Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Monday, April 19, 2010
Lesson # 7 K.I.S.S.
"Keep It Simple, Stupid" is a great adage in any profession, but can be particularly helpful in the crazy ass pursuit of 24 frames per second (30 video , of course). Keeping animation simple can allow for some valuable pocket change (under budget), it helps you focus the project, and it makes your project easier to cross the proverbial finish line of "done". "Keep It Simple Stupid" is not a limitation, it is an anchor, a parameter, a goal. It isn't a limit to creativity for all creatively has some limits, it just can keep your little tush grounded.
Is it always true? Hell no! Complexity in the right hands can be amazing eye candy and can break new animation ground but it takes an extraordinary effort and a fine tuned control to keep it from being a visual car crash. It is also a trap. I have come across many artists who believe that only through a massive maze of creative ideas and techniques can artistic nirvana can be achieved. Unfortunately for those who believe the only valuable artistic pursuit is the pursuit of the nearly impossible, they are still lacking and what they lack is simplicity. The directness of the punch in the face moment.
Keeping it simple embraces a broad audience and usually is not about visual fluff and butter, it is direct and clear. No matter what your experience level or talent, "Keeping It Simple Stupid" will keep you from failing, missing deadlines, pulling your hair out, long hours, and that overwhelming feeling of "Why the hell did I make this so complicated".
Is it always true? Hell no! Complexity in the right hands can be amazing eye candy and can break new animation ground but it takes an extraordinary effort and a fine tuned control to keep it from being a visual car crash. It is also a trap. I have come across many artists who believe that only through a massive maze of creative ideas and techniques can artistic nirvana can be achieved. Unfortunately for those who believe the only valuable artistic pursuit is the pursuit of the nearly impossible, they are still lacking and what they lack is simplicity. The directness of the punch in the face moment.
Keeping it simple embraces a broad audience and usually is not about visual fluff and butter, it is direct and clear. No matter what your experience level or talent, "Keeping It Simple Stupid" will keep you from failing, missing deadlines, pulling your hair out, long hours, and that overwhelming feeling of "Why the hell did I make this so complicated".
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Lesson #6-Hugh Valentine
"You never remember how long it took, you only remember how good a job you did."-Hugh Valentine.
I have never come across a better way to conduct my artistic symphony than this bit of animation wisdom. Hugh Valentine was a great animation cameraman who carefully and methodically shot my first film, "Lazar" and when he uttered these words to me they burned in my brain like a hot brand on cow's ass.
The obvious point of this statement is that there is nothing worth doing unless it is done well and this is especially true in animation. Why spend weeks on a project that you "phone" in, there is just no point to wasting that much life without a payoff.
I have never come across a better way to conduct my artistic symphony than this bit of animation wisdom. Hugh Valentine was a great animation cameraman who carefully and methodically shot my first film, "Lazar" and when he uttered these words to me they burned in my brain like a hot brand on cow's ass.
The obvious point of this statement is that there is nothing worth doing unless it is done well and this is especially true in animation. Why spend weeks on a project that you "phone" in, there is just no point to wasting that much life without a payoff.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
THE FREAKING TRUTH #1-RISK
Is being an animator "risky"? Any artistic pursuit is a risk, if you haven't noticed yet the world is not run by artists, it's run by corporations, money, government, and numbers. Artist don't fit in those environments and are usually vastly misunderstood by the accountants and CEO's of the world. But remember one thing, everything is designed, so therefore, everything needs a designer. If you have the stuff, you can get the work, if you get the work, it was probably worth the risk?
Sunday, February 28, 2010
RANT #1-FINISH
If you want to be a "name" in this business than you must finish something. There is no other way. Saying you have a "great idea" for a film does not qualify. Saying you could do better than this film or that doesn't cut it either. Finish. Sure you can be valuable a dependable chap worker bee, but the the real gut check comes from putting yourself out there like a naked cheerleader.
"Finishing" is a talent all by itself. The process of being "done" is one of the most slippery judgments an artist ever makes. Knowing when to stop, knowing when a piece is finished takes commitment to a vision, a firm understanding of the medium, and a kinetic knowledge of self (as you grow as an artist so does the "finish" line change). Most of all "finishing" takes guts.
Too many artists fall in love with the paralyzing embrace and misery not "finishing" provides. It is safe to never be finished, your piece will never be judged or enjoyed and you can play the torment genius forever. "Never being good enough" is as much a personal trepidation as it is professional observation.
The only tangible advice I can offer is practice. Practice "Finishing". The more projects you complete the clearer the drinking water becomes. Take sips, don't gulp, never guzzle and avoid the Koolaid.
"Finishing" is a talent all by itself. The process of being "done" is one of the most slippery judgments an artist ever makes. Knowing when to stop, knowing when a piece is finished takes commitment to a vision, a firm understanding of the medium, and a kinetic knowledge of self (as you grow as an artist so does the "finish" line change). Most of all "finishing" takes guts.
Too many artists fall in love with the paralyzing embrace and misery not "finishing" provides. It is safe to never be finished, your piece will never be judged or enjoyed and you can play the torment genius forever. "Never being good enough" is as much a personal trepidation as it is professional observation.
The only tangible advice I can offer is practice. Practice "Finishing". The more projects you complete the clearer the drinking water becomes. Take sips, don't gulp, never guzzle and avoid the Koolaid.
Introducing "RANTS".
Included in this blog will be a section I will call, "RANTS". "RANTS" will cover a wide range of topics concerning the art and animation business and will be authored directly from the long and twisting road of my experiences. I have been in the art business for over 30 years and I have a vast supply of "hot air" that can be expelled for the good of all instead of expanding my own ego filled balloon.
"RANTS" are meant to be based upon observation, more than a method of "blowing steam" as the name would suggest. They are meant to educate, enlighten, and inspire, and that's directly from the ego balloon itself;)
"RANTS" are meant to be based upon observation, more than a method of "blowing steam" as the name would suggest. They are meant to educate, enlighten, and inspire, and that's directly from the ego balloon itself;)
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Lesson #5 "Good, Fast, or Cheap"
"Good, Fast, or Cheap." Pick two because you can't have all three.
That's the saying and I would classify it right now as indelible as an india ink stain on a linen shirt. Throughout my career, I have found this adage to be impeccably true.
Here is how it works. You are approached with a creative project and the producer doesn't have a ton of money (cheap), the producer also informs you that they need the project finished yesterday (fast). Can you make it "good" too? The answer is "no way in hell." You have no time and no money, you will be lucky to get the project done let alone make it "good". P.S. "good" is hereby defined as the best you can do (just to make it clear).
Let's tackle another example. A producer offers you a job that needs to be good, but also needs to be cheap. So it cannot be fast, right? The producer needs to be informed that in order to make this job both good and cheap that you need time to accomplish this. P.S. this has nothing to do with whether the job is worth taking.
A producer wants a job that is both good and fast, well if they come up with the cash (not cheap) you can hire the best talent and the problem of speed and greatness is tucked away in a nice cozy bed after the best party ever.
I have used this adage to explain my position to a producer many times and it has never failed to directly describe the issue of time, money, and quality. I have been able to explain to a producer that "good" cannot be fast and cheap and that they must not care enough about their own project without insult. A very valuable tool.
Embrace this adage, it can save you.
That's the saying and I would classify it right now as indelible as an india ink stain on a linen shirt. Throughout my career, I have found this adage to be impeccably true.
Here is how it works. You are approached with a creative project and the producer doesn't have a ton of money (cheap), the producer also informs you that they need the project finished yesterday (fast). Can you make it "good" too? The answer is "no way in hell." You have no time and no money, you will be lucky to get the project done let alone make it "good". P.S. "good" is hereby defined as the best you can do (just to make it clear).
Let's tackle another example. A producer offers you a job that needs to be good, but also needs to be cheap. So it cannot be fast, right? The producer needs to be informed that in order to make this job both good and cheap that you need time to accomplish this. P.S. this has nothing to do with whether the job is worth taking.
A producer wants a job that is both good and fast, well if they come up with the cash (not cheap) you can hire the best talent and the problem of speed and greatness is tucked away in a nice cozy bed after the best party ever.
I have used this adage to explain my position to a producer many times and it has never failed to directly describe the issue of time, money, and quality. I have been able to explain to a producer that "good" cannot be fast and cheap and that they must not care enough about their own project without insult. A very valuable tool.
Embrace this adage, it can save you.
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