Animation job
Animation is a job like any other
Do you think that working as an animator is just a kind of paid vacation? That it's easy money? So you are very wrong. This job is like any other, and it is not a holiday. If you expect to spend most of your time on the beach and have plenty of time to travel or walk around the bars, you are wrong. Being an animator is not entirely simple and it is not for everyone.
There are several types of animators in the world of animation:
- kids animator
Organizes an animation program for kids and an evening mini disco.
- sport animator
Organizes animation sports activities for guests. For example water polo, darts, table tennis, volleyball, football, basketball, archery, and many others.
- fitness animator
This type of animator focuses on fitness activities for guests. These are mainly aqua gym, aqua Zumba, yoga, aerobics, or Zumba.
- dance animator
This animator is mostly used in evening shows. During the day, the dance animator also participates in other activities, whether sports or fitness. Sometimes he also teaches various dances during the day.
- allround animator
This animator is just about everywhere :). The all-round animator manages all animation activities, which is always appreciated especially by the chief animator, as he can involve him wherever is needed.
- team leader/chief animator
The chief animator or team leader is not only responsible for the entire team but also for the smooth running of the animation program. It should be noted that there is always someone in this position who has more experience with animation. Besides, the leader also very often masters communication in several foreign languages. In larger hotels, it is no exception that he has his assistant.
AND HOW SHOULD THE PROFESSIONAL ANIMATOR BE?
- Sense of humor and positive attitude
One of the most important qualities of a good, professional animator is undoubtedly a great sense of humor. Well, tell yourself... can you imagine an animator who can not laugh at himself?
- A constant smile on the face
An animator is a person who has to spread a good mood around him, even if he is not in his skin. A smile is very important for this job.
- Communicativeness and openness
Not being afraid to talk to people of different ages is really important for this job. Expect that the animator has to be in constant contact with people throughout the day. People have been stopping you since the morning, they are constantly asking questions, and quite often they just want to talk to you. Even during your day off, which is usually only one day a week.
- Creativity
Another important feature is creativity. A good animator can do something out of nothing and can handle any situation. Is it raining? Is the strong wind blowing and it is not possible to be outside? A professional animator is always ready to adapt the program to any situation.
- Good confidence
Admit it yourself... can an animator be a person who is afraid to go on a stage, is ashamed to talk with people, and is uncomfortable making fun of himself? Definitely not. On the contrary, a good animator should not mind being at the center of attention all day. Besides, it often happens that animators stay in the spotlight even during their free time if clients see them.
- Intelligence
Yes, surprisingly, a little bit of that is needed too. :)
WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF WORKING IN ANIMATION?
1. DISADVANTAGES
- Stress
Working as an animator is not just fun. It can be really stressful from time to time. Dissatisfied guests? Injuries? A sick or injured colleague for whom you have to jump in the evening show? Arguments in an animation team? Exhaustion and fatigue? Problems with technology? Yes, it all happens quite often...
- Smile for all-day
At the time when the animator is not feeling well, this can be a real disadvantage. Sometimes you just don't want to smile at people all day and you would rather be alone somewhere in your room.
- Long working hours
The work begins already with the breakfast, not your first animation activity. Keep in mind that sometimes you work up to 18 hours a day. If, for example, it is necessary to practice new evening programs, it is rehearsed during the lunch break (often in the bright sun and in the heat) and also after evening shows. So very often until late at night.
- Weather
Yes, even the weather can sometimes be a big minus for animators. Working in the heat is something different than coming to a holiday destination and staying only by the sea. In some places, you sometimes have to fight with strong winds and in case of heavy rain, you also have a lot of work to do with program changes.
2. ADVANTAGES
- Traveling
As an animator, you can visit many wonderful destinations and spend a few months or even a whole year there.
- Improving in foreign languages
The hotel's clientele tends to be international, so communication in many foreign languages is not an emergency. Very often you also work in an international animation team.
- Accommodation and food provided by the hotel
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner, mostly buffet style, are provided by the hotel. As well as a drinking regime. But watch out for alcoholic beverages! You are not allowed. If you break it, you can lose your place in the animation team very quickly.
- Contacts
When you work as an animator, you have a huge opportunity to meet many interesting people from different parts of the world. However, make sure that you have fun with all the guests and do not pay more attention to someone who is personally sympathetic to you. Also keep in mind that guests are not allowed in the rooms, as well as you accept their invitation for alcoholic beverages.
AND HOW THE NORMAL DAILY ANIMATION PROGRAM CAN LOOK LIKE?
There are really many scenarios of what such a normal animator's day can look like. Programs are different from hotel to hotel.
Here is an example of how the animation program might be:
- Morning program
8.30 am - usually time to wake up
9.00 am - 9.45 am - breakfast (in some hotels animators welcome guests before their own breakfast - usually they stay in front of the entrance of the restaurant)
10.00 am - the opening of the mini club (kids animators come at least 10 minutes in advance); other animators prepare for their morning activities and also do the guest contact. An invitation to the animation programs is a matter of that.
10.30 am - the first activity for adults and kids (for example, yoga, stretching, mini stretching)
11.00 am - another activity for kids and adults (for example, darts, petanque, ping-pong, archery)
11.30 am - often, for example, beach volleyball, badminton, lazy game, pool game, crazy game
12.00 pm - time for the aqua gym, and also can be a mini aqua gym
12.30 pm - "Let's dance" by the pool with all animators.
12.45 pm - lunch break (for animators it usually means a meeting with the whole team and subsequent training for an evening show - often in the bright sun in superheat). After the training is a short time for lunch and sometimes for a little rest in the room.
- Afternoon program
3.00 pm - reopening of the mini club and preparation of animators for the afternoon activities
3.30 pm - first afternoon activities for kids and adults (for example, ping-pong, petanque, darts)
4.00 pm - other activities such as water polo, aqua zumba, zumba, Latin dances
4.30 pm - often time for ball games such as football, basketball, etc.
5.00 pm - last activity of the day (beach volleyball)
5.00 - 7.00 pm - time to rest
- Evening program
7.00 pm - dinner time (again welcoming guests can be required from the hotel)
8.00 pm - preparation for a mini disco (animators may be walking around the hotel or at the restaurant in costumes to invite children and their parents to the evening program)
8.30 pm - Mini disco (usually 30-45 minutes, sometimes with the announcement of winners of activities and awarding of diplomas)
9.00 pm - preparation for the show: "promotion" (it means inviting all guests to the evening show)
9.30 - 10.30 pm - evening show (for example comedy show, various types of dance shows, bingo, karaoke, Mr. of the hotel, Mr. a Mrs. of the hotel, folklore evening, movie quiz, music quiz, disco night...)
Evening programs are often prepared by the animators for 14 days so that guests can see something different every night during their stay.
- the evening show is often followed by "club dances" with all animators until 11:00 pm
11:00 pm - time to clean the scene and backstage and often training for the next day (it isn't an exception to practice until 2 am or 3 am)