Comments on: The 2 Secrets To Success In Animation

By: Chris Oatley

Chris Oatley — Sun, 06 May 2012 02:18:04 +0000

Jose, yes, you are pretty cool. VERY cool, actually.

Just don’t think that “being great to work with” is ONLY about attitude.

It’s about making regular, generous, contributions in the small things that are so small nobody else wants to do them and in the huge things that are so huge that nobody else wants to do them.

It’s about anticipating the needs and problems of your colleagues and supervisors and doing everything in your power to provide for those needs and solve their problems.

It’s about going the extra mile and then the extra ten miles and then the extra hundred. It’s about becoming completely indispensable to the studio.

Having a good attitude is step one.

Does that make sense?

By: Jose

Jose — Sat, 05 May 2012 19:52:49 +0000

Well as far attitude I think I’m pretty cool… and for the other it’s a work in progress.

It’s good to know these kinds of things though…

Thanks Chris!

By: Chris Oatley

Chris Oatley — Sat, 05 May 2012 00:13:28 +0000

Ah! Got it. And that is a hilarious way of describing it. I’ll probably end up quoting you on that.

By: Jay Fontano

Jay Fontano — Wed, 02 May 2012 20:18:04 +0000

Chris- Good point for sure, but I was just agreeing with you about the work is what they want to see, not so much all the “fluff” that is delivering the work. The page count, logo, etc. would be the fluff. Basically it doesn’t matter how attractive the wrapper is if the cheeseburger tastes like garbage.

By: ChrisOatley

ChrisOatley — Wed, 02 May 2012 19:30:34 +0000

Hi, Jay,

I’m not sure what you mean by “fluffing it up.” Do you mean hyping it up with the way you talk about it?

If so, I don’t recommend hype. Being genuinely excited about your accomplishments, sure. But not at the expense of alienating others… …especially those who could hire you.

I try to let the quality of my own work speak for itself but I do enjoy talking about process and technique and struggle etc. with my fellow artists.

I hope that answers your question. If not, just reply and clarify and I’ll give it another shot.

By: Jay Fontano

Jay Fontano — Wed, 02 May 2012 17:41:02 +0000

Great stuff Chris. I will have to remember this as I venture out into the industry soon. I suppose I need to be confident in my work and not worry about fluffing it up to try to make it appealing- if it isn’t working on it’s own none of the fluff will help it right?

By: ChrisOatley

ChrisOatley — Wed, 02 May 2012 17:29:05 +0000

You’re exactly right, Mike.

At Disney, we talk about “right fit” and “cultural match” all the time.

Both mean similar things and it’s all about the effect you have on people. Lotta artists ignore this area of potential growth at great cost to their careers.

By: ChrisOatley

ChrisOatley — Wed, 02 May 2012 17:27:04 +0000

That’s amazing, Owen.

Clearly, Aardman has incredibly high standards. Good for you!

By: Owen

Owen — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 20:54:58 +0000

Sound advice Chris.
Being a nice person, having talent and also possessing a healthy amount of persistence seem to be key. These were all factors that helped me get into Aardman and beat the other hoards of other applicants. (Getting a lucky break also helps…)

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By: Mike

Mike — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 23:03:02 +0000

Great Points Chris! In the design industry (where I work), often times when hiring, its more about finding a person who’s “the right fit” – ie someone easy to work with – that will get hired over someone who’s really good, but doesn’t connect well.

It’s amazing to think that about 50% of getting a job in the art field has absolutely nothing to do with what you learn in school.