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First Q&A

Me looking at my past animations:

Sad face. Kind of E.T-ish

Sad face. Kind of E.T-ish

Me after my first Animation Mentor Live Q&A:

Happy face!

Happy face!

Yeee-ahh! Do you see those glamorous glasses? That fashionably chic hair – AKA a bun? That ultra-white Hollywood smile?

That’s right, my transformation is all because I had my first Q&A today with my mentor Anthony Wong! Or, as he allows me to call him – get ready – Anthony. YUP, first name basis with a Pixar animator. Next step, virtual high-five.

On top of that, I met some cool classmates! Most are in the US, making me one of the international students. WOAH. So that’s why I look like E.T in the first photo; I’m an illegal alien.

Can’t wait to start animating and hopefully when it’s good enough, I can share some of it with you guys! Happy face! AND GO QUEENSLAND MAROONS! 😀

Alt vfx

Latte anyone?

Latte anyone?

Yup, I’m working at this beautiful studio called Alt vfx! They specialise in creating awesome VFX for TVC’s (television commercials). Wow, the more you get into the ‘biz’ the more acronyms you acquire.

Like PA (Production Assistant). Although I’m not doing VFX yet and mainly do client service, when I do clock off from my shift, the VFX crew is nice enough to let me watch them work. FREE LEARNING?! Boom! I’m there.

If you want an example of one of their ads, check out the one where Australian athletes transition into each other. Sure they’ve won awards for other ads, but this one’s my favey! Simple idea, well executed and when it’s on, everyone has a chip halfway to their mouth as they stop to watch. Enjoy!

Pixar Mentor

Where do I begin grovelling?

Where do I begin grovelling?

Yes, that’s right. My first mentor from Animation Mentor (Anthony Wong) works at Pixar. As my best friend would say, it’s “AMAZEBALLS!”

I know what you’re thinking:

“Shut up Steph. Stop bragging about it and just go die in a hole. A hole of hell, where all you do is slave away, animating all day. Learning from someone who works at Pixar. Who totally worked on Ratatouille (Brad Bird and Jan Pinkava, 2007)! Who is therefore AWESOME. So by association, some of his awesomeness rubs off on you. So you’re awesome. Go Steph!”

“But seriously, zip it, Zippy Longstockings.”

Awnnnhhh, thanks guys!

Plane Jane

My cousin's beautifully smooth legs. Women aren't easy to study for planes.

My cousin’s beautifully smooth legs. Women aren’t easy to study for planes.

This week I decided I should get off my high horse and look at one area of drawing that I’m still not confident at – planes. Hence the name “Plane Jane”. Aren’t I punny? Yes, I realise I may have lost some respect with those last jokes.

Check out some new sketches on my “Sketches” page. I definitely need to keep studying this part of life drawing and will endeavour to do so!

 

Animation Mentor

Awnnnnnnhhhh yeah, I’m in!

After passing a wonderlic test and essay questions, I’ve been accepted into Animation Mentor, the online school of animation and VFX! The teachers are all working professionals from studios like Pixar, Moving Picture Company, Dreamworks, Industrial Light and Magic and all the amazing studios in between!

My course will be Animation Fundamentals, where over the course of a year, I’ll relearn what I know needs work with my animation (the basics). Classes are small and conducted completely online. It’s a pretty awesome opportunity. Big thanks to my stepfather John for this leg up in my life!

Winter is Coming

A combination of Game of Thrones and Tron in anticipation of GOT Season 3!

A combination of Game of Thrones and Tron in anticipation of GOT Season 3!

Ahh, the return of excellent TV. So excited that another season of Game of Thrones begins!

And how excited am I about Season 3? Daft Punk/Tron excited. That excited.

Taking a Line for a Walk

15 minute sketch using pencil and oil pastel

15 minute sketch using pencil and oil pastel

A drawing is simply a line going for a walk.’ Paul Klee

Well, here are some more walking lines. You can find them under “sketches”.