Career Journey

As an international entertainment marketing professional since 1991, Jan Nagel has collaborated with recognized and award-winning feature and television production studios. As a consultant and business owner herself, Jan brings her creative resourcefulness and expertise to clients such as Original Force 3D in Nanjing China, Mubadala Development Corporation in Abu Dhabi, Maya Digital Studios and other animation and visual effects companies. As a Founding Member and President Emeritus of the board of directors of Women In Animation International, a professional association, Jan also participates as an active member of many entertainment organizations such as ASIFA-Hollywood and the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Jan has been teaching animation career development since 2003. She recently completed a teaching assignment at University of Southern California, teaching Business of Animation in the graduate animation program and Professionalism of Animation in the undergraduate program. As a Senior Lecturer at Otis College of Art + Design, she teaches a yearlong course in business and career development to digital media seniors. As an Adjunct Professor, Jan teaches an online course for the Academy of Entertainment and Technologies at Santa Monica College. To support education, she serves on the industry advisory committees at Santa Monica College, College of the Canyons, Pasadena City College and others. Jan has also published numerous articles on the topics of animation, co-production and the pitch. Her blog, “Behind The Deal,” is featured on www.AWN.com. She is a noted speaker and frequent guest lecturer on the worldwide business of animation and entertainment careers. She has presented at the International Forum on China Cultural Industry in Shanxi Province, China, KidScreen Summit, UCLA Extension, USC Master’s Program and has moderated panels for BAFTA, Visual Effects Society, Los Angeles Central Library and Women In Animation.

Introduction: Getting the Calling. Being Hooked. Getting the Calling and Following Your Mentors. Preparation for the Journey. Crossing the First Threshold. It's Not About You; It's About Your Allies. Approaching the Inner Most World. Tests and Trials. Crossing the Second Threshold: Facing Challenges of Employment. Ultimate Reward. Ordeals: It's Not About You, Again. Big Change--Black Moment. The Road Back--Resurrection. The Story Starts Again.