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Something that David has never heard done before! Can an artist ask a studio to take an animation test? Although it does take David and Brent to figure out what this question meant…it’s pretty funny!

If you’re working in a different country, or even if you’re in your own country but on a team where your native language isn’t what your team members speak naturally, how do you communicate effectively?

There was a hot topic on Twitter that in one hour, the CEO of a company made as much as an artist had done in unpaid overtime. Pretty ridiculous! David and Brent discuss this hot topic.

It’s often said, whatever you want to be in the industry, just focus on that. But should you at least know some rigging, or modelling?

You’ve finished an amazing shot, it’s definitely one for the demo reel, but…it gets cut from the final movie. Can you still put it on your demo reel?

Are you someone that can’t take a compliment? This will be a good clip to listen to, as someone in our chat deals with the same issue. David and Brent give their thoughts.

We’ve seen it happen so many times! An animator creates a fantastic piece of animation and it just gets covered by FX. Is this a common occurrence in the industry?

A new member to our chat asked the question, is there a recommended “must include” list for demo reels. David and Brent give their advice on what should definitely appear on your reel.

David & Brent answer questions such as, should you use well know characters in your demo reel, can you put unreleased footage on your reel, how do you communicate effectively across different languages and more!You can also check out our Agora Bites clips if you want to listen to a specific question from this episode!Subscribe to our channel on whatever platform you listen on to receive updates when new episodes are posted and don't forget to head on over to agora.community and sign up for access to more free resources, animation reviews, and content. Thanks for listening!

A member of the chat mentioned that having a degree is helpful to get a work visa. If you’re currently looking to move countries and deciding if you should just study online or get a degree, this is a good one to help you decide.

Lana speaks about her experience as being a woman in the gaming industry. And how being a player gave her certain misconceptions about being animator in the industry.

One of our community members is pushing 40 and is wanting to get into the industry. Is it possible? Or is animation a young person’s game? It’s not as uncommon as you may think.

Lana gets asked what her three tips would be for fresh grads looking to get into the industry. If this is you, have a listen!

It’s time to hear it from another animator at a gaming studio. How do you break into games?

For all of our aspiring game animators out there. This tip will definitely get you looked at! Have a listen!

In this conversation, the team talk about diversity on a team. What diversity means, and why it’s so important.

In this clip, one of our chat members likes gathering people’s thoughts on what appeal in animation means to them. This is what lana Bachynski, senior animator at Riot Games thinks!

Senior Animator at Riot Games and the co-founder of Tea Time Animation, Lana is a self-described 'Canadian-born creature and character animator' with a natural aptitude for community building. In this episode, we discuss culture in the animation and video game industry, network building, and starting initiatives that contribute to the animation community.If you'd like to watch this episode you can find it here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7D5lTL8bPUAlso, check out Agora.Community for daily content, free rigs, and assets, and order an animation review from one of our industry experts:https://www.agora.communityThanks for listening!

In this clip, the topic comes up about positive workplaces and how it’s going to take everyone to band together to make sure it happens. It’s up to us as team members to step up if someone says something inappropriate and let them know they’ve crossed a line.

You've been asked to perform an animation test for a studio, but you have a full-time job. Do you ask for time off? Call in sick? What should you do, and should you jeopardize your paying job for just a test?

It's not often we talk about TV Studios. But this question came up - Do studios use animation libraries for inbetweens or just lip-sync? If you're curious about the fast-paced world of TV, check out this clip.

You've finally landed a job in the animation industry, but people at your studio still take classes outside of work. Should you be doing the same?

Can having an online degree be seen that you are ready to a professional animator, or do you need to go to a brick and mortar school? David and Brent talk about studying animation and what you really need to get into the industry.

Want to be a game animator, but don't know where to begin? Brent's got your back!

A great question came our way about how do you know when you've leveled up in your ability as an animator? David and brent give their best answers of what you should look out for.

What happens if you're a freelancer on one side of the world and for the studio you're working for on the other side of the world, it's a public holiday. Do you get the day off, but still get paid? This is a great clip if you're considering freelancing and want to know how vacation time works!

We haven't had this question quite asked like this before. Why should someone learn sketching, when we can use reference footage? The answer is still pretty much the same, just answered in a different way ;)

It's the first Q&A for 2022. Everyone is refreshed, relaxed and the backlog of question replenished for a new year!David & Brent answer questions such as, do freelancers get paid public holidays, how do you know when you're a competent animator, should I risk my job to finish an animation test, and more!You can also check out our Agora Bites clips if you want to listen to a specific question from this episode!Subscribe to our channel on whatever platform you listen on to receive updates when new episodes are posted and don't forget to head on over to agora.community and sign up for access to more free resources, animation reviews, and content. Thanks for listening!

Collaborating and creating instead of competing. Sounds like a dream, doesn’t it? Imagine how far the industry could grow if information was free for all to access. The team has a very in-depth chat about this topic if it’s something you’ve ever thought about yourself.

Mike Jungbluth puts out a “State Of The Industry” survey to get people's opinions on the industry and what could be improved. In this clip, Mike gives a brief overview of the results he’s found and what a survey like this can do for the industry.

The pandemic has changed a lot of things in the industry. The team talk about why it’s time for studios to be a bit more flexible with where their employees may choose to work.

This is the first time we’ve ever had a question like this. And it’s a very good one. Are studios accommodating for people with disabilities and how has Covid helped this?

Dealing with Anxiety and Depression is something that should be talked about freely. There are a lot of people that ask, however, is it something that should be brought up during an interview at a studio, or do you deal with it once you’ve been hired?

Currently Animation Director at Bioware, Mike is also deeply invested in the larger game animation community, having started the Animation Exchange and GDC Animation Summit, working to foster more open sharing of the best approaches and processes across the industry.We will discuss his experience in the video game industry, the animation community as a whole, the rise of Animation Exchange and GDC Animation Summit, his experience launching both initiative and his view of the futur of our industry. If you'd like to watch this episode you can find it here:https://youtu.be/vBl6YyxB3MIAlso, check out Agora.Community for daily content, free rigs, and assets, and order an animation review from one of our industry experts:https://www.agora.communityThanks for listening!

A Q&A regular had this very interesting question to which Brent had a very short answer. With the increase in VR, should we cater our study for First-Person animation?

We all can find ourselves in a creative rut from time to time. David and Brent give their best advice for how you can get yourself out of this creative rut.

Have you ever met an artist who is super talented, but might be kind of a jerk, or not share the same political views as you? Is it possible to separate this person’s personality from the amazing work they create?

We had a question from a new member asking what is the future of being an animator. They had just started studying animation and was concerned that keyframe animators will eventually be phased out. It’s a question we get quite often. So, are we facing the animator apocalypse? Listen and find out!

It's the final Q&A for the year! David and Brent discuss their New Year Resolutions and tackle a hot topic of 'Are streaming services killing the art in cinema?"They also answer questions such as will the rise of VR should we focus on FPS animation, how do you separate an artist's personality from their amazing work, and how do you get out of a creative rut?You can also check out our Agora Bites clips if you want to listen to a specific question from this episode!Subscribe to our channel on whatever platform you listen on to receive updates when new episodes are posted and don't forget to head on over to agora.community and sign up for access to more free resources, animation reviews, and content. Thanks for listening!

Have a routine is key to success! In this clip, Ilse and the gang talk about their experiences with having a routine and how it’s helped them in their day to day lives.

What’s one way to stand out amongst everyone else? Shine through your art. But what exactly does that mean? Ilse explains!

If you need to hustle, stay up late and create what you want to create then you need to know your why, and you can find out why in this clip!

Procrastination holds so many people back from starting and finishing amazing projects, or achieving goals. Ilse talks about how you can kill this little gremlin and get on with being great!

Ilse once had a horrible experience that taught her a lot about the industry. Have a listen to this clip to hear all about the pecking order and knowing your place within it.

The pandemic wasn’t easy on a lot of people. For some, they thought it would be a great way to get motivated and achieve a tonne of stuff with the extra time they saved on commuting, but then…after a while, the slump began to set in, and it wasn’t as great as they thought it would be. Get some tips on how to break the pandemic slump!

As animators, we are all about bringing characters to life. How can know acting help your animating? Here’s Ilse’s opinion!

Ilse describes a good social networking strategy like have the power of the Infinity Gauntlet. A good one to listen to if you want to get out there and get your work seen and have people knocking on your door…uh, inbox!

Another round of demo reel tips from another guest! Listen to what Ilse thinks are some important things for you to have on your demo reel to help you land that dream job!

Speaking up is not always easy, especially when you don’t want to tread on anyone’s toes. But there is a way to do this without being put in your place, and this clip will tell you how to do it!

Ilse is an actress, professional character animator, and YouTuber. Her love for acting has been fuelling her passion for character performance, a passion she shares on her youtube channel through tips and tricks, analysis, interviews, and general advice for professional artists based on her own experience. We discuss a couple of topics she has covered on her own channel in the past, including how to land a job in the industry, productivity, how to kill procrastination, and how to efficiently and respectfully speak your mind in a professional environment.If you'd like to watch this episode you can find it here:https://youtu.be/YBB4XkWFwgwAlso, check out Agora.Community for daily content, free rigs, and assets, and order an animation review from one of our industry experts:https://www.agora.communityThanks for listening!