The GameSpy guys had a chance to sit down with Epic Games design director Cliff Bleszinski at the recent San Diego Comic-Con. Topics of discussion included the upcoming Gears of War movie, as well as how to make it into the games industry.

GameSpy: Can you elaborate on what kind of talent will help get you [into the industry]?

Cliff Bleszinski: You have to be honest about the level of talent that you have. Whether you’re a programmer or an artist, you need to get on websites, like CGtalk.com, and you need to start posting some of your images for critiques. You have to be willing to throw away the first thousand images you do. Your portfolio is only as strong as your weakest link. You need to network on the Internet and eventually get to GDC, show up with copies of your work, run into people, like me, Molyneux, whoever. This industry is a lot more open than a lot of other ones, you could come to events like this and see us hanging out and say “hello,” and kick and scream and claw your way in. I think it’s kind of a self-regulating thing: If you’re that determined, and you’re that hard-working, you’ll get in.