Motion graphics jobs in Singapore

[MographExpat]

I've decided to move to Singapore in the next few months. I've wanted to go for a long time so I'm just gonna bite the bullet and do it. What I don't know (at all) is what the motion graphics scene is like in SG.

For those that don't know, motion graphics is graphic design in motion. Things like movie trailers, commercials, music videos, all that kind of stuff uses mograph. This is the kind of company/work I'm hoping for:
http://www.emoxis.com/motion-graphics-services
Generally that work is done at small design studios, ad agencies, or production houses, but a lot of corporations use small in-house teams as well.

I have about 5 years of professional experience in Los Angeles (and Hollywood) USA. I've been mainly working as a freelancer the last few years and can make good money and get consistent work in the US.

Does anybody have *any* idea what the industry is like in Singapore? I don't have a clue what a reasonable salary to ask would be. I also assume I wouldn't be able to get a visa for freelancing; I'd probably need a job offer I'm guessing. I could really use some direction on that front too. Ideally I'd like to get a 1 bedroom condo or apartment but from what I've read they're very expensive so I have no idea if my salary would be able to support such a thing. Any help would be much appreciated!

[curiousgeorge]

Yes, you'd need a job to get an employment pass, you couldn't work here without...unless you earn more than $18,000 per month for the last year and can demonstrate it to qualify for a Peronalised Employment Pass (hmm it might only be 12k pm) but you would still need to get a job once you arrived here.

However, regarding the scene here...it is BIG! We have ILM and LucasFilm studio here, and Fox have opened up just across the boarder in Malaysia as well as an enormous development called Mediaopolis to attract even more studios here.

So TONS of motion graphics opportunities...and that is the problem. Its an area that the government has been pushing the Poly and Unis in the last few years and there is a glut of graphics graduates too.

And you can't get a job here if there is a local candidate able to do the job.

Go have a look at www.jobsbank.gov.sg and you'll probably see LucasArt jobs there. Paying 3k a month.

Its not impossible but frankly I would forget it if I were you - you're not what Singapore needs. Best bet would be to attach to a studio that is already here in your home country and move internally within your organisation.

[MographExpat]

Hey thanks for the advice, I appreciate it! I don't make that much money consistently so it sounds like an employment pass is what I need. That's great that the industry is quickly growing there as well.

As far as competing with recent graduates goes that's really the same in any major city. The competition is always extremely intense. The reason Singapore was on my radar initially is because I've actually had Singaporean coworkers at design studios in Los Angeles. I'm not too worried by that though, as I've already been competing with the best of the best (including many expat Singaporeans) and can theoretically offer skills and experience at a level that most locals can't.

I did check that job posting site and the salaries are quite low so it's hard to tell what the real salary would be. $3000/mth is probably right for a recent graduate, but I'm not sure how it scales with skill or experience.