I have just finished reading this bloody well written article below by the amazing Chris Oatley.
http://chrisoatley.com/jobs-in-animation-industry/
I really encourage animation students and working animators to go read it fully. This particular part below is so so true to me personally. And I want to put it here to remind myself.
"Are you an artist? …a visual storyteller?
…then keep drawing and telling stories.
You can’t let fluctuations in the industry and/or economy kill your creativity.
…and you don’t need a job in the animation industry to validate your calling.
The world needs visual stories. Humanity thrives on visual stories.
I think you should draw or tell the stories inside of you even when you aren’t getting paid.
…especially when you aren’t getting paid.
We must distinguish the truth of our internal calling as creative people from all external forces."
And these 2 gems below.
“One of the great things about the animation industry is that it rewards hard work and persistence.”
"No, I don’t think you can guarantee success with a great attitude, hard work and persistence, but you can guarantee failure without them."I think that we are doing animation because we want to. Even in Singapore .When material gains and objectives have been drilled with fear into us. The specter of fear of failure hanging over us ever since we can walk. The constant need for external validation of success from our parents, society and peers define who we are. I have been in a endless conflict between seeking validation and fighting the need for it. With a liberal amount of worry if I am doing the right thing. And I still do that every day. But I am succeeding. To keep making shorts, to keep telling stories, crafting characters. And I have had a wonderful, stressful, fulfilling, worrying time.
So to those out there, pls take heed of Chris Oatley's words. And Fight the conditioning that our society have impose on you. And find the real purpose that you do what you do.
hilscreate.blogspot.com
