Your Career in Animation: How to Survive and Thrive

by David B. Levy

Animation is a multibillion-dollar industry. Here’s an insider’s guide to getting into that industry, staying there, and getting ahead. Author David B. Levy has interviewed the top pros in animation, including Steven Hillenburg, creator of SpongeBob SquarePants; Al Brodax, producer of Yellow Submarine; Teddy Newton, character designer on The Incredibles; Linda Simensky, senior director of PBS Kids; John R. Dilworth, creator of Courage the Cowardly Dog; and dozens of others to get their insights on creating a portfolio or reel, meeting animators, networking, and making the leap from working for others to pitching and selling. A resource section lists animation schools, film festivals, studios, Web sites, and publications to get budding animators off to an animated start.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Film, Art Design

256 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2006

Reviews

[mariano gg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very US-centric (as expected) but still really useful if you want to know more about your options in the animation industry. I recommend it if you just graduated from an animation program and want to keep motivated as you apply to jobs and think about your goals, like ME!

[Abdullah Inayat]

It is the best book to enhance your career in the field of Animation. The life of a cartoonist and how it all works.

[Benjamin Ferrante · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really wish I had some of these insights after graduating college.
I would recommend to any aspiring animators.

[Trapical Punch · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as a gift to kinda learn some things about the field animation scene I really want to get myself into and so far this book is extremely helpful. Levy is truly comedic and charismatic which this makes the book even more enjoyable and keeps you engaged while still learning the moves of the industry. He tosses in some personal stories to get some examples of what goes on behind the scenes and even gives you quite a few resources to check out for yourself to learn even more for yourself. I would definitely recommend this book if you are curious about entering the animation scene.

[Eric Helfman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable

I liked the way the book is put together, it does have a lot of common knowledge advice such as be on time, and be humble but the stories and history of some of the people discussed in the book inspired me to study them more in depth such as some of the 90s independent animators and the Czech puppet makers were very cool. Over all, a worthy read if you are looking for perspective from experienced animators.

[Philip Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the original edition so some of the advice is pretty outdated ("just show up to the office with your vhs reel and ask to talk to the hiring manager!"), but there is some sound advice here for people to keep in mind. I'd say the ideal audience for this book is for people just starting on their first gig and need advice on how to secure career longevity.

[Sara Sanddollar · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book on the animation industry you will ever read (or need). Chock-full of life-changing advice. I literally don't recommend you take one step further without consulting the wisdom in this volume first.

[Mark Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty useful for giving insight into the animation industry. After reading this I think I learnt that maybe I'm not cut out for this type of life style that comes with working in this industry. I still and will aways love animation though.

[Jackie Baumgartner · Rating 4 out of 5]

The advice in this book was a bit dated when I read it in 2021, but I would definitely recommend recent college graduates or aspiring animators to check it out!

The book contains anecdotes, tips for pitching animation, and advice about drawing among other topics.

Glad to have this on my shelf!

[Bygone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book about the fundamentals of the animation career. This edition is somewhat outdated now, but a lot of the advice still holds true.

[Sunny · Rating 5 out of 5]

an excellent resource for anyone in the animation industry to have

[Ronán Foley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very very helpful book for artist looking to get into animation. It is a Bible for how to survive in an office and a necessity for many of us

[Wendy]

interesting to compare what ideas/advice/studios have persevered through time

[Orion · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leaving my review for the 2020 version of Your Career in Animation -- this is an indispensable book that helps so much with putting together your own career in Animation.