Animation Guild | We are 839 Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1203639
SPRING 2020 33 talent out there. I strive for trying to keep a balance of new artists and veteran artists because both can learn from each other. PS: I definitely try to hire without testing. If my showrunner really wants to try some unfamiliar people, then I try to make sure it's a paid test, and keep it to four to eight hours (of work) at the most. I try very specifically to create a test that will highlight the skill we're looking for. I want to set them up for success with a well-made test. KK: I'm staffing up an art department for the first time. I'm in the process in real-time, figuring out how I decide who to hire and whether or not I want to test. Thankfully at Netflix, they are requiring everyone to do paid tests. When we made the test we wanted to absolutely make sure that it could be done within eight hours since the test was paying for eight hours. SINCE THEY WERE PAID, DO YOU THINK THAT AFFECTED WHO YOU CONSIDERED FOR THE TESTS? KK: I already had in my mind, before I found out about the paid testing, that I didn't want to send out more than about five tests per department. It didn't change who I considered. A FEW OF YOU HAVE SAID THAT YOU DON'T NEED A LOT OF MATERIAL FROM A TEST TO DECIDE IF THAT PERSON IS THE RIGHT FIT. WHY DO YOU THINK SO MANY TESTS ASK FOR AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF WORK? BJ: When I was helping make tests, sometimes you get told, "Oh, you're not allowed to use any script material that is already being produced for an episode," which means someone has to write a new script for that. So part of it is laziness and part of it is there's no resources to do it. It's great to have a budget set aside for paid testing, but there also needs to be some resources set aside to create tests. EI: I would guess in some situations that it's a misunderstanding of the amount of work somebody is asking of the person that they're testing. PM: There's been several shows that I've supervised where the tests were already made and given out before I even started. I'm like, "How did you make these tests?" And a lot of times it was, "Oh, I just took two pages out of the script." PS: I think that a lot of times they come from premise [or] board driven shows. They don't know what they're looking for, so they want to test for everything. Let's get a little bit of action. Let's get a little conversation and let's get some comedy in there and let's make sure that they can draw different characters because there is no pre-design in the process, then I think it all just adds up. EI: Part of it is just also reminding people who are taking the tests that you should just limit the amount of time you spend on it, too. I think sometimes people can want to really seem impressive and like they really want to get the job so they'll put in more hours than you know. WHAT'S A PIECE OF ADVICE YOU WOULD GIVE TO SOMEONE WHO IS ASPIRING TO BE A SUPERVISOR OR HAS BEEN PROMOTED TO THAT POSITION? BJ: The best advice I can give is to listen to the people that work for you. Be aware Pete Michels that your words now have consequences. EI: Try to be a good communicator. And the other thing is to always be aiming to simplify situations instead of over complicating things. PM: The first thing I would say to someone moving into a supervisor role is learn every aspect of production. Don't assume that you know what somebody does; in other words, walk a mile in their shoes. KK: I've been trying to learn [from] other art directors, asking people who I know have been in this position before, trying to talk to as many people as I can for advice. So ask a lot of questions and meet a lot of people so you don't feel like you're starting from square one and alone in the process, because having mentors and as much support as you can makes the whole process a lot easier. PS: Communication's the best thing you can focus on when you're becoming a supervisor—communicating with your production team, your line producer, your showrunner, and the people that are working for you so you can build that trust and respect. WHAT'S A PIECE OF ADVICE YOU WOULD GIVE TO SOMEONE WHO IS BEING ASKED TO DO A TEST? BJ: If the test is unreasonable, it's your call whether or not you want to take it. EI: Just think it over, and always know that if it feels like it's not right or that they're asking too much of you, know that it's not a big deal to say, "I don't want to do it." PM: Don't be afraid to ask questions. If you get a test and there's something unclear, call up and say, "Hey, do you want me to draw the shoelaces on all the characters?" KK: Ask questions and communicate when you get a test, but also after you're done be honest about how long things took. PS: Work hard, but don't set unreasonable expectations for yourself or you're just going to set up a vicious cycle of overworking yourself. You should be able to do the job by working hard and using your talents, but not killing yourself.