The Crippling Self-Doubt of an Artist...and Overcoming it

It can be hard, finding your way as an artist. One door closes, and you wait for the other to open. Whilst you wait, you're in that strange void-like, uncomfortable space. It's up to you to maintain your talent and artistic spirit by creating more work, and keeping yourself sharp for your next job.

Whilst putting together final plans for my wedding (8 weeks...stop-bloody-counting-the-weeks), I'm taking a breath to reflect on the work I've done so far in my animation career, and look to the advice from my teachers, seniors and peers.

My first animation tutor, Alex Williams, always said to us that we need to have skin like a rhino. Being an animator, is like being an actor. You'll get rejection, for many different reasons, but the most important thing is that you pick yourself up and keep going. You need thick skin.

Just to remind myself, here are some lovely blog posts, he has written about me:

The Animation Student Who Created His Own Job in The Theatre

Marc Godfrey Animator at Blue Zoo

Marc Godfrey Takes the Magic of Disney Animation Tour at Disney World

I must be making an impact with Alex, has he has asked me to help him with support for the new students at Animation Apprentice, with feedback to help improve their shots... Marc Godfrey Joins Animation Apprentice! (All that aside, it's nice isn't it, to reflect on successes... Y'know, instead of listening to that voice in your head, trying to convince you, you suck!)

Alex also wrote this about me, on a different blog. It's funny to scroll to the bottom, and to read, and take in my own advice... Escapee Success Stories - Blue Zoo Animator Marc Godfrey

I've also looked at a couple of Recommendations I've received on Linkedin, from some past Directors. Ahhh.

So, whilst I feel renewed, confident and ready to approach all challenges coming my way, I'm going to get on with a freelance logo design project (which I've nearly finished, I'll write a blog about it soon). As well as designing more stationary and order of service handouts for our big day.  

Remember - be a rhino!

Love Marc x

3 Recommended Books for Animators (...not including the Animator's Survival Kit)

Anyone who has trained to become an animator, will have encountered Richard Williams go-to book, the Animators Survival Kit. It's excellent, and often revered as a bible for any self respecting animator. I like it, it's a very useful book, but there are other books too, just as worthy of high acclaim.

There are three in particular, that I've found just as invaluable. Funnily enough though, not so much for when I was doing homework assignments/training... these are the books I have on hand at work, in the studio. They are my go to books if I need to remind myself of certain techniques and they all help me to become a more accomplished animator.

1) Character Animation Crash Course by Eric Goldberg

I came across the first book, Character Animation Crash Course, whilst I was a student, but it really came into its own when I was at work, trying to create strong cartoony animations. Eric Goldberg is the genius behind bringing visual life to the Genie in Aladdin, and also features as an animator in Disney's Moana. When I was working on Tree Fu Tom, we introduced a new character, Muru, who was very zippy in motion. NOt that I ever had any shots with him, but this book really helped break down for me the best way to make a convincing smear and jump across the screen. I mean, you couldn't be in better hands than with a Disney legend like Goldberg. Highly recommended.

2) How to Cheat in Maya (various editions)

The second book is How to Cheat in Maya (using the right edition for whichever Maya version you are using). Firstly, this title is really misleading, it isn't about cheating at all. The title gives a stupid suggestion that you'll find out how to take a short cut in animation technique to make substandard work or something, but it's not. It's more like an easy to read, "help" window in Maya. It explains how to use elements and tools that you might be unfamiliar with. For instance, one of the most simplest things I found out was the "select by type" feature within the Graph Editor. For instance, when I'm using a rig but only intersected in Y translates, I can easily see every one of the selected joints, neatly arranged together in one easy display. Admittedly I don't use it a lot, but it has certainly saved me time by quickly working out why I might have a glitch in some of my curves. This book sits on my desk at work, and will probably stay very close by me whenever I animate! It looks like there's a 2017 version available here too.

3) Cartoon Character Animation with Maya by Keith Osborn

Lastly, Cartoon Character Animation with Maya: Mastering the Art of Exaggerated Animation. Similar to the first book, this book is great if you're looking to improve your character animations, adding a polished cartoony feel. Full of examples (and links to get a pretty sweet rig) it shows you ways to push your poses and how to stretch your work (literally and figuratively) to achieve the desired cartoony feel. Easy to read and follow, very recommended again.

I'm sure everybody has their own go-to books, to keep on hand and refer to, but this little selection would certainly help start a decent library of animation guidance and tips, that would help you with your characters. Do you know better and more useful books too? Drop me a tweet (@animatormarc) to tell me, or leave a comment...let's share the knowledge!

Thanks
Marc :)

Follow Your Path

My friend posted something on Facebook which not only made my little animation heart smile, but also made me reflect a bit. It's about following your own path. This is the post, by artist Lily Williams

There is Only One You. Follow Your Path.

I think it speaks to everyone, on some level, but it definitely speaks to me as artist working in a CG environment. I feel that we're constantly being barraged with success stories from our peers of their new independent short film, indie games and all sorts of other creative work. Whilst this is a lovely thing, and gives you a feeling and sense of inspiration and brings you a little extra creative spark... sometimes, it also leaves me with a feeling of inadequacy and mental turmoil of "why aren't I spending every spare second I have making more animations or creating my own artwork".

And the truth is, after a long day in the studio, sometimes the last thing I want to do is stare at another screen doing more animation. And that's ok. Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't. That's ok.

I like the mantra "comparison is the thief of all joy", and in these sort of scenarios, it's true. Just because someone else is churning out brilliant work, like a machine, doesn't mean that you're going to be judged any less for not doing the same.

Enjoy the work others create, celebrate it, share it...but don't feel ashamed or guilty for being far from the finish-line (or start, for that matter) of your own personal project. Take your time. Enjoy your life. Follow your path in the speed and effort that's right for you. It's your journey, do it however you see fit.

For more of Lily William's brilliant art, check out Lily's website, or her Facebook page.

Cheers
Marc x