Greetings animation fans! I haven't posted in months due to a change in careers...that's right...I no longer work in the animation field full time! I left Studio B last June after working there for 10 years and am now a licensed Realtor in the Vancouver area. Wow, what a change! But I'm loving every minute of it.
I must say, I miss storyboarding and drawing. I miss teaching at Capilano College, where one of the best animation programs in the country thrives. I miss watching my former students enter the industry and do well, very well. I especially miss some of my insanely talented associates and friends who I worked with in Vancouver.
What I don't miss is the progressively long hours, less pay and tighter deadlines...all for the sake of the bottom line. Decisions on what you get to watch are often made by executives who study the numbers and gamble on what will make them the most money. Yes, my friends, the hard truth of the matter is, animation is a business.
Having said that, some funny toons do manage to get made, despite its commercialism, despite the suits. They get made largely due to the creativity, hard work and dedication of the artists and animators who love making them. And although it doesn't happen nearly often enough, sometimes the artists get a pat on the back for their efforts.
The Second Annual Elan Awards took place on February 15, 2008 in Vancouver acknowledging local and international animators, gamers, and students. I am honoured to be included amongst the award winners, along with a great & extremely talented guy, Dennis Crawford, for Best Storyboarding: GEORGE OF THE JUNGLE: "Naked Ape Man".
Congratulations to all nominees and winners! And thanks for all the emails, texts and good wishes. I may not be working in the industry anymore but my heart will always be there with you.
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4 comments:
Hi,Lyn
This is Shawn from the first character design class you taught at Capilano.
Congratulations on escaping the monster that is the world of animation. That world that eats your soul then demands more, but gives nothing in return.
I did the same thing and became a plumber.
I'm curious though, what about storyboarding for live action, like commercials and localy shot television shows? I haven't tried it myself, but surely it's not as unforgiving as storyboarding for animation since there aren't any model sheets to adhere to. Really I don't know, but I would like to hear you opinion on them.
Shawn
Hi Shawn
I miss making storyboards, drawing cartoons and working with goofy, immature and silly people. I miss the animators & artists too. It's not that I was not finding work. I was pretty much a mainstay at the studio. It was a personal decision for me, as I'm sure it was for you. Storyboarding is a vibrant, creative and highly demanding job. After 10 years, it was time to move on and Flash had no appeal to me.
Live action work operated a little differently and was not as steady as the animation biz. Also, a whole different feel. I never really threw myself into it.
Congratulations on the career change, Shawn. I hope you're using your artistic talents in other ways!
Lyn! it's been a while! Your post resonates strongly with the way I've been feeling lately. I've been hearing too many times lately the phrase "don't make the animation too nice as we'll not be able to keep this level up." With shrinking budgets and equally high expectations it's becoming really frustrating. good luck and maybe I'll see you in Vancouver sometime.
Phil
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