Do companies make artists work nights without paying them?
After writing all this, I’ll definitely never get hired again! But I’m not just an artist—I’m a brand strategist and marketer, so hold on a second…
You see an artist’s account that lists Netflix, Sony, Disney, Riot, Blizzard, and next to it, for some reason, “looking for work.” When I see this, I think, “How is someone with that experience looking for a job? What does that mean for me, with no experience in top companies? I’ll never find a job!”—and fear envelops me.
Hi, in this article, we’ll talk about job openings in the market and the experiences of artists working with top companies.
Is working at top companies as great as it seems, and what do the artists themselves say about it?
When you’re a beginner, going to the cinema after the premiere of Inside Out or another global hit, who among us hasn’t dreamed of being part of the fun team that created it? I definitely dreamed of that.
Working at Disney seemed like something incredible, and no matter how well I drew, the competition left no chance. Let’s look at the math: 100–150 people apply for one position at a prestigious company. This means you have a 0.67–3% chance of landing your dream job.
Don’t forget our “picnic kit”:
5 years of experience in a similar position.
Knowledge of all digital programs related to graphics: 2D, 3D, Unity, Unreal.
The ability to replace anyone on the team, even if it’s a programmer.
An interesting, diverse portfolio with taste, of course, and in line with the classics of the genre.
Your chances increase significantly if you have a list of recommendations, your mom’s friend, or a relative in the industry.
Your chances also increase if you have over 100,000 followers, a fan base, and a recognizable name.
You must understand that companies aim to avoid risks and costs. They don’t want to guess where the road is in the fog; they want to know for sure that this candidate will bring the profit necessary for their survival in the market.
And so, the lucky one lands the coveted position. What could happen to them next? Here’s what people write online:
To give more context, after the release of Inside out 2, Pixar Animation Studios layed off 14% of employees. The the Ceo's plan is to lay off 20%. This might mean that the lay offs aren't finished yet. Pixar isn't unionized, they don't have as much benefits as others, making some of the employees depend on bonuses. Because they were layed off AFTER Inside Out 2's release, they didn't get their deserved cut.
You can find more info here: https://www.cnbc.com/2024/05/21/disneys-pixar-layoffs.html https://kidscreen.com/2022/03/04/unionizationinanimation/ . . . They are planning to make another sequel.
Be prepared to serve the company like in the army, to hear that your illustrations aren’t as good as you think, to endure favoritism within the team, fear being fired, and spend your time generating profit for the free lives of the board of directors and shareholders—all for significantly less money.
By overcoming all these hardships, you might one day become an art director of a new team on a new project—unless you’re asked to leave because your personality doesn’t fit (or your skills, but that’s subjective).
In a company, it’s better not to argue, not to bicker, and not to insist on the importance of your opinions, ideas, or solutions. Show gentle initiative.
However, you still have a chance to join a great team. It all depends on the organization of business processes, the manager, the director, and their personality. Yes, the founder’s personality influences 80% of how the company develops. This isn’t just my opinion; it’s described in the books of marketer Donald Miller and discussed by classics like Brian Tracy and Tony Robbins. All successful business speakers emphasize the importance of personality.
Still feeling chaos in your work?
I help entrepreneurs establish business culture and identify the legend they need to work with through comprehensive analysis. Economics and math in business come later—first, lay the foundation. Namely, who are you in this wild west?
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Punny