Careers, Networking and Events in Indonesia

If I were to go back to Indonesia, the most suitable thing for me is to take commissions as a freelance multi disciplinary artist and also submit my work to exhibitions and film festivals around Asia Pacific. With a degree in animation, I feel more confident to approach and get involved with art spaces, studio, or events in Indonesia that showcases video art, film and 2D animation. Having done a handful of designing and illustrating, I have acquired a good understanding of the visual language which could give me a credibility as a visual artist, too.

Ika Vantiani
Ika is a friend of a friend who is a collage artist based in Indonesia, and whose art resonates her passion about the subject of feminism. Being an experienced freelance artist, I feel that she will be a good contact if I want to get to know more about freelancing and networking with artists in Indonesia.

Here is a link to her Instagram profile: Link

Residencies, Agencies and Studios
Ruang Rupa Link
Lir Artspace Link
Toaster Link
Kopi Keliling Link

Art Space and Events
Dia.Lo.Gue Artspace Link
ArtJog Link
Arkipel Documentary & Experimental Film Festival Link
Cartoons Underground (Singapore) Link

Update on Job Applications

During Easter break, I have attempted to apply for The Royal Institute Animator in Residence position and Moth Animation Studio's summer internship programme. They are all London-based as a tutor has recommended me that it is easier to find an animation job with a more than 23k a year in London than in the vicinity of Leeds.

The Royal Institute offers a residency for an animator who are passionate about bringing scientific discovery to the public. I am interested in applying as I enjoyed making animation based on real facts recorded in their sound archives. The reason for applying to the Moth internship is quite similar as I am keen to learn their way of telling the emotive aspect of a real story through the illustrative animation aesthetic.

I didn't get the two positions I am applying for, but at least the production assistant from Moth has bothered to reply and gave me a heads up on the timeline of the application process.

Another position that I am aware of, but I have decided not to apply to is Matt Blease's studio Internship. Matt Blease is a London-based illustrator who does minimalistic line work illustration and also did a handful of motion graphic animations in the style of his drawings. I didn't apply in the end because he focuses on trivialities of daily life, while I am looking for a more serious themes to work with.

a sample of Matt Blease's work

Painting Commission

I was traumatised from facing a difficult client who asks for a commissioned wedding stationery, yet here I am doing another project related to wedding. What a masochist! Well, the good thing about this painting commission is that it is more of a smaller scale, and I have the creative freedom to experiment with colours which I like a lot: pastels and bright colours. 

Throughout the project, I have learnt from past mistakes and make sure to set the expectations with the client. I also found out that for a shape-based painting, it will be nice to create the digital version of the roughs and try to put in colours. I wouldn't do it if I were to do my own painting, but this is an efficient workflow as I can show progress to the client and make sure she likes the colour palette.

These are the two mock-ups I made for her:

 She liked the nude coloured one better:

I forgot to scan the finished painting, so here a photo doesn't really do it justice to the final product:

I also did some mini paintings, one of which is meant to go in the packaging. I have also written a congratulatory message at the back to the married couple. They said they really like the painting and they will frame it for their new house after it is shipped. :)

Online Resources

I have decided to look up for more sources online rather than sulking about the problem of not having enough one-to-one guidance from the tutor. Instagram is a really good platform to find information especially about websites for creatives through people's stories and informal chats with recent graduates.


Online Sources

The Creative Independent

A website by Kickstarter which focuses on posting about personal growth as an artist and have an independent artistic career personally and practically. Kickstarter has curated a handful of essays and interviews about the ups and downs in artistic career, inspiration and how-tos. I found convenience finding informations in this website as quality information is shared for free.

An explanation of how to apply for grants. Provides guidelines and considerations that can be relevant for the LAU Graduate Scheme business pitch.

Applying for Grants

Applying for grants

Applying for grants

I have also looked into financial planning guide, too. Although similar to the cost-of-living calculator lecture, it provides clearer explanation in the break down of how to manage income so that it compounds as an artist. Also, gave a brief introduction to investing and considerations of terms, conditions and risks. I find investing could be useful for my sustainable practice in the long run if I have earn a stable income. So that, ideally, I could have savings for personal projects. Although the cons of investing is I have to do a lot of research about things I wanted to invest my money on, which takes time I could work on some other creative stuff. Furthermore, it could also lead to addiction.

Financial Planning

Financial Planning

If You Could
If You Could is a website by It's Nice That which advertises jobs in arts and design. I have been looking for motion graphic and designer jobs listed below which could potentially pass for the income eligibility for Tier 2 application (yearly salary of £23,200). Will start crafting an email in the next few weeks for the positions. Still have to look up whether internationals are eligible to apply and for the companies at the 'A-listed sponsor' list certified by the Home Office so the applications made are not going into waste. Will update as over the weekends as I got further information about the jobs.

Job Hunting notes from https://ifyoucouldjobs.com/

Anyways

I have signed up for Anyways' free newsletter and case studies for more insights, jobs and collaboration opportunities. Anyways is a sister agency of It's Nice That, a UK-based website featuring creative inspiration for contemporary artists and designers.

Reflection on Plans

I am quite flexible flip-flopping between animation studio, being an independent filmmaker or being in a collective. However, if I do have to work or doing an internship in an office setting, I would be aiming to work at relatively small studio as I want to stay being a generalist while also expand my knowledge in animation and filmmaking through the work experience.

If I am not eligible to switch to any of the UK visa by July, I wouldn't wanna find a professional job to stay in the UK. I am quite excited to make another short film and build network within the artist and independent filmmakers within Indonesia and Southeast Asia. The plan before leaving is to find several hourly-paid jobs in Leeds to earn enough money to fund my year off in Indonesia instead. Life is tough.

Creative Website

Over spring break, I did a proper portfolio website of selected works which reflects image I want to convey in my work and versatility with different traditional media. For this reason, I've decided to simply reuse an alphabet cut-out of my name from my past showreel to create a heading for the website.

Here's the link to my website: https://brendamuliawan.wixsite.com/brenda-animates

Homepage is my animation portfolio. Showreel is put on big screen to advertise what I can offer, while my most recent works automatically comes up after. Wix creates a channel for video portfolio where videos can be added and arranged by the user. It also offers basic views statistics on the videos uploaded on the site.

A page for illustration and sketchbooks excerpt:

Personal bio: