Overview

Get your first gig by learning how to network and market yourself within the 3D industry. Madison Erwin started her career as a 3D animator by teaching herself the ins and outs of 3D software like Blender and the workings of the animation industry. Just three years later, she’s gone on to work on projects like Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, I Am Groot, and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Now Madison wants to share everything she learned and did to skyrocket her 3D career to the next level. In this class, Madison will teach you how to nail down your niche and then market yourself and find clients within that niche. From creating your demo reel to finding your ideal audience to invoicing your clients, you’ll learn how to smoothly transition from animating as a hobby to securing multiple freelance gigs. With Madison as your teacher, you’ll: * Find your niche based on your skill set, previous experience, and interests * Market yourself with a quality website and LinkedIn page * Discover how to properly fill out job applications to book your first gig * Set your rate based on industry standards Plus, Madison will share her downloadable invoice template in the resources section so that you can keep your invoices clear and considerate. Whether you have just finished learning 3D animation and you’re ready to take things professional or you’ve already had a few professional gigs in animation and you want to solidify your freelance career, you’ll leave this class knowing what your niche is and how to market yourself correctly in that niche so that you can stand apart from other animators and get your dream gigs. You do not need professional experience as a 3D animator to take this class. You’ll need a journal and pen or your preferred note-taking system to follow along with these lessons. Instructor bio: Madison Erwin is a self-taught 3D animator based in LA. Known for her acting and animation skills, she successfully freelanced for a year before taking a role in-house at Sony. Her work has been featured in blockbuster films like Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Doctor Strange, the Disney Plus Series I Am Groot, and hit game Kena: Bridge of Spirits.

Syllabus

Laying the Foundation for Your Freelance Career

This module helps you establish a solid foundation for your freelance journey. You’ll learn how to identify a niche that matches both your skills and market demand, and then build a compelling demo reel that showcases your talent. By the end of this section, you’ll have the core building blocks in place to confidently present yourself as a professional 3D animator.

Building Your Professional Presence

In this module, you’ll learn how to establish a professional presence online. From creating a portfolio website to leveraging LinkedIn as a marketing tool, you’ll gain the tools to showcase your work and connect with potential clients. This step ensures that your professional identity is both visible and credible in the freelance marketplace.

Securing and Managing Freelance Work

This module focuses on the practical steps of starting and sustaining freelance work. You’ll learn how to land your first gig, set fair and profitable rates, and manage the financial side of client relationships. The final lesson wraps up your learning journey and leaves you with the confidence and direction to continue growing your freelance animation career.