by …continued from previous page.
Matt: Games sound a lot different than movies.
Chris: Yeah, that’s interesting. Are there any other differences that are coming to mind as I’m rambling on here that you would want to point out?
Matt: Well I guess similarity is that being in person, going to like the weekly meetup for the game developers in your town or whatever, being there, meeting people, shaking hands – that really does matter. So if you happen to live in a city where there are games being made, just getting yourself out there does yield results. But I don’t know that for me that fact alone would make a move worthwhile. I wasn’t like very ready to get a job there, I think it’s just an expensive gamble.
Chris: Yeah, a lot of it does come down to how good is your portfolio? How strong is a portfolio? I can think of a few people right now that are coming to mind around like if I were less responsible of an advisor, I would say you are fully hirable, I would hire you if I saw your portfolio. Just do it! I’m not that irresponsible, I’m not that cavalier and try to manipulate them into moving, but there is…it’s hard to say and people say, “Am I hirable? Am I ready? Am I good enough to get that job?” And Will Terry and I did a podcast episode on this not too long ago called “Am I Good Enough?” And you know, we addressed that from a more emotional level but there are people where you see them and they’re so good and you’re just like, “You’re so good, there’s no reason you shouldn’t be getting consistent work.” But then they’re like, “I’m struggling, man.” So it’s all a subjective thing, it’s very, very difficult. I guess my point is that yeah, my advice is, keep moving forward from where you are right now. What’s the next immediate step you can take just like Matt said, there are studios in Georgia. So for Justin specifically, there are studios in Georgia. Oh, and I don’t want to forget, go to CTNX! That is a great way to calibrate your mind to the expectations of the industry, what kind of competition you’re up against. It’s amazing how enlightening that experience is, and it’s coming up in November, you can still get tickets. We’ll again make a link in the blog post associated with this podcast episode where you can enroll. Go to CTNX because you’ll have a great time, it’s super inspiring, it’s amazing but you’ll get a really great idea of what the current kind of emotional temperature of the industry is. And you’ll get in one weekend, you’ll get a really good read on where you stand and where your work stands.
Matt: For games, GDC would be the equivalent.
Chris: Cool, where is that and when?
Matt: Oh gosh, the one I went to is in San Francisco. I think it’s always held there although I’m not sure.
Chris: Well, we’ll find out and we’ll put the information in the blog post.
Matt: But very worth it. They’ve got a great job fair and you know, lots of cool panels and stuff.
Chris: Okay, great, GDC. Yeah, it’s just amazing how much an in person experience like that can give you especially when you contrast that with what it’s like to just stay in your…I know what it’s like to feel so disconnected. And you don’t have to feel that way, sure going to Burbank and attending CTNX or going to San Francisco and attending GDC is not the same as getting a job at a studio in one of those cities, but it’s still a sensory experience that gives you more information than what we can even try to describe right now. That’s great. Well Matt, please share with the listeners where they can find you and your going’s on just in case they’re not familiar already.
Matt: So I run a website called CTRLPaint.com and that’s CTRL and it’s where you can learn about sort of like basic digital painting stuff, and then my personal work is at MattKohr.com.
Chris: If you have a question that you would like for me to answer on the Art Cast, please send an email to [email protected]. You can send a written email or an audio file. You can also call the listener line at 818-588-OATS and record a voicemail. And I love answering questions so don’t be shy.
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I’d like to welcome back to the Art Cast, the immitigable Matt Kohr!
Matt: I like that title. I want that on my business card.
Chris: That’s a call back because I couldn’t say immitigable on the last time you were on the show.
Matt: Well, thanks for having me Chris!
Chris: You’re welcome!
