more ranting and New Year resolutioning
I've been thinking alot about this year...I've made some pretty big accomplishments, and have been living through quite a few failures. Biggest up for me this year was graduating. That's hands down. It was a great 3 years, I've learned alot about myself as an artist, my work ethic has been tested many many times and I've discovered that I've got alot more in me creatively then I give myself credit for.
The down for this year has been the post school. I feel like I'm right back where I was in '07, except with a husband and a different job. What i've feared has pretty much come to pass; I've fallen into the work rut. For the past few months it's been work, home, sleep. My days off that are meant for art have been spent doing laundry, cleaning and other chores I don't want to do.
It's basically work from my job and work at home, but no work just for me. And it's getting to the point where everytime I try I'm either interrupted or I am simply too tired to motivate myself to want to create. Which is a very bad thing for an animator, because the longer you don't draw, the harder it'll be when you get back into it, you know?
I can't keep living like this. Back in school it was all about art and nothing else. I can't expect that bubble to surround every facet of my life (as much as i'd like it to, LOL) Just like in school, I have to learn how to tackle different projects simultaneously. It's harder because it's not like it's for a grade, so there's not that same pressure, but at the same time, that should be all the pressure I need to press myself to do more. Because there's no one telling me to do something. I should be able to do it for myself. I don't want to stay at my current employment place any longer than I have to. I don't want Dee Jay to have to stay someplace he might not want to be. I want us to be doing animation again. I need that movement in my life. I want to do it before I get so cold I'll begin to fear it.
I'm hoping to do this with a resolution list. This one might be the biggest one I've ever made for myself. Some seem pretty do-able, some are preps for next year (2012) but all are things I'd like to at least approach in some way. Whatever I do, I can't continue doing what i'm doing now. It isn't getting me anywhere.
New Years Resolution:
1. Finish Jason's Shitty Day
Even in its animatic stage I got great feedback from it and I got wonderful reactions in terms of staging and sound and stuff. This needs to be finished.
2. Revise and name Japanese myth animation
My original senior project was an updated version of one of the more common lore from Japan's culture. I still need an ending and it still needs a f**king name. If anyone has any questions or would like to see the boards i have for it so far, i'd love to show you. I really need the critique and at this point it's still very very malleable.
3. Alter and board Yeh-Shen
Another animation I want done in the future. This one might be my most time intensive yet. I've posted some ch. designs if anyone is interested in seeing them, just lemme know.
4. Find an animation job
Easier said than done, I know. Stupid recession!
5. Build up Etsy
6. Invest in self
DVD's business cards, post cards, any kind of self promotional things I can use to get my name and my art out there.
7. Work on Art for Art Sale
you'd think this is a stupid thing to say, but seriously...the earlier i think about it, the better. It beats trying to struggle for something creative 2 months before.
8. Attend SDCC and /or NYCC
Partly for networking and exposure, partly for seeing friends that attend that I haven't seen in ages. I also just really...REALLY wanna go!
9. Get table for AFO
10. Get table for MegaCon '12
I'm almost positive that they sell tickets and tables for the following year at the last day of the con. The sooner the better, right?
11. Get table for OhayoCon'12
We've been trying to get to this one for years. We even paid once and couldn't go because of the snow. This needs to happen!
12. Finish Book It
I've been avoiding that thing like the plague. I've just worked so long on that thing that my eyes have grown tired just looking at it now. But it's the closest thing to finished I have! And honestly, save for just one scene that needs to be added, everything that needs fixing is pretty cosmetic.
13. Put at least 1 animation in a festival.
Any kind of festival. I don't care. None of it is doing me any good on my desktop. I need to show more people what i can do!
14. Publish studio website
Can you believe Dee Jay and I have owned our studio name for years and haven't actually wrote a single code to get the thing off the ground?? We took a summer class on HTML. We're not masters, but we're at least more familiar with what needs to be done.
15. Promote our studio
Of course, 15 can't happen without 14.
16. Recruit friends for animation project to start working on in 2012
This might sound like slave labor, but seriously, alot of us are itching to just do something, and those that I've spoken to already are completely on board with working together on a group project. Our first animation where we are completely and totally in control! Alright!
17. Cont. trying to learn Japanese
This is something I started feverishly and then it died off almost as soon as I moved back home. I overheard a Japanese family talking to each other and I was shocked that I almost got the whole conversation. Imagine how much more I would've caught if I could comprehend better!!
18. Get started learning Chinese
Cantonese, specifically. It was my first time seeing my niece in NY and all she spoke was chinese. I had to write certain words down so I would remember what she wanted when she asked me. This situation looks like it'll get alot worse before it gets better for me. I've been putting learning cantonese in the back burner for years. Don't think I can do that anymore, LOL
19. Get back into playing piano
I've played piano non stop for a little over 5 years. Then I moved to FL and I almost stopped entirely. There are still songs I remember, but I'm horribly rusty. However, I refuse to give away or get rid of my full piano. I felt good to play. I miss it. I think I need to play. Even if it's just drills, it's something.
20. Polish/update Demo Reel
21. Save enough money to move out for 2012. This is another one that seems stupid, but with student loans and myself not pulling in anything substantial in paycheck form, we very well might need a year (maybe even a touch more) if we want a place of our own again.
Now, I got these all down, but...what to do to keep them fresh and always in my face so that I can follow through?? Not sure whether or not I need to make a blog or get a book or something to keep these goals in check. I could also try to break this all down in smaller chunks so that it doesn't feel so daunting....and yes, seeing that giant list written down was just as terrifying as me typing it, LOL!
any suggestions would be great. Now, I'm gonna have to hit the sack hecause I'm tired as hell!!
The down for this year has been the post school. I feel like I'm right back where I was in '07, except with a husband and a different job. What i've feared has pretty much come to pass; I've fallen into the work rut. For the past few months it's been work, home, sleep. My days off that are meant for art have been spent doing laundry, cleaning and other chores I don't want to do.
It's basically work from my job and work at home, but no work just for me. And it's getting to the point where everytime I try I'm either interrupted or I am simply too tired to motivate myself to want to create. Which is a very bad thing for an animator, because the longer you don't draw, the harder it'll be when you get back into it, you know?
I can't keep living like this. Back in school it was all about art and nothing else. I can't expect that bubble to surround every facet of my life (as much as i'd like it to, LOL) Just like in school, I have to learn how to tackle different projects simultaneously. It's harder because it's not like it's for a grade, so there's not that same pressure, but at the same time, that should be all the pressure I need to press myself to do more. Because there's no one telling me to do something. I should be able to do it for myself. I don't want to stay at my current employment place any longer than I have to. I don't want Dee Jay to have to stay someplace he might not want to be. I want us to be doing animation again. I need that movement in my life. I want to do it before I get so cold I'll begin to fear it.
I'm hoping to do this with a resolution list. This one might be the biggest one I've ever made for myself. Some seem pretty do-able, some are preps for next year (2012) but all are things I'd like to at least approach in some way. Whatever I do, I can't continue doing what i'm doing now. It isn't getting me anywhere.
New Years Resolution:
1. Finish Jason's Shitty Day
Even in its animatic stage I got great feedback from it and I got wonderful reactions in terms of staging and sound and stuff. This needs to be finished.
2. Revise and name Japanese myth animation
My original senior project was an updated version of one of the more common lore from Japan's culture. I still need an ending and it still needs a f**king name. If anyone has any questions or would like to see the boards i have for it so far, i'd love to show you. I really need the critique and at this point it's still very very malleable.
3. Alter and board Yeh-Shen
Another animation I want done in the future. This one might be my most time intensive yet. I've posted some ch. designs if anyone is interested in seeing them, just lemme know.
4. Find an animation job
Easier said than done, I know. Stupid recession!
5. Build up Etsy
6. Invest in self
DVD's business cards, post cards, any kind of self promotional things I can use to get my name and my art out there.
7. Work on Art for Art Sale
you'd think this is a stupid thing to say, but seriously...the earlier i think about it, the better. It beats trying to struggle for something creative 2 months before.
8. Attend SDCC and /or NYCC
Partly for networking and exposure, partly for seeing friends that attend that I haven't seen in ages. I also just really...REALLY wanna go!
9. Get table for AFO
10. Get table for MegaCon '12
I'm almost positive that they sell tickets and tables for the following year at the last day of the con. The sooner the better, right?
11. Get table for OhayoCon'12
We've been trying to get to this one for years. We even paid once and couldn't go because of the snow. This needs to happen!
12. Finish Book It
I've been avoiding that thing like the plague. I've just worked so long on that thing that my eyes have grown tired just looking at it now. But it's the closest thing to finished I have! And honestly, save for just one scene that needs to be added, everything that needs fixing is pretty cosmetic.
13. Put at least 1 animation in a festival.
Any kind of festival. I don't care. None of it is doing me any good on my desktop. I need to show more people what i can do!
14. Publish studio website
Can you believe Dee Jay and I have owned our studio name for years and haven't actually wrote a single code to get the thing off the ground?? We took a summer class on HTML. We're not masters, but we're at least more familiar with what needs to be done.
15. Promote our studio
Of course, 15 can't happen without 14.
16. Recruit friends for animation project to start working on in 2012
This might sound like slave labor, but seriously, alot of us are itching to just do something, and those that I've spoken to already are completely on board with working together on a group project. Our first animation where we are completely and totally in control! Alright!
17. Cont. trying to learn Japanese
This is something I started feverishly and then it died off almost as soon as I moved back home. I overheard a Japanese family talking to each other and I was shocked that I almost got the whole conversation. Imagine how much more I would've caught if I could comprehend better!!
18. Get started learning Chinese
Cantonese, specifically. It was my first time seeing my niece in NY and all she spoke was chinese. I had to write certain words down so I would remember what she wanted when she asked me. This situation looks like it'll get alot worse before it gets better for me. I've been putting learning cantonese in the back burner for years. Don't think I can do that anymore, LOL
19. Get back into playing piano
I've played piano non stop for a little over 5 years. Then I moved to FL and I almost stopped entirely. There are still songs I remember, but I'm horribly rusty. However, I refuse to give away or get rid of my full piano. I felt good to play. I miss it. I think I need to play. Even if it's just drills, it's something.
20. Polish/update Demo Reel
21. Save enough money to move out for 2012. This is another one that seems stupid, but with student loans and myself not pulling in anything substantial in paycheck form, we very well might need a year (maybe even a touch more) if we want a place of our own again.
Now, I got these all down, but...what to do to keep them fresh and always in my face so that I can follow through?? Not sure whether or not I need to make a blog or get a book or something to keep these goals in check. I could also try to break this all down in smaller chunks so that it doesn't feel so daunting....and yes, seeing that giant list written down was just as terrifying as me typing it, LOL!
any suggestions would be great. Now, I'm gonna have to hit the sack hecause I'm tired as hell!!