A new beginning in Class 5

A few weeks ago we uploaded our final assignments for Class 4.  My first acting piece did not turn out as well as I had hoped.  I wasn’t able to really nailed it by the end of the class and my mentor agreed.  I passed class 4 but my overall grade was disappointing.  I am really concerned about going into Class 5 like this.  I hate the idea of having to work on this shot more…wish I could just put it out of it’s misery!

Starting Class 5 my mentor pretty much said this class will separate the men from the boys.  That it will be the toughest class yet.  It makes me cringe to think of the time commitment with a family and a very demanding full time job.  Especially considering my Mentor Q&A’s are at 12:30AM.

Our first week we did planning for lip synch and the first lip synch pass for our shot.  It was already Thursday and I just started going into Maya to block this out since it required a lot of reference and planning.  It looked hideous.  How would I pull this one off?  Thankfully Friday night was very productive.  I stayed up until I couldn’t anymore and left the last part for Saturday.  My wonderful wife was gracious enough to give me a few hours during the day on Saturday to work.  I really envy those young kids in this Animation program.  I work so much better when I animate during the day though this is usually never possible.  Miraculously, I was able to finish my assignment before Sat night.  Even my 11 year old liked it which says a lot.  It was nice to to take it easy for the rest of the weekend and catch my breath.  It wasn’t a masterpiece but I was sure it would get me a passing grade at least.  This is my mantra for Class 5.  Second goal is to become a great animator, first goal is not to die.

There is something that really inspired me this first hard week that I know will be followed by 11 more.  It was a passage from Romans chapter 4 concerning Abraham…someone I can really relate to as I get older:

“Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God,  being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.”

It goes on to say that God “gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were.”

That’s how I feel about my dreams.  Now, I am not saying God promised me that I would fulfill this dream of becoming an animator…this is not a prosperity message.  I am just encouraged to know that whatever my purpose is in life, no matter how impossible it may seem to pursue, He is able to accomplish it.

Dreams and Nightmares

My Mentor really liked the video reference for my first acting shot.  He went as far as to say it would make a ‘Dream’ reel piece.  If I can pull it off, I’d probably agree but I’m more than just a tad stressed since it will be my most aggressive shot to date…I guess you can’t have a dream reel piece without first living a nightmare.  While this could be a chance to shine I also want to be alive come Sunday.  Be right back…I hear knocking at the door…it’s either opportunity or the Grim Reaper…

I’m Back….

Three classes at Animation Mentor have come and gone and I can honestly say…going back to school has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.  It has been hard…impossibly hard, but so many wonderful things have happened since I decided to join ‘clown college’ as I lovingly refer to it.  That being said, I thought I ‘d give this blog another go, recapping my journey and updating as often as possible with new developments…stay tuned!

The Imposter

So, I got my first critique from my mentor. It didn't go as well as I planned. I uploaded my assignment early and got some positive feedback initially. I thought I could take the rest of the week off! I was a little concerned on Sat night when I checked my workspace and saw a bunch of comments discussing things I should consider changing. Even though most of the comments were in agreement I figured I was good to go and didn't want to over think things. Well, I probably should have taken their advice! I got a barely passing grade and a very disappointing Critique. All at once, those voices of doom and gloom kept whispering in my ear : "Hack! What are you doing here?" I knew they would come, just not this soon and I was unprepared for it. Fortunately my wife gave me the encouragement I needed to press on and focus on this week. I recall the words of Kipling: "If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster and treat these two imposters just the same." Success and Failure are imposters. Both shouldn't have the power to control you but only to educate you. I heard that building a thick skin is one of the greatest qualities an animator can possess so I guess I am on my way. Bring on the bouncing ball!

Padawans

I met my mentor today at our weekly Q&A.  He gave us a chance to introduce ourselves via webcam.  I have a lot of interesting students in my class.  A few live in NY like me.  Hopefully we can have a meet up.  The enthusiasm everyone had was so palpable during that hour.  Strange to think our conversation covered three continents…This is such a unique and amazing place.  Can’t wait to start animating!

Here We Go!

Day 1 of Animation Mentor was completely overwhelming!  The gates opened at 3PM EST and I was the deer in the proverbial headlights.  There was so much content thrown at me from video training to assignments to the syllabus.  I was glad to hear that there would be no assignment in Week1.  It was a good idea on their part to let us soak in our new playground.  I was thrilled to hear that my mentor worked at DreamWorks and was an animator on the Shrek and Madagascar films. I think I’m gonna like it here!

So Far So Good...

I am employed full time as an IT Systems Engineer at a successful Insurance Company based in NYC. I have a wife of 14 years and two adorable daughters. So why am I, in my late 30s deciding to go back to school for animation? I could answer the why in so many ways. As time passes, you'll understand the why. The big and more interesting point at this is juncture is how? How do I hold a very demanding job, continue to be a very involved husband and father, while learning to be a professional animator? This blog will chronicle my 18 month journey at Animation Mentor and my challenge to keeping my job, family and sanity intact. Here's to the journey!