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Michael Plaisance - Student of Animation: February 2008

Friday, February 29, 2008

Half Way Thru

Three months gone. Three to go!

We're knee deep into production right now with Open Season 2, and I have learned an Incredible amount from the amazing artists around me.

I've been busy with tons of walk/run cycles along with a handful of shots in the film.

The apprenticeship experience has been a excellent so far. It's just the right blend between production experience and a "training" program. With the emphasis being much more weighted on the production side.

We have classes every 1 or 2 weeks that shows us different aspects of the pipeline. The last class was on Mudbox and modeling. We've also been shown Massive Software demos, storyboarding and texturing. There also weekly figure drawing classes. As far as Animation is concerned, all the other apprentices seem to have had enough exposure to animation in their schools to not want a class on Animation. Their loss! :P

About half of the artists I work with, have moved to Texas from elsewhere. And they are all very surprised on how cool of place it is. And how friendly everyone is. Coming from California myself, I was also taken back by how genuine and friendly everyone is.

Most people tie up their horses in the back of the studio. Only about half of the studio wears their cowboy hats everyday. And after-work church revivals only happen 3 days a week now, instead of everyday.

I'm kidding of course. All the stereotypes are completely blown out of proportion most of the time. ReelFX has a nice feel to it because it mixes the Entertainment/Commercial feel of the West Coast with that of the heart of America. I for one feel privileged to be here, as do most of the people I work around. Even those that have come from bigger studios and worked on some pretty high profile stuff seem to REALLY like working here.