I've got comics on my mind

Heya freaks and farts!

It's been awhile but I've been busy finishing up the Axeman music video for Amebix, more on that closer to it's release.

For the now however, the autobiographical comic for my course is finished, HOORAY! Boy, who'da thunk drawin thems prudy pictures was gunna be so hard? Apart form people with half a brain, ME! but it's done and it's turned out quite well.

The story is basically about me and my decision to stop being a victim of living and do something I want to do, not what others feel I should do. So, kinda obtuse right? You'd be right to say so, but I went with a stylistic choice of telling the story like a fairy tale, condensing it down and minimising details and even adding fantastical elements to an otherwise reality based story.

On the technical side, i feel it's too fast at the start. I did try and cram a lot of info into one page. The flow of the text and even the panels could have been enhanced and lets face it, i'm shite with photoshop. But that's O.K., it's all part of the learning curve.

So, my final judgement is that I have a long way to go before I match up to my heroes like Drew Hayes, or Neil Gaiman, but who the hell does?

Anyway, as usual enjoy and feel free to comment.

Instant Infatuation

Hey there, it's me and it's time for a rant.

As an aninmation student at SBIT I check in fairly reguarly with the blog kept by one of my teachers. He posts a few rants, links to animated clips and some helpful sites. Recently though he linked to this clip;

http://www.videology-tv.com/viewclip.php?id=100 (be warned, it may take some time to load)
Tais-Toi Mon Coeur. It is simply beautiful.

I am in awe of this music video, the whole thing makes me feel all warm and tingly inside. To me it's a sure sign that even contemporary 3D productions dont have to be the disney/pixar cartoony style to be incredibly awesome. Ian (the teacher who runs the blog) has often said that 3d doesnt have to have a certain preset 'look' and I agree.

The way that the animators have imitated stop motion for this clip is amazing. Everything that I have ever liked in a film is packed in here; meaningfull camera work, backgrounds aiding in the storytelling, A STORY (that's right, music vids dont have to be bikini girls gyrating to the latest pop hit!) and incredibily effiecint and effective character designs as well as superb acting and use of timing.

The only thing I can fault is the pacing. The clip starts gorgeously, by the first chorus the film is moving quite swiftly. After that though, it does slow down a tad too much. When the chorus rocks around again though, its back to full swing. I think if the director had found a better way to depict the transformation of the male character, ie; faster pacing, less of the 'lingering' shots ( one or two is more than enough and decreasing the amount may even increase the potency of such shots), the peice could have been as close to perfect as I would ever admit.

Overall, I have found an example of 3D animation that is inspiring to me, seeing it makes me want to get up and scream 'HELL YES, 3D KICKS ARSE!'. So now back I go to my major project for this year, a 3d peice that I will strive to make as worthy a rival that of 'Tais-toi mon coeur' (be silent my heart, in english) as I can.

Thank you and good night.

More Fuel for the Fires!

Well, I've been hard at work procrastinating my arse off. That failed horribly. So I actually did some animating and that worked out much better. Now without much more ado, my dialogue piece.

It's a sound clip from Monty Python's 'Holy Grail'. I wanted the character to be contemplative then as he speaks, agree with whatever thought was in his mind.

As always enjoy, and if you have any comments, feel free to post. Adios!



Dialogue practice from Zac Seaton on Vimeo.

It's been and gone...

Every body who missed my 22nd, raise your hand.

You officially suck.

But yes, my party was absolutely bitchin', yeah that's right, bitchin'. There was heavy metal, drinking, lots more drinking and even a brief spurt of violence. Oh, and minor propery damage, can't forget that now. The celebration of me went down a treat and everybody woke up the next day sore (freaking hangovers) and happy. lots of photos were taken and i've decided to share some, just so you can see what you missed out on. Winner = me!

As I look upon damnation

Alright net space, eat animation!

Don't actually, just watch it, cause I like this piece.

Another Tafe exercise, a character looking and reacting. I wanted him to be surprised , then calm down as he looks.



easyman look and react from Zac Seaton on Vimeo.

Dialogue with the Devil

Greetings, one and all!

For your entertainment this evening I have a special treat, a small insight on working for a large brisbane studio.

This is something that a friend of mine was awesome enough to help me out with. Originally used in a group presentation for TAFE, it was suggested that I post this on my blog. Seemed like a good idea to me, so here it is.

By-the-by, this is in no way related to any projects being worked on at this studio, simply the dynamics of the studio environment.


An interview on working within a studio

- How long have you been working in the Animation industry?

A bit over 4 years

- How did you come to work at this studio?

I worked for another company that was contracting to this studio. At the end of the contract I decided to make the jump to working for them directly and they were happy to have me.

- How much do you know about their’s history?

Not a great deal, It started as a small games company 12 or so people working on original ip, and just grew over time.

- What’s it like working for a company like that?

Enjoyable for the most part, you are in a relaxed environment, doing work that you like with people who also like and take pride in their work

- What kind of work ethic do they keep?

The question is a bit obtuse, I would say that the work ethic is solid due to the milestone schedule and the pride of ownership in the ‘products’ we create. But the environment is also quite social, its more like a group of people pulling together to get something done, then someone standing over your telling you to do your work.

- What prior knowledge do you need?

Skill in your particular field is really the main thing, in the end the piece of paper you get from uni / tafe etc isn’t worth much compared to the quality of your folio (but where else are you going to get the skills to make a quality folio). Other then that a basic understanding of computers and their operations, good communication / interpretation skills and at least a modicum of social grace. The image of socially ill equipped computer nerds making games is not the norm in a modern games company. You have to work closely with these people often on a heavy overtime basis. Working with a rude, smelly, arrogant person would get old real quick, and as a consequence they don’t get hired.

- Is there any in-house training/courses?

Usually only for new in-house software, or to update you on new tech and development advances. Although there is some general additional classes, like life drawing which the company offers on an optional basis.

- How do they feel about interactions with animation educational facilities and similar courses?

I believe they are generally welcoming and forthcoming with information and the like, but ultimately the interaction is limited due to practicality. With very few exceptions everyone is hired for specific skills and tasks. Animators animate, coders code etc. The company is about making games, although there are PR people and the like, the people an education institution and its students would most like to hear from / interact with, are usually too busy doing their job. A better bet would probably be trying to interact with individuals outside of work rather then attempting to reach them through their work.



- Has within a studio taught you anything new, ie: skill sets, animation techniques/processes or interpersonal qualities?

Taught and honed. In a company as large as this but with individual projects having tight teams you are exposed to a great many people with a great many skills. It would be almost impossible to work in such an environment without constantly, sometimes almost osmotically learning new skills, techniques and procedures. To frame it in a personal perspective I entered this industry 4 years ago as a junior with a basic skill set. In that time I advanced through mid and recently became a senior artist without any additional external training. Its all about not just showing up and doing your job, but keeping your eyes and ears open and learning from those around you, almost everyone has at least a few things to impart and in this kind of environment you can soak it up and learn a great deal. Of course there is also something to be said for practicing your art as a 9 to 5 job, its inevitable that you will get better.

He's here... SLAUGHTER!

Hellish greetings, web-lurkers.

I was just in the neighbourhood and I figured I might stop in and share a little something with you.

Late last month a friend of mine, who goes by the alias of Atronach, asked me if I'd be interested in joining an animation project that he and another friend of mine, Marquis H.K. by way of name, were working on. It's a music video clip for the song 'Axeman' by an old punk band 'Amebix'. Atronach and Marquis both liked the song and I think it's quite awesome too. This is a great project for me, as we are using Flash and a limited style of animation so i feel it's a good way to get to know the software.

I just wish they had brought me in sooner. Atronach was originally animating by drawing pictures and then finishing them in Photoshop. Basically, he was using the 'paint on glass' technique, but with Photoshop. Excruciatingly painful I thought, so I 'suggested' we stop that and use flash instead, because it is frankly smarter. That and the deadline is fast approaching.

On the upside though, the piece will be included in retrospective DVD for Amebix and we get to keep the rights to the animation. I thought that was pretty frigging rockin.

Well, now it's late and I have Tafe in the morning. So good night all, and don't let the bed Christians bite. (seriously, that shit hurts!)