I am so lucky. I am so *freakishly* lucky to have been able to spend these twelve weeks working with Brett Coderre of Pixar on my shot. Man, what a once in a lifetime experience. And in a class of 10 students, I bet he made each of us feel like we were getting special attention. Our critiques have been 10-15 minutes long on 10-15 second animation clips - I don't think it's just my Pixar bias talking, but wow. That's generous, in the midst of working on a major motion picture.
I've gotten a huge chance to connect with Brett over the last 3 months and I've learned a ton. His attention to detail has been great, and his encouragement imperative. Just thinking about how far I've come just this term, I almost wish I had left my job sooner so I could have more immediately devoted my time to AM, which would allow him to see more of my potential and really dive in with those critiques. The great thing about Brett is, I think he sees the potential in all of us, despite our limited schedules. He's calling our bluffs before we even know we're making them. What an inspiration.
Ok, that's off my chest. Now I'm getting back to business. :-)
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Monday, March 19, 2007
Moving to Orlando
Well, it's a scramble. I am moving on Friday.
Aside from moving, I still have some contract work to do, as well as Animation Mentor work, of course. But there's an update: originally, my parents and I were planning to begin driving very early on Friday morning, stop overnight in Dalton (Georgia), and get to Naveen's place by late Saturday night. Sure doesn't leave a lot of time for animation on this last week to submit work for class 4.
So, for kicks, my folks asked me to look at flights to Orlando. Flying from Fort Wayne is generally too expensive (I try to book flights from Indy to cut my cost in half). However, Allegiant Airlines just came to our airport, and if you book early enough, you can get service to Orlando for $79 (plus taxes/fees, plus baggage cost, plus seat selection cost). I saw a flight on Friday for $99 but didn't book it quick enough. There weren't any left when I tried.
I kind of gave up on the idea, but when I overheard mom telling the story to a friend of hers on the phone, it occurred to me that there might be a cancellation. So I checked, and sure enough, there was a seat available - this time for $129, plus all the extra fees, but we still decided it was worth it to get there early to work on animation all day Saturday and help Naveen clean if necessary. Perks: now my grandparents can fit in the van and come with us for a nice vacation, and I won't have to sit in the car for 2 days wishing I were at a desk animating. :)
Aside from moving, I still have some contract work to do, as well as Animation Mentor work, of course. But there's an update: originally, my parents and I were planning to begin driving very early on Friday morning, stop overnight in Dalton (Georgia), and get to Naveen's place by late Saturday night. Sure doesn't leave a lot of time for animation on this last week to submit work for class 4.
So, for kicks, my folks asked me to look at flights to Orlando. Flying from Fort Wayne is generally too expensive (I try to book flights from Indy to cut my cost in half). However, Allegiant Airlines just came to our airport, and if you book early enough, you can get service to Orlando for $79 (plus taxes/fees, plus baggage cost, plus seat selection cost). I saw a flight on Friday for $99 but didn't book it quick enough. There weren't any left when I tried.
I kind of gave up on the idea, but when I overheard mom telling the story to a friend of hers on the phone, it occurred to me that there might be a cancellation. So I checked, and sure enough, there was a seat available - this time for $129, plus all the extra fees, but we still decided it was worth it to get there early to work on animation all day Saturday and help Naveen clean if necessary. Perks: now my grandparents can fit in the van and come with us for a nice vacation, and I won't have to sit in the car for 2 days wishing I were at a desk animating. :)
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
More MEAT... less CUTE...
After watching my critique for 409 work, I'm compelled to make some progress. I've spent too much time on the third character. At the moment I can sense my passion for animation being domesticated. It's stifling, and yet, hopeful. I want to put every ounce of energy into every character, simply because I can. However, these days, it's the subtlety that sells, and lately I'm an overactor in a crowd of real people. Identifying that helps my ability to improve.
The running joke among animators is that animators are lazy. They like simplicity, they don't want visuals that are too complex. If that's true, I'm in a lot of trouble. I've always liked visuals that are complex. I like being surrounded by busy-ness. I love detail. So how can I channel that into a love for subtle detail?
My shots that people are complimenting the most have virtually no change in facials. How disappointing, for an overactor! Has anyone ever thrown a lasso around Jim Carrey's neck, or Will Ferrell, and said, "Whoa, Nelly, why don't you keep that same expression on your face through the whole shot?" On the other hand, look at their careers and how they've grown since they've tamed their own fleeting ambitions to always be eye-catching and sporadic. I still need to see Stranger Than Fiction, but for Mr. Carrey, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind? Truman Show? These are a couple of my favorite movies. Isn't that fascinating.
(I don't know how many hands I actually have, but) On the other hand, again, I don't know how many times I watched The Mask growing up, or Bruce Almighty, or Liar Liar... I definitely love those for the crazy Jim Carrey.
I think the point is, I need to show both sides of the coin. A lot of people can show crazy play acting. A good pantomime can get you hired, after all. But good serious role-playing will more than likely sustain your career. I don't necessarily mean SERIOUS acting, but I mean serious ACTING. In other words, living through a character shouldn't be the ultimate goal (which it has always been, for me): letting your character live is the goal. Letting it tell its own story in its own way is the way to rendering it a relatable being.
The running joke among animators is that animators are lazy. They like simplicity, they don't want visuals that are too complex. If that's true, I'm in a lot of trouble. I've always liked visuals that are complex. I like being surrounded by busy-ness. I love detail. So how can I channel that into a love for subtle detail?
My shots that people are complimenting the most have virtually no change in facials. How disappointing, for an overactor! Has anyone ever thrown a lasso around Jim Carrey's neck, or Will Ferrell, and said, "Whoa, Nelly, why don't you keep that same expression on your face through the whole shot?" On the other hand, look at their careers and how they've grown since they've tamed their own fleeting ambitions to always be eye-catching and sporadic. I still need to see Stranger Than Fiction, but for Mr. Carrey, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind? Truman Show? These are a couple of my favorite movies. Isn't that fascinating.
(I don't know how many hands I actually have, but) On the other hand, again, I don't know how many times I watched The Mask growing up, or Bruce Almighty, or Liar Liar... I definitely love those for the crazy Jim Carrey.
I think the point is, I need to show both sides of the coin. A lot of people can show crazy play acting. A good pantomime can get you hired, after all. But good serious role-playing will more than likely sustain your career. I don't necessarily mean SERIOUS acting, but I mean serious ACTING. In other words, living through a character shouldn't be the ultimate goal (which it has always been, for me): letting your character live is the goal. Letting it tell its own story in its own way is the way to rendering it a relatable being.
Sunday, March 11, 2007
And the secret of an animator's life is...
Copied pairs. My word. There is nothing cleaner looking. Really helps you focus your ease-ins and outs, and make "moving holds" what they are. Sheepers, those are clean. I'm excited to show you my latest project from the movie America's Sweethearts:
Byron Allen: "So guys! What's going on? Are you two back together? You look very comfortable with each other."
John Cusak: "Look, Byron, I want to be honest with you. Before I came down from the room, I took about a half a pound of vicadin. So I'm gonna be really comfortable until late March."
It's been a really fun shot to work on. I have 2 weeks left to polish it. Working on refining body language at the moment. I'll get back to you.
Byron Allen: "So guys! What's going on? Are you two back together? You look very comfortable with each other."
John Cusak: "Look, Byron, I want to be honest with you. Before I came down from the room, I took about a half a pound of vicadin. So I'm gonna be really comfortable until late March."
It's been a really fun shot to work on. I have 2 weeks left to polish it. Working on refining body language at the moment. I'll get back to you.
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Embarking on the SS CHANGE
I woke up this morning anticipating the daunting task of somehow trying to refine my animation between today and tomorrow (since I haven't had the energy to do so at all this week). Much has changed since my last entry - I informed my supervisors that I decided to move to Florida, which, in short, means I won't be working full time anymore. It means I'll have a lot more time and energy for Animation Mentor and working on my reel. It also means I'll be able to focus on marriage prep (which takes about 6 months thru the church, in most cases). My fiance is happy about this move, of course. It's bittersweet for me.
More than anything, I've missed him these last 6 months that I've been working in Indiana and he's been attending further schooling at Full Sail in Orlando (he is a game programmer). We haven't felt very "engaged" since we separated, despite the use of cell phones, web cams, internet conversations, etc. I think in this stage of life, it's best to live near or with each other so that you can plan together and read each other fully, not to mention starting good habits together like going to the gym consistently or taking care of chores and projects as a team.
That's of course the positive side, along with the feelings of responsibility and independence and a take-charge approach to life. Oh, and the warm weather. On the other hand, it has been the hardest decision I've ever had to make. I feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to work as an art director this past year with CVC. It's been an incredible learning experience, and from what I've told, I've been a good resource for them as well. They invested a lot in my being there - I wanted to invest my time and efforts as well, especially through our busy season, which never really ends, but gets the most intense from September through March (just the months I've worked here full time). Prior to that I was freelancing with them and worked on a few projects, namely their website and a couple of other branding items and event media. Being full time really gave me a chance to flex my muscles at multi-tasking, attempting top-of-mind marketing techniques and growing relationships with the clients I worked with, and always going the extra mile, even during the off-hours. It's all something that I've grown to be proud of over the last several months, and it's difficult to let go of that kind of opportunity.
On the other hand, it has been splitting my focus. I got into Animation Mentor last April, before I had started working, and the number of hours and brainpower I've spent on animation has dwindled to half (or less) over the past 6 months. I've been staying afloat, but I haven't been giving AM my "all" which you have to do these days. Such competition... and my competitive spirit has taken a hit since I'm losing time to have to work during the day. A few of my most admired AM classmates have gotten hired recently in animation, and they admitted to freelancing only enough to pay the bills, otherwise focusing on AM.
On a positive sidenote - I haven't burnt any bridges or closed any doors. CVC plans to continue hiring me as a contract graphics designer (on a project to project basis), so I'm not leaving the experience or income altogether.
I like to live as much as I can without regrets. I try to live in the moment, anticipate where I'll be in the future, and remember the past I've come from.
In this case, living in the moment has been entirely "work" - either CVC or AM, and no considerable time off to enjoy life - not to mention my fiance is so far away, and I don't get to see my friends often because so many have moved across the country.
I anticipate being a professional 3d character animator before the end of the year. But I can't see that come into fruition if I don't work at it - and without the time or energy, I can't make it happen. I anticipate getting married next year, maybe in fall - but without being able to sit down with my fiance and discuss our wishes, we haven't even decided on a date yet.
I've come from a childhood of yearning to be an animator. I was drawing all the time. Anytime we went on a family trip, I would spend the whole time drawing, and people would venture to say "Hey! Look, she's going to animate for Disney someday!" (I loved Goofy in particular, but otherwise various Warner Bros cartoons, etc; and then I'd also make up my own characters).
I even had elementary math and science teachers disregard my questions on the subjects because, "what does it matter? You're going to be a famous artist someday anyway."
You can't ignore comments like that, growing up - and meanwhile, I always felt I could do it, if I just sat down and dedicated myself to a drawing for a day or two. My mom used to have to kick me out of the house to play with kids down the street so I could remember to have fun with my friends. The only thing that's ever stopped me or held me back is fear - fear of rejection, worrying about a lack of expertise or experience, wondering if I'll be able to support myself financially, hoping I won't have to stray too far from my family. All these are legitimate fears, but "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself" comes into play here. Those fears are the only things that have ever held me back. If I can become fearless - who knows what I can accomplish (same goes for anyone in this dilemma).
So all things considered, I'm going to Florida where I can focus on my animation and marriage preparation, and I'm not going to be afraid of trying. I've had a great experience working for the past year, and now it's time to plunge forward, full speed ahead for classes 5 and 6.
More than anything, I've missed him these last 6 months that I've been working in Indiana and he's been attending further schooling at Full Sail in Orlando (he is a game programmer). We haven't felt very "engaged" since we separated, despite the use of cell phones, web cams, internet conversations, etc. I think in this stage of life, it's best to live near or with each other so that you can plan together and read each other fully, not to mention starting good habits together like going to the gym consistently or taking care of chores and projects as a team.
That's of course the positive side, along with the feelings of responsibility and independence and a take-charge approach to life. Oh, and the warm weather. On the other hand, it has been the hardest decision I've ever had to make. I feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to work as an art director this past year with CVC. It's been an incredible learning experience, and from what I've told, I've been a good resource for them as well. They invested a lot in my being there - I wanted to invest my time and efforts as well, especially through our busy season, which never really ends, but gets the most intense from September through March (just the months I've worked here full time). Prior to that I was freelancing with them and worked on a few projects, namely their website and a couple of other branding items and event media. Being full time really gave me a chance to flex my muscles at multi-tasking, attempting top-of-mind marketing techniques and growing relationships with the clients I worked with, and always going the extra mile, even during the off-hours. It's all something that I've grown to be proud of over the last several months, and it's difficult to let go of that kind of opportunity.
On the other hand, it has been splitting my focus. I got into Animation Mentor last April, before I had started working, and the number of hours and brainpower I've spent on animation has dwindled to half (or less) over the past 6 months. I've been staying afloat, but I haven't been giving AM my "all" which you have to do these days. Such competition... and my competitive spirit has taken a hit since I'm losing time to have to work during the day. A few of my most admired AM classmates have gotten hired recently in animation, and they admitted to freelancing only enough to pay the bills, otherwise focusing on AM.
On a positive sidenote - I haven't burnt any bridges or closed any doors. CVC plans to continue hiring me as a contract graphics designer (on a project to project basis), so I'm not leaving the experience or income altogether.
I like to live as much as I can without regrets. I try to live in the moment, anticipate where I'll be in the future, and remember the past I've come from.
In this case, living in the moment has been entirely "work" - either CVC or AM, and no considerable time off to enjoy life - not to mention my fiance is so far away, and I don't get to see my friends often because so many have moved across the country.
I anticipate being a professional 3d character animator before the end of the year. But I can't see that come into fruition if I don't work at it - and without the time or energy, I can't make it happen. I anticipate getting married next year, maybe in fall - but without being able to sit down with my fiance and discuss our wishes, we haven't even decided on a date yet.
I've come from a childhood of yearning to be an animator. I was drawing all the time. Anytime we went on a family trip, I would spend the whole time drawing, and people would venture to say "Hey! Look, she's going to animate for Disney someday!" (I loved Goofy in particular, but otherwise various Warner Bros cartoons, etc; and then I'd also make up my own characters).
I even had elementary math and science teachers disregard my questions on the subjects because, "what does it matter? You're going to be a famous artist someday anyway."
You can't ignore comments like that, growing up - and meanwhile, I always felt I could do it, if I just sat down and dedicated myself to a drawing for a day or two. My mom used to have to kick me out of the house to play with kids down the street so I could remember to have fun with my friends. The only thing that's ever stopped me or held me back is fear - fear of rejection, worrying about a lack of expertise or experience, wondering if I'll be able to support myself financially, hoping I won't have to stray too far from my family. All these are legitimate fears, but "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself" comes into play here. Those fears are the only things that have ever held me back. If I can become fearless - who knows what I can accomplish (same goes for anyone in this dilemma).
So all things considered, I'm going to Florida where I can focus on my animation and marriage preparation, and I'm not going to be afraid of trying. I've had a great experience working for the past year, and now it's time to plunge forward, full speed ahead for classes 5 and 6.
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