COMING TO A CLOSE
I think it's getting about time to wrap this blog up. It's been a good run over the years but things are very different now. I'm different. It's time to refocus. It's time to simplify. There's a whole world out there starving for good animation. It may not seem like it because it's been flooded with cheap flash cartoons and shows that barely pass for animation while relying solely on comedic writing. Some of these shows are good for a laugh, but they are not the dream I foresaw when I realized what the technology afforded us.
Over two years ago, in August of 2005, I wrote a post called Real Revolution about the great fantasy art of the 1980's. In it, I wrote that the real revolution will be when the artist in their living room makes the movie that could not be made before. When the lone artist or small team, through CG animation or low cost digital shooting, brings this type of fantasy art to life on screen, then will the face of Hollywood change.
Of course, no one has really done it yet, but that's what I really want to do. It's been said that Bill Gates gave us the words "Content is king." If that's true, then the time is now to really focus on content, creating real, quality content. A similar sentiment was uttered by George Lucas in the famous Wired Magazine interview, and he backed that up by setting up shop in Aisa, moving away from huge features and creating more shorter form content.
I've spent a lot of time, these past months, gathering my skills, gathering my tools, finding out what could be done, finding out how much could be done. I've learned a lot about what I really want to do, and what I really don't want to do. I've learned a lot about what matters, both to me and to an audience. I've learned a lot about spending too much time on things the audience will never see nor care about. I've learned that I want to be a real artist again and focus on art. I've learned that it's okay to focus on art, even over story, or perhaps without story. There's room for all types of creative media.
Here are some of the clips that came of all my learning and gathering.
Animarium Insolence - featuring Jillian Fontaine.
Animarium Film Noir - featuring Jillian Fontaine.
Animarium Fantasy - featuring Jillian Fontaine.
There are others, some which just show off technology like this clip, but you get the idea. I am moving toward something. For years we have seen these Nike commericals that tell us to "Just Do It", yet it is amazing how difficult it is to realize these simple words. This is not because of anything in the physical world stopping us. We have all the tools and technology. It's all in our heads. It's the little tales we tell ourselves to keep us from beginning. "Just Do It" means you don't have to have a buyer lined up before you begin. "Just Do It" means you don't need anyone's approval on your concept and story. You don't need notes. "Just Do It" means, you have an idea, you make it happen.
I decided to make it happen with a simple five minute episode. It is the ideal format for the web and yet it can be so much more far reaching. How far we will soon see when a new site arises here.
On another note, I am opening my special "Get Eyes on Your Prize" course one last time. For those who want to get in on that and be a part of that special forum, this will be the last chance to join. It's only going to be up for a matter of days. When this site comes down, that will all come down with it. The private forum will remain for that small group who wants to work together to get our projects seen, known and out there to larger audiences.
Things are changing quickly in this new media world. I just spoke with an expert in online, new media about who is really generating significant revenue through online efforts. The big players are all trying to get digital services up and running. Big name content is being pulled from iTunes while other players are scrambling to get on there. No one has all the answers yet, but if you don't have the content, and don't protect your content, then none of matters, and that is what I know for sure.
Over two years ago, in August of 2005, I wrote a post called Real Revolution about the great fantasy art of the 1980's. In it, I wrote that the real revolution will be when the artist in their living room makes the movie that could not be made before. When the lone artist or small team, through CG animation or low cost digital shooting, brings this type of fantasy art to life on screen, then will the face of Hollywood change.
Of course, no one has really done it yet, but that's what I really want to do. It's been said that Bill Gates gave us the words "Content is king." If that's true, then the time is now to really focus on content, creating real, quality content. A similar sentiment was uttered by George Lucas in the famous Wired Magazine interview, and he backed that up by setting up shop in Aisa, moving away from huge features and creating more shorter form content.
I've spent a lot of time, these past months, gathering my skills, gathering my tools, finding out what could be done, finding out how much could be done. I've learned a lot about what I really want to do, and what I really don't want to do. I've learned a lot about what matters, both to me and to an audience. I've learned a lot about spending too much time on things the audience will never see nor care about. I've learned that I want to be a real artist again and focus on art. I've learned that it's okay to focus on art, even over story, or perhaps without story. There's room for all types of creative media.
Here are some of the clips that came of all my learning and gathering.
Animarium Insolence - featuring Jillian Fontaine.
Animarium Film Noir - featuring Jillian Fontaine.
Animarium Fantasy - featuring Jillian Fontaine.
There are others, some which just show off technology like this clip, but you get the idea. I am moving toward something. For years we have seen these Nike commericals that tell us to "Just Do It", yet it is amazing how difficult it is to realize these simple words. This is not because of anything in the physical world stopping us. We have all the tools and technology. It's all in our heads. It's the little tales we tell ourselves to keep us from beginning. "Just Do It" means you don't have to have a buyer lined up before you begin. "Just Do It" means you don't need anyone's approval on your concept and story. You don't need notes. "Just Do It" means, you have an idea, you make it happen.
I decided to make it happen with a simple five minute episode. It is the ideal format for the web and yet it can be so much more far reaching. How far we will soon see when a new site arises here.
On another note, I am opening my special "Get Eyes on Your Prize" course one last time. For those who want to get in on that and be a part of that special forum, this will be the last chance to join. It's only going to be up for a matter of days. When this site comes down, that will all come down with it. The private forum will remain for that small group who wants to work together to get our projects seen, known and out there to larger audiences.
Things are changing quickly in this new media world. I just spoke with an expert in online, new media about who is really generating significant revenue through online efforts. The big players are all trying to get digital services up and running. Big name content is being pulled from iTunes while other players are scrambling to get on there. No one has all the answers yet, but if you don't have the content, and don't protect your content, then none of matters, and that is what I know for sure.
21 Comments:
Well, it's unfortunate that you have to close the blog, Terrence, as there don't seem to be a lot of sites concentrating on independent animation. But, if it's what you've got to do, it's what you've got to do. I'd ask you to keep us posted, but if you don't anticipate having time to maintain the blog, I guess you probably won't have time to do that either. But good luck on your projects... the animations you posted hint at good things to come.
If anyone else knows of other sites/blogs that concentrate on this sort of stuff (independent animation, but not necessarily specific tools), please post them!
A pretty solemn post, Terrence - kinda hard to imagine that the blog and Studio ArtFX site will be leaving, but sometimes we have to move on to other important works and projects, which seems to be what you are doing.
Best of luck to you and your work, mate, and I'll see you in the forums. :)
jcl said: I'd ask you to keep us posted...
I probably should have made it more clear that there will be a new site here. The main key is that I want to be "concentrating on independent animation" as you say, but more in terms of doing rather than talking about it. Also another key is the format.
There will be a new blog on the new site, but I am no longer going to be using "Blogger", the Google based tool which is used for this blog. I am starting over. This new blog will just be more personal and, in fact, keep you posted as to what I am doing. It'll be easier, I hope, to maintain than this one.
The new site will be small, but will be focused on content.
Hi terrence,
More personal? Does that mean you will post but no one can reply? Or will it be private?
I hope I at least have time to go copy all the archives for my own reference. There's lots of important stuff in there.
Best of luck to you in making your own stuff. I know we all want to do it.
I suspect the new blog will still have comments, but it is a totally different software and system so I don't know how it will be handled or how well it will work or if it will work.
Best of luck with your projects, Terrence! I will miss this site... but I also will be looking forward to seeing the new one!
I would just like to add that your DVD Anime: Concept to Reality (along with other single-person works by Makoto Shinkai and Timothy Albee)was very inspirational to me. It showed me that it really is possible for one person to tell his story and get it seen by people. I am still trying to master my tools, but I am certain that one day I will be able to tell my story too. I thank you for all the wisdom and inspiration you've shared.
Terrence,
Maybe we should start a forum for us INdie Animators.
We need a place away from CGtalk as our own haven.
This is one of my favorite sights. I hope we have somewhat of a replacement.
But I can't wait to see more of your work. PLease keep us posted.
Best of luck, Terrence!
I've been a big fan of the site for several years, and I am sure the next iteration it evolves into will be great.
Hope to see some fantastic works!
I am sad to hear Studio ArtFX is going away but glad to hear you are going to be producing some new stuff :) (finally :P)
This is the only blog I have read regularly over last few years and it has been a tremendous inspiration and educational experience.
Thank you and good luck with the next phase! I can't wait to see what you have in store for us.
Alex
Terrence, I have followed you efforts for many years. The Anigen project as well as the other things you've done have been very informative for the Independent Animation community. This is a good thing. I'm not discouraged or sad about any moves you have to make. Because you, like anyone else doing the work of independence, has to arrive at a point of do it or don't do it. I too have been working on projects that are not finished to my satisfaction. I do my own information sharing activities by teaching hybrid animation at NYU and in the NYC public HS system.
When one spends a great deal of time helping other artists it can be enlightening. But there comes a point when our own individual lives as artists have to become priority. Has to be done. To the point, I'm of the mind that a forum of some sort has to come about to continue to grow the community. This theoretical forum can allow IA artists to continue to post progress reports, DIY samples, links to blogs, websites, hw/sw sites, news stories and general words of encouragement and criticism. Perhaps a blend of CGTalk and Animation Nation is the appropriate move to make?
If this leads to a forum I'm voting for the title "Independent Animator" I'll leave it appropriately to folks who have done more than I to take it from there. Cheers!
Good luck Terrence, being an Indie Pro and solo will take a lot out of you. But you've been a Vet in the game and we all understand. We'll be definitely on the look out for your work when you drop. So please keep in touch and like we say at home, "Keep it Crack'n".
Very saddened to hear to you are leaving your blog behind Terrence as you've done such incredible work here in spreading the good news to the world. It will be a much colder and much hollower world without your blog here. Much much colder. Much hollower.
Can only echo what Alex said, you run the best site in the world on animation, bar none, and quite honestly the only one I came to read with some regularity in very recent times because it's about the only one I understood.
People have been incredibly lucky you've given your wonderful vision and your passion here. You are someone who has kept your vision and your drive for the bigger picture, for creative endeveour and real venture and adventure and kept your eye on the prize at all times.
It's such a gap you are going to leave behind.
Myself perhaps I haven't grabbed the bull by the horns in the way I sometimes I think I could have on this..
On your piece about fantasy art and people making a production:
You're making me feel lke I've let the side down a little bit here. Maybe not quite fantasy art, as I can't stand anything Tolkenesque lol, but in a more (post-)modern way.....
My original goal really was the one big piece. For different reasons, some of them from necessity, some of them petty and lazyness over time, or changing goals etc this got sidelined. This is a real pain in the ass to do, would probably require taking time out, or at least amazing time management but as you say these things can be done, no question about it at all. And I've been thinking again about it recently.
I agree with all of the rest of your post Terrence.
You describe how the biggest time waster in the world, is messing around with little stuff that just doesn't matter 99% of the time. It's all true!!!
Can I ask one other thing Terrence ? Can you elaborate a little on protecting your content ?
In any event, I wish you every success in what you're doing on top of the amazing success you've already built, because you deserve it and I will be keeping my eyes open for whatever you do next, as I'm sure everyone else will be doing here.
It cannot be stressed enough the importance of Terrence's incredible works and truly cutting-edge site miles ahead of the curve, which should serve as a beacon of truth and light to everyone.
Studio ArtFX has been a great resource! Thanks!!
I'm still reading through the archives for tidbits of information. Good luck with your future endeavors. Although I really do not think you need luck, your preparation will be your passport.
Terrence, your words send shivers down my spine because I've been wrestling with the exact same thing over the past couple of years and now I'm going to step out into the void and I'm embarking on a one man production journey fantasy oriented film heavily inspired by the works of people like Frank Frazetta. And it all started with exactly what you're writing. It's okay to focus on art. Content is king. Just do it.
You are truly one of the few people that get it. I wish you all the best on your next big step and I know that something fantastic is going to come out of it.
I've loved this site but I'm not the least bit sad by your decision. You are clearly doing the right thing. Too few are focused the way you seem to be. You're going to become the new Bakshi, man.
"You're going to become the new Bakshi, man."
I hope not - 'Fritz the Cat', 'Wizards', and 'Coolworld' were some of the worst animated films I've ever seen in my life.
-_-
Well Terrence, I have to add my voice to those that are sad to see this blog go. I've been visiting your web site every day for the past three years at least, since it is a focal point for the dreams of independent animation. I continue to work towards the day when I can start production on my own film. Meanwhile I continue to work whenever I can in order to get the technical bits ironed out so that I can achieve the speed needed for a one or two-man studio to survive.
Hopefully you will replace this blog with a progress update on your own work. If so, I'll continue to check back in here on a regular basis to see what you are up to. Perhaps I or someone else here will put together a blog and website to continue the discussion about rising to the challenge of becoming an independent animation creator.
Anyways, good luck with your endeavors, and I hope you don't slip away into the night. The "Kaze: Ghost Warrior" blog disappeared some time ago, as have some of the other indie animation sites I used to visit. I hope the same doesn't happen here.
Good Luck, Sir.
Cheers,
Michael Duffy
Mentioning Bakshi has nothing to do with taste. We all have taste and it varies. Some love Fritz - others don't. We just have to get over that fact.
Bakshi completely revolutionized the animation industry by making animation for grown ups. He also revolutionized the process of making feature length animation and managed to make classics - because films like Fritz The Cat are classics - with a ridiculously small animation team. He's one of the true wizards of both animation and independent filmmaking in the history of American cinema. Bakshi is and was a true original - that's more than you can say about Disney these days - and I think Terrence is a true original. And through what he writes on this blog I can clearly see a kinship with people like Bakshi.
It's a Just do it mentality. And a work with what you got mentality. Let the studios laugh at our tools and we'll laugh at them when we start counting viewers per invested dollar. The Content is king mentality. An important realization that as a creator you are actually your own boss. Cut out the middle guy.
I dont want to sound too controversial, but I for one and glad youre moving away from this blog. Why you ask? Because youre clearly a very talented guy, but I want to see you create the next big thing! Not write about the newest graphic tablets, the fastest software... but creating an indie animated masterpiece! Be it a short film, a series, a movie(!) ... anything. I know its in there and I want to see it!
Case in point: After reading your blog a year ago (A YEAR!!) I decided to do something similar - unleash the creative beast, create my 'masterpiece'. Now everyone claims they have no time or manpower or whatever to make their movie, so I decided to break it down into tiny chunks. I rendered one shot a day. One shot. Be it 2 seconds long or 20 seconds, I'd set up the scene in the evening and let it render overnight. Then the next day do it all over again. Not spending 2 weeks on a walk cycle or 8 hours modelling an ear... but just getting on with it.
So now its done! A half hour broadcast quality mini-epic Merry Xmas Sick Puppy
Yes, I know its not PIXAR quality, but hey, I dont think its complete crap either! With a bit of focus and determination its possible. I really wouldnt want you to go the way of RUSTBOY (wherever that is these days)
So what Im saying is, to echo your own words Terrance...
Just do it!
Dave
WOW! I am impressed. One shot per day apparently adds up to something really cool! Who cares about that "It's not Pixar quality..." nonsense? "Blair Witch" wasn't the excorcist either, but both are cool in their own right. Kudos Dave!
Your trailer shows that story is going to be there too. That's also impressive. I also like your website design. In fact, I would say you just about have everything in place EXCEPT...
I can't read the green text on your site. ;)
In the end, you have done what I wish I had spent more time doing over the last few years. Even just oneshot per day can add up to something great. Thanks for the inspiration! In fact, I think this deserves a post all of its own.
Hey Terrence!
I'm Sad to see this site go. I've been following your work and your support for independent animation for several years now.
I have had the Privilege of working on Titan AE at FOX and Treasure Planet at Disney. I'm currently animating educational content with Flash and planning on working on my own independent short. Your site has been an inspiration and very informative.
Many of your views about the industry were "right on"!
I look forward to seeing the new site.
Good luck with your future projects!
Timothy Bergeron
Hey Terrence,
I just want to thank you for getting the rest us on the indie path. I discovered Lightwave 3D and Mirage, and the very notion of independent animation, a few years ago after coming upon your site.
God definitely used you to light the path.
So go and make art, my brother. And thanks for everything.
Terry Alston, Sr.
Amani DigitalFx
Easton, Maryland
www.myspace.com/amani_films
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