What I've got!

I'm unused to posting things about what I have -unfinished- so this will get some getting used to. Umm. Well, I'm still working on work for Bamboo, the short film project that the Digital Animation Center is doing, I think Dan is planning on pairing me with one of the animators to work out the forest terrain. On my own initiative I sort of painted out a part matte part concept picture of a bamboo scene, I don't think its appropriate to the terrain but maybe the atmosphere is there.

I'm also in the preproduction course for the 2009 senior production, so I'll actually be doing the work for two films, which is really exciting for me, both because I'll have a chance to actually see this from the beginning and just because this is delicious for a resume. We're still trying to figure out a story hook for the production so you won't be seeing concepts from me until later.

Outside of school, I'm starting some work for my friend Dan on his Conquest trading card game. I've just signed a contract (one without NDA interestingly enough). I've always heard nothing but bad things about work-for-hire jobs but it sounds like I should be fine if I just need the images for portfolio purposes. I don't think Dan and his brothers are the type to take that away from me. Honestly, I'd really like to find out how Wizards of the Coast handles their contracts. *note to self, e-mail them about it!*

The Final Semester

I can't decide whether the break was too long or too short. I didn't really feel I accomplished as much as I should've, though I recognize that I did do some work. I'm just happy that it seems as that my classes have all been lined up for next semester. Going over my schedule, I have -so- many classes that I know will demand a lot of work. For a time when I ought to be focusing on developing my thesis show, I seem to be setting myself up for a breakdown. I've never had to deal with a stress-related breakdown before but the time seems ripe!

Also, I think life has just slapped me. I don't have any real work-experience and I have $200 to my name. I'm feeling very awesome about the future right now!

If I think about it, while I don't necessarily have any clock-in job experience, I seem to touch on a lot of cornerstones of what may be perhaps my future career. I'm not just a student who wants to be a concept artist; I'm a student who has done concept art. I go to the sites, I buy the magazines, and I moderate a forum dedicated to graphic art. None of this stuff pays but that might change. My friend wants to produce a trading card game and he's been very serious about recruiting artists. I don't really feel like he's paying anything near competitive, but if the product launches, I think it'd be a great thing as a student who already has art on a product.

I'm still non-confident with my abilities as a draftsmen and I still lack a core ability where I can take an idea and carry it all the way through to the finish. But, winning Best Artist on GamingW was a nice little booster. Well, here is to ongoing growth in the coming weeks!