I'm back. It's been a while. Forget that, it's been like a year or something. I don't even know nor do I care.
As a few of you may know I've been at Chantilly Studios for the past month and a bit, working on an exhibition. The exhibition is basically just a short film, featuring my work along side/interacting other artists work.
I haven't really been keeping a journal of the process so far. Which I feel is a bit of an oversight on my behalf. Regardless, I thought it might be good to start one now, especially as now I kind of have an idea of what it is I'm actually doing and can show things that aren't just grey boxes - though there are still a quite a few grey boxes.
Thinking about it now I actually have a monumental amount of work left to do. The animations blocking is nearly complete, which is massive in itself, as it's nearly 1500 frames long, with very few moments of nothing happening. Not only does the animation need to be refined, splinned, then polished, but all of the special effects, particles, background happenings, extra R&D needs to happen still.
Not to mention the hiring of projectors, which I'm thinking I might just kickstarter once I'm closer to getting it all done.
This week I'd very much like to:
Finish blocking
Start splinning
Gather all the artworks from the artists
Figure out how to run a simulation backwards
Post some stuff on here about the progress - images, playblasts etc
I also thought I might post some life drawing stuff up here as well. As at the moment it's sort of just sitting around my room not being looked at, even by me. Which is a shame because I think I'm getting better and it would be good to see it recorded over time.
Happy Sunday
Saturday, April 6, 2013
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Hate of love of animation
I was talking on skype last night with one of the animators on TNK in the UK who I've been becoming quite good friends with lately. Great guy, super funny in his own pommy self deprecating kind of way which reminds me of myself in an egotistic kind of way.
Anyway, we were talking about animation in general... and how it's a 'discipline', in that you can't really do it properly while doing anything else (listening to music, podcasts, talking, eating, thinking about other stuff)... You need to do it with your whole self. And that is hard because it's actually really terrible to do. It's tedious, heart wrenching, emotional stuff that even after doing a few minutes of gives me a funny feeling in my gut. But for some reason I keep doing it. It must be rewarding in some way. And it is, I know it is. But exactly where the reward is I'm still unsure.
So what's the difference between the animator who gives his or her life to the craft/discipline of it, and he/she who doesn't? I don't actually know! Less reward? You hate it even more? Doing it for the wrong reasons? I'm just totally unsure. Speaking of being unsure, there seems to be VERY few animators who actually know what they're doing. I take myself as one of these people. We kind of swing our animation swords around in the darkness, perhaps make a few lucky frames of half decent animation here or there, but still have no idea how or why it worked out the way it did. And I kind of take this as most animators. You see people's reels, and you see their swimmy, shitty, floaty-ass character movements... then a flash... a moment of pure genius, either acting or timing and space or something! Something jumps out, then it fades back into obscurity. Why are there so few people who seem to have the eye for this? I use the term 'eye' flippantly, too. Because there is more to it than just being able to see stuff and know what to do, surely.
The other part of it being a discipline for me, is this dualism of personalities that seems to happen whenever I animate.
For instance I'll do 45 minutes of 'animation', playing music or with emails/facebook open... then say to myself 'Well done!!! You got so much done. Go and eat an ice-cream and play xbox for the rest of the day, you deserve it. You can sit back down to animate later tonight, you won't be tired and just want to sleep, be a normal person! Go and socialize... you're still single? Go out more!!'
Then the other part of me is saying '45 minutes, right that's a shit start... Don't you dare stand up and do something else. You don't get to be the best by doing nothing all day! You know what you need to do to get better... SO JUST DO IT!'
Then there's this third part of me, saying 'Guys! Stop fighting.. just be fucking normal for once please?'
It's all very exhausting. Even now, as I type this blog entry, I'm thinking I shouldn't be doing this. I should be animating. I should be working on furthering my skills. With this, video games loose all appeal they once had. I find it hard to 'have fun' playing them anymore as they're close to the ultimate leisure activity (second from sleeping), because you're not achieving anything when you're playing a game. Apart from relaxing a bit, maybe getting some kind of intangible in game rewards. It just feels so wasteful.
Alright, time to go self loath, feel good about myself, practice or not practice or something.
Anyway, we were talking about animation in general... and how it's a 'discipline', in that you can't really do it properly while doing anything else (listening to music, podcasts, talking, eating, thinking about other stuff)... You need to do it with your whole self. And that is hard because it's actually really terrible to do. It's tedious, heart wrenching, emotional stuff that even after doing a few minutes of gives me a funny feeling in my gut. But for some reason I keep doing it. It must be rewarding in some way. And it is, I know it is. But exactly where the reward is I'm still unsure.
So what's the difference between the animator who gives his or her life to the craft/discipline of it, and he/she who doesn't? I don't actually know! Less reward? You hate it even more? Doing it for the wrong reasons? I'm just totally unsure. Speaking of being unsure, there seems to be VERY few animators who actually know what they're doing. I take myself as one of these people. We kind of swing our animation swords around in the darkness, perhaps make a few lucky frames of half decent animation here or there, but still have no idea how or why it worked out the way it did. And I kind of take this as most animators. You see people's reels, and you see their swimmy, shitty, floaty-ass character movements... then a flash... a moment of pure genius, either acting or timing and space or something! Something jumps out, then it fades back into obscurity. Why are there so few people who seem to have the eye for this? I use the term 'eye' flippantly, too. Because there is more to it than just being able to see stuff and know what to do, surely.
The other part of it being a discipline for me, is this dualism of personalities that seems to happen whenever I animate.
For instance I'll do 45 minutes of 'animation', playing music or with emails/facebook open... then say to myself 'Well done!!! You got so much done. Go and eat an ice-cream and play xbox for the rest of the day, you deserve it. You can sit back down to animate later tonight, you won't be tired and just want to sleep, be a normal person! Go and socialize... you're still single? Go out more!!'
Then the other part of me is saying '45 minutes, right that's a shit start... Don't you dare stand up and do something else. You don't get to be the best by doing nothing all day! You know what you need to do to get better... SO JUST DO IT!'
Then there's this third part of me, saying 'Guys! Stop fighting.. just be fucking normal for once please?'
It's all very exhausting. Even now, as I type this blog entry, I'm thinking I shouldn't be doing this. I should be animating. I should be working on furthering my skills. With this, video games loose all appeal they once had. I find it hard to 'have fun' playing them anymore as they're close to the ultimate leisure activity (second from sleeping), because you're not achieving anything when you're playing a game. Apart from relaxing a bit, maybe getting some kind of intangible in game rewards. It just feels so wasteful.
Alright, time to go self loath, feel good about myself, practice or not practice or something.
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Magic Store
I went to a gig tonight at a magic store on Sydney Road. Originally I was there to get out of the house and see a friend I hadn't seen in a little while. She's one of those people who does EVERYTHING, so rarely has 'time'. Anyway, she played her set which I've heard about 20 times before, it was lovely as usual... But the true magic (Heh... see what I did with that? When I did that tie in? With the words?) was what came shortly after.
There was a guy (who I assume was the store owner), who got dressed up in completely random pieces of magic shop wares, stood on stage, said nothing and simply moved awkwardly about, as the crowd giggled at his antics. The act 'fell apart', as his disguise made up of a wizards hat and a lower face mask, fell off his face/head, and he pulled several strange items out of his hat, completely unrelated to anything. He then leaned in cautiously to the microphone and mumbled "Thanks...". Applause.
What came next was by far my favorite part of the evening. A writer, or poet or some guy who seemed to have a better grasp of the English language than most got up on stage, and read from some papers that were apparently drenched in beer from one of his mates.
It was basically a 3 part saga about how he applied for a job at a video store down the road from his house. But he didn't just apply... he wrote frightening and truly disturbing letters (3 of them) of 'application' and unwarranted 'acceptance' for the position. All of which he explained were a true story, and read in a clear yet disjointed, half insane accent. Absolutely hilarious.
I'm writing about it because he made me want to start writing again. He sparked the creative, crazy fucked up flame that writing ignites, however rarely, in my heart. The performance was great as well. It would easily have held up at a stand up festival or comedy show or something.
There was a guy (who I assume was the store owner), who got dressed up in completely random pieces of magic shop wares, stood on stage, said nothing and simply moved awkwardly about, as the crowd giggled at his antics. The act 'fell apart', as his disguise made up of a wizards hat and a lower face mask, fell off his face/head, and he pulled several strange items out of his hat, completely unrelated to anything. He then leaned in cautiously to the microphone and mumbled "Thanks...". Applause.
What came next was by far my favorite part of the evening. A writer, or poet or some guy who seemed to have a better grasp of the English language than most got up on stage, and read from some papers that were apparently drenched in beer from one of his mates.
It was basically a 3 part saga about how he applied for a job at a video store down the road from his house. But he didn't just apply... he wrote frightening and truly disturbing letters (3 of them) of 'application' and unwarranted 'acceptance' for the position. All of which he explained were a true story, and read in a clear yet disjointed, half insane accent. Absolutely hilarious.
I'm writing about it because he made me want to start writing again. He sparked the creative, crazy fucked up flame that writing ignites, however rarely, in my heart. The performance was great as well. It would easily have held up at a stand up festival or comedy show or something.
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Chicken Breakfast?
Alright. Here we go. I finally took a photo of something I saw that I thought was funny yesterday.
I was in the most excitable happy mood all of yesterday, so that's probably why I took the photo.
On closer inspection it's probably not all that amazing. Oh well, we're here now - so let's make the most of it!
A charcoal chicken place just around the corner from my street has been struggling to be a successful business the past year, and last week they changed ownership.
Still an overly friendly Asian family, still a charcoal chicken store. But they've re-done the place.
New store front, new boards (pictured), there's now a little alfresco nook with chairs and tables - cafe style. Terrifying halogen fairy globes flank its overhang. The interior (though I'm yet to venture inside), consists of a complete mismatch of elements. Lino floors, with wooden laminate table tops ((shudders)), strange minimal paintings on walls where they shouldn't be. A giant, slightly less confusing that before menu, but still consisting of fluorescent colours and giant comic sans type.
Anyway, what struck me as completely pants on head retarded was this sign. Charcoal chick BREAKFAST?! Who the crap wants chicken for breakfast? Chicken is for lunch, in a sandwich. Or for dinner, roasted or fried. NOT for breakfast. Normally I eat cereal, raisin toast, or bacon and eggs. The thought of gnawing on a chicken leg whilst sipping my cappuccino with 1 sugar makes me want to flip all the disgusting laminate tables in that place.
"Hey, you wanna get breaky?"
"Uh... Okay! Let's go. Where do you want to eat?"
"Uh... Okay! Let's go. Where do you want to eat?"
"OH! There's this charcoal chicken place, new management, terrifying interior colors and design?"
"(Gagging noises)"
Saturday, September 1, 2012
Stay excited
Went to another party the other night.
It was a friends 22nd. She's a pretty cool lass.
Anyway, I got talking to some old friends I don't see too much, as you do at most birthday parties.
And you get asked the inevitable "So, what have you been up to?" doosy of a quandary.
I suppose the normal response is "Oh you know, work/uni... you know... Blehhh". Then you turn to your beer and drink as you try to drown out the rest of the room and think of a celebrity you wish you could be more like.
But the more I talk about what I do the more people seem to take interest in talking to me. The problem is, I hate talking about it - it makes me feel conceited and selfish. So I try to play it down, "Oh, yeah... I'm an animator on a TV series ... I'm not getting paid or anything.. but I love it so I guess it's okay. Hey how about that cat yodeling video! You seen that?". Then they usually say "Wow" or "Really?! Geez I wish I was doing something as fun/cool as that!". When really, it's just a job. Same as any other. You sit at a computer, look at stuff, analyse it, fix it, send it back - rinse repeat.
However! I think that it's important (VITALLY IMPORTANT) to stay excited about what you do. Regardless of if it's animating fight mech suit robots, serving beer, writing a book, being a dentist or what ever!
It seems like so many people are sick of their amazing jobs/uni courses just because they aren't excited about it/them anymore.
"So what are you studying?"
"Oh bio med and advanced catadisnopian nuclear quantum mechanics... pretty boring compared to you though! Animation wow! So do you blah blah blahhhh"
WHAT!? You're doing stuff that will potentially save lives, change technology, medicine and or the world for ever?! Pretty sure that constitutes the highest of fives and a free beer from me - thank you very much.
All I'm saying is, just stay excited for what you're doing. I think it's far FAR easier to enjoy something if it excites you in the brain.
So you know, look at cutting edge stuff coming from your field, look at inspiring character who do what you're doing, nature and anatomy are fun sources of inspiration no matter what the crap you're doing.
I saw a strange pile of those lollies/candies shaped like teeth the other day. Just laying there on the footpath. This provided me with so much... not inspiration... but something else! How the christ did they get there? Why just teeth? Is there a kid out there missing his teeth candies? Why so many of them? Why were they in that particular spot on the side walk? Was it a sign? JUST WHAT!?
That was sort of unrelated from everything else. But I wanted to share it... I almost took a photo of said lollies. But decided not to so I wouldn't miss my bus.
It was a friends 22nd. She's a pretty cool lass.
Anyway, I got talking to some old friends I don't see too much, as you do at most birthday parties.
And you get asked the inevitable "So, what have you been up to?" doosy of a quandary.
I suppose the normal response is "Oh you know, work/uni... you know... Blehhh". Then you turn to your beer and drink as you try to drown out the rest of the room and think of a celebrity you wish you could be more like.
But the more I talk about what I do the more people seem to take interest in talking to me. The problem is, I hate talking about it - it makes me feel conceited and selfish. So I try to play it down, "Oh, yeah... I'm an animator on a TV series ... I'm not getting paid or anything.. but I love it so I guess it's okay. Hey how about that cat yodeling video! You seen that?". Then they usually say "Wow" or "Really?! Geez I wish I was doing something as fun/cool as that!". When really, it's just a job. Same as any other. You sit at a computer, look at stuff, analyse it, fix it, send it back - rinse repeat.
However! I think that it's important (VITALLY IMPORTANT) to stay excited about what you do. Regardless of if it's animating fight mech suit robots, serving beer, writing a book, being a dentist or what ever!
It seems like so many people are sick of their amazing jobs/uni courses just because they aren't excited about it/them anymore.
"So what are you studying?"
"Oh bio med and advanced catadisnopian nuclear quantum mechanics... pretty boring compared to you though! Animation wow! So do you blah blah blahhhh"
WHAT!? You're doing stuff that will potentially save lives, change technology, medicine and or the world for ever?! Pretty sure that constitutes the highest of fives and a free beer from me - thank you very much.
All I'm saying is, just stay excited for what you're doing. I think it's far FAR easier to enjoy something if it excites you in the brain.
So you know, look at cutting edge stuff coming from your field, look at inspiring character who do what you're doing, nature and anatomy are fun sources of inspiration no matter what the crap you're doing.
I saw a strange pile of those lollies/candies shaped like teeth the other day. Just laying there on the footpath. This provided me with so much... not inspiration... but something else! How the christ did they get there? Why just teeth? Is there a kid out there missing his teeth candies? Why so many of them? Why were they in that particular spot on the side walk? Was it a sign? JUST WHAT!?
That was sort of unrelated from everything else. But I wanted to share it... I almost took a photo of said lollies. But decided not to so I wouldn't miss my bus.
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Host
Hello,
Today I'm hosting my first animation dailies meeting. It's slightly odd, because I don't really feel very nervous or excited. It kind of just feels like I'm doing something I've already been doing for a long time. Which is nice!
In gaming news, I've still been playing Zelda ALTTP. Which is really awesome. It's an acid trip of a game though. With creatures that want to kill you, guys hiding in caves, witches, cryptic messages and all sorts of strange and wonderful crap. At one stage I turned into a rabbit!
I also picked up God of War 2 again last night. I got about half way through then forgot about it (like half of the games I play). It's a great game really. Incredible animations and visuals for how old it is. Frustratingly difficult at times, with really odd and often confusing puzzles in between action sequences. One minute you're fighting a God, or three headed dog. The next you're trying to shine light around a room to melt ice... for not good reason. But it's okay, because you're a total bad-ass while you do it.
Been having really clear dreams lately. I can remember not only the exact event, but the colours of specific things. Which is interesting... Given we all think we dream in colour, but when pressed on what colour specific things are in our dreams we suddenly wonder if we do or not.
Anyway. I need animate some stuff now, and or play God of War.
Today I'm hosting my first animation dailies meeting. It's slightly odd, because I don't really feel very nervous or excited. It kind of just feels like I'm doing something I've already been doing for a long time. Which is nice!
In gaming news, I've still been playing Zelda ALTTP. Which is really awesome. It's an acid trip of a game though. With creatures that want to kill you, guys hiding in caves, witches, cryptic messages and all sorts of strange and wonderful crap. At one stage I turned into a rabbit!
I also picked up God of War 2 again last night. I got about half way through then forgot about it (like half of the games I play). It's a great game really. Incredible animations and visuals for how old it is. Frustratingly difficult at times, with really odd and often confusing puzzles in between action sequences. One minute you're fighting a God, or three headed dog. The next you're trying to shine light around a room to melt ice... for not good reason. But it's okay, because you're a total bad-ass while you do it.
Been having really clear dreams lately. I can remember not only the exact event, but the colours of specific things. Which is interesting... Given we all think we dream in colour, but when pressed on what colour specific things are in our dreams we suddenly wonder if we do or not.
Anyway. I need animate some stuff now, and or play God of War.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Dream Shot
Had a great meeting just now with the people working on The New Kind.
My mind is a little scattered... Between everything in my life right now. It's one of those days where I'm not sure which important thing to do first. So I just do nothing.
Anyway, I got given my dream shot in today's meeting. Basically it's the coolest darn fight move in the whole fight scene. It was originally assigned to the lead animator, but because he's been so busy it's been given to me!
So as I sit her, listening to Dilla, contemplating getting an ice-break, generally trying to decide if life is just a series of infinite moments constantly existing in parallel or if it's more free than that... I think to myself - Holy crap - This could be the moment where everyone finds out I'm a fraud! Not that I'm a fraud. But I feel like I've been getting way too much credit for doing virtually nothing on this project. I mean, I've done two shots. Both were pretty basic. And another two just for fun to try out the rigs. And now it's all sort of turned to me again. I don't know if I like the pressure, or if it makes me feel uncomfortable.
Either way, I'm pretty stoked.
My mind is a little scattered... Between everything in my life right now. It's one of those days where I'm not sure which important thing to do first. So I just do nothing.
Anyway, I got given my dream shot in today's meeting. Basically it's the coolest darn fight move in the whole fight scene. It was originally assigned to the lead animator, but because he's been so busy it's been given to me!
So as I sit her, listening to Dilla, contemplating getting an ice-break, generally trying to decide if life is just a series of infinite moments constantly existing in parallel or if it's more free than that... I think to myself - Holy crap - This could be the moment where everyone finds out I'm a fraud! Not that I'm a fraud. But I feel like I've been getting way too much credit for doing virtually nothing on this project. I mean, I've done two shots. Both were pretty basic. And another two just for fun to try out the rigs. And now it's all sort of turned to me again. I don't know if I like the pressure, or if it makes me feel uncomfortable.
Either way, I'm pretty stoked.
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