Sunday, January 20, 2008
Ron Paul Revolution
It has been a while since I've posted. We've been pretty busy at Reel FX working away on Open Season 2. We've added 30 more artists since December in order to accommodate the footage. The animation and rigging teams are doing a great job (we combined the departments, btw). I am extremely proud, as they are doing top notch work in record time. It really is impressive.
In the midst of focusing on the job at hand at Reel FX, I have been spending most (if not all) of my spare time reading and studying things related to politics, economy, foreign policy, constitution, etc. I am ashamed to say that I have spent most of my life ignorant of the history of our nation, our constitution, and haven't had enough real knowledge to have an intelligent political discussion. I know what I was taught growing up, and a lot was good common sense. Much of it was based on my family's old school Republican roots. You know the good old days when it was about small government, low taxes, etc. These are good things. Unfortunately, never did I grow up hearing about liberty, individual rights, the founding fathers, and the constitution. Frankly, I had never even read the constitution until 6 months ago. Essentially, I knew nothing of what it truly means to be an American.
For the past year, and specifically the last 6 months, I have consumed as much information as I can and asked a lot of questions. What did the founding fathers believe? What is liberty? What is the difference between a right and a privilege? Are we a republic or a democracy...or neither? Why only 2 political parties? What exactly is a neo-con anyway? What is the history of our economic policy? What is the federal reserve? Are we still on the gold standard? What is the history of our foreign policy? What is the history of the wars we've fought? Why do we pay so much in taxes? What is supposed to be federal and what is supposed to be left up to the states?
For every answer I found to these questions, pushed me to ask another question. Along with the constitution I have read numerous books about the founders and how the country was started and why they did what they did. It has been both fascinating and frustrating at the same time. These principles for freedom are simply not taught or discussed anymore...not in schools and certainly not on TV. As a nation we have seriously lost our way, and fallen so far away from our foundation.
Which leads me to Ron Paul. Never in my life have a seen an honest politician before. Never have I seen a man who is so consistent with his principles that he has voted and said the same things for 30 years. More than anything, though, he loves the constitution. He loves freedom. He wants small government, sound economy, no taxes, and a return to the nation we were meant to be. Free and independent.
There are a great many people at work (and the nation) who have traveled down the path I have recently. As more folks begin to study, and learn...the more will start to see how important this election year is for the country. As I've said in previous posts, as fun as animation is there are some things that are simply much more important. Insuring we all have true freedom and liberty is the most important thing we can do this year (and in the coming years).
If you want to begin a journey studying about some of this stuff, here is a quick history of US economic policy, money, and the federal reserve:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYZM58dulPE
Also, do a YouTube search for Ron Paul, and then start studying. With that, I will leave you with this quote:
"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security" - Benjamin Franklin
Monday, August 13, 2007
Back from Vacation and Siggraph....Plus Cool News
So I had a really good 3 week stretch this month. I spent the first 2 weeks in Maui with my wife, Toni. When we got married 5 years ago, we didn't have any money at all. Our honeymoon was pretty sad really. Plus, since I didn't have a job at the time...I actually spent the entire trip reading personal finance books trying to figure out what I was going to do to take care of us. Pretty crazy. So this trip to Hawaii was a replacement to our honeymoon and also celebrate our 5th Anniversary.
Maui is absolutely beautiful. We stayed down in the south in Wailea. The sunsets are out of a movie. The fruit (and food in general) is amazing. I think I gained 15lbs in 2 weeks. Pineapple will never taste the same, or any fruit for that matter. It just has a smoothness to it there that defies explanation. The resort we stayed on was also something out of a movie. I would recommend that place to anyone going to Maui on vacation: Fairmont Kea Lani
With all that said, it did cost a pretty penny to go on the trip. In one hand it eats at you because the expenses really start to add up. But when you figure that this might be the only time in your life you go to Hawaii...you are able to justify a little more. It was really a beautiful trip.
No rest for weary however, as I was got back from my trip to Hawaii only to turn right around and head out for a week in San Diego for Siggraph. Having never been to San Diego, I have to say that it might be the most pleasant weather I've seen/felt anywhere. Maui actually got a little hot, but San Diego this past week was unbelievable. 70 degrees year round? C'mon...that's insane.
Anyway, it didn't hurt at all that RFX leased a small yacht to hold interviews on this year. I feel like it was a huge success. We had people stopping by the boat constantly all throughout the day...some just to hang out. I was able to meet and talk to a lot of great and talented folks. We conducted 43 interviews in 3 days time. Plus, I had a chance to see lots of good friends I haven't seen in while. This year Siggraph was MUCH better than last year in Boston. The events, the weather, the people, everything just turned out well.
The reason we had so many interviews is because RFX is in a hiring spree right now. For what you ask? Recently, we were awarded the upcoming Open Season 2 film from Sony. The entire studio is super excited about working with Sony and getting a shot to work on this film here in Dallas. All of our departments will have to staff up over the coming weeks and months as the film gets underway. So, if you have a hankerin' for moving to Dallas to help RFX continue to grow....sent those demoreels our way!
So lots of good stuff going on right now. I've had a really good summer, and now time to get back to work. With that I leave you with a couple of pictures I took on the beach at the resort we stayed at in Maui.
Aloha!
So I had a really good 3 week stretch this month. I spent the first 2 weeks in Maui with my wife, Toni. When we got married 5 years ago, we didn't have any money at all. Our honeymoon was pretty sad really. Plus, since I didn't have a job at the time...I actually spent the entire trip reading personal finance books trying to figure out what I was going to do to take care of us. Pretty crazy. So this trip to Hawaii was a replacement to our honeymoon and also celebrate our 5th Anniversary.
Maui is absolutely beautiful. We stayed down in the south in Wailea. The sunsets are out of a movie. The fruit (and food in general) is amazing. I think I gained 15lbs in 2 weeks. Pineapple will never taste the same, or any fruit for that matter. It just has a smoothness to it there that defies explanation. The resort we stayed on was also something out of a movie. I would recommend that place to anyone going to Maui on vacation: Fairmont Kea Lani
With all that said, it did cost a pretty penny to go on the trip. In one hand it eats at you because the expenses really start to add up. But when you figure that this might be the only time in your life you go to Hawaii...you are able to justify a little more. It was really a beautiful trip.
No rest for weary however, as I was got back from my trip to Hawaii only to turn right around and head out for a week in San Diego for Siggraph. Having never been to San Diego, I have to say that it might be the most pleasant weather I've seen/felt anywhere. Maui actually got a little hot, but San Diego this past week was unbelievable. 70 degrees year round? C'mon...that's insane.
Anyway, it didn't hurt at all that RFX leased a small yacht to hold interviews on this year. I feel like it was a huge success. We had people stopping by the boat constantly all throughout the day...some just to hang out. I was able to meet and talk to a lot of great and talented folks. We conducted 43 interviews in 3 days time. Plus, I had a chance to see lots of good friends I haven't seen in while. This year Siggraph was MUCH better than last year in Boston. The events, the weather, the people, everything just turned out well.
The reason we had so many interviews is because RFX is in a hiring spree right now. For what you ask? Recently, we were awarded the upcoming Open Season 2 film from Sony. The entire studio is super excited about working with Sony and getting a shot to work on this film here in Dallas. All of our departments will have to staff up over the coming weeks and months as the film gets underway. So, if you have a hankerin' for moving to Dallas to help RFX continue to grow....sent those demoreels our way!
So lots of good stuff going on right now. I've had a really good summer, and now time to get back to work. With that I leave you with a couple of pictures I took on the beach at the resort we stayed at in Maui.
Aloha!
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Great News and Announcements
I've had a really good few weeks here. I can't get into all of it, as some of it pertains to potential work coming into the studio. But I can announce some good things that came about outside of our actual work at the studio.
The first thing is that I am now a proud member of Animation Mentor. I'll be starting next quarter, and getting my feet wet with the program by being a campus mentor initially. I'm pretty excited about it, to be honest. With so many other guys at Reel FX who are already a part of it...I was beginning to feel left out. We now have Kyle Clark, Tim Allen, Dave Vallone, Justin Barrett, Ray Chase, and myself representing RFX as Animation Mentors. I always heard them talking about it and how much fun they have, and so I thought I would jump in and get a chance to get involved as well. Really cool, can't wait to get started.
Second thing that happened is I had the honor of being invited to speak at this year's Industry Giants here in Dallas. Every year it is put on by a bunch of short guys....and it is a really cool event for the animation community. I was extremely humbled to speak this year, and I had a a blast getting to meet the other speakers and the folks in the audience. Always lots of passion comes through when you have those events...from professionals and students a like. it seems to always have a really cool energy to it. I had a great time!
Like I said, I do wish I could talk about the other stuff going on at the studio from a job perspective. Though I CAN talk about a new addition. I mentioned Dave Vallone above, and I am super excited about his new addition to our team. He is joining us from Blur (Sony and Blue Sky before that), and he will be helping me split duties as a supervising animator for RFX. Currently, the supervisor job rests squarely on me...and with a lot of jobs coming down the pipe it was clear I was gonna need some help. So, he is moving his family all the way from sunny LA this week in order to get settled into his new home in north Dallas. He is a super guy...a christian...great animator...and I am really excited to have him join our team.
Welcome to Texas, Dave!
I've had a really good few weeks here. I can't get into all of it, as some of it pertains to potential work coming into the studio. But I can announce some good things that came about outside of our actual work at the studio.
The first thing is that I am now a proud member of Animation Mentor. I'll be starting next quarter, and getting my feet wet with the program by being a campus mentor initially. I'm pretty excited about it, to be honest. With so many other guys at Reel FX who are already a part of it...I was beginning to feel left out. We now have Kyle Clark, Tim Allen, Dave Vallone, Justin Barrett, Ray Chase, and myself representing RFX as Animation Mentors. I always heard them talking about it and how much fun they have, and so I thought I would jump in and get a chance to get involved as well. Really cool, can't wait to get started.
Second thing that happened is I had the honor of being invited to speak at this year's Industry Giants here in Dallas. Every year it is put on by a bunch of short guys....and it is a really cool event for the animation community. I was extremely humbled to speak this year, and I had a a blast getting to meet the other speakers and the folks in the audience. Always lots of passion comes through when you have those events...from professionals and students a like. it seems to always have a really cool energy to it. I had a great time!
Like I said, I do wish I could talk about the other stuff going on at the studio from a job perspective. Though I CAN talk about a new addition. I mentioned Dave Vallone above, and I am super excited about his new addition to our team. He is joining us from Blur (Sony and Blue Sky before that), and he will be helping me split duties as a supervising animator for RFX. Currently, the supervisor job rests squarely on me...and with a lot of jobs coming down the pipe it was clear I was gonna need some help. So, he is moving his family all the way from sunny LA this week in order to get settled into his new home in north Dallas. He is a super guy...a christian...great animator...and I am really excited to have him join our team.
Welcome to Texas, Dave!
Sunday, April 29, 2007
A Case of the PMDs
There is a disease that happens to some people once they have been in an industry for a while. It can happen if someone has been in a certain line of work for a period of time, 5 years, 10 years, 20 years…whatever. It’s not always just longevity or seniority that causes this disease, but also it can often rear its ugly head with a new promotion that takes them to a level of supervisor or manager. It happens in all professions and all industries, and only those with a certain mind set are immune. The disease I speak of is called PMDs. And it stands for “Paid My Dues”.
Since being in the animation industry, I have seen quite a few people having the PMDs. This attitude becomes most evident when a team is in a crunch, or is short of bodies to throw at a project. The team desperately needs their supervisor or manager, who has expertise in this area to help (or even be there for moral support). Instead of jumping in and helping the team members out, these individuals make the dreaded statement “I don’t have to do that anymore, I’ve paid my dues”. Even if the individual doesn’t verbally say it…you see it in their actions. A supervisor or manager’s team is trying to hit a deadline, and when the rest of the team is crunching until the wee hours…this person perpetually heads out of the office at 5pm. Thus leaving his/her team to fend for themselves night after night. Then come in the next morning and take credit for the amount of work done the night before. Hmmm….
Now everyone has times when they are first starting out where they are faced with the possibility of working late or pulling crazy hours. Often when starting out you lack the experience to be able to judge your time wisely, or you are much slower because you haven’t developed a workflow that allows you to get through a reasonable amount of work fast enough. This happens to all of us at first…this is part of starting out. But I think once some reach the level of supervisor or manager, they think back when they were first in the industry and associate working long hours as a byproduct of “not having enough experience” to get the job done without working the long hours. And therefore, feel that now they have gone to the “next level” that those under them crunching away are still in a state of “paying their dues”.
Unfortunately, having this attitude completely destroys credibility and undermines the leadership these people seek. It is the supervisors and managers job to protect the people under them to make sure that crunches are light, and try to avoid them. And if a crunch is a forgone conclusion because of extenuating circumstances, the supervisors and managers should be in the trenches with the soldiers trying to lessen the load and getting the pain over faster. That is true leadership, not someone who goes home at 5pm and is merely a figurehead.
Since becoming a supervisor, I’ve had to stare these types of issues in the face. Sometimes daily, these choices must be made about what type of supervisor I will be. Luckily, I have been fortunate to have had some good examples and learned from guys who weren’t scared to dig in deep and get dirty with the troops. (Keith Osborn, Keith Lango, Ken Duncan).
Either these guys would take on shots themselves to help lessen the load, or they would just be willing to stay late with us to help us out. And just as these guys were good examples, I’ve seen some guys who were the polar opposite. I’ve learned much from observing both kinds of supervisors/managers.
I write this post so that I will continually remind myself to try to be immune to the PMDs. It is a debilitating disease that can kill a team and destroy morale. For those of you who know me, if I EVER make the statement that I’ve “Paid My Dues”, or I show actions of such…I give all of you permission to immediately slap me in the face!
:)
There is a disease that happens to some people once they have been in an industry for a while. It can happen if someone has been in a certain line of work for a period of time, 5 years, 10 years, 20 years…whatever. It’s not always just longevity or seniority that causes this disease, but also it can often rear its ugly head with a new promotion that takes them to a level of supervisor or manager. It happens in all professions and all industries, and only those with a certain mind set are immune. The disease I speak of is called PMDs. And it stands for “Paid My Dues”.
Since being in the animation industry, I have seen quite a few people having the PMDs. This attitude becomes most evident when a team is in a crunch, or is short of bodies to throw at a project. The team desperately needs their supervisor or manager, who has expertise in this area to help (or even be there for moral support). Instead of jumping in and helping the team members out, these individuals make the dreaded statement “I don’t have to do that anymore, I’ve paid my dues”. Even if the individual doesn’t verbally say it…you see it in their actions. A supervisor or manager’s team is trying to hit a deadline, and when the rest of the team is crunching until the wee hours…this person perpetually heads out of the office at 5pm. Thus leaving his/her team to fend for themselves night after night. Then come in the next morning and take credit for the amount of work done the night before. Hmmm….
Now everyone has times when they are first starting out where they are faced with the possibility of working late or pulling crazy hours. Often when starting out you lack the experience to be able to judge your time wisely, or you are much slower because you haven’t developed a workflow that allows you to get through a reasonable amount of work fast enough. This happens to all of us at first…this is part of starting out. But I think once some reach the level of supervisor or manager, they think back when they were first in the industry and associate working long hours as a byproduct of “not having enough experience” to get the job done without working the long hours. And therefore, feel that now they have gone to the “next level” that those under them crunching away are still in a state of “paying their dues”.
Unfortunately, having this attitude completely destroys credibility and undermines the leadership these people seek. It is the supervisors and managers job to protect the people under them to make sure that crunches are light, and try to avoid them. And if a crunch is a forgone conclusion because of extenuating circumstances, the supervisors and managers should be in the trenches with the soldiers trying to lessen the load and getting the pain over faster. That is true leadership, not someone who goes home at 5pm and is merely a figurehead.
Since becoming a supervisor, I’ve had to stare these types of issues in the face. Sometimes daily, these choices must be made about what type of supervisor I will be. Luckily, I have been fortunate to have had some good examples and learned from guys who weren’t scared to dig in deep and get dirty with the troops. (Keith Osborn, Keith Lango, Ken Duncan).
Either these guys would take on shots themselves to help lessen the load, or they would just be willing to stay late with us to help us out. And just as these guys were good examples, I’ve seen some guys who were the polar opposite. I’ve learned much from observing both kinds of supervisors/managers.
I write this post so that I will continually remind myself to try to be immune to the PMDs. It is a debilitating disease that can kill a team and destroy morale. For those of you who know me, if I EVER make the statement that I’ve “Paid My Dues”, or I show actions of such…I give all of you permission to immediately slap me in the face!
:)
Monday, March 26, 2007
TMNT Sees Green on Crowded Weekend
"On one of the most crowded weekends in recent memory, six wide releases entered the fray and only one, TMNT, emerged a hit...."
Check the article: BoxOfficeMojo
"On one of the most crowded weekends in recent memory, six wide releases entered the fray and only one, TMNT, emerged a hit...."
Check the article: BoxOfficeMojo
Thursday, March 15, 2007
TMNT Featurette
The marketing for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) is in full force now, and so far people seem to be getting pretty excited. I have a feeling it will do well.
So far they've just been releasing teasers here and there. But today they released a featurette, which reveals much more of the film. Reel FX had a chance to animate on a portion of the film and it appears a few of our shots made into this new featurette. Pretty cool!
Take a gander...
TMNT Featurette (35mb)
...then go see the movie March 23rd! :)
The marketing for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) is in full force now, and so far people seem to be getting pretty excited. I have a feeling it will do well.
So far they've just been releasing teasers here and there. But today they released a featurette, which reveals much more of the film. Reel FX had a chance to animate on a portion of the film and it appears a few of our shots made into this new featurette. Pretty cool!
Take a gander...
TMNT Featurette (35mb)
...then go see the movie March 23rd! :)
Friday, February 09, 2007
Another Quote....Perspective
I guess I'm just one of those people who really likes quotes. I'm constantly finding cool sayings in books or movies that have an impact on me (see the Rocky Balboa quote below). It's strange, because it seems when a certain situation/circumstance arises that is difficult or calls on me to make a decision...a quote or verse in the Bible pops into my head that helps me with the decision. Of course, if you were to ask me to recite the quote or verse verbatim...I probably couldn't. But the idea is at least there.
Anyway, recently I was reading a book that had an interesting quote in it about managing perspective in your life. It reads as follows:
Those who fix their eyes on the past risk a severe collision with the future. Those who see only the future hit much too hard the speed bumps of today. Only those who fix their eyes on God can effectively negotiate the right pace of life.
In animation, it's much too easy to get worked up over stuff: schedules, rigs, changes, studio politics, getting a new job, etc. Often people approach it as if it is life and death. In reality it all means very little...at least in the grand scheme. These things are all very temporal. Which to me, makes animation even more fun to do. God has blessed people in animation (and those in entertainment in general) with the gift of being able to "play" as adults telling stories and giving characters life. So if God is going to let you make art and entertainment for a living, why not do it as if you have nothing to lose?
It's too easy to get upset about everything, or even feel scared that if you do something wrong you will be out on the street. The worst thing you can do in life is to live it scared. If you do make a mistake, learn from it and keep going. Maybe you do fail...but at least you failed trying. As the quote states, those who fix their eyes on God can have the proper perspective of life's circumstances. It doesn't make them easy...but it can make them feel much less "important". I sometimes think we forget how big the universe is...and how small we really are.
I believe the next time I start to dwell on mistakes I made yesterday, or daydream about what I wish I could do tomorrow, or fret over today's troubles...I think I'll store this quote away for those occasions. And do my best to keep my eyes on the goal that is set before me.
I guess I'm just one of those people who really likes quotes. I'm constantly finding cool sayings in books or movies that have an impact on me (see the Rocky Balboa quote below). It's strange, because it seems when a certain situation/circumstance arises that is difficult or calls on me to make a decision...a quote or verse in the Bible pops into my head that helps me with the decision. Of course, if you were to ask me to recite the quote or verse verbatim...I probably couldn't. But the idea is at least there.
Anyway, recently I was reading a book that had an interesting quote in it about managing perspective in your life. It reads as follows:
Those who fix their eyes on the past risk a severe collision with the future. Those who see only the future hit much too hard the speed bumps of today. Only those who fix their eyes on God can effectively negotiate the right pace of life.
In animation, it's much too easy to get worked up over stuff: schedules, rigs, changes, studio politics, getting a new job, etc. Often people approach it as if it is life and death. In reality it all means very little...at least in the grand scheme. These things are all very temporal. Which to me, makes animation even more fun to do. God has blessed people in animation (and those in entertainment in general) with the gift of being able to "play" as adults telling stories and giving characters life. So if God is going to let you make art and entertainment for a living, why not do it as if you have nothing to lose?
It's too easy to get upset about everything, or even feel scared that if you do something wrong you will be out on the street. The worst thing you can do in life is to live it scared. If you do make a mistake, learn from it and keep going. Maybe you do fail...but at least you failed trying. As the quote states, those who fix their eyes on God can have the proper perspective of life's circumstances. It doesn't make them easy...but it can make them feel much less "important". I sometimes think we forget how big the universe is...and how small we really are.
I believe the next time I start to dwell on mistakes I made yesterday, or daydream about what I wish I could do tomorrow, or fret over today's troubles...I think I'll store this quote away for those occasions. And do my best to keep my eyes on the goal that is set before me.
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