Job hunt

UPDATE1/31 (Running tally/update of jobs researched):

Possible job 1:
Graphic Designer

Description:
We are currently seeking an experienced graphic designer for an opening on our content packaging team. The right candidate is media technology savvy but also understands print models. In addition to design and layout for print magazines and products, our graphic designers perform pre-press production tasks and package content for websites and other media channels. This is a great opportunity to join a dynamic and forward-thinking team of talented professionals who are focused on content and dedicated to quality.

Requirements:

• Demonstrated proficiency in InDesign and Photoshop
• Technical know-how
• Creative, but with the ability to take direction well
• Attention to detail, ability to multitask and manage projects to completion
• Enjoys a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
• Positive attitude, strong initiative and desire to continue learning
• Able to react to change productively
• Ability to work independently as well as a member of a team
• Strong communicator
• Experience with copy editing a plus
• WordPress or other CMS experience helpful
• Bachelor’s degree preferred

Send cover letter, resume’ and links to your online portfolio or website to Christina Carden, Media Technology Director.

For this one I'd need skills in InDesign and a good portfolio of examples of my 2D work.





Possible Job 2:
3D Story Artist
Lucasfilm Animation US
Lucasfilm Animation, Ltd.
San Rafael, California - United States


Project: Lucasfilm Animation US
Job Duties(s): Character Design, Conceptual Development / Illustration, Rendering, Rigging (Character), Rigging (Cloth / Hair / Fur), Rigging (Facial), Shader Writer / Creation
Software Utilized: 3D Studio Max, Photoshop, After Effects, XSI, MAYA
Genre(s): Television
Bonus Eligibility: No
Relocation: No
Required Spoken Language(s): English
Required Work Auth.: United States
Start Date: Immediately

Job Purpose:

The 3D Story Artist works with a team of artists under the 3D Story Lead to pre-visualize episodes based on the Director’s vision for a CG animated television series.
Primary Responsibilities:

• Under minimal supervision, uses digital assets, including characters and backgrounds, to interpret a script as visualized by the Director.
• Working within scheduled timeframes, provides cinematic pre-visualization of Director’s vision by completing layout of 3D animatic scenes and sequences from start to finish based on scripts and input from the Director.
• Provides other concept artists with underlays and source art created in 3D.
• Tracks shot progress through entire pre-visualization process. Archives all project files, renders, and source images.
• Completes special projects as needed or requested.

Education, Experience, Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree and/or equivalent experience.
? 2 -3 years experience in feature film or television production.
• Extensive training in and/or strong demonstrable understanding of the principles of story-telling, art and film.
• Demonstrated proficiency in scene, shot, camera, and character composition is required.
• Sense of comedic timing.
• Modeling, lighting, texturing, and animation experience strongly desired.
• Knowledge of terminology and techniques used in film, animation, and visual effects, including basic knowledge of photography and camera lenses.
• Demonstrated proficiency using Maya, XSI or 3Ds max required. Proficiency in other applications such as Photoshop and After Effects, as well as familiarity with digital video is highly desired.
• Ability to learn and use new software as needed.
• Ability to work under pressure as well as implement changes based on input from multiple sources.
• Ability to multi-task and work efficiently in a multi-user environment.
• Excellent organizational skills a must.


I For me to be able to apply for this job I'd need to be a bit more experienced in Maya, refresh my knowledge of cinematography, and have a good demo reel.





Possible job 3:

Institution: University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Location: Memphis, TN
Category:
Admin - Publications and Editing
Posted: 01/26/2011
Application Due: Open Until Filled
Type: Full Time
Salary: $29,950.20 to $43,299.60 USD Per Year
Job Summary/Essential Job Functions: The Editorial and Design Specialist III will serve as a supporting writer and coordinator for the Health Science Center's various internal and external publications for the Department of Communications and Marketing.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Serve as primary editor for The Record, the internal newsletter.
2. Write, design and edit alumni magazines.
3. Support Web-based marketing materials, videos and any designated projects that serve as official university communiqués.
4. Assist in planning and execution of such special projects as annual updating of the telephone directory, as well as compilation of News Notes (electronic clips package).
5. Perform editorial and production work to include writing content, developing design and assisting with production of publications or videos as directed by the Director.
6. Works with the Director to develop concepts and direction; assist team with layout, design, pre-press functions, and assist with oversight of printing and distribution.
7. Provide support to the university with social media and related marketing initiatives.
8. Collaborate with photographer and Information Technology to ensure that the Health Science Center is well represented photographically on website; coordinate update of department's Web page with Information Technology.
9. Perform other duties as assigned.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS: MINIMUM REQUIREMENT: Bachelor's Degree in Public Relations, Journalism, Communications or related field; 3 years experience; must be an organized with strong writing skills and experience with graphic design/layout. Candidate should be well versed with both Mac and Windows platforms. Excellent computer skills required using Adobe InDesign (experience required), Page Maker, Quark Express, Free Hand or Adobe Illustrator and familiarity with Adobe Photoshop. Skills required in scanning of text and photos, and experience in Web design a plus. Knowledge of Microsoft FrontPage and Macromedia Dreamweaver also a plus. Must have solid knowledge of pre-press production and be able to handle multiple projects from beginning to end with little supervision. Must be experienced at and committed to meeting deadlines. Must have experience developing PowerPoint presentations. Excellent communication skills required, also must be well organized with ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously. Proficiency in Word required. Team orientation required. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED)

Application Information
Apply for this Position through My HigherEdJobs
Postal Address: Val Jordan
Human Resources
University of Tennessee Health Science Center
910 Madison Avenue, Suite 722
Memphis, TN 38163
Phone: 901-448-5600
Fax: 901-448-5170
Online App. Form: http://www.uthsc.edu/hr/Employment/
Email Address: vjordan3@uthsc.edu


The only things I'm missing are experience in InDesign, Illustrator, 3 years of field experience and pre-press production, and a good portfolio of work.






Of the three jobs I've looked into the one I feel I'd like to pursue the most would the one for Lucasfilms.






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UPDATE 1/27:

Since talking with Gadsby I've been looking around businesses that do card games, tabletops, etc. The main one I'm looking at is Games Workshop, known for Warhammer, LOTR, and Warhammer 40k.
About GW

Gadsby is arranging for a tour of their facilities here in town this upcoming week so I'll have more about GW later. Jobs currently posted on their site can be found here.

As far as continuing research into jobs previously looked into,

For the Journal Communications Job the title, description and requirements are as follow:

Graphic Designer

Description:
We are currently seeking an experienced graphic designer for an opening on our content packaging team. The right candidate is media technology savvy but also understands print models. In addition to design and layout for print magazines and products, our graphic designers perform pre-press production tasks and package content for websites and other media channels. This is a great opportunity to join a dynamic and forward-thinking team of talented professionals who are focused on content and dedicated to quality.

Requirements:

• Demonstrated proficiency in InDesign and Photoshop
• Technical know-how
• Creative, but with the ability to take direction well
• Attention to detail, ability to multitask and manage projects to completion
• Enjoys a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
• Positive attitude, strong initiative and desire to continue learning
• Able to react to change productively
• Ability to work independently as well as a member of a team
• Strong communicator
• Experience with copy editing a plus
• WordPress or other CMS experience helpful
• Bachelor’s degree preferred

Send cover letter, resume’ and links to your online portfolio or website to Christina Carden, Media Technology Director.





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I spent a couple hours combing through job hunting sites such as Monster.com and Careerbuilder.com, but all art related jobs need at least one to two years of prior experience, even for entry level positions.

Then I got lucky.

http://www.creativehotlist.com/index.asp (posts art specific job listings from across the country)
http://jobs.hollywoodreinvented.com/a/jbb/find-jobs

The fist site has been more helpful while the second site has given me more ideas of what types of video jobs there are.

http://www.dynamicpost.com/index.htmlA nice video editing firm I found in Nashville.

http://www.prodigiarts.com/home.htmlA digital art firm located here in Memphis.


Possible Job 1

Journal Communications http://www.jnlcom.com/

Job Location:
Journal Communications 725 Cool Springs Blvd Franklin, TN 37067
Requested Online Materials:
Creative Hotlist Portfolio, Creative Hotlist PDF Sample

The company is a journalist based publishing company with a fairly nice reputation. Further investigation is required.


Possible job 2

Video Editing position for Amazon.com. So far I have not been able to find much on the position, leading me to think the post is out-dated.


Possible job 3.
part/full-time commercial job doing freelance commissions on the side until enough real-world experience is gained to find a better job (final back-up fail safe)