Computer Graphics World

September 2009 46 n n n n Career High�Performance CameraTracking Use SynthEyes for animated critter insertion,»xing shaky shots, virtual set extensions, making 3D movies, architectural previews, accident reconstruction, virtual product placement, face and body capture, and more. 32-bitonly�$399 Windows-32�/Windows-64�/�OSX-32/OS�X-64 See the website for details of the latest version! in the room. Just because he (or she) isn't your age doesn't mean the person is out of touch. In fact, many older employees have "been there, done that" so much, they no longer feel the threat of competition. Addi- tionally, they are often very gracious about introducing you around. Always act like a confident "already- working" professional when presenting yourself. is is key, because the oppor- tunity to network may crop up anywhere, at any time. I've literally seen some people network at funerals—and pull it off! If you meet a potential connection at a social oc- casion, never press yourself on them for work. Mention what you do, and then let them lead the conversation. You'd be sur- prised at how much people are attracted to a mystery. If you make an effort to have a truly sincere conversation, it may not lead to immediate employment, but you are still sure to impress and get a second chance lat- er. You will also be surprised by what you can learn and file away for later use. Follow up on every lead, no matter how remote it seems. I've gotten work from a man I met in line at a bank, a phone call to a new studio after reading an article about them in an obscure magazine, and yet another successful lead after spending time with the wife of a head honcho at a party, rather than trying to suck up to her husband. Pitching at a network or studio? ese days, most people are not allowed to take a development meeting without representa- tion (for legal reasons), but there is a way around that, too. Ask if you can submit, through your entertainment attorney, and then run out and hire one. Going to industry film festivals, conven- tions, conferences, lectures, and classes are classic ways to network. Watching cred- its or getting a producer's name from the trades, and making a phone call, will at least get you a conversation with the per- son's assistant. Try to get to know him or her (something few people bother to do), and you'll have a great "in." If you do get an opening to pitch and your idea is well received, let the person in charge know you are willing to take his or her suggestions and make changes. Execs often want a person they can work with and mentor, more so than the concept itself. Most important of all, when your big break arrives, please look me up and give me a call. See? Twenty-five years later and I'm using this article as an opportunity to shamelessly promote myself, because… well, you just never know…. n Evelyn Gabai is an Emmy Award-winning animation writer with 25 years experience and over 100 produced TV episodes and three features to her credit. She has written for Disney, Warner Bros., Hanna-Barbera, PBS, and AnimationMentor.com, a state-of-the-art online education and mentorship program focused 100 percent on character animation.

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