Resources for Animation Jobs in Entertainment

By Sarah Clark
sarah.clark@animationschooldirectory.com
Animation School Directory Columnist

Launch your Hollywood-based animation job search by first getting familiar with some of the most important organizations and resources of entertainment business information for artists, actors, writers, and other creative professionals.

Screen Actors Guild

This is probably one of the most well-known entertainment labor organizations in the U.S. SAG has been representing the interests of its actors since the 1930s. The union represents nearly 120,000 actors in film, television, and advertising. You may wonder what an actors' union has to do with animation. Well, an animator creates characters and characters need voices, which are provided by actors. Famous actors such as Paul Newman, Tim Allen, and Woody Allen have provided the voices to animated characters. Knowing how the SAG works may help you in your efforts to get to know the business of Hollywood during your animation job search.

American Federation of Television and Radio Artists

The AFTRA is also a union; it represents more than just actors, however. The AFTRA negotiates and enforces over 300 collective bargaining agreements for all types of professionals in television and news media. As part of the AFL-CIO, the AFTRA also lobbies on a broad scale for their membership on issues as diverse as copyrights and health and safety standards. Its Web site also contains useful information for animation job seekers such as links to industry organizations and contract information.

Animation School and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design

If you're interested in one day pursuing work in Hollywood in the field of animation, but aren't ready to start looking for a job yet, you might want to check out the NASAD. The NASAD is a good resource for those thinking of attending animation school but aren't sure which school to attend. On their Web site you can find a list of accredited schools along with standards associated with a variety of degree programs in the arts. It's a good place to start researching animation schools.

Sources:

• American Federation of Television and Radio Artists
• National Office for Arts Accreditation in Higher Education

About the Author

Sarah Clark is a freelance writer based in Arlington, Virginia.