Getting Into CGI Animation and Special Effects, What to do to aim for a career in The Film Industry Options

[FAZZ Gundam]

mutilated might be a better term

[robzy]

For anyone interested: http://members.optusnet.com.au/robzy/indexfixed.jpg

Rob.

[colganaitor]

Agreed and slightly fixed.

Sorry, I'm going to make a lame joke about this at some point . ..

Rob.

Fixed.

[Kung Fu Hung-Su]

Agreed and slightly fixed.

Sorry, I'm going to make a lame joke about this at some point . ..

Rob.

Fixed.

Lol xD.

But thanks rob, not that we needed any more material to show index' lack of writing or comprehension skills.

[wilsontc]

For anyone interested: http://members.optusnet.com.au/robzy/indexfixed.jpg

Rob.

Thank you. I found that funny :)

[index680i]

Sorry for trying to be nice to you, seems like this place is full of idiots. If you guys are going to make fun, not accept me trying to change and be nice to people, then what the fuck do you want? Me to strip naked? Run around the world? FFS.

[Kung Fu Hung-Su]

^ Fixing someone's thread is only done to be funny. As far as I can see, you tried to fix someone else's thread in an arrogant bid to appear smart, not in an act of kindness.

[index680i]

^ Fixing someone's thread is only done to be funny. As far as I can see, you tried to fix someone else's thread in an arrogant bid to appear smart, not in an act of kindness.

No, I was being nice. Ok, maybe I did not understand the machnics on how fixed is used but all in all, i was trying to say that reading is the best thing to do, so you should be on top of that. Thats being nice and not smart, I am just passing on my own experience in reading to someone else, trying to get them motivated to read. How is this being a smart ass? Or how is this not being nice? Its being direct and thoughtful, not smart or arrogant.

As far as I am concerned, I do have the habit to mis understand a meaning and word so maybe you should take that into consideration. Seems though Robzy replied to me with the meaning, I will use it more wisely but otherwise I am sorry for this for trying to be nice and thoughtful.

[Kung Fu Hung-Su]

^ Fixing someone's thread is only done to be funny. As far as I can see, you tried to fix someone else's thread in an arrogant bid to appear smart, not in an act of kindness.

No, I was being nice. Ok, maybe I did not understand the machnics on how fixed is used but all in all, i was trying to say that reading is the best thing to do, so you should be on top of that. Thats being nice and not smart, I am just passing on my own experience in reading to someone else, trying to get them motivated to read. How is this being a smart ass? Or how is this not being nice? Its being direct and thoughtful, not smart or arrogant.

Correcting someone else's post to make a point is being smart and arrogant. It implies that their post is incorrect. Which it wasn't. If you wanted to "pass on your own experience in reading to someone else", you should have made a new post.

[index680i]

^ Fixing someone's thread is only done to be funny. As far as I can see, you tried to fix someone else's thread in an arrogant bid to appear smart, not in an act of kindness.

No, I was being nice. Ok, maybe I did not understand the machnics on how fixed is used but all in all, i was trying to say that reading is the best thing to do, so you should be on top of that. Thats being nice and not smart, I am just passing on my own experience in reading to someone else, trying to get them motivated to read. How is this being a smart ass? Or how is this not being nice? Its being direct and thoughtful, not smart or arrogant.

Correcting someone else's post to make a point is being smart and arrogant. It implies that their post is incorrect. Which it wasn't. If you wanted to "pass on your own experience in reading to someone else", you should have made a new post.

Well I am sorry for making a mistake which in this case I mis understood what Fixed" was. Do you forgive me?

[Kung Fu Hung-Su]

One small step for you. An apology. Next is for you to actually make use of the advice you've been given since the day you stepped into these hallowed halls.

But enough derailment.

[index680i]

One small step for you. An apology. Next is for you to actually make use of the advice you've been given since the day you stepped into these hallowed halls.

But enough derailment.

Well if I do use the advice and all of you have a cry about it when I do. Then that will be the last time, I take advice ok? Deal? Fair enough? ok.

[superfireydave]

Well if I do use the advice and all of you have a cry about it when I do. Then that will be the last time, I take advice ok? Deal? Fair enough? ok.

What?

[index680i]

Well if I do use the advice and all of you have a cry about it when I do. Then that will be the last time, I take advice ok? Deal? Fair enough? ok.

What?

Well, every time I do make an effort to change the way I post to the ways all of you would like me to post. It seems like its never good enough, so why should I take advice if I get it thrown back at my face?

[lew~]

^ Fixing someone's thread is only done to be funny. As far as I can see, you tried to fix someone else's thread in an arrogant bid to appear smart, not in an act of kindness.

No, I was being nice. Ok, maybe I did not understand the machnics on how fixed is used but all in all, i was trying to say that reading is the best thing to do, so you should be on top of that. Thats being nice and not smart, I am just passing on my own experience in reading to someone else, trying to get them motivated to read. How is this being a smart ass? Or how is this not being nice? Its being direct and thoughtful, not smart or arrogant.

Correcting someone else's post to make a point is being smart and arrogant. It implies that their post is incorrect. Which it wasn't. If you wanted to "pass on your own experience in reading to someone else", you should have made a new post.

I disagree. 'Fixing' someone's post can imply arrogance but does not have to. In this case I think it's pretty clear that was not Index's intention at all. I'll be the first to laugh at Index's posts but it's very clear to me he was only trying to be constructive and helpful.

Even though I've always found it funny, hanging shit on every post Index makes is getting pretty tiresome.

I think people need to show a little more respect and understanding.

Index: (IMO) In this instance I don't think you have any reason to apologise, except for maybe fixing a huge post which made it hard to see your point.

This post has been edited by lew~: Dec 5 2008, 10:08 AM

[Girvo]

Oi, calm down, the lot of you.

This thread started out well and is a very good topic.

So lets keep any petty crap out of the thread.



Also, when quoting to "fix" someones post, unless its an amusing one-line quip it's actually frowned upon. You are better making a new post.

[superfireydave]

Also, when quoting to "fix" someones post, unless its an amusing one-line quip it's actually frowned upon. You are better making me a dynamic flash website.

Fix'd.

Also: not sure if I've already commented on this thread?
Anyway, if I have you can have two doses.

I usually recommend all round degrees for people who are all "HOW DO I GET INTO GAMES DEVELOPMENT LOL" because there's a lot of related knowledge, but for CGI/Modelling/Animation etc you can really go hard out and focus as much as you want.

You're in grade 10 now, so grab a Blender and play with that. It'll give you a free intro to modelling and animation (As well as a lot of other shit. Freespace wouldn't shut up about it the other week, so it has to have some merit). If you can pick up a copy of 3DS max for free through some means, I'd also recommend that. It's got a nicer interface than Maya and Blender, and is industry standard (where blender is not) so you can jump in the deep end if you feel like it.

You might also want to get a handle on how to use photoshop (especially how to texture stuff), as no doubt you'll have to work with that at some stage too (you may not, but doesn't hurt eh?).

Last but not least, you probably want to check out compositing and that sort of thing so you can understand how 3D works with real people in scenes. After Effects is pretty damn good for this (although, apparently Blender can do it too) but it's also expensive so only check it out of you can grab a free copy somehow.

Basically, you're 15 or however old. You've got a few years ahead of you before you even need to start pushing yourself, so just take it at your own pace and do what you feel comfortable with. Don't try to build Rome in a day, but do try to set some reasonable goals for yourself over the holidays, and most of all have fun :D

[ahsoka]

I don't mean to bump, but I have some advice.
*Look at vacancies on various studios, and see what the requirements are.
*Become fairly proficient everything (modeling, animation, rigging, particles, etc.) and then decide what your favourite field is and specialise in it (don't neglect learning the others further, but concentrate your work on your desired field)
*Brush up on other skills such as video editing and compositing.
*Become proficient in programming.
*Become proficient in as many different OSes as you can, as different studios use different OSes.
*Build up an awesome reel.
*Build up a good resume (there's a fine line between sounding arrogant and being overly humble)
*Get yourself known - blogs, websites, Youtube etc.
*Now, I don't want to breach Atomic rules by telling you to post on other forums, but I believe in this instance it's justified: post on animation and VFX forums, and use their IRC channels
*Watch other people's reels
*If possible befriend people in the industry
*Place your application at the right time of year (ie. If I was applying for a job in the VFX industry - ILM FTW - I'd apply around August, because that's when Siggraph is on - having said that if there was a job listed that I really really wanted I'd apply for it ASAP - but according to jobs.lucasfilm.com Siggraph is a good time of year to apply for a job at ILM)
*and never ever stop learning

EDIT: It also pays (and is great fun IMO) to watch behind the scenes stuff on films and TV DVDs. Especially VFX ones and DVD commentar (other ones are awesome too, ie. Fight Scenes, but VFX ones would be more relevant to...well...VFX and animation)

This post has been edited by ahsoka: Jan 11 2009, 07:26 PM

[Mr.Twinkie]

I wish this was stickied.

Lots of valuable info for people that wanna go for a creative pusuit in life.