Seeking internship. Need help figuring out what kinds of things to submit...

[maniac086]

OK, I'm not really sure how to go about asking this, or if I'm even in the right place... but here goes...

I will be graduating with a Bachelor's Degree in Visual Art & Design soon, but in order to actually get my diploma, I need to get an internship, else I have to go back another year for just two classes, which would be a waste. I'm trying to get an internship for over the summer...

I actually tried to get into an internship program last summer, but I was a little late getting things together. On top of that, I had hardly a clue as to what kinds of things I should include in my portfolio.

The thing is, I'm still rather clueless as to what people want to see in a portfolio, and I want to give myself a lot more time to compile one this time, so I want to see if anybody here can clear me up or at least give me a little direction.

My school is pretty much a crapper. Most of the professors and staff really are there because they don't seem really qualified to be anywhere else (teaching or otherwise), so asking them never really gets me anywhere...


Anyway... I would like to get an internship in the animation field, even though I've only had minimal experience with it academically. In fact, I would be an animation major, but I switched out of that program early because it was the most incompetent of the art departments at my school...

What I'd really like to do is conceptual stuff, like character design and storyboarding. Problem is, my school just doesn't have any formal training geared specifically towards those facets of filmmaking (yes, an animation degree that doesn't cover the basics. The school really does suck)...

So I've only got what I *think* might be considered character design material (just different concepts of several original characters, even turnaround sheets) and as far as storyboarding goes, the closest thing I've got is a number of pages to a handful of comics-in-progress (which I know isn't exactly what studios would look for)...


If I'm wanting to line myself up with a character design internship, what *kinds* of stuff should I be showcasing in my portfolio? Just as I've stated above, just a bunch of concepts of several characters, including turn-around sheets? Or is there something more that's totally going over my head?

Or if I'm going for something along the lines of story art/storyboarding, what exactly are places wanting to see there as well?

Particularly—and I know I'm aiming high here, but—I've got my eye on getting an internship at Pixar. They're submission guidelines call for a demo reel, but seeing as how I'm not actually going for a position in time-lapse/animation, I don't know if they just want to see a slideshow of several pieces of concept art or what, or if they (Pixar or anybody) prefer static galleries they can simply browse through at their own discretion...

Lastly, how much should I be showing them?? I know it's important not to overload a portfolio of any kind, but I don't want to just include too small of a sampling and have any potential hirers think that's all I've got...

Any help would be greatly appreciated... I'm feeling rather stuck after having to trudge through four years at a school that's hardly given me anything back academically...

[Storyboard Dave]

It saddens me to see that you're about to graduate from a program where it really didn't seem as though you got anything worthwhile. It begs the question of why didn't you leave??? It would've probably served you better years ago to have jumped ship to another school.

That being said- to answer your questions as far as how to get an internship... simply put, your portfolio should be something that the prospective company should feel comfortable with. And also realize that internships aren't charity cases to help you or to further your education. For companies that offer internships, they want that sort of grunt labor to test out new recruits in hopes of hiring them long term. Internships are temporary help for these companies; they invest some of their time and effort in you in hopes that you pan out.

Go in there with anything less than being stellar and you'll be gone. You have to be hungry during an internship.

Portfolios to get these gigs should be geared specifically towards that company. You should show them things that apply to what the company does. For example if you're applying for a company like EA, show them sports related things because a bulk fo their work is sports related- that being said an ability to accurately draw the figure, character likenesses, stadiums, know sports equipment and an ability to story tell are vital as well. The portfolio you submit there in turn will be tailored differently if you decide to work for Nickelodeon. Nickelodeon has an entirely different demand for their talent and your portfolio had better reflect that as well. Do not submit one-size-fits-all generic portfolios. Do your research on the companies you want to apply for and build your book accordingly.

Having a portfolio of no more than 10-15 pieces is plenty. You should be able to demonstrate your abilities in that span. Any more than that and it begs the question of why are you stuffing it with so much. Obviously only your best stuff as well. One weak piece and it's liable to drag down the entire portfolio.

Good luck.

[maniac086]

Thanks for the help!
I've had a few professors who have been exceptional, and I've learned more from them outside of the assignments than the curriculum itself has to offer. As far as staying in the rutt for four years, there really wasn't anywhere else I could afford to go... So I've just constantly been trying to take in what I can, wherever else I can get it in the meantime...

These forums have been invaluable... so once again, thanks for your input!

[Storyboard Dave]

Thanks for the help!
I've had a few professors who have been exceptional, and I've learned more from them outside of the assignments than the curriculum itself has to offer. As far as staying in the rutt for four years, there really wasn't anywhere else I could afford to go... So I've just constantly been trying to take in what I can, wherever else I can get it in the meantime...

These forums have been invaluable... so once again, thanks for your input!

No offense but from your initial post, it sounded as though you had NO instructors that were of value. Look at it from an outsider's point of view reading it.

Lines like "My school is pretty much a crapper. Most of the professors and staff really are there because they don't seem really qualified to be anywhere else (teaching or otherwise), so asking them never really gets me anywhere..." not only speak of YOUR school but your willingness to break from it. That's why I questioned your desire to seek the information that you needed from the school & the professors themselves.

[maniac086]

Sorry for the confusion. I'm just used to speaking in hyperbole with friends about the pratfalls of my school.
It's mainly the curriculum and the administrative staff that I've slowly found are not all they were cracked up to be. The adjunct teachers are really the ones who have been most helpful... But it wasn't until this year that I actually realized how far off the path the curriculum is from most other schools...