wannabeanimator:CTNx First-Timers Survival Guide AKA the post I wish I had when I had my first CTN
wannabeanimator: CTNx First-Timers Survival Guide AKA the post I wish I had when I had my first CTN experience in 2013 Basics: CTN Animation Expo is the convention for people interested in animation, especially film and TV. CTN is heavily 2D-artist focused, but 3D has been working its way in. If you’re a fan of animation, an animation student, or looking to break into the industry, CTN will be a great experience for you. Bring your portfolio and business cards! CTN main website CTN tickets (my suggestion: CTNer Lite 3-Day) Pro-tip: some colleges/companies have promo discount codes Workshops (depending on your pass, you might not need to pay for workshops, so make sure you read everything your pass covers) Raise the Bar Recruiting (great for students/industry hopefuls) CTN’s travel/housing suggestions (my suggestion: stay at the Marriott for convenience if you can) Floorplans (print these!) Event Schedule (print this!) Shuttle Info What to Expect Typical CTN events include: gallery shows (via shuttle bus), screenings, panels, workshops, demos, recruiting/portfolio review opportunities, meet-the-artists, and your standard artist alley. Panel and workshops can range from behind-the-scenes looks at recent films (last year was BH6), lectures on specific jobs and projects (i.e. Disney Imagineering), demos from painters, animators, etc., and Q&As with artists/studios. Also: many people in the industry attend CTN or even have their own booth, so there’s a good chance you’ll get to meet your faves! CTN Prep Tips 1. PRINT EVERYTHING. Print your plane tickets, hotel info, Ticket and Workshop purchase receipts, Floorplans, Schedules, etc. There should also be a CTN app with schedules/floorplans, but having the actual printed-off info in your hand is so helpful. 2. Plan. Highlight every panel, event, and screening that interests you. Put a star next to the ones that are the most important. Pro-tip: you’ll never be able to see everything, so don’t overwork yourself by trying to do it all. Have all of your events scheduled, know what times and places you’ll need to be at. And make sure you put in room for meals!! 3. Give yourself free time. This was the hardest one, because there are so many events. Make sure you have time to just sit down or get a bite to eat. There’s a Panda Express, Denny’s, McDonald’s, and other small restaurants directly across the street. You can also call in Pizza Hut. The Marriott will have water jugs set up, but those tend to run empty pretty fast, so try to keep a bottle of water with you. (They also have food but it’s expensive). 4. Bring a sketchbook or notebook. There will be panels or workshops where you’ll want to write down all the incredible tips you’re going to hear. 5. Bring your portfolio/reel/resume/business cards. You don’t have to show anyone, but you might want to. All of the artists there are willing to give it a look. There will also be opportunities to sign up to meet with recruits from Disney, Nickelodeon, etc. If you want a cheap business card site, I’ve used overnight prints, and they’re great. Getting Around at CTN The actual location isn’t huge, and if you have trouble finding your desired location, there will be plenty of yellow-shirt volunteers who can tell you where to go. If you get a standard, non-VIP pass, you’re going to want to pay extra attention to these tips: 1. Always come early. You can pretty much guesstimate how early you should get to each panel. If it’s an opening night panel with Glen Keane, get there 3 hours early. Seriously. By my second CTN trip I had figured out that most people won’t do this, so my friends and I would snag the front of the standard pass line every time. And you’re going to want to be in front, ‘cause seating is limited, and VIP holders go in first. 2. Plan your fastpasses. If you aren’t a VIP pass holder, you should take advantage of the free fastpass a day that comes with the standard pass. Fastpass line opens every morning, and, once again, get there an hour or two early. The good fastpasses get taken extremely fast. And, in case you’re unsure of their purpose, they will get you in the VIP line, which goes ahead of standard pass lines. 3. Make friends! You’re going to be standing in lines a lot, so have fun! CTN is always in late November (20th-22nd for 2015). If you can’t make it this year, there’s always next year. -- source link