Goodbye, Tippett

It's coming on two weeks since my last day at Tippett. I guess it's only now starting to feel that way now that Thanksgiving is over. The show I was working on, (Cats and Dogs2) ended up going longer than August, which was great. But now it has finally come to an end.
This was my first non-Flash animation job and it was a fantastic experience. A year ago I was still looking for my first break. I remember the frustration very well of coming close, but not being able to land a job. I remember using that frustration and channeling it into energy to keep working at it, to keep doing my own work. It was sometimes a hard thing to do.
Almost a year a go a got an email from Tippett. They were interested in my work, and wanted me to take a test. I had never animated a cat, or any kind of four legged animal. I was nervous, to say the least. Nervous, but excited.
It's been a really fast 10 months. Before I came to Tippett, I felt I was in a bit of a rut as far as progressing with my work. I was doing my own assignments, but I was missing having mentors and others give me a push, and a real critical eye. I was growing, but not much. and I knew it. At Tippett, I feel I have grown again. Being surrounded by awesome animators, having your work critiqued on a daily basis, and being able to see what your peers are working on does so much for you. I recently took a look at some of my old work, and I can see things I couldn't see a year ago. Looking at my old work, I see that I've grown. I still like the ideas I had, but I can see ways I can improve. I can't wait to start animating again :)
I miss Tippett. It was an awesome experience for me. Though my project ended, I will be taking with me a lot of knowledge, and a lot of good friends.:)


Here are some cat sketches I did while at Tippett. They were fun to do, and I don't think I ever got to do cat gestures before :)

Having a blast!

July already! Time is still flying by since starting work at Tippett. I am getting closer to the end of my contract, and that's a sad thought. It'll be hard to say goodbye.
I feel I am really growing as an animator, and the more I grow, the more I come to realize how much more I have to grow (if that makes any sense!) It's weird at this point in my life to still be discovering stuff about myself. I guess it's things that I already knew, but realizing them for the first time.
I think a turning point for me was a couple months ago. Tippett sponsored some improv classes for us. I had no idea what to expect, and for some reason I had the image in my head of improv being 'artsy' people pretending to be flowers, or something. It turned out the classes were truly fun, well thought out, and eye opening. I consider myself a pretty shy person, but something about performing really excites me. It's a very strange thing, and hard to explain, but I am both scared, but at the same time crave the stage. Something clicked that day when acting out a skit, and I felt like I knew what to do. The words and ideas were coming, but I didn't know from where. It's like the classes gave me 'permission' to act out and be this other person, so I just followed my gut. And it worked!
I animate from my gut. I like to feel the performance and work with the faces right away along with the body. They are connected to me, and in many cases what is happening in the face drives alot of the animation for me. I was finding it a little difficult at work when I was animating the bodies and saving the face for last. It seemed a whole different mind-set for me. It made me think of it technically instead of as a performance. I think I knew that deep down, but didn't start realizing it until the imrov classes.
-Weekends have been interesting! Anything from go-karting to being a zombie in a short film. Fun stuff. I am still dragon boating every week, and am getting better. Or at least not sucking as much :).
Next week I am having a couple of friends from Animation Mentor coming into town for the graduation and BBQ. Two of my friends will be staying over my place, and I can't wait to see them!

Time flies...

Time flies, or so they say, but I've never felt it go by as swiftly as it is now.
It seems like a week ago that I got the news that Tippett was hiring me. Since then time has been sprinting forward at an incredible pace, and I am determined to enjoy it while it lasts.
It is strange to be starting over again career wise. It seems just when I was getting comfortable with my Illustration/ Flash work I decided to go switch it up. It's all about following your heart.
I love it at Tippett. It's one of those places that has a really good vibe to it. It's a happy place, and I feel very much at home there.
I love being an animator. I think that's why time seems to be in fast forward because I am having so much fun. I really love it! I feel like I am back in school again because I am learning so much everyday. Every new shot is a challenge and an opportunity to grow, and I am so very thankful for this experience. I remember a mentor of mine, Nick Bruno, saying that you work hard in school to try and get your foot in the door. Once you get your foot in the door the real learning begins. He was so right. There have been bumps (lets just say I am no longer worried about embarrassing myself because I already checked that off my list) but I am saying truly that I am happy. Happy to be doing what I love, happy to meet so many new friends, and happy to be learning from people I truly respect.
Outside of work has been pretty awesome too. A couple of weeks ago I had lunch with a mentor of mine who works just a short distance away. It was very nice to be able to talk to him and I only regret that my lunch break has a time limit.
I bought a used bike for cheap and have been biking to work, and on the weekend I've been dragon boating. My body is in shock from the sudden burst of exercise, but over the last week it has forgiven me and I am feeling better already. I've neglected so much while studying, and it's a nice change to get out again. Balance is good, but it's sometimes easy to forget that. :)

A new start!!!!!!!

It has been a crazy last month, and an even crazier last two weeks. I am very happy to say that I've gotten my very first 3d animation job!!! On Monday I will be starting work at Tippett Studio!! I will be working there on the movie 'Cats and Dogs 2' for the next few months. :)
A week ago my father and I started a 5 day trip driving my car across the country from Massachusetts to California. It's all happening so fast that it doesn't seem real. I am really excited and am very much looking forward to working and learning from the awesome animators that work there. I am also a little nervous, but I think in a good way.
I am so thankful for my mentors and my friends who have helped, taught, and pushed me to work hard. Honestly, without Animation Mentor and the wonderful community it created I don't know where I would be. I really mean that. I am so thankful.