Animationskünstler/Animationskünstlerin

"Touring Artists" information portal, Federal Government's Cultural and Creative Industries Initiative, KM Artist Magazine, Art + Culture, Showcases, Trottoir-online - Magazine for Cabaret, Variety, Circus, Comedy, and Street Theater.

Animation artists usually work on stages, in concert halls, event venues, or in office and meeting rooms.

Core competencies fundamentally required in this profession include: improvisation, interpretation, moderation, parody, rhetoric. Other competencies that may be significant for performing this profession are: acrobatics, breath, voice and speech design, ventriloquism, hosting, singing, cabaret, comedy, pantomime, production (stage, film, television, video, audiovisual), role study, solo performance, vocal training, dancing, drag show, variety, performance activity.

Animation artists work, for example, in variety shows, on ships, at trade fairs, company parties, or for radio and television. They usually perform as solo artists, but sometimes also with a partner or as an artist group. Performances mostly take place in the evenings or on weekends. For engagements in other cities, animation artists are often away from their place of residence for extended periods. They utilize their linguistic, motor, and mimetic expressive abilities, as well as wit, charm, and temperament. They master their show confidently but can also improvise to professionally react to unexpected audience responses, for instance. If they organize their performances themselves, animation artists must be good at negotiation.

Animation artists can, for example, establish themselves as freelancers in the entertainment industry.

Earnings vary; check BERUFENET.

Art, culture, museums; other performing arts, especially independent animation artists; other entertainment organizers; variety shows and cabaret stages; radio, television, other media distribution; television broadcasters and video content distribution; radio broadcasters and audio content distribution; film, video, audio production; production of other video films, films, and television programs; leisure industry, entertainment; amusement and theme parks.

There is no specific educational path. However, an Ausbildung (vocational training) in entertainment arts can be helpful.

Animation artists can find employment in variety shows and cabaret stages, with film industry companies or broadcasters, in amusement parks and on cruise ships, and at corporate or private events (e.g., weddings).

Animation artists entertain their audience with various forms of cabaret, such as comedy or magic tricks.

Job and Applicant Exchanges: animajobs, Bühnenjobs.de, crew united, Jobwork, kulturjobs.net, Rolling Pin International, StagePool, TouristikCareer.

Associations and Organizations: Deutscher Bühnenverein (German Stage Association), Bundesverband der Theater und Orchester (Federal Association of Theatres and Orchestras), Artist Placement Service of the Central International and Specialist Placement Office (ZAV), ver.di - Vereinte Dienstleistungsgewerkschaft (United Services Trade Union).

Working Conditions: Screen work (e.g., planning programs), working on stages (e.g., during live performances), changing work locations (performances at various events on different stages), office work (e.g., negotiating with agents), irregular working hours (performances also in the evenings and on weekends), customer contact (e.g., discussing programs with clients and organizers), working under the eyes of customers and guests (in front of an audience), frequent absence from home (depending on engagement), working while walking and standing.

Work Tools: Accessories (e.g., masks, make-up, balloons, stilts, musical instruments, ventriloquist dummies), documents (e.g., contract documents, invoices, program schedules), office equipment (e.g., PC, internet access, telephone).

Tasks and Activities (Compact): Animation artists take on various roles on stage. They typically offer the audience comedy, slapstick, or dance and theatre improvisation. They draw upon a broad repertoire that they continuously expand. They rehearse gestures, facial expressions, manner of expression, and movements to perfection. During live performances, they sometimes involve the audience. As freelancers, they conduct negotiations with clients or organizers and agree on the program.

Further Training (Professional Adaptation): Adaptation training helps keep professional knowledge current and adapt it to new developments (e.g., in the fields of theatre and acting, dance, music).

Further Training (Career Advancement): Further professional and career opportunities open up through an undergraduate degree (Studium) (e.g., in acting). Under certain conditions, a degree is also possible without a school-leaving certificate qualifying for university admission (schulische Hochschulzugangsberechtigung). For more information: Access to higher education in the individual Bundesländer (federal states).

Tasks and Activities (Detailed): Performing comedy, slapstick, magic tricks, gags, dance, and theatre improvisation; familiarizing oneself with the respective acts through self-study; rehearsing gestures, facial expressions, manner of expression, and movements; selecting appropriate clothing or costumes; involving the audience in the show; expanding and supplementing the role/act repertoire, potentially conceiving new programs; carrying out organizational tasks; discussing programs and dates with organizations; negotiating fees (Gage).