Before we get into the animation scene in Russia, the question of what "Professional Practice" should be issued. The meaning will ultimately be different for each person; there is probably no definite answer. For me, I found it best to express myself with an image of what I feel "Professional Practice" within the animation world means to me:
Being an animator is can be extremely frustrating at times. This will not change. Whether you're working on a project for University, or whether it's your job, you will feel like punching your computer at some point during the process. The only difference is the outcome of what you're working for. Either for grades, for money, or even just for yourself, the process doesn't change. Just the outcome of your hard work. This is just what I think Professional Practice means. The process of animating wont change because you've suddenly become "professional". It's the same. Maybe the techniques you use will be more advanced, and the environment you work in will be different but the main thing that changes is you're working for a different outcome. You may think differently, but as I stated before, there is no definite answer. This is just my take on its meaning.