Welcome to my project blog. I'm starting this so I can track my progress on some CG projects I want to complete in the next few weeks (optimistic). Web-based project blogging is a habit I developed at the Viz Lab and can't seem to shake. Not a bad thing though -- the process is often as interesting as the result, which is probably why I'm addicted to it. I've named this blog Rendered Speechless because of the tie to CG (rendering) and the unapologetic irony of naming a blog "speechless," which is something I rarely am, especially to those who know me. I just have to be careful to follow the rules though, because rules are there to keep everyone safe... no talking about work (that's going to be hard because I have a lot to say) and no talking about anything else that might get me in trouble (and I have things to say there too). No, nothing illegal... but if these projects serve their purpose, you'll find out what I'm talking about anyway, when the time is right.
So about me. I graduated from the Viz Lab in 2002. Yes, that was six years ago (see my Viz work here). And yes, I actually graduated, with a degree and everything. It was a blast. I found that I most enjoyed -- and excelled at -- lighting and compositing, and frankly, I miss it. Disney even tried to recruit me based on my lighting/compositing work in my second year, but I didn't bite (really wanted to finish that thesis). I miss the whole deal, even the stuff I wasn't so good at. So why didn't I immediately go out and get a job doing what I loved? Many reasons. First, I graduated right after 9/11. Creative jobs were scarce and the few that were left were contract jobs. I needed money to move, I had to start paying off loans, I hadn't had health insurance in three years... you get the point. Second, I saw many of my friends going to California and working 80 hours a week for tiny apartments they still couldn't afford and I just couldn't see myself doing that. I already had three bedrooms worth of crap and I was old enough to want a life after work, something it seemed my friends weren't getting. Sticking close to home seemed the thing to do. So I went to the software side, flight simulation programming. Lucrative, but dull as a doorknob. Nevertheless, I did it for four years, until I thought I would lose my mind if I didn't get back into creative in some way.
So I got back into creative by joining a design firm. I'm still there. That's all I'll say about that for now.
I miss CG. It's what I dreamed of doing, what I studied my brains out for, what they even gave me a fellowship to learn. I've been out of it for six years and I'm dying to get back in. But I know I have a tough road ahead of me. I've tinkered around with Maya a few times since I got out of school, the most recent attempt being the most discouraging. I was very upset at how much I had forgotten. But I've decided to stop being upset and just jump in and learn it all again, whatever it takes. I have Maya 8.5 for Mac, and while I can still use After Effects, I'd rather save some money and buy Shake so I can learn a node-based compositing package. Maybe by the time I have something to composite I can afford to add that one to my arsenal. After all, I don't just want my old skills back, I want new skills. I want it all. I can do this. I AM NOT AFRAID.
Now, all I need is an idea... and see? Speechless IS ironic.
So about me. I graduated from the Viz Lab in 2002. Yes, that was six years ago (see my Viz work here). And yes, I actually graduated, with a degree and everything. It was a blast. I found that I most enjoyed -- and excelled at -- lighting and compositing, and frankly, I miss it. Disney even tried to recruit me based on my lighting/compositing work in my second year, but I didn't bite (really wanted to finish that thesis). I miss the whole deal, even the stuff I wasn't so good at. So why didn't I immediately go out and get a job doing what I loved? Many reasons. First, I graduated right after 9/11. Creative jobs were scarce and the few that were left were contract jobs. I needed money to move, I had to start paying off loans, I hadn't had health insurance in three years... you get the point. Second, I saw many of my friends going to California and working 80 hours a week for tiny apartments they still couldn't afford and I just couldn't see myself doing that. I already had three bedrooms worth of crap and I was old enough to want a life after work, something it seemed my friends weren't getting. Sticking close to home seemed the thing to do. So I went to the software side, flight simulation programming. Lucrative, but dull as a doorknob. Nevertheless, I did it for four years, until I thought I would lose my mind if I didn't get back into creative in some way.
So I got back into creative by joining a design firm. I'm still there. That's all I'll say about that for now.
I miss CG. It's what I dreamed of doing, what I studied my brains out for, what they even gave me a fellowship to learn. I've been out of it for six years and I'm dying to get back in. But I know I have a tough road ahead of me. I've tinkered around with Maya a few times since I got out of school, the most recent attempt being the most discouraging. I was very upset at how much I had forgotten. But I've decided to stop being upset and just jump in and learn it all again, whatever it takes. I have Maya 8.5 for Mac, and while I can still use After Effects, I'd rather save some money and buy Shake so I can learn a node-based compositing package. Maybe by the time I have something to composite I can afford to add that one to my arsenal. After all, I don't just want my old skills back, I want new skills. I want it all. I can do this. I AM NOT AFRAID.
Now, all I need is an idea... and see? Speechless IS ironic.
