Comments for The Curious Animator

Comment on Subtext Subtext Subtext!!!! by wJacobGardner

wJacobGardner — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 23:33:57 +0000

[…] Want a little insight into subtext? Want to know how body language works with/against text with/against emotion? Check out Tom’s Blog Post on Subtext […]

Comment on Critique and Structure by Paul

Paul — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 18:53:32 +0000

You know Tom, if there was one thing I always agreed with you on at BG, it was your take on critiques. I loved reading this — if the faculty weren’t so set in their ways all of the time, I think this specific advice would do the other students worlds of good.

But, you like you said, it’s partially the students to blame. Even in the few times where critiques were guided well, most students just don’t understand what it means to give meaningful advice.

As much as I want to think that the poor level of feedback we get here is unique to BGSU, I’ve gone through exactly the same woes at art schools where they push the importance of critique above anything else. Giving out well-crafted feedback is almost an art in itself in that it only comes with practice, some training, and a lot of experience dealing with both the good and the bad.

Comment on Critique and Structure by Pete

Pete — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 15:49:04 +0000

hey, another good post.
I’ve seen a lot of good and bad critique over the years. I’ve learned now what is useful feedback and what is absolute rubbish.
The people who know what they are talking about, their feedback is crafted in a way where things make sense and you learn from it.
On the other hand, people who dont really know, just try to come up with an educated crit, which after a few seconds you can see they really dont have a clue, and cant give you anything new. Their’s is more personal preference than anything educated.
I can clearly see with the animators I work with, who actually knows their stuff from their feedback.

Comment on Being “Original” by bobby p

bobby p — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 09:28:18 +0000

I’d like to concur with the comments here and say that this is an extremely valuable and helpful post. I’ve been thinking about it a lot and its been a great help as I’m starting to animate my next shot. Thinking on the adage of “being more specific” is really helping me to make particular acting choices and ask myself questions about my shot and character motivation that are really going to help make those choices seem “original” to the character.

Comment on Being “Original” by Dale

Dale — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 22:00:31 +0000

Great post, I find that everything that you have mention translates to 3d sculpture as well. Because of your post I am staring to look a my models in a whole new light. In fact, I feel as though I am starting to gain a better feeling for the personality, mood and style of my characters. Thus allowing for the creation of more realistic, in depth characters.
Please keep the post coming as I find the material to be of great value in my development as an artist. Keep up the great work at Pixar!

Dale.

Comment on Being “Original” by tomjech

tomjech — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 21:21:33 +0000

Hey Brandon! Thank you for the kind words. I’ll be sure to keep writing, and never hesitate to share your thoughts and advice.

Comment on Being “Original” by Brandon

Brandon — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 20:55:38 +0000

Hey Tom I am Jacob Gardner’s office mate. He told me you were blogging some of this stuff and I have to say that it’s such great material here! I had mentors from Pixar that would talk about this same stuff all the time, and I really feel that it takes good motion into the realm of good performance. Please keep writing this stuff when you can. It is really amazing to read and I for one really appreciate you sharing! And the examples are really good too, keep giving examples when you can. Inspiring stuff, keep it up.

Comment on Being “Original” by Pete

Pete — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 14:47:34 +0000

…what I really should have said, was ‘there is no originality left in this world’.

Comment on Being “Original” by Pete

Pete — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 14:46:19 +0000

I strongly believe that there is no originality in this world. Everything stems from something else, and has an pre-existing origin.
What I do believe as artists, we should be accept this concept, and focus on how we represent, portray, vary, and use what we have in a new and exciting way to make it unique, although it wont ever be original.

playing on what you said, originality comes out of nothing, but we can’t do that, so we need to mould originality to create something unique.

Personally though, I prefer things which are exciting and well executed, rather than somthing different, yet not inspirational.

Comment on Subtext Subtext Subtext!!!! by Pete

Pete — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 15:20:24 +0000

Hey, so how have you and other interns found this subtext animating?
This is certainly an area of animation that is hard to teach, and the learning of it usually comes down to the individuals talent. I know people who can learn the basics and principles very well, but dont have the born with talent to progress onto great character performance through acting.

Look forward to hearing more about what all you interns at pixar get up to during the time there, and how much you learn and progress personally. Also would like to see how many of you guys stay on as permanent staff.