Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing/animator/director

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Expert: - 7/23/2007


Question
I've read that most successful animators start at a very young age. Brad Bird
completed his first animation at age 14. I am 14 years old and I have no idea
how to create shorts or anything. I want to be hired by Pixar or Disney but I
know it won't be easy.

I haven't really decided what I want to truly be in the future. Being a film
director is another one of my possibilities. That won't be easy either. I have
no connections to the Hollywood world. I only know a producer who works at
MTV (her mother goes to my church). Can you give me some advice on how
to take the first step?

Answer
Sharon,

If you want to be an animator, you need training in the work. What I would do is enroll in a college with an animation program, such as California Institute of the Arts.  Many of the animation students are hired by Disney right out of college.

In the meantime, sign up for as many animation courses at local schools as you can. And in your spare time, use your home video camera to make your own short animated films. The experience will teach you a lot and prepare you for college

Hope this helps. Good luck!

Phil

Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing

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Phil Nemy

Expertise

I am a motion picture and television producer with over 20 years of experience in the entertainment industry. I am also the author of the book GET A REEL JOB: Finding Your First Job In The Motion Picture Industry In Los Angeles. I can answers questions on a variety of subjects about careers in film from acting to directing to crew work, getting into the unions, successful strategies for networking, etc.

Experience

Former VP, Production for The Walt Disney Motion Pictures Group Supervised production on such films as ARMAGEDDON, THE PRINCESS DIARIES, REMEMBER THE TITANS, PEARL HARBOR, CON AIR, ENEMY OF THE STATE, THE ROCK, CRIMSON TIDE, COYOTE UGLY, A CIVIL ACTION, ROMY & MICHELE'S HIGH SCHOOL REUNION, NOTHING TO LOSE, EDDIE and others. Worked as an actor, stage manager, director on broadway and regional theater as well as L.A.' Equity-waiver scene. Former Associate Artistic Director of Los Angeles Equity-Waiver theater.

Organizations
Director's Guild of America, Screen Actors Guild, Actor's Equity Association

Education/Credentials
BFA in Acting/Directing from Carnegie Mellon University.

Past/Present Clients
I've worked with such filmmakers as Jerry Bruckheimer, Tony Scott, Steve Zaillian, Scott Rudin, Garry Marshall, Frank Marshall, Michael Bay, etc.

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