u/BagristaSTEVEN

Hi there, I am a 20 year old live-action film student who wants to make his way into the animation industry. I already have an idea about how to make that shift, but I would really appreciate some outside perspective to poke holes in it.

As change is essentially getting from point A to point B, I will use that logic to give the post a structure:

Point A -- My current situation

• My "background" is in YouTube. Since middle school, I have been making video essays which have over time gotten ridiculously long, ridiculously visually polished, and now take months to produce. I think this gave me mainly three things: 1. Writing as my primary way of expression, 2. solid compositing and editing skills, and 3. some leadership experience, as I now manage a small team in the production of my last video essay.
• I decided to study filmmaking because I wanted a career that felt like my YouTube work, but live-action never felt quite right. Animation had never crossed my mind before that because drawing doesn't come naturally to me like writing or tech-related activities do, but for the past year and a half I have been steadily growing certain that the animation industry is the right one.
• I began learning the fundamentals of drawing intensely and applied to the animation courses in my college this year. I only got half the portfolio points on 2D Animation, making it unlikely I will get an offer, but full points on 3D Animation. I guess they recognised that I am tech-savvy.

Point B -- My dream career + The way towards it

• Although I am aware the odds are low, like many others I aspire to tell my own story someday, to write and direct an animated film. The reason why is what I found fulfilling about my YouTube work -- sending a message to the world, feeling a connection to the audience, feeling that you are leaving a mark on the world.
• I want to get my first job in the industry as a compositor, and that way get to know the studio pipeline, get to know people, and pay the bills. Compositing and editing is something I can do reliably and well regardless of my mood, and I think I would enjoy it as a career even if I didn't achieve my highest aspirations.
• I would develop my own projects in my spare time and use my social media experience to build the IP online. If it finds its audience, then I can pitch it, or crowdfund it.

Specific questions I have:

• My greatest concern is college. Should I stay in film school? Can I benefit from it by focusing on screenwriting, film language, etc. or would it be a waste of time? Should I apply to 2D animation again if I don't get an offer? Should I accept the 3D animation offer if I do get it? Or should I not be bothered by college at all?
• What challenges should I be prepared for if I end up applying to compositing jobs without a formal animation degree? And is the shift from post-production to pre-production realistic or is it unheard of?

PS: To anyone who contributed to the wiki -- thank you, it's been invaluable.