Burn session, anyone?
Stuart here, just curious to know something some may find interesting, so lets hear your opinions on this one.
People have different ways of dealing with criticism. Most will argue, excuses ready- then make the changes when everybody's left the room. The rare few listen carefully, and look objectively at their work, and apply what they hear. This is the group we all like to think we're in :P
I was inspired by Tim Argall at the last JHB animation exchange, who said that SA's industry is still very polite when it comes to each others work. One thing i gathered from this meeting, and from reading The Illusion of Life, is that we really need to be honest with each other, especially to students. Such as myself. It really should be a matter of passion to persue a living in animation, and what's better for passion than a challenge to that passion?
At the end of the day all i'm saying is: More experienced guys, or anyone for that matter, I know you're on here, reading these things, looking at the galleries (inspired, intimidated or reassured :P), and it's yours and all of our jobs to give feedback and, you know, knock all the kinks out. That's what this site is all about, isn't it?
Comments
Hi Stuart,
Ya, its a difficult one to answer! I think because the talent here is allot of selt-taught people, like myself, that they mite not think that what they know will help anyone. I am always checking out the big guys in the US, and their blogs and sites, and they are always offering advice for nothing, it seems to be a mindset over in the US that they like to share the info and spread the love. I have found that over here, its more of a survival thing, so those who know something tend to keep it to themselves. Also, we are not very big on internet comunication as others.
I personally would love to teach newbies in some way, but I wouldn't know were to start, and the fact that Ive been working freelance for over 10years I realise that I don't have much inhouse or studio experience even tho Ive been doing it for so long!
One thing I notice about US, is they are always organizing get togethers for artists and animators, just to get back to basics, like drawing classes, and the basics of animation. Every guy that has ever worked for Disney goes to things like this, and they are never scared of learning more from others!
We need to get into that mode of taking people under our wings and helping them progress, and telling them straight were they are going wrong!
Yeah, i agree it should be a reciprocal process, but more like a kind of convection. Criticism shouldn't only come from above, because everybody, regardless of age or experience, has weaknesses.
It doesn't take a good chef to notice terrible cooking, for instance :P
Ultimately my aim with this post was to convince people to be more open on this website particularly, because i see some amazing work and reels with NOT ONE rating or comment, but still hundreds of people log on per week and browse.
Wouldn't it be awesome to be motivated every time you log in?
Lets get those bugbox guys on here and actually Speaking! And triggerfish guys on here and speaking as well! and the amazing freelancers i've met, and am sure are not only in my imagination! I'm sure they all have tons to share.
Then again, maybe people in SA are willing to die with their secrets never passing on. This is what humanity is all about people! The auto-mobile would never have come about if no one ever passed on their delectable methods of horse-to-cart-connection, or before them the secrets of the wheel and generally round objects.
"I was able to see further because I stood on the shoulders of giants" - Isaac Newton
Stuart Coutts
scouttsart.blogspot.com
Hey Stu, i must agree our industry does need more experienced guys. There are a few great ones out there like the guys at Bugbox (Tim's company)
And there are alot of animators out there that don't know how to give the right criticism which proves to be a problem.
Rather than telling you that you need more over lapping action or that you are twinning, you get, "i would do that shot like this."
Now that SA industry has realized this flaw colleges are coming right and teaching thses principles (The illusion of life)
Which challenges all the older guys to study up a little, which i think is great because you get to see all the passionate guys and how this lights them up. (I know a few guys like this)
I guess what i really saying is that all of us animators that are in industry need to step up and make an effort to get this right.
Give the right criticism and learn what we are missing, reach out and look for the right help.
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Aye, but your voices up here definitely make a difference. We have a fledgeling industry, and it definitely takes highly motivated people to gather everyone up and have such a meeting... Although like clint says, the survival instincts are getting in the way of unhindered sharing.
There is a difference between technique and intellectual property, and you're obviously not a very confident artist if you think sharing EITHER is going to leave you vulnerable.
Of course, our industry is highly competitive, but above all it is collaborative.
Stuart Coutts
http://scouttsart.blogspot.com