ON THE WRONG TRACK

You know one of the things that I let stop me from blogging so much? It's the belief that I had to have a lot of fancy pictures and make each post like a professional magazine layout. That may all look nice, but in the end, it's the information and inspiration in the writing that matters. That also eliminated another important aspect of my blogging life. Remember back in 2005 when I used to sit on my PSP and blog from pretty much anywhere? Well that is far more possible and much easier with the devices available to today, but I miss that opportunity by wanting to make each blog post look like it belongs in Wired Magazine.

So where are we today? I have an iPhone. On WIFI blogging from it is fast and easy. It can also use cellular data networks for an internet connection if I happen to be in the styx. Often times I see things and think about blogging about them and because I don't act on that immediately, other things come up and eventually I forget. So It's time to make a change. It's time to think about the importance of the writing as opposed to colorful design and layout.


I've been busy putting out new training materials lately. Most recently I have a video tutorial on creating an advanced EcoSystem in Vue Infinite, based on knowledge I gained while working on Bats II at UFO FIlms in California. This video will show you how you can look at good photo reference of a forest and start building the pieces you need to make a complex EcoSystem which can duplicate that forest in Vue Infinite. This one is all about creating realism. Vue fans should really enjoy it and learn a lot.

Aside form that I have already a few 3D modeling tutorials on modo and will be bringing out some new training materials on TVPaint, 3DCoat, Poser, Vue and possible even post production and sound tools like Quicktime Pro, Garage Band and others. If you have any particular topics you would like to see covered, let me know.

I've been getting closer and closer, for some time now, to starting my next animated project. I have an idea I want to play with. I wouldn't call this the big one just yet. I say play because, if it's not fun, why are traveling this indie road? If you're not enjoying every second of getting your project off the ground, up and running, and in front of the eyes of the people, then you need to take a look at what you're doing and, more importantly, why you're doing it.

If you went into it for the money, you will be in for a huge disappointment. I don't mean to sound like so many others who believe you can't make money doing this. You most certainly can, and will with persistence and dedication. But if that is your sole reason for doing this, it will show in the work, and the audience will feel it, and it will not have the power to capture hearts. You have to love it. You have to live it. I'm not just saying this to sound cool. These are things I have learned the hard way over the years.

Anyway, I'm back into blogging. I'll try to keep it simple and just write, so that nothing gets in the way to getting the word out there. If you really liked all the pictures and fancy layouts, I hope you'll stick around anyway, because, while I won't be doing that, as it was too time consuming and resulted in me not wanting to post at all, I do have a lot to say. I mean, just look at the industry today. But that's for later. Let me know what you think!