How many years does it take to become a senior animator?

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I have the following question: How many years does it take to become a senior animator?

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It depends a lot of things :

  • How much time you want to train every day
  • Which software you’re using
  • If you have already 3d base knowledge
  • If you’re passionate about it (it can really take longer if you’re not)
  • What you want to master/be good at : character animation, environment (leaf, grass, tree, lamps, ect (or even all of these things))

But I would say it would go around 4-5 years if you start 3d, and concentrate on animating, surely 1-2 years less if you already have some good bases.

But this is purely an overall estimation, each person is different so it’s difficult to really say an exact number…

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Thanks! What is meant by “character animation”? Is it characters that have a human form? Would one call creature animation “character animation”?

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Yes I think, creature, humans, even animals would be called “character”

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To become a really good animator I think is reasonable within a few months.

The reason is that you need only to know the principles of motion. And then be able to use reference footage and try to use it as a guide.

Then the only thing that does matter, is to move objects in place and changing keyframes.

However this is how I interpret it right now. Which is as simple as possible and as accurate as it gets. It goes without saying that to become “good” it takes many years, as well as you keep getting more experience on many other things.

However the point is that animation can forgive many mistakes, so it is easier to hide many inaccuracies, this is a blessing in disguise.

On the other hand if you would ask me how to become a sculptor-modeler-artist, I would say that it would indeed is far more time consuming. At least 5 years just to start, then it takes a lifetime to perfect.

But for animation, just drop keyframes without fear! :slight_smile:

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Agree. And one of the most important parts is talent.

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I dunno, I feel like talent is something that come up if you really love what you’re doing, and always search to be better and better…

Even though no one can really explain “why/is there really talent ?” if you know what I mean.

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