nice clothing.Also keep in mind Canada have preferential treatment for their own citizens, so again you have to be artist extraordinaire to get hired.

Anonymous said...

Nobody will hire 50 year old animator.If that is what you completed your education for.It is for young people.This sound harsh but it is true...

Izak van Langevelde said...

@Anonymous: You seem to have forgotten that animation matured in the hands of nine old men...

Izak van Langevelde said...

@Anonymous: you don't know me or my work, and yet you insinuate anonymously I am blaming others for lack of will determination and talent? Sweet.