How being a fan made me a pro and got me a job
Welp! it’s been two whole years since I professionally joined the
animation industry, and I should also count the three years I spent
in games as a concept artist.
Curiously enough there is a
certain “frown” that is layed upon fans , but I feel that a word needs to be said in favor of being a
fan, and enjoying whatever you treasure with the might of a child,
which is what most people in this turf are at heart.
According
to the general rule, fanworks are lesser because they don’t create
anything original. Aha fantastic, right, right … I CALL IT BS GOOD
SIRS!!
and here are top 3 reasons why:
* Today you draw a pony, tomorrow a Disney pony, eventually, maybe your own colorful horse world. Reproducing what you love sets the foundation for creation.
* When you work in an animation /game studio, most of the time you will work with someone else’s IP,
unless you are a concept artist which is 05% of the job positions
available. What good are you to a studio if you can’t match the IP
look? p-lease!
* Whatever you love is a source of positive energy,
which when put to good use can get you to achieve things that you
thought impossible, exactly how I build this here:
I
spent 11 months putting off how to learn how to build in Toon Boom. I
already mastered Flash, so dealing with TB’s interface and re-learning
all the ropes, with 20X the complexity was as appetizing as walking over
hot coals. And THERE! the fan side took over and I decided that the
task wouldn’t be so bad with a spoonful of sugar straight from the
childhood.
Now fast forward three months and look here! I am a
full time builder. What a Stinker of a woman sirs! ba-dum.. tishh!. So..
bottom line, being a fan is a great drive, and when managed well, it can
grant you skills.
If the time comes, when the eyebrows will go down on you for
being a fan, chin up buddy, because nobody’ s movie is better than
yours, no matter how high they are in the food chain.
A wise woman recently told me “draw whatever you damn please and own it” and I agree.
FAN PRIDE FOR EVERYONE TODAY!
And just to end like a boss, with a knife on the table, here, have a “pony” on me.
futakuart