AnimationNerd

The Reason to Send Flowers

animationnerd — Mon, 14 May 2012 23:55:36 +0000

When kids are born they only have instinct and everything they learn they learn from the world around them. One major way kids learn is though pattern. So, if a child sees someone doing something everyday, it is normal. This applies to anything from smoking, to eating, to fighting, to mopping. Doing an action repeatedly indicates that one wants to do the action, even if the opposite message is given verbally. There are, of course, many aspects to wanting to do something, but doing it over and over indicates that a desire is there.

If a child sees a parent mopping every day, even if that parent complains, and especially if the parent does not, the child assumes the parent wants to do this action. Now, as adults we know that you are probably mopping because you have a desire to have a clean house and have a healthy family, not because the action is immensely joyful. However, given that a small child does not understand this difference, it is assumed that you want to do it and since you are doing it over and over, it is your job. When the child grows older, this task has seemingly been yours for years and you keep doing it of your own accord, so you doing this task is normal and expected.

It is a lot like giving dogs treats. If you give a dog a treat occasionally and randomly, it is very excited and grateful. If you give a dog a treat at set intervals and then fail to provide, the dog becomes confused and demanding. Through your decision to act repetitiously you have established it as your job that you want to do and it becomes normal and expected. The same goes for kids and housework. If you do the housework for them and then ask them to do it, it is confusing. “Why bother, isn’t it your job?” they might wonder. You have to transition the child into accepting responsibility. You also have to understand that the child will not thank you graciously for doing the thing you have always been doing. It does not seem special and worthy of praise, because it seems normal.

For example, I started putting candy out at work. After a few weeks, I ran out. Someone asked me when I would be getting more candy. I was not thanked, because the expectation was that now it was my job to provide candy and I had failed at my job. The thought was not that I had gone out of my way to do something nice.

So, what’s the point? If you see someone doing something you wouldn’t want to do, but benefits you, say thank you. Also, remember Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and birthdays, because they are the one time a year where you are reminded to say “thank you” for all of the things you take for granted, so don’t forget. And, well, thanks Mom, you know, for mopping and such.

Stop-Motion Animation Studios in the US

animationnerd — Wed, 09 May 2012 01:46:47 +0000

In Los Angeles

Buddy Systems / Stoopid Buddy

Bix Pix

Chiodo Bros.

New Deal (mostly effects)

Screen Novelties

Shadow Animation

Starburns Industries

Wholesome Products (production company)

On the West Coast

Bent Image Lab in Portland

Cinderbiter in San Francisco

Laika in Portland

Animation Job Search Links

animationnerd — Wed, 09 May 2012 01:34:05 +0000

Here are some websites and Twitter accounts to follow if you are looking for work in animation.

Websites

Ani-Jobs.com
AnimatedJobs.com
ArtsOppertunites.org
CareerBuilder.com
CreativeHeads.com
EntertainmentCareers.net
Freelancer.com
GreenLightJobs.com
Indeed.com
Jobs.AWN.com
Jobs.ColdHardFlash.com
Jobs.ConceptArt.com
Jobs.CreativeCow.net
LosAngeles.Craigslist.org/tfr
Mandy.com
Media-Match.com
Motionographer.com
ProductionHub.com
SimplyHired.com
StopMotionAnimation.com
ToonBoom.com/Jobs
TVJobs.net

Twitter

@3d_jOBS
@AnimGuild
@animationcarrer
@animationjobs
@animation_jobs
@artdirectorjobs
@artsjobs
@artsopp
@BehanceJobs
@CANArtsConnect – Canada Arts Connect
@creativecap
@DIMGrecruting – Disney Interactive
@DWAnimation
@EdgeAnimation
@Gama_Jobs
@GeekFreelancers
@imageworksvfx
@JoinTheForce
@jobsARTSEARCH
@MediaJobsDaily
@media_pros
@motionographer
@MTVNetworksJobs
@NickAnimation
@PixarAnimation
@RFXU
@ShadowMachine
@TitmouseInc
@TWDCjobs – Disney Corp
@VFXJobHunt
@VFXrecruit
@WaltDisneyAnim
@Work_Freelance
@xboxjobs

Good luck!

So True

animationnerd — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 01:18:17 +0000

Glad it only took me until 25 to understand.

Alan Watts, Music and Life: http://youtu.be/ERbvKrH-GC4

General Advice for Freelancers

animationnerd — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 22:42:07 +0000

Do not assume your client is always available. You should set times to call in advance. You cannot expect quick email and text responses. This applies to working with other animation companies as well. One follow-up email and call is all you should do per day.
Appreciate the chain of command and do not go over people’s heads. It is disrespectful to the individual you should have worked with and annoys the person you are contacting.
It is best not to talk up your work too much. Just deliver quality on time with a smile. When you talk about how great something is people get their hopes up, so even if you do a good job, they may be disappointed.
Always live by the contract, even if you trust the person you are working with. It is made to protect both of you.
Always do storyboards before working on assets or animation. It is easier to change things at this stage and allows everyone to get on the same page before starting production. You may want to give the client a set number of revisions and tell them that the boards will not be changed after approval. Make sure you get written approval.
When a client asks for or suggests something you do not agree with, do not argue with them. First, clarify what they are saying. Then, consider their idea fully. If you still do not agree, suggest alternatives and explain why you think they might be beneficial for the project. If they still want what they want, do it. After all, they are paying you. Unfortunately, doing what you do not like as an artist is just part of work for hire. You can always do their version and your version and pitch them both. They may come to your side when they see your work.
When pitching for a job do not talk about how much you need the money/job. It makes you sound desperate and makes people wonder why you don’t already have work. It is better to act excited about the project, listen to their ideas and suggest ideas of your own.
Do not tell the client that something is too difficult to do. If it will take too long, tell them that. You can give time estimates that differ based on the different options. If you do not know how to do something, try to learn. It will help you in the future. Also use your professional contacts to do work outside of your expertise. Constantly saying how hard things are to do sounds like complaining and makes the client wonder how competent you are.
Make time estimates for work realistic. It is better to give a longer time estimate and meet it than give a short one and miss it.
Even if you do not get the job or more work or your work is not used, be thankful and polite. You never know who they know or how they can help you in the future. Ask for permission to use the work you did for them in your reel and add the experience to your resume.

Arthur Christmas

animationnerd — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 19:14:29 +0000

I was lucky enough to see an advanced screening of Arthur Christmas on Saturday and I was delightfully surprised. I tend to anticipate Aardman films, but the print, bus and billboard ads made the film look like standard elf/spy elf/army fare. The trailer, thankfully, was entertaining and featured the quirky Aardman (British and a little off color at times) humor I like, so I went in cautious, but optimistic. It turns out that it is a really well done film that was not just pumped out for Christmas like most animated holiday movies. This feature was (I believe) 5 years in the making. There is a great attention to detail. (Look for the computer in Arthur’s office and the facial hair on Steve.) The characters feel well rounded and the conflict of the film is as much about a buddy adventure film as it is about family conflict. I really appreciate that this film tackles the cultural divide between generations and does not shy away from the conflicts that every family has at Christmas time. They also managed to design the film so that it felt like Aardman in CG without being too awkwardly loyal to the stop-motion design. (Look for the head of human military operations and the elves). This is a totally watchable film for the whole family. The kids will be super excited by Santa and have some of their more difficult “How does Santa do X?” questions answered. The adults will enjoy the jokes and the dynamics between the characters and may even be filled with the Christmas spirit.

Me Gusta

animationnerd — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 04:03:15 +0000

“I lied” is next.

Just what the internet needed…

animationnerd — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 23:18:25 +0000

You’re welcome everybody.

Adult Fans of Young Justice

animationnerd — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 21:42:16 +0000

Why is it that men, such as my fiancee, his coworkers, and my friend’s bf, are in to Young Justice? I thought the point of making teenage versions of superheros was to appeal to the young and preteen male viewers, not to full grown men. Teenage characters deal with the hard hitting issues of younger audiences like how annoying teachers are, crushes, and “special changes,” not the adult issues of morality and maintaining personal relationships. Are these men trying to re-live their teenage years? Are they simply just obsessed with the comic book universe? Is there nothing else worth watching? But maybe, as Steven says, it all comes down to Super Boy’s tight black t-shirt.

Don’t get me wrong. It is a well done television show. I just want to know what is going on. And what’s up with bronies?

DreamWorks Tour

animationnerd — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 02:58:33 +0000

Today I went on a tour of DreamWorks thanks to Ian and the VFX group at USC, SCFX. Katrina and Tim, a 2010 grad, gave us out tour of the campus, the motion capture room, the HP conference room, and the commissary. Unfortunately, we didn’t see many of the creative hives, but we at least know what building they are in. Some interesting factoids:

DreamWorks sits on an 11 acre campus which is surrounded by Disney buildings that Disney purchased after DW moved in. It houses approximately 1600 employees.
The campus has a stream/river that runs the length of the campus that is designed to create a relaxing environment for the employees. There are also game tables littered around the area, but I did not seem them played as everyone was hard at work until lunch.
They have a Starbucks. It’s funny that their building looks like the cinema building at USC and we have a Coffee Bean. I think there is a basic look that all of the big guys in Hollywood are going for – 1940s Spanish inspired studio villa.
The studio was originally build during the production of Prince of Egypt and was designed for the creation of one 2D feature every two years. It now creates a 3D feature at least once a year.
DreamWorks purchased PDI in Redwood, CA at the beginning of their existence. It is non-union, due to its location.
DW has a special relationship with HP and Samsung. They are trying to push consumer 3D.
Everyone in DW LA is a part of the union, including their effects people. Nice!
All employees are fed lunch for free (vegetarian options available) and receive free screenings of new films on Mondays, free artistic training during their lunch breaks, and free technical classes. They have artwork shows of things people have done outside of their jobs. Sometimes more settled and specialized employees that don’t get shifted to another show have paid time where they come into work and spend their days expanding their knowledge base until they are given work. Sweet!
There is a doctor on campus. The company has many initiatives to keep their DreamWorkers healthy. (Yes, they are called DreamWorkers.)
Everything except for sound and music is done in the facility. This now includes distribution after they and Paramount split up. Soon to include sound recording with the facilities are completed.
Shows, or films, or developed in-house in “pods” or groups of artists and vis dev people overseen by a director and producer. Upwards of 30 shows can be in development with 8 or so in pods. Television shows are licensed and done by other companies. For instance, Nick creates and animates the TV show Penguins of Madagascar.
There is a large motion capture room that we visited that is used by animators and directors to visualize shots. The director and cinematographer can use a handheld camera and “walk around” in the scene, similar to what Cameron did for Avatar. They use a 46 camera Vicon system, similar to what we have at USC.
More live action people are moving into animation, especially cinematographers, due to the new technology.
There are 15 people in the crowds department and it is very stable. The lighting department is very large and tends to expand and contract based on need. You can move from one department to the other, but the longer you are there, the more specialized you become and the more likely you will stay where you are. Other departments include modeling and rigging, previsualization, layout, animation, effects and story. You can also work there if you are a lawyer, marketing professional, facilities coordinator, engineer etc.
During production, each technical department is assigned a TD or technical director, who acts as a sub-director for the film and helps the director(s) achieve their artistic visions.
Due to union rules, only animators animate and they only animate.
Recruitment is separate for seasoned professionals and those up to a few years out of school. Contact the people in Outreach if you are a student or recent grad. There are excellent internship opportunities that are great for career development. The ones in the Summer are paid. It does not mean you will be hired, but you can’t beat the experience. Check their website for all new jobs and internships openings.

After visiting, it is now wonder it is on the Fortune and CNN lists of the 10 best companies to work for. I wouldn’t mind being there!

(Also, don’t take pictures of their Oscars.)