Chances to get into industry from small country

#1

Hello, CGS folk. I’ve come to you for an advice and some guidance. Overall my story is I really like videogames and that’s partly because I’m fascinated by CG and it’s capabilities of what it can do. On how realistic things can be made and brought to life so to say (The Order 1886 is great example). And a while ago I finally got it that it is what I want to do and be. Big inspiration came from Wesley Arthur’s remastered environment design of Bully game in UE4. With that said I started crawling through the internet and gathering info on CG, learning modelling terms, watching bts of making videogames and movies. So far I’m doing beginer tutorials from Digital Tutors (I saw it recommended a lot in this forum). I already know Photoshop at intermediate level so that can come handy. Unfortunately in my country this whole CGI stuff is not really popular and schools oriented to CG and VFX are none. Maybe a little part of some programs covering Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign basics. Aside from that I’ve spent one year in local art school studying interior design but it wasn’t any professional and I felt that interior is not my thing. I better prefer characters and vehicles. But I did learn some art basics (drawing, perspective, colors) there and got license for student version’s of Autodesk software.

Now my situation is I’m doing a casual work in factory which I don’t enjoy and don’t want to do for next 5 years. I know I can do a lot by self learning but I need a school to gain connections with other people in CGI and VFX field. The schools are super expensive though and far away from me (I live in Latvia).
I’ll we be thankful for any advice you can give. :slight_smile:

#2

Hey there boss, although I still haven’t made it “Big time” and not generally in the same field as you I still think my experience and advise could be of some use too you. I was living in Washington when my native country Libya started a revolution and the first free Libya TV channel was built - At the time I was 14 and into montage (Really basic stuff) and I knew I wanted to contribute to that channel. With the skill I had at that point it would be impossible for me to even get an internship at some basement studio in America but the fact that the media industry was just starting to grow in such a tiny country I got the opportunity to be thrown right in the middle of it all (as a Motion Designer) and gain theeee most important thing in this field… EXPERIENCE!!! :buttrock: The experience I gained from all the pressure I was put under was priceless. It wasnt easy but was totally worth it. As the years went by I started making connections with big time VFX artists that worked on movies like Harry Potter and Inception. I would never have thought working in such a small still developing country would get me where I am in my career but actually worked in my favor. So my point here is with dedication you can earn the experience and knowledge you need until you have a solid foundation. Who knows maybe when the time goes by you’ll find you’re surrounded by connections. I am still very young and plan on finishing High School and moving back to the states to hopefully take my career to the next step. I keep in my mind how difficult the switch will be coming from a small industry but Im dedicated. I also plan on attending Hyper Island school In Sweden since that school gives a great insight of how working in a big industry feels.

I hope my experience aids you even a little bit and I wish you the best of luck! :beer:

#3

Well, currently I’m not in any field… :smiley: But anyway thank you for your input, MoeGrfx. I understand it’s important to gain experience and make the most out of opportunities. For now my idea is to do some tutorials, get a hang of the software and gradually build up a some kind of portfolio. And when I will be skilled enough I can do some freelance work and maybe eventually someone will notice me.

Any other advice on getting there is still welcome.

#4

I guess the question is - are you wanting to try to make a living in Latvia, or are you open to moving to a country with a developed CG industry?

If the former, I don’t really have any advice as I don’t know anything about the CG business in your country, but if the latter, then the country you come from is no issue to be worried about. I grew up in South Africa, we also had no CG schools or anything like that, but it didn’t stop me from doing what I wanted to do. I’ve been working in the VFX industry for 15 years now, I’ve worked on some high profile projects and I managed to do that despite coming from the ass end of the world. So don’t let that bother you.

#5

if you are looking to work in another contry then a degree is going to become way more important.

After that its talent then experence,

#6

I’m ready to move out from but I don’t want to rush anything. Personally I don’t see my future here. But then money comes in question and some other issues. The expense of studies, place to stay and so forth.

Direct question to leigh, if I may ask. How old were you when you started working in CG/VFX?

#7

I was 20 when I started working professionally in CG. But I don’t think age matters much; I know a lot of people who started their careers when they were a lot older, if that’s a concern of yours.

#8

Hmm this is the first time I heard putting a degree in front of talent. Could you further explain?

#9

Degrees are necessary to qualify for work visas in a lot of countries.

#10

Basically what Leigh said.

For some countries, without experience and depending on your age, it can be needed for VISAs.

Even were its not 100% needed it can help.

#11

Totally forgot about VISAs. They really are a big obstacle. I was thinking of going to study to Full Sail or VFS, but I guess I was way ahead of myself there. I’m still doing tutorials lol… :smiley:

#12

Oh for students it’s different. There are special student visas for education.

#13

Ohhh alright yeah of course. Not worried about Visa so that didn’t cross my mind, Thanks!

#14

While taking brake from tutorialing I looked further into CG/VFX schools and their fees and “oh my jeesus”. In Canada one year course costs $40.000 - $50.000 (VFS and Think Tank). I didn’t even imagine it would cost so much. Seeing that really made me sad.

#15

Yeah It can be pretty intimidating but your view on school could possibly change down the road as you get more comfortable in CG. Whats best right now it to just do what you love! If you enjoy working on these tutorials and having fun than keep at it that’s awesome. You’re learning an awesome skill while having fun… Its a win win!

#16

mannimall,

You could go to some media and marketing companies in your country to see if you can do some internships or try to connect with people from your country in the industry, what they did, like Anatoly Ropotov for example. Just google and find the people that could give you advice, email them and I’m sure you would get some responses.

Look here…http://massportal.com/en/, it’s made in your country, that could be an option of employment that could make you a better living than factory work and contain something of your interests. Follow your dream to the highest level but remember, there is nothing wrong with finding a career where you are not “an artist” but can be artistic. A career that has aspects of what you really like to do but in a lot of cases will pay more money.

#17

Thanks for heads up. That’s a really good advice. Thing what bothers me is I’m not sure what I can offer them.