#New 3DS'er in town
20 messages in this thread
Taken from Section 3…
>> I don't crave a stable, salaried, permanent position in a company
>> since I find it very stifling…
At present, I'm happy to give up the excitement (read that "risk") for the
stability and security I've got. While it may not be as creatively fulfilling
as working for myself, I have the benefit of more resources to call upon
(administrative staff, engineers, CAD techs, etc.) The long history of our
company, its permanence and reputation for quality also gives us a slight
marketing advantage over a small upstart animation company. The main problem
we've run into was marketing outside the manufacturing industry. Our new
identity for our animation services should help in that regard.
>> If I can stay busy with game contracts then things could be a lot
>> worse 🙂
While I may be paying my bills, you certainly seem to be having more FUN! I
imagine you'll be finding more and more game contracts available in the near
future. I haven't seen many new games that don't have 3D environments.
— Dave
David,
we sound a lot different 🙂 I don't crave stability at all, in fact I think I
avoid it <g>. Rather I crave variety. I've never done well in a corporate
environment – my 2 attempts at full-time, in-house, programmer positions lasted
8 months and 7 months. However, consulting with lots of different clients
seemed to suit my temperament much more. I'll take variety over money any day,
and if the money is there too (as it is definitely is in game work) then it's
an added bonus 🙂 Also, I don't mind working at a client's site either, at
least for the duration of the project, and this seems to make me a popular
choice for some longer, intense, projects. In these circumstances I don't have
to supply equipment and generally get paid by the hour. I still maintain a
somewhat respectable render patch at home for the jobs where I can or choose to
work at home.
Besides the game contract I dabble with other projects on the side, like
writing chapters for NRP's next book "3d Studio: special effects" and a bit of
tutoring here and there for money or barter (skydiving equipment and such
like). There's not much time left though after all this for my wife.
Fortunately she's into 3d Studio too, although at a beginning stage, and she is
more and more understanding of my "addiction" <g>. No young 'uns to bother
with, either.
Regarding "corporate environment", I can't say that that's exactly what I'm
dealing with. I'm kind of sitting on my own island, but with all the resources
available. I do have the "burden" of justifying my expenses and accounting for
my time, but I do have a pretty large amount of freedom. I don't think an
animation department can survive without some degree of flexibility.
My wife is a little less patient with my lack of free time. We have an 8-month
old daughter that takes up a huge amount of our time! (wouldn't trade her for
anything tho'!)
I assume you'll be going to Siggraph this year? We'll have to get together and
chat. My wife and daughter are coming too (although they will be mostly
hangin' at the pool).
David,
some corporations probably make it easier than others for you to have the
flexibility an artist needs. Maybe, I'll find one of them too.
I'm looking into my Siggraph options at the moment. I'd like to go but if it
proves excessively expensive I may not. If I do go then I'd love to chat. I
always attend all the 3ds get-togethers, where possible.
I sure do hope you'll show up at Siggraph. Florida is not a very expensive
place, by any stretch, but I imagine if you do a lot of Disney and other
tourist stuff you could spend a lot. Check out some local Orlando hotels and
stuff, I think they should be reasonable.
John Tissavary (LUNA cie)
John,
well, it looks like I'll be going after all. I need the frequent flier mileage
for a trip to England followed by a train tour of Europe in October <g>.
Unfortunately, the wife can't go to Florida, though – budget cuts and all that
….
Extra-curricular activities would more like include mountain climbing. Whoops!
No mountains in Florida! Sorry. Maybe a skydive. I now have my own equipment on
long-term loan from a friend who's a new 3ds user. In exchange for use of his
rig, I give him 3ds help. Good deal for both of us, methinks.
Sounds like a nice arrangement, the 3DS=>skydiving thing…
I haven't gone on a climb in 4 months now… this 3DS thing can get a little
out of hand. I keep thinking it's going to let up, but then…
I'm looking forward to seeing you in Orlando (though I'm not looking forward to
florida in july!!!!!!!), we didn't get much chance to chat at NAB.
John Tissavary (LUNA cie)
John,
looks like I'll be in Orlando from Saturday through Wednesday night – to get a
lowish fair and fly on Delta I had to stay a Saturday night. I think I will
have time on my hands to chat quite a bit 🙂
Excellent. I'm really looking forward to hooking up with you in Orlando. I'll
be flying in to Miami a few days early (my dad lives there), and we'll drive up
to Orlando together. I'll let you know where I'm staying as soon as I know
where I'm staying <g>.
John Tissavary (LUNA cie)
John,
>>I'm really looking forward to hooking up with you in Orlando.<<
sounds good 🙂
I'll be there too. I'm turning it into a bit of a vacation, so I'll
be there the whole week with my wife and daughter. I just got the
Siggraph 94 advance program and it looks really cool. (Interesting
note about the cover of the brochure — the frog is an image called
Mindblender by Peter Gabriel — like he needs the exposure! <g>)
I'm looking forward to meeting your wife and child. You should let me know
where you're staying when you book a room.
John Tissavary (LUNA cie)
<<I haven't gone on a climb in 4 months now…>>
What do you climb? I want to get into rock/mountain climbing — there's some
killer formations in Oregon —
–John
I (used to) do a lot of rock climbing, mostly one pitch sport climbs. My skill
level was around 5.12a, wich is pretty respectable, but I haven't gone out in
over 4 months. I also just wrenched my ankle and tore some ligaments, so I
guess it'll be another couple of months before I get out there. And the
weather's so perfect here… =(
Oregon has a lot of great climbing. I've been wanting to get to Smith Rock for
some time now. Maybe by the end of the summer.
John Tissavary (LUNA cie)
So Martin, are both the England trip AND the Europe trip in October?
I'll be in England the first two weeks of September….
I have to be in England mid-October for my brothers wedding (best man
duties and all that). The exact dates of the Euro-train trip are not
set in concrete. I wanted to go mid-September but it's up to Delta
airlines and when they institute their Euro-frequent flier special
(historically starts October 1st). I don't think I'll be in England
that early. Why are you going? Vacation? I am going to Siggraph, BTW.
Yep, V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N!
It can't happen too soon!<g> Hopefully I won't develop a spectacular
earache/sinusitus case on the plane this time (as in January '90) and there
won't be the strongest wind-storm to hit England in decades!
I'm afraid I'll miss SIGGRAPH this year, but I plan to try for '95.
It seems that we're destined to continue to pass like two ships in
the night (or as George Hamilton says in Zorro, The Gay Blade "The
ships in the field").
David,
>> two ships in the field <<
ha ha! Good one. Ah, well 🙁 When I have a better handle on my trip schedule to
Europe I'll let you know. You never know …. there may be an outside chance
that our paths might cross.
Great Skydiving club in Deland, FL. not too far from Orlando,
Martin.
>> Great Skydiving club in Deland, FL. <<
excellent! I was going to ask. Now I'm licensed and have a rig I may
quite possibly be able to get a day's jumping in.