Site update & Spring '08 preparations

Just wanted to post a quick update. I'm still without a PC but the new one is coming soon. A friend of a friend is helping me putting one together and we settled on all the different parts. Now I just have to order them and put it together (in other words, someone else has to help me :) ). The moment it's up and running you'll be the first ones to know.

So my computer-less existence (besides an old laptop), plus overtime at work means that critiques and updates will be minimal. For those who sent me animation shots, I got them and will post a critique (or email it) as soon as I can. For those emailing about the workflow, same thing, I'll get to it as soon as I got my new machine. Hang tight and sorry for the wait.

If anybody from our Fall 07 class wants a formal critique concerning their performance (as opposed to just getting a grade without explanation), feel free to email me and I'll do so.

Just like last semester I'll put up a Fall 07 post summary for quick browsing. Spring 08 students should start going through the Spring 07 Summary post, the class F.A.Q., the resource links, etc. etc. Get prepared, soak up every piece of information you can get. Check out the "recommended sites" links as well.

I will again ask everybody to submit bouncing balls (light, medium, heavy - in one shot, with frame counter, quicktime) at the beginning of this semester, so you might as well start now. Spread the word to people you know who signed up for this class. Tell them to visit this site, since it's an essential part of class.

I also want you guys to think about specific questions concerning this semester (animation related or industry related, etc.). Think about what you want to accomplish this semester. What are your goals? What areas need improvement? What type of shots do you want to do? What would you like to get out of this class?

You should aim for 3 finished and polished pieces at the end of the semester. Organize your time so that you can submit clear blocking for your first critique in class. Next submission should be blocking-plus with major fixes done (depending on the shot this can take one week or two), last submission should be polish. Give yourself one week per pass, maybe two for blocking-plus depending on the complexity of the shot. Towards the end of the semester you can use the time to either attack a new shot or to revisit your shots and keep polishing. Just like the previous semesters you can of course email me during the week for more critique, you're not bound to just the class time. Links to your clips are preferred, but if you don't have your own website, then start the process of getting one now and email me your clips until your site is up and running.

I've been pretty loose when it comes to deadlines but it's obviously not good to see students who've only worked on one clip during the whole semester. There can be various reasons for that, please refer to this post when it comes to my thoughts about time management and class commitment. So for this semester I am going to re-structure the class a bit. I'm all for being pro-active and self-motivated, but it looks like a few people need firm deadlines in order to keep the creative juices going.

But more about that during the first class. Get some questions together and let's all talk about the semester in about two weeks!

Cheers
JD