Jobs on the west coast and Vancouver CA?

talk random
1

University is basically a giant waste of my time and money. I am not learning anything, and after working in a studio even before going into university, I’d learned so much more in a week of studio. I even freelance and work on bits and pieces of television commercials - and they are still teaching the fundamentals of the software.

Driving me nuts, because I have to just get out there and work on amazing things.

I have a year and a half left, but I want to leave it for work (which was the plan after finishing anyway).

I’m looking to move for the job to the West Coast, or in Vancouver BC. I have a couple of hookups with a few studios, but am still very unaware of everything else that lies out that side.

So the lowdown is: I’m hunting for animation work ( I do both 2d and 3d), or even illustration work to set myself up.
Portland, OR looks like my #1 place to want to move to at the moment, but I am still hunting around.

I’m superly hunting for contacts, because I will move as soon as a good offer comes my way - and if not, most definitely make a visit between November to March to check things out.

Does anyone have recommendations of studios or creative firms hiring people like me?

[whisper]:stuck_out_tongue: the first time I’m asking you forums fellas for some help!![/whisper]

Cheers!!

2

Mainframe in Van is probably worth a try. They were talking about moving into feature films a while back and were growing quite a bit.

3

Dude there are so many production studios in Vancouver. Since so much filming happens here because of the nice scenery, they just export their production to local studios. I don’t know any specific ones, but I’m sure a little research on the intertubes will turn up something.

COME TO VANCOUVER! Don’t let Count Joshua Dracula Jenkins bait you with the ugly places of U.S. westcoast!

4

You will regret for the rest of your life if you move to somewhere in the states.

For the sake of your sanity, your only option should be in vancouver…

Toronto is also in the same position in terms of filming and stuff as vancouver… hills and mountains are nice, but if you need a fake new york city set for cheap, then its toronto :lol:

5

[QUOTE=darkmotion;2336401]I’m looking to move for the job to the West Coast, or in Vancouver BC. I have a couple of hookups with a few studios, but am still very unaware of everything else that lies out that side. So the lowdown is: I’m hunting for animation work ( I do both 2d and 3d), or even illustration work to set myself up. Portland, OR looks like my #1 place to want to move to at the moment, but I am still hunting around.

Does anyone have recommendations of studios or creative firms hiring people like me? [/QUOTE]

Vancouver

mainframe = rainmaker

Tons of links for Vancouver (also Toronto etc…)
http://www.3dcanada.ca/r-cgcompanies.html

Specific

Portland

Nike founder Phil Knight sounds like he’s getting some good talent together for his Portland-based animation studio Laika. How can you go wrong with a company started by the Nike founder :wink:

http://www.laika.com


Articles on Laika
http://blog.lightsoutfilms.com/lights_out_films/2005/09/laika_animation.html
http://www.katu.com/news/business/3610631.html

Some Others:

http://www.renegadeanimation.com/
http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=1285

http://www.fashionbuddha.com/
http://www.fashionbuddha.com/blog/

6

Okay, a few things. First, I did the same thing as far as the degree is concerned - I got hired before my BA was over, and that was years ago. I’ve never regretted it. Second, Vancouver is a great place, there are a ton of studios and such there.

Third, you might consider looking at the gaming industry. Since you seem to be interested in the Northwest, I should mention that Seattle is loaded with game studios that are often hiring animators. It’s a great industry to work in, really fun people, fun products, great parties, heh. Seattle’s studios include Valve, Microsoft, Sony, Gas Powered Games, Bungie Software… and like 100 more, there are really so many.

Anyhow, it’s always useful to keep other industries in mind, and gaming is a fun one.

*edit:

*I’m actually from the Portland area, so that was where I had wanted to go back to when I moved to California, but I’m loving Seattle - it’s got pretty much everything that I liked about Portland and more. I couldn’t be happier here.

7

:thumb2: Sweet i’ll check them out

[quote=MTsoul;2336531]Dude there are so many production studios in Vancouver. Since so much filming happens here because of the nice scenery, they just export their production to local studios. I don’t know any specific ones, but I’m sure a little research on the intertubes will turn up something.

COME TO VANCOUVER! Don’t let Count Joshua Dracula Jenkins bait you with the ugly places of U.S. westcoast![/quote]

I totally will check those out ! Thanks :smiley:

[quote=fasterthanlight™;2336569]You will regret for the rest of your life if you move to somewhere in the states.

For the sake of your sanity, your only option should be in vancouver…

Toronto is also in the same position in terms of filming and stuff as vancouver… hills and mountains are nice, but if you need a fake new york city set for cheap, then its toronto :lol:[/quote]

I’ll definitely visit for sure!

[quote=prg9;2336574]Vancouver

mainframe = rainmaker

Tons of links for Vancouver (also Toronto etc…)
http://www.3dcanada.ca/r-cgcompanies.html

Specific

Portland

Nike founder Phil Knight sounds like he’s getting some good talent together for his Portland-based animation studio Laika. How can you go wrong with a company started by the Nike founder :wink:

Articles on Laika
http://blog.lightsoutfilms.com/lights_out_films/2005/09/laika_animation.html
http://www.katu.com/news/business/3610631.html

Some Others:

http://www.fashionbuddha.com/
http://www.fashionbuddha.com/blog/[/quote]

Sweet! Thanks for those links! I have a contact who is friends with someone high up in Laika which will be super handy. I’ll have to shoot a bunch of emails to those studios you mentioned!

[quote=Anogar;2336647]Okay, a few things. First, I did the same thing as far as the degree is concerned - I got hired before my BA was over, and that was years ago. I’ve never regretted it. Second, Vancouver is a great place, there are a ton of studios and such there.

Third, you might consider looking at the gaming industry. Since you seem to be interested in the Northwest, I should mention that Seattle is loaded with game studios that are often hiring animators. It’s a great industry to work in, really fun people, fun products, great parties, heh. Seattle’s studios include Valve, Microsoft, Sony, Gas Powered Games, Bungie Software… and like 100 more, there are really so many.

Anyhow, it’s always useful to keep other industries in mind, and gaming is a fun one.

*edit:

*I’m actually from the Portland area, so that was where I had wanted to go back to when I moved to California, but I’m loving Seattle - it’s got pretty much everything that I liked about Portland and more. I couldn’t be happier here.[/quote]

Thanks for that info. I’ve always wondered whether it would be worth finishing my degree, but it just seems to be taking me nowhere.

Vancouver looks like a really awesome spot for work- if openings come my way, I’ll grab it.

If an offer comes, I am totally ready to pack up and move for it to try it all out!

Thanks for all the replies so far lads! :love:

8

lol @ you becoming a canadian

9

At least we don’t have a black guy or a woman running for president. JK JK JK don’t ban me plz.

10

HAHAHAHAH:lol:

11

Hey! My dads black and my mother used to be a woman!

But seriously, DM, canada isn’t cool. Now kansas, that’s where it’s at.

12

Vancouver is very expensive living-wise though, just be ready to pay a lot for rent. Outside of that, it ranks up in the top 3 cities in the world for living standards.

13

Depends on where you live. It’s quite affordable in most areas (i.e. away from university campuses and downtown). And even if you work in downtown, public transit is superb (to downtown, not really to other places).

And oh man if you dig asian chicks, Vancouver is the places to come to :lol:

14

[quote=MTsoul;2336956]
And oh man if you dig asian chicks, Vancouver is the places to come to :lol:[/quote]

Oh I already have a lady there :stuck_out_tongue:

15

Also, it’s much easier to get a work permit for Canada than it is for the US. My pal has just relocated there, and said it was just a one page form to fill in, and his visa was granted very quickly.

Lotsa luck to you and your ladypaws bro :thumb:

16

I have no idea but you’d love Vancouver!