Video Clip: |
Three dynamic women who have staked out successful careers in the video games industry will inspire your female students to explore new career pathways.Female role models help get this career on the radar of women and girls because they’re able to see someone who looks like them on the job. The video reveals the personal experiences and insights of successful women working in this field. Video games and related industries employ millions of people. Increasing numbers of women are establishing rewarding careers in the traditionally male-dominated video game field. |
Career Options for Women -- Video Games:
This 24-minute video features profiles of three women with successful careers in video games:
- Sophie Gagnon, a background modeler who helps build game environments
- Chantal Fournier, a 2D animator with a background in fashion and a passion for games
- Erin Olorenshaw, a 3D animator
Additional information from co-workers and supervisors supplements each job profile.
Meet the role models featured in the Video Games video:
Sophie: Background Modeler
Sophie Gagnon is a background modeler for Radical Entertainment. Sophie has always had an interest in the arts, but hadn't used a computer much until she went to film school. Now her computer is your portal to the fantasy world of video games.
Sophie applies her interest in animation and entertainment to build the game environment, such as trees, buildings and landscapes. It's a job she absolutely loves!
“Other women would like my job because of the flexible hours, good benefits and the fun, dynamic people you get to work with.”
Sophie's job pays well and comes with full benefits including a gym and free food at work as well as free hockey, skiing and basketball passes. Her advice to other women is to make a good demo reel because your ability to get a good job hinges on it.
Sophie finds her job is very rewarding because every day she sees the results of her work. And she thrives on the dynamic, energetic work environment. When Sophie’s not at Radical, she devotes her passion to the arts.
Chantal: 2D Animator
Chantal Fournier is a 2D animator for ICE Multimedia. Chantal is an avid gamer herself. A love for games is critical if you want to be successful in this industry. Many game company job listings read “qualified individuals must play and love games.” That was no problem for Chantal.
“I like the teamwork involved in my job, taking everyone's assets and putting them all together.” In the future, Chantal wants to become a lead graphic artist or an artistic director.
Chantal first applied her drawing ability to a career in fashion design. Then she fashioned a career of her own design, one that fuses drawing with computer software.
Game companies get thousands of job inquiries a year. So it really helps to know someone in the business.
Erin: 3D Animator
Today, video games look more realistic than ever. Bringing the games to life is the job of 3D animator Erin Olorenshaw. Erin performs her miracles at Relic Entertainment, where she oversees animation segments, making the work of three people look like the work of one.
“I like that the work atmosphere is nice and casual and that I work with people my age. I also like the creative input I have when developing a game.”
Erin says the job offers a lot of possibilities for advancement. You can make up a lot of money and designers and programmers can make even more.
After graduating from film school, Erin sent her demo reel to hundreds of companies across the country. Relic was one of the few who actually called back. Erin and her team have helped earn the company several prestigious awards.
Erin says the women she knows in the video game business do extremely well. It’s a male-dominated industry, but it’s an excellent fit for women too.
Video details:
Run time: 24 minutes total, including three segments of approximately 8 minutes each.
Format: DVD. Closed-captioned.
Year: 2006
Note: Videos are interspersed with Canadian salary and labor statistics, which are similar to the numbers in the United States.
Policies: There is a no-return policy on these videos.
Grade level: Middle School, High School, Two-Year College, Four-Year University