I Moved to Los Angeles to Work in Animation

by Natalie Nourigat

The story of one woman’s quest to move to Los Angeles and got a job in animation...and how you can too.

When artist Tally Nourigat left her life in Portland to move to Los Angeles and pursue a job in animation, she realized that despite her research, nothing truly prepared her for the wild world that awaited in the studios of Southern California. From grinding on storyboard test after storyboard test to getting a job at a major studio to searching for an apartment in...the Valley...this autobiographical how-to graphic novel explores the highest highs and lowest lows of pursuing a dream in animation. Brushed with a dose of humor and illustrated advice about salaries, studio culture, and everything in between, I Moved to Los Angeles to Work in Animation is the unique insider experience you won’t find anywhere else.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Nonfiction, Memoir, Art, Graphic Novels Comics, Adult

96 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2017

About the author

Natalie “Tally” Nourigat is a writer and cartoonist from Portland, Oregon. She is a story artist at Walt Disney Animation Studios in Burbank CA, storyboarding and participating in story rooms for feature films.

Natalie's comics work has been nominated for the Eisner Award, GLAAD Media Award, and Oregon Book Award. You can find her around Los Angeles with a sketchbook in one hand and coffee in the other.

Reviews

[Rod Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice little information dump about how one might break into the animation industry. The first part is a bit text heavy but Nourigat keeps things moving along. The last little section of the book where other animators offer "Alternative P.O.V.s" is super text heavy, dull, seemingly endless and nearly derailed the whole thing for me. I would have preferred to see the info, the people and their advice integrated more lightly into the main body of the work.

[Julie Ehlers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Moved to Los Angeles to Work in Animation is a friendly, pretty comic about exactly what it says it's about: After spending years barely scraping together a living as a freelance illustrator in Portland, Oregon (as housing costs go through the roof), Natalie Nourigat decided to try to get a full-time job working for an animation studio, and eventually succeeded. The book describes how she got the job, what it's like being in the job, and what it's like moving to and adjusting to living in Los Angeles. If you'd like a similar career, this information will be very useful to you. As for me, I just enjoy reading about creative people and how their creativity manifests in their lives, and this was a fun and entertaining entry in that category.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have several friends who dream of getting a break and finding a dream job in films or animation. Either field is a daunting and often completely intimidating prospect....most never get a call-back or an interview. When I got offered a review copy of Natalie Nourigat's graphic novel about her start in animation, I jumped on the chance to read it. I was so curious about how animation careers work and how people get started.

Natalie illustrates and tells her story with humor and honesty. She talks about the pros and cons of the industry, moving to LA, and the costs, work loads and pitfalls. She even talks about what it was like to move to a very large city to live on her own for the first time. She had to learn how to deal with being lonely sometimes, and how to start getting out and making her life more than drive to work, work, drive home, sleep, repeat. It's a lesson we all have to learn....but it's a bit rougher alone in a huge metro area.

This book could be a very important learning tool for art school students and those truly interested in pursuing animation as a career. Natalie talks openly about how much effort, time and patience was required for her to get through the interview process and snag a job.

I love the artwork! It's simple, understated and perfect for this book's purpose. Her words are straight-forward and honest. She talks openly about what has been good and bad about her career choice, LA and her start in a very competitive (but awesomely creative) career.

Full stars from me. I'm not an art student (I totally lack the talent, but love to be cheerleader for anyone I meet who does have artistic talent), but I found the information incredibly interesting. It made me think about all the people, work and creativity behind some of the animated movies and shows I love! So much time, effort and creativity go into each project!

**I received a free review copy of this graphic novel from Boom! Studios. All opinions expressed are entirely my own. Congrats on the awesome job, Natalie! You rock!)

[Chad · Rating 3 out of 5]

This would be a fantastic resource for any artist looking to break into the animation industry. Nourigat goes into great detail about how she got into animation, what she does, and interviews other artists for their thoughts on the same. However, if you just want to read comics, this is tightly focused on the title subject. Nourigat's drawings are super cute, but some sections like the suggestions from other artists drag on so much I started skimming them instead as the stories were very similar once they started talking about getting hired. If you are striving to be an artist, I'd consider this to be an essential read. Everyone else, not so much.

[㋛ ㋡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have no desire to move to Los Angeles or work in animation, but this book is about so much more and can be applied to so many different career choices. The 5 biggest takeaways that honestly warmed my heart. 1. Be Kind, But Know Your Worth 2. Seek Out Community 3. Everyone's Path Is Different 4. Notice The World Around You 5. Always Be Learning

[Ross Blocher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Natalie Nourigat's I Moved to Los Angeles to Work in Animation is an honest, smart, insightful, helpful and appealingly illustrated look at what it's like to get a job in animation as a story artist. Natalie shares her own journey, along with those of friends who've made it, with all the pros and cons to expect professionally and personally. You'll learn tips on how to improve your drawing skills, what to put in your portfolio, how to meet people, ways to save money, where to study, the difference between freelance and small studios and big studios, how to apply for jobs, how to deal with discouragement, and much more. No promises are made, except that passion, hard work, positivity and a little bit of luck are all necessary if not sufficient conditions for success. It's also just fun as a reflection on how Los Angeles compares to other places to live in terms of weather, getting around, interacting with nature, finding food and finding friends. Plus, it's great to look at! The illustrations are as honest and relatable as the writing. This will be the first thing I recommend to people looking to get a job in animation, even if they're not moving across state lines or are planning to get job specifically as a story artist. So much of it applies to any creative role. Highly recommended.

[Chloë · Rating 3 out of 5]

Natalie Nourigat has written a great graphic novel about the Los Angeles animation industry. She talks about Los Angeles itself: the traffic, the good food, the loneliness and more. She talks about how to get a job, what goes into a portfolio and what it means to be a storyboard artist. She ends this book by giving other people in the industry a chance to talk about their experience.

I don't know why I picked this up. I don't dream of being in animation, nor want to move to Los Angeles. I guess I just really love art and find it interesting to see the world through another artists viewpoint.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I expected a memoir, but this was actually a graphic novel how-to guide about careers in animation in Los Angeles. This is good for teens/adults interested in animation as a field because there is tons of advice from the author and her peers. She works in film animation, but has friends in TV animation. The book may have a short shelf life depending on changes in the industry. An interesting guide book to LA and art life.

[Hannah Garden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aahh this little book!!! It is so SWEET! I didn’t know what it was gonna be like at all, coz going in, based on the title and the kinda like ultraclean digitalish infographic style and superblunt title I totally thought this was going to feel like it was exploitatively riding the comics wave for just the sake of selling books or whatever, but ACTUALLY it is just this incredibly genuine joyous and earnest little helper of a book and I was completely glued to it from soup to nuts. Really fascinating painstaking unselfconscious storytelling. 💕💕💕

[Hallie]

This is an interesting and informative graphic novel even if you're not interested in working in the animation field. Natalie has covered so much information within the scope of her book and this is a very helpful tool for anyone trying to figure out how to even begin to find work in the field. It has very practical and specific advice for frequently asked questions while also including general information about what it's like to relocate or start over somewhere new.

[Katherine Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an autobiographical how-to graphic novel of how Natalie ‘Tally’ Nourigat made her move to LA from Portland to work in animation as a storyboard artist.
We find out from her clever storyboards, and her neatly printed text (both in superb detail), how she started out working as a comic book artist back in Portland with dreams of working down in Los Angeles, CA, and how she managed to make that daunting move and get her foot in the door.
Not only does she tell her own tale of ‘how she did it’, she reveals the pros and cons of her living in ‘La-La Land’, she helps aspiring artists and animators figure out if it’s really for them by really delving into the difficulties of the job search and realities of the animation and entertainment industry, and gives pro tips for making it from some others working in the community.

I do have to say I had a particular interest in how Natalie approached this topic (a move to LA for work in the entertainment industry), as I wrestled with this decision myself back in the late 90’s when I worked in film production.
I would’ve given my left arm (not my right one, because then I would’ve been useless doing my actual on-set job as script supervisor) for an adorable, as well as fascinating and informative graphic novel like this. At the time, I felt absolutely lost when it came to doing something like this, and making a move from Seattle to LA (and mine would have been for all freelance work, not for a regular job at a studio, although my aim was to join a union) was beyond daunting. I did make quite a few trips down to the LA-area to stay with friends, as Natalie suggests, and even took some short freelance film gigs, but social media back then was not what it is today, I didn’t drive, and I think ultimately I felt like a move was too hard back then. I also continued to have a lot of film work up here in Seattle. Where were you when I needed you, Tally?

What Natalie has done with this graphic novel though, has taken a lot of that fear (something I recognize) and made the process seem so much less daunting and anxiety-inducing than it would otherwise be. She is honest but upbeat, positive but realistic. LA isn’t for everyone, even if it’s the place of your dreams, and even if you’re talented.
But this will give you a brilliant outline to follow should you give it a go (it would work quite well for anyone searching for an entertainment studio job or making a move to LA for certain steady film/TV jobs).

BOOM! Box Studios might be on to something here. Maybe this can be a ‘thing’: I can envision a whole series of these, and if these graphic novels were suggested by career guidance counselors for young adults, can you imagine the enthusiasm?! My goodness!
Ultimately, this kept me engaged all the way through, and I’m definitely not trying to find a job in feature animation! But this is superb.


*One thing that kept coming up that I couldn’t stress more and I’m so glad was included: a lot of success and getting work is due to luck and timing. So so true.

[Monique · Rating 2 out of 5]

Acutal Rating: 2.5 stars

This may be a case of reader - book mismatch but this was a huge let down. While I have no desire to work in animation the synopsis describes this as part humorous autobiography and part how to guide. While the artwork was cute and the first 25% of the graphic novel was humorous, I Moved to Los Angeles to Work in Animation is mostly a how to guide. The how to guide portion is not funny, in fact it is quite boring. So boring that I fell asleep in the middle of the day reading it. The information is really run of the mill and focuses on networking and training. I’m pretty certain that most of the information is available online for free and most likely in a more entertaining manner. I personally could not recommend this graphic novel.

[laura (bookies & cookies) · Rating 3 out of 5]

More of a how-to and informational guide to artists, illustrators, and animators wanting an inside look at the industry, but it didn't do too much for me as an outsider looking in. I did follow a few of the artists mentioned in this book and have a list of touristy spots to visit next time I'm in LA (which will be never, if I can help it), but nothing really jumped out at me.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having worked in Animation in LA, I found this book really tells it like it is!

[Lata · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up on a whim from my library’s Overdrive collection. I learned some interesting things about one person’s journey from freelance commercial and comic book work in Portland into story boarding work in L.A. As Natalie Nourigat points out, it takes a lot of hard work and networking to get into animation, then lots more hard work honing skills and networking to work in the field.
I liked Nourigat’s artwork, a lot, and the combination of humour and straight talk about her journey and what it might take for the reader of this work. I also liked how she balanced including all the prose she needed to make her points, and the images needed to lighten or reinforce sections.

[Stephanie Cooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great and informative look at the animation industry in LA with insight into how to acquire a job, build a portfolio, and more. Honestly, a lot of what’s within applies to many creative fields too and even though I’m not an artist, I found that it was still a great read.

[Adam M · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've gotta say, I really appreciate that BOOM! Box (a division of BOOM! Studios) is taking some chances on outside-of-the-box comics. I've read several surprise and unusual titles from them this year and I'm glad these exist.

This was a Hoopla Bonus Borrow, which is how it wound up on my radar, and I thought it was perfectly pleasant. I couldn't figure out why the art from Natalie Nourigat seemed so familiar, but my daughter is a huge fan of the "Shot Circuit" series on Disney+. "Short Circuit is a series of American independent animated short films produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios. Similar to the SparkShorts program launched at sister animation studio Pixar, the series is a program in which the employees pitch their ideas for a short and work with fellow employees to create the short if selected, and is meant to take risks in both visual styles and storytelling." Natalie is featured along with her movie there and it's also a delight.

This book is hyper specific so it likely won't appeal to everyone, but the honesty and earnestness that infused this whole thing was lovely. It was absolutely a pen-pal letter to those hoping to get into the field from the friend they really hope is waiting for them there.

[Luna Deniz · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐ Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

As a Visual Development Artist considering moving to Los Angeles for the animation industry in the future, I found this book to be a delightful and informative read. The drawings were beautiful and charming. It provides information concisely and effectively, making it a highly recommended read.

[Karina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4 Stars: ★★★★
I Moved To Los Angeles To Work In Animation is an autobiographical graphic novel that follows Natalie Nourigat who started in animation as a freelance comic artist in Portland. But with dreams of breaking into the animation industry as her hometown was becoming more expensive, she gets an opportunity to move to LA when a friend offers to host her stay.

From there, she chronicles her journey into finding a job in the animation industry. Its very technical and from what I read, a fun and informative graphic novel that details the process of getting your work out there and just getting an insider look at getting into the industry of animation.

What I love and learned as I read was that even for those not in animation, she shares wonderful advice for anyone on the hunt for a job--aside from just networking! Such as building your portfolio/resume, being persistent in applying to many positions, using free time to enhance your skills for the career your interested in, and the importance of connecting with others in the industry face-to-face!

The art mainly features warm pastels and the designs are all lively and evoke strong emotion and the lively and complex LA setting! I also loved all the humor thrown into this story!

Nourigat's journey was one that featured many ups & downs, shows that the search for a job varies and isn't the same for everyone, but reminds the reader that never giving up and continually motivating yourself to chase after your dreams is a big part of the process too!

Animation has always been interesting to me and looking up fanart and webcomics online in my free-time is always fun & leaves me inspired as an aspiring writer! So, though I'm not an animator/illustrator myself (though I wish) I loved reading about the details of breaking into the industry!

I also loved how the ending features other artists in the industry, such as Angie Wang who works as a prop designer on Steven Universe and Kellye Perdue who's a storyboard artist of one of my most anticipated upcoming cartoons, Infinity Train!

For me personally however, because this novel is very technical about the industry among other elements, I did find the story to be a bit text heavy at some points.

Overall though I Moved To Los Angeles To Work In Animation is an informative graphic novel that's above all a fun read that shares an animator's journey of going after their dreams in LA! The art is expressive, Nourigat's artistic style and use of pastel colors give life to this unique story!

[Lemon Ginger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Books like this are the reason I have faith in humanity!

I love that between all her other work, Natalie Nourigat decided to make this specific comic, to share her knowledge and experience to encourage other artists and give them the resources she was looking for.

It was short but full of tips on how to look for work, build your portfolio, and keep going despite the rejections. She encourages you but gives you perspective at the same time. There are disadvantages to working where she is, like isolation, and she makes that very clear. The book is very positive and cute-looking but doesn't present an idealized version of working in animation in LA.

No matter how dense the text was on the final chapter (too text-heavy for a comic, but it wasn't meant to be part of the rest of the story), it was wise and so valuable to include others' experiences after her own.

Resources / Things that this book inspired me to do
1. Visit zoos to draw animals
2. Look for work and make a portfolio according to what they'd want to see
3. Keep trying hard to collect rejections. (Apparently it might take a couple of years to get the job you want, so a rejection is far from the end of the word)
4. Keep educating myself when it comes to art!
5. Keep making personal projects
6. Look up storyboards that people upload to study
7. Connect with other artists and organize things!
8. Look up all the artists mentioned and find their work
9... Try to work in France for a while? But that might just be me, there was no such encouragement.
There's more, but that's all that I can think of right now (and I'm not planning on moving to LA, so I'm not mentioning these)

[Dakota Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

As the proud owner of a degree in screenwriting, one thing I can definitively state is that never in my college career was I taught how to actually get a job as a screen writer. I wrote maybe a dozen screenplays (some quite good!) that now sit in a folder on my computer because I never knew what to do with them.

Not to say I couldn't have figured it out on my own if I was dedicated to being a screenwriter (I wasn't). But it's nice to see Natalie Nourigat offering fellow artists a primer on how to actually get a job doing art. And helping them understand what that job actually looks like! And spending a lot of time describing what living in Los Angeles is like. And interviewing some of the author's animation friends with zero editing to their lengthy monologues. To be clear: some parts of the book seemed more helpful than others.

Most of the time, I felt like I was reading a well-illustrated blog post. The book doesn't move like a traditional memoir - it's extremely focused on "here's how you get a job and here's what it looks like once you've got it." I Moved to Los Angeles to Work in Animation is the closest thing to a graphic business memoir I think I've read. It's a strange, possibly useful little beast that I oddly enjoyed. I kind of want to work in animation now?

[Denver Public Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

While aimed at people looking to learn about animation, I think this book is of interest to all artists looking to improve the business side of their practice. Nourigat is honest about how rejection is part of the process and (though it's hard) it isn't necessarily a reflection on your work. I especially liked the reminder that defensiveness is usually a sign of feeling inferior and that the people who are on top of their game are able to be giving to the next generation because they know that helping others doesn't detract from their own success. A good reminder to anyone, I think.

The art is a little simplistic, but it's complimented by a restrained color palate and works well for the storytelling. If you're feeling like you're in a slump or that you're alone in the art struggle, it's a good shot to the arm (not in the Chris Burden way).

Get I Moved to Los Angeles to Work in Animation from the Denver Public Library

- extra medium

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found the artwork to be fun and very witty. Her voice is one of honesty and transparency, and very attuned to her audience. A conversational tone is important in this type of work and I feel as if she is speaking directly to the reader throughout the book. It’s also imperative that many times Nourigat cuts through the BS in regards to money and time. Two vital factors in anyone’s life. As I said, Los Angeles is expensive, and it can take a long time applying and finishing the required story tests. But this is not to say that the book is full of gloom and doom. It is very balanced and realistic.

I Moved to Los Angeles to Work in Animation is a graphic novel that I would recommend to someone trying to enter the industry, and really anyone who is looking to make that leap to a new career. It is informative and inspiring.

For my full review: https://paulspicks.blog/2019/05/01/i-...

For all my reviews: https://paulspicks.blog

[Bree | alibraryforone · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 stars
I totally thought that this was going to be a fun take on someone’s first wacky adventures when moving to a new city with a new job, but it's the complete opposite. It’s a well-informed guide to moving to LA to work in animation. It covers everything from job hunting to apartment hunting to the reality of living in LA. This graphic novel details both ends of the spectrum, good and bad an all the possibilities in between. The only down side is that it can be a little long-winded, with a lot of text (more than you would usually expect from a graphic novel). But, I highly recommend this read to anyone who might be considering moving to LA to work in animation. Even though that’s not my plan (at all), I learned some really useful things about LA and will definitely put them to use next time I visit.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read for Popsugar 2020 prompt "Book Set in a City That Has Hosted the Olympics" (LA - 1932, and 2028)

So, huge disclaimer: I can't draw, I have no interest in moving to LA, and I'll never work in animation (unless Cartoon Network suddenly has a huge need for HR ladies and the well from California to STL has been run dry lol), but I absolutely adored this book.

The color palette is so sweet and candy-like, and I love that the author explains the pros and cons of moving to LA to work in animation. While I may not be in the scene at all, one of my favorite things to learn about is the behind-the-scenes action that makes all the cool creative things I love happen, and this book delivers on that for sure!

Even if you're not interested in working in animation, I highly recommend reading this if you want a tiny sneak peek into how your cartoon faves get made.

[Maija · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun and informational! More of a how-to book than a memoir, which I would've known if I had read the back cover. If you're actually planning to move to L.A. to work in animation, add a star or two. I went to art school and the topic of the animation industry in L.A. is interesting to me, just not relevant as a how-to book for me.

The book is very text-heavy, which I didn't mind, except for the interviews at the back. They had so much text and so few images that I feel they would've actually felt less heavy if they were just text with an illustration or two, instead of in comic form.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute illustrations take you through artist Natalie Nourigat's journey from her life in Oregon to LA in pursuit of a career in animation.

Lots of practical advice flows through these text-heavy panels, but the flow of the information never seems to get bogged down, making this a fast, satisfying read.

Great for anyone interested in animation, but also anyone thinking of breaking into storyboarding or art in general.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5
It’s kind of for a niche audience: those interested in working for an LA studio. It does have a much boarder appeal for most of its content, however when it came to the word dense panels highly focused on the aspect of finding a job I got burned out on the topic. I finished the author’s experience, but didn’t fully read the others’ career/life experiences.

And I feel like she captures an authentic side of LA.

[Tiffany Ferguson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picked this up at a comic book store today - it’s my first ever comic read! But I did not realize it is specifically, entirely about being a storyboarder... lmfao now I have lots of info about a job that I will never do but it sounds fun and union pay is AMAZING

[Oneirosophos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Natalie makes an amazing auto-biography of her moving to LA in order to work as an animator, with all pros and cons, delivering us a bittersweet but exciting story, filled with LA reality facts!