frustrated

[sdds]

I really need some help here, keep looking for work - its hard to even get a response. When I finally get an interview, the company fails to even follow up or let me know where I stand.. (this has happened a number of times and is very frustrating:mad: ).

 

I have no commercial experience because I can't get work and thus can't progress!

 

I am totally self taught in, autocad, c4d, sketchup, photoshop, illustrator, indesign, aftereffects and currently learning max.. I have worked in a small architectural practice learning some of the basics of drafting but have MUCH MORE TO LEARN.

 

Looking for a chance to prove myself, I don't care if all I do is watch another professional work and make the tea, I have got to gain experience some how!

 

Any advice you guys can offer is truly appreciated, sorry for the ramble just feel down...

 

Simon

[Brian Smith]

if you dont have a portfolio built up yet, i recommend contacting a few architects and asking them if they'd be willing to let you do a job for free. the benefit will not only be the opportunity to build up your portfolio, but it will get you great new contacts. because when an architect has you working on his project, it usually means that you will have to work with a landscape architect, the owner, interior designers, real estate agents, engineers etc. it's amazing how quickly your sphere of influence can grow with each new job. i did that a few times starting out and it was the best choice i ever made early on. you could hold a job down doing something else, and work on 3D pro-bono in your free time and build up a great reputation, a great portfolio, and a great network all at the same time. you get in with one person, and that person tells 2 or 3 others, and word spreads like wild fire.

 

you could also do the job on a busy road with the stipulation that the owner place a large billboard rendering of your work on the property facing the road with your website and phone number. did that too and it really worked well. there's so many tricks you can do to get in the door.

[sdds]

thanks for the response guys.

 

That seems a good idea Brian, will look into it. I need the challenges that come with doing 'real' work, not made up stuff.. done enough of that.

 

I do have a portfolio and what's lacking (I've been told) is detailed, technically correct modelling, lighting, post work etc. I feel confident with.

 

I really want a job in 3d!, it's where I want to be..Just need an opportunity...

[Brian Smith]

thanks for the response guys.

 

That seems a good idea Brian, will look into it. I need the challenges that come with doing 'real' work, not made up stuff.. done enough of that.

 

I do have a portfolio and what's lacking (I've been told) is detailed, technically correct modelling, lighting, post work etc. I feel confident with.

 

I really want a job in 3d!, it's where I want to be..Just need an opportunity...

 

also if you do free work, you can pick a really nice project to work on. one of the downsides of doing 3d work is when someone wants a job done, we cant always pick and choose which ones we do...its hard to turn down work just because the design is so bad we wouldnt even want to post the work...you pick a good one to work on and your portfolio is that much better

[hughie]

Don't let it get you down, Brians advice is sound as usual.

When I started off it took me 6 months to get a job offer, and then I got 4 in the same week, one of which was from a company I had an interview with 3 months before and hadn't heard anything back from, (I turned him down).

The thing that got on my nerves was they always ask you to come up with a figure for a wage rather than making an offer.

[sdds]

The thing that got on my nerves was they always ask you to come up with a figure for a wage rather than making an offer.

 

I know that one hughie lol..... The 'we're get back to you' line is very common too..

[RodT]

Knock on some non-profit doors as well. Places like habitat for humanity and the like never have a budget for this type of work and always have great local publicity so your work gets a wide audience. Also the folks who volunteer usually are well healed in the community and are many times the people who are actually building in the area. At least that's the way it is here. Sometimes you can even get a charitable contribution credit... Good luck.

[visual3d]

I have to admit it, its the same everywhere. Most company need near advance modelers and visualizers. because the turn around for a project is pretty quick. Here in malaysia, if you get plans today...they want it yesterday. and since youre just learning max, they will be questioning your capability in turning up work on time.....but sometimes there is just isnt enough project to go around and some architect firm dont even want a 3d guy on board...because they handle too little a project in a month. try looking for work away from home...just to see if people get back to you...but before you do..they want to see sample work...not the one you did in a firm but your freelance work, because it will give them an idea on what you can do alone.

i use to work with woods bagot where there are few people who does 3d stuff...if you submit those work people will wonder whether if you model, render or just touch up the project....

[Noise]

If you want to be more marketable to vis companies - try VRay as its the industry standard.

 

Max is an untamed beast and best left alone but again, an industry standard - if you know C4D, keep your knowledge.

 

My best advice is to learn as much as you can on your own and read as much as possible from the forums and develop your demo reel.

 

Sometimes, showing that you have dabbled in the areas of motion tracking, compositing and green screen will get you much more recognition as arch vis companies concentrate on the nuts and bolts and don't have time to venture into the real ground breaking areas and therefore make you a more desireable commodity.

 

good luck dude.

 

N

[DuskZero]

I appreciate your frustration.

 

We are always hiring, and we do get quite a lot of CVs. What tends to stand out is good work - that means well crafted, with attention to detail, and showing both artistic skills and good technical knowledge.

 

Certainly I would agree that learning 3dsmax and Vray is a good plan - thats what we use, and are pretty standard across most (though not all) of the places I know - along with Photoshop of course.

 

Knowing stuff outside those three is also desirable, Combustion / AfterFX / Fusion / Premiere etc - but the core skills are usually what'll get you your first job. For stills work, one good exterior and one good interior should be enough to get you noticed, always choose quality over quantity when sending work.

 

If you haven't sent us a CV yet, do so.

 

Good luck,

 

Sam