Email to gaming studios

So I have emailed a few game studios and tweeted to few, some not so successful. I emailed to favorite of mine called Bungie since I have been a fan of them for many years and I have always loved the way that they interact with the community however to no extent did i get any help in get my questions answered, however I tried emailing Crytek and with great pleasure I got an email back, this is how the email goes:

From: Anna Dennett <anna@crytek.com>
Date: 21 February 2012 08:53:26 GMT
To: jackeastoe@me.com
Subject: FW: Need some help

Hi Jack

Thanks for your email.  I have forwarded your questions to our Animation Lead and Art Director, who have come back with responses.  The Lead Animator’s responses are in green, the Art Director’s are in blue.

I hope this helps.

Regards

Anna Dennett

HR Manager, Crytek UK

122 Canal Street

Nottingham

NG1 7HG
Tel: +44 115 924 7050

Mob: +44 7807 103438

E-Mail: anna@crytek.com

www.crytek.com

From: Jack Eastoe <jackeastoe@me.com>
Date: 20 February 2012 13:27:33 GMT
To: "ukinfo@crytek.com" <ukinfo@crytek.com>
Subject: Need some help

Hello my name is Jack Eastoe and I am a uni student at Norwich University college of the arts and I would really appreciate it if some of the artists could possibly answer a few questions for me, thanks if someone can as it would be really great :)

I have a 1000 word essay-ish report to write up on my personal job roles in which I want to strive towards. The idea of this is to get us thinking about what type of job we actually want in the gaming industry, mine is a cross between an Animator or an environment artist/concept artist. However because of the way each and every gaming company puts forth their jobs available this puts every title into different categories of what their roles need and want.

These are just a few questions just to help me get some understanding in what the job roles require at Crytek;

1) What is main important role that an Animator/general artist (concept/environment) has?

The main role of an animator is to provide top quality animations to suit the requirements of the game design. He/she must be able to communicate well with other members of the team, be able to interpret high level concepts and break them down. They must be able to deal not only with the creative process but also the hugely technical processes involved in getting their work into the engine. They must be flexible and adaptable, and, be able to take criticism and use it constructively to improve their work.

My first comment would be that there are distinct roles within the art department for the various demands of the production process.  these are as follows with their main duties very lightly listed.

Animator - create animation assets for all aspects of the game from in game walk cycles weapon reloads, cleaning up mo cap data and cinematic performances.
Environment artist - Responsible for the environment asset creation including props buildings terrain lighting and interactive gameplay elements
Character artist - responsible for the character content of the game from facial capture to skinning and modelling.
Concept artist - conceptualise the vision of the art director to communicate to the team the tone and mood or design elements of the product.
Vehicles and weapons artists - create and maintain the weapons and vehicles for the game from first person and 3rd person models. 
FX artists - create all the fx for the game from explosions battle dust hit effects to cinematic moments.
2D artists - create the content for the user interface from both front end experience to in game HUD elements as well as marketing assets and in game graphic design features.

2) What are the main desires that you call upon when seeking a job as an Animator/general artist (concept/environment) other than qualifications?

Passion is a big one. You have to love animation, this is a job that demands a lot of personal investment, real passion will come through in your work.

Artistic quality is the primary requirement in each or any of the fields above.  After that Personality and enthusiasm go a long way to getting that foot in the door.

3) What kind of personality traits are good to have when applying for a job at your company?

Passion, drive, confidence and humility

Ability to listen and take on board feedback.
Self motivation
Friendly nature

4) What's the best way to approach the job when applying?

With confidence in the work you're presenting. Research the company you're applying to. Try and understand what it is they do, what they've done and where they're going.

Have a strong portfolio of a few really standout pieces.  Do not try and apply as a jack of all trades as the competition is so high these days to master all aspects of art production is unrealistic.  Don't be put off by art tests in fact there are some on the internet that studios put out for all to try before applying.  Try and show some stuff in a game engine to show you have some understanding of the requirements.

5) What other sectors of design do you work with well and whom do you not work with well?

The truth is, you have to work well with everyone, not only is it to the benefit of the company but also it's to your own benefit that you work well with everyone. Word soon gets around if you're a difficult individual to work with, and that will only hold you back. There's no room for primadonnas. It's important the team work well together, trust each other and respect each other.

I'm afraid I don't really understand the question.  We work with game design and any aspect we don't work well with we find new approaches so that we do work well with them the next time.

And lastly 
6) Have you got any advice on how to try and start a career in the gaming industry and the interviewing process?

Having talent is a good start, if you haven't got the talent, you need to work harder than everyone else, learn as much as you can. Talk to people in the industry, get your work out there. Be dedicated and dogged. Be honest with yourself about your work. Study great animators.

As far as animation is concerned, if you make it to an interview then it's because your work is good. At that point it's all about you and whether you're a good fit for the team.

Get online and join the thriving digital artist community.  There is a wealth of knowledge out there to learn and draw upon.  Get out there and carve your own space at the same time as appling for positions.  Eventually it will happen.  Stay positive and learn from every knock back.

Any questions answered I really appreciate as this will help me get a better understanding of what it would be like to apply for you  :)

 After this email I now have better understanding of some of the requirements needed for these particular job and can add this into my essay