21st September 2011

Thoughts on the production inspired by a lecture on mind mapping for research topics.

One of the issues I have been avoiding has been what the practical project is going to be. Looking at the nature of my subject it seems more than likely that attempting to form a team to work on various stages of a project will be appropriate. Hopefully I will be able to involve other honors students whose research topics would fit, for example someone studying the development of a story in some form could produce a concept, someone studying concept art or character design could design the characters and so on. This could prove tricky as one part leads on from another while all the honors students are working simultaneously. There is also the option of using students from years below who may have some extra time on their hands, the only issue that may turn up with that idea is that the extra work for this project would not take precedence over their own work for university.

The time available for the project limits it to a short production. Creating an easily achievable goal would be a good plan if the final product is to be finished with the quality expected from a professional, or team of professionals.

Another consideration worth taking into account while thinking about the practical work is what is my likely future employment. There seems the potential for two paths. One in specialising with something like animation and working up the ranks in a larger studio. The other is working more generally and beginning with smaller studios creating smaller productions but taking responsibility for a larger breadth of production. Even after just writing this the second way seems more exciting and with more potential. In conclusion of these few thoughts I want to aim for something that will display my ability in bringing together a collection of elements and the people who work on them.

Revised research domain mind map

Personal statement draft 1

Inspiration and Interests

Impressive visual effects are my interest. I had always been aware that amazing things were being shown in films and some advertising. Until easter 2009 I did not realise the potential of a career in this area. The trigger that sent me down this rout was a combination of the 3d modeling I was learning in architecture and the following videos. After seeing these I decided to finish up my architecture BA and follow this long term passion which had only just been realised.

Autodesk showreels:

Almost all of the clips in these videos have a specific quality, or magic, to them that I would like to reproduce in my show case. Of course, as is the nature of any company showreel, these examples incorporate a huge range of skills, methods, technology and time. As one person I do not have the same breadth of experience.

When it comes to creating things or thinking about the production of things like the clips of these showreels I have more of an ability to visualise what a piece might look like. Going on from that vision, figuring out a way in which the effect could be produced. Although I can and do begin ideas from nothing, creating concepts, story-boarding and so on, the efforts are not as fluid as visualising the specific look of work.

Career and Creative Aims

Perhaps a remnant of my architectural training has left me with the desire to understand and direct, even down to the fine details, the whole process by which these clips are produced. Although I love the epic visuals of high budget block busters and would be keen to become involved in the production of one, smaller projects can have an equally impressive visual appeal. Also the higher turn around of projects in the smaller studios would seem to indicate more excitement and varied challenges. Currently my vision of the future is to become involved in the smaller productions, work up to a high level of responsibility and control, then gradually gain in the size of projects. This is not to say i would be disappointed if another direction were to be taken, I cannot predict or plan with certainty what may happen.

Current Skills and Abilities

I have the most experience in modeling with 3D packages. Over the past couple of years i have been furthering other skills that relate to areas further down the pipeline.

Maya: Modeling

Rigging

Animation

Lighting

Photoshop Fairly advanced (8 years)

After effects Intermediate to advanced (3 years)

Traditional art - Drawing, Painting, Sculpture (whole life)

Skill Gaps

I aim to increase my understanding of the cg production process, to the point at which this knowledge and skill would help towards potentially leading a production team.

To understand the best rout to aim for in order to further my chances at achieving this goal.

To understand what skills will be necessary to follow this rout.

In regards to more specific gaps of skill:

Rendering

Shaders

More technical rigging

Particle systems