Reflection on Industry Exposure on Snipple Animation Studio

            One of the main requirements for this course was an industry visit. Attending this event alongside my classmates and professors allowed us to gain valuable insights into the animation industry. We visited Snipple Animation Studio, where Mr. James Arboleda, a Snipple employee, guided us on a tour of the studio. He provided us with important information about the studio and its operations. The tour took place from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

            I found the visit to be quite enlightening, and I learned several lessons from the studio's approach to its projects. The studio follows a thorough process and consists of various departments, including animators, background artists, and many more. Observing how each department operates made it clear that there are many talented artists who maintain consistency in art style, animate special effects, and effectively organize and track their progress.

I aspire to work at a studio like this in the future. However, I wish I could join my friends there as well; it would be wonderful if all of us could be at the same studio, since we are already familiar with each other’s strengths. I’m open to working with new people too, as it would provide valuable experiences and opportunities for learning. However, building new relationships takes time, and getting comfortable with new colleagues can be a bit challenging. Thus, working alongside my friends would make me feel more at ease, and the experience would be even more enjoyable, especially knowing that I'm not alone in this big city.

            During my visit to the studio, I gained a lot of insights that I hope to apply soon, particularly in animating, creating appealing backgrounds, and possibly incorporating special effects. Each specific area within animation has its own specialty, and I am eager to practice and explore various fields to discover what I enjoy most.

I understand that, like any animation project, the process begins with solid pre-production, followed by production and finally post-production. I feel confident that I can contribute to either the pre-production or production phases. However, I still have much to learn about compositing, and acquiring knowledge in that area would greatly enhance my rendering skills for future personal animation projects.

Visiting the studio highlighted how much I still need to improve my animation skills. Initially, I felt intimidated by the talent I witnessed, but I am determined to learn and grow if I get the opportunity to work in a studio. I am committed to pushing myself to adapt and enhance my artistic abilities. While I am truly passionate about my work, I also want to address the feeling of being drained after long periods of working on art. I hope to find ways to change this and improve my overall mood while working on my creative projects. These challenges are something I currently face.

            I found the event to be a wake-up call. The reality of animation can be daunting, as it demands hard work, time commitment, consistency, and dedication. However, surrounding myself with the right people significantly improves my outlook, knowing that I'm not alone in this journey. Animation is primarily an art form, and it’s something I am passionate about. Yet, I also recognize that it can be draining at times. This is why I believe I need to work on managing my motivation and learning when to take breaks. Sometimes the demands of art can feel overwhelming.

Overall, the event was truly inspiring, and Mr. Arboleda was an excellent guide, teaching us and welcoming us into the animation studio.