One of the most common questions I get is "how do I get started"
But the other one is "Is it too late to change careers?"
Most of us feel like that ship has sailed, that we're now so invested in a career that we don't necessarily find fulfilling, but "it's what we know". And that Visual Effects is a young man (or woman's) game.
I've been really surprised when I talk with friends to realize they were a lawyer, business or architect or dozens of other 'titles' before they got into CG. That at 40 years old they decided they wanted to try something new. Some went back to school at Gnomon, my courses or others just worked at it late night tutorials, and hard work and leveraged what they knew.
I have coached lots of people in their careers and making the change, and it's definitely an area that is so achievable and shouldn't be deterred. But should also be done right. In reality, all the fears we have are legitimate fears. You have responsibilities, you have people depending on you, you are likely going to take a temporary pay cut, and who's to say that you're even ready? Or maybe the grass is greener on the other side, and that Visual Effects is a fun hobby, but as a career it's not quite the same.
It's smart to build a strategy, test the waters, and know that if you want it, it's absolutely possible, but just see it as a transition, not a switch. You don't just quit your job 'Half-Baked Style' and start over. But also know that you can leverage what you know. You have many life skills and experience that is worth it's weight in gold in any career. Leverage what you know, build a plan, build a timeline, and start planning your change into a visual effects career!
17 авг 2024
