While I would love to stay in the UK, it’s hard to deny that China has a huge population of animation consumers and demands. It would be easier for me to find work if I go back to China. So launching my career in China is my back-up plan.

Based on my knowledge and research of the Chinese animation industry, I have compiled the following information.

FESTIVALS ＆ AWARDS

If you’re a graduate student, getting exposure and attention by film festivals and competitions is a good way to kick-start your career. In China, there is the academic Golden Dragon Awards, which selects the best work in ACG area. Although there are few animation festivals, the Feinaki Beijing Animation Week, which has risen in recent years, accepts independent animated shorts. The video website Bilibili hosts the annual “Small Universe Project”, which showcases the graduation films from across the country. There are also opportunities such as the Aniwow! International Student Animation Festival and the Topu International Animation Week (TOPUIAW). I plan to submit my graduation film to these competitions and festivals.

STUDIOS

There are several categories of commercial animation in China: animated series, animated films (mainly 3D) , novel and comic adaptations led by giant entertainment companies; promotion videos and game animations demanded by game companies; original web series; mid-term production cooperation with overseas studios, mostly those from Japan; advertising, music videos, and other commercials. In addition, there have been short film fundings for independent animators and studios in recent years.

As for me, I prefer to join a small studio to work on projects that interest me rather than working in a large company where I can be replaced at any time. It will give me a greater sense of achievement and self-worth.

Payment at a Chinese animation studio is usually a base salary plus performance income, which depends on the work you done each month. If you work as a freelancer, the income depends entirely on the amount of work, and there is no social insurance provided by the company.

I checked the official websites and social media of each studio. This form records their office locations, job hiring, major works, and contact details as a reference for my application.

NETWORKING

I got to know a few producers during my previous job-hunting. One of them offered me a freelance job twice. I did rough animation, clean-up, and coloring for her studio (Momiqimio Production). She’s willing to continue to collaborate with me this year. Another producer from Island Studio helped me with my portfolio and was willing to answer questions about my career.