Internships and Work Experience at Factory.

I got a reply from Alan at Factory pretty quickly. Unfortunately they don't have any internship opportunities going at the moment but he said they'd keep my interest on file for any opportunities in the future as I seemed really serious about a career in stop motion, which I definitely am. He also suggested I sign up to and keep an eye on some websites where opportunities are usually posted and gave me tips on how to get into the industry. It was a very useful email and I will definitely be signing up to some of these websites.

Emailing Factory

A little while back, I went on a studio visit to Factory in Altringham and was able to look at the sets, the puppets and see some of the animators animating. I had an amazing time and asked about internships and work experience. Alan Smart, the man who showed me around, said that I should send a follow up email in a few months to let them know that I am there and I am interested in these opportunities as their internships don't get released until April time. 

Because of this, I sent Alan an email today to remind him that I am there and very interested in internships and work experience opportunities.

Vimeo

I have set up a vimeo account. This is a good platform for uploading my animations and showreel too for members of the industry to see my work. It also makes me look like a more professional animator and will hopefully help me find work. I will be able to put the link to my vimeo account on my business cards to hand out to potential employers at the end of year show. 

As the year goes on, I will be uploading my final animation, my showreel and previous animations I have done that I am proud of. 

Creative Skillset

After looking into Mackinnon and Saunders, I discovered this site called Creative Skillset and the trainee finder on it, which is where Mackinnon and Saunders find their new trainees when they need them

This seemed like a good way to try and make my way to Mackinnon and Saunders so I set about making a profile.

The only ways you are eligible to apply for a trainee position through creative skillset is if you fit the guidelines.

For all sectors, to be eligible all trainees must not currently be undertaking a course of educational study or instruction.
Animation
           - The trainee has less than 12 months of paid experience in the Animation industry the                                        trainee is applying to or less than 15 months if the trainee has taken a placement as part of a degree course (e.g. sandwich year)

•   AND has completed a relevant Creative Skillset accredited course in the last 18 months
  
  -OR the trainee has at least two valid industry testimonials from a company or companies the trainee has gained relevant industry work experience with. 

Which seems to mean that I am not eligible at the moment, because I am still on this course. I also don't know if this course is a Creative Skillset accredited course, because I looked it up and Graphic Design and LCA is, but animation isn't listed and I don't know whether that's just because this is a new course. 
So it seems that I might need to go for the second one and get experience working with companies in the industry that I can then get testimonials with. This may be through volunteering or finding some work experience after uni. 

I will need to find these out and apply to do some work experience or internships and volunteer at animation companies or festivals, as I think this would be a great way to help me get into the industry.