The DreamWorks Kid

I'm told the best thing one can learn during an internship is whether or not your dream job is really, truly your dream job. If that's true, mission accomplished (in the non-George Bush meaning of the term). If there's one thing for certain, I know exactly what I want out of my career. I've met and worked side by side with the best in the business, been exposed to every side of professional animation, and loved every single minute of it.

The drive south to LA was one of the most terrifying things I've brought myself to do in my entire life. This really wasn't due to the fact that I'd be hundreds of miles away from the familiarity and comfort of the places and people I love so much (though that had something do with it), but rather the fear that I simply wasn't good enough to do what I've dreamt of doing since I graduated from diapers. I'd never had this kind of chance to take a dive into the deep end and see if I could tred the water. Visions of various horrible failures kept swimming through my head as the miles passed by (one of the drawbacks of an overactive imagination), all of which saw me returning hat in hand, tail between my legs, and my time, money, and education all for not.

Then again, I've always underestimated myself.

The drive back was nearly the opposite of the trip down. Not only had I received some of the best education I've ever had, I had the unanimous approval of all three of my supervisors as one of the best interns they'd ever had, and a plethora of encouraging notes from the people I worked with who I can now sincerely call good friends. I try to not stroke my ego that often, but I see no harm in taking pride in a job well done - especially when I put so much blood, sweat, and tears into it (oh yes, there was blood - thanks to the magic of paper cuts). While the drive south was all about my fear of failure, the drive north was filled with hope and confidence for the heights I not only think, but believe, my career can go.

I spent close to four months working with and watching the men and women who currently have my dream career. From the story artists to the writers and directors, I got to see how they work and what it takes to operate on their level - and I have what it takes. 

It's more than that, though.

To say that DreamWorks is a family would be an understatement. I was surprised to not find what I expected to be a very "I" centered community where the kind of competition, selfishness, and backstabbing you read about runs rampant. On the contrary, it was one of the most refreshing team atmospheres I've ever encountered. Whenever mistakes were made, it was never "Your or his mistake," it was "Ourmistake." Likewise, when successes came around, everyone celebrates together. The level of collaboration was unlike anything I've experienced in filmmaking, and according to Jeffery Katzenberg one that only exists in the world of animation. Everyone is very open about the problems they're having with certain assignments and is always ready for suggestions and critiques from their co-workers, and everyone is always so excited when someone pulls off something incredible. Everyone works together to make the best movie possible, and never lets ego interfere with that. When you think about the level of talent that such a major studio like DreamWorks attracts, that's a major accomplishment. That's the kind of community of artists I want to work with, and nothing else I've read about or seen can compare.

Simply put, I've seen and experienced exactly the type of career I want in the type of place I want to grow it in. I know what it takes to make that happen, and what I need to work on in order to actually have what it takes. Not everyone can say they know those things, and for that I consider myself quite fortunate. Then again, pursing a career path that allows to get paid to do what you love is never easy. It's exciting and challenging at the same time, which, after all, is what makes life interesting and fun.