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ANIMATION WORLD MAGAZINE - ISSUE 4.6 - SEPTEMBER 1999

The Pride of the Pioneers
(continued from page 1)

Three Cheers For Our Silent Mentors
Throughout the film, new comers to the field, as well as veterans, could see the growth, as well as hear and feel the energy set forth by the pioneers. Granted it takes a lot of self motivation to be a part of this industry, but it's so encouraging to have a glance at the experiences that came before us. Like silent mentors the pioneers in this film are leaving behind an accurate trail from which we all can grow. Take Miko Jelison for example. He's a student from Massachusetts who may very well take his love for music and create a team to build the next computer graphics collaborative company.

"People who were into [computer graphics] and had all the great ideas -- which everyone knows now are really significant -- took them to all the big names and couldn't get investors. So they said, `Hey, let's start our own company.' [It was impressive that] they just showed up at each other's houses and sat down and talked, instead of [with] big businesses. It shows how individuals can be a power." - This was Miko Jelison's very first SIGGRAPH.

Student Jayson Whitmore also walked away with a new sense of appreciation and respect.

"Being so young to this industry, I had never known what it took to bring about modern day hardware and software programs. You are so used to being able to manipulate images easily and quickly, never thinking to look back to the amazing geniuses who were responsible for creating this generation of computer artists. I have great respect for the people who have pioneered the computer graphics industry, making it easy for people like myself to take advantage of this exciting time in computer art." - Jayson Whitmore, graduate student of the recording arts, film & video production and digital media degrees offered at Full Sail Real World Education, Winter Park Florida.

Many found that the documentary helped them reflect on the origins of technical breakthroughs.

"The documentary helped me reflect on things I had forgotten. It helped me appreciate and have pride in all the stepping stones that came before me." - Robert Abel

"[I found out] where the bloody teapot originated." - David Barrington-Holt

Then there were some that reflected even deeper to find and thank their own personal mentors.

"First and foremost, my Dad, who thought it sounded like an okay idea to start a CG company in 1980 when there wasn't any software available and no client base. Harry Marks was one of our first supporters. For four or five years we worked for him on show openings, IDs and other broadcast graphics projects. He taught us a lot about design and visual perception. I would include the entire team at NYIT. In addition to Ed Catmull and Alvy Ray Smith there was an amazing crew of creative talent, including Paul Heckbert, Lance Williams and many others. Every year they would blow away the SIGGRAPH audience with what they had created." - Carl Rosenthal

Lessons From Real Life Struggles
However, it wasn't all fun and games for these pioneers. They had their share of struggles too. As with the successes, walking in our heroes shoes, seeing their struggles and revelations can really be enlightening and motivating.

"I really got a kick out of hearing Dennis Muren be so uninterested in computer graphics, because Dennis Muren has always been one of my heroes. To hear him dismiss it so easily was fascinating. I loved when George Lucas was describing that the way they got CG started at ILM was for Dennis Muren to take a sabbatical so they actually had a chance to work [with computer graphics] for a little bit. And that was what got him interested in it." - Doug Cooper from DreamWorks Feature Animation. Doug has been to SIGGRAPH 5 times.

"I had not realized that the art community had, initially, shunned computer graphics in favor of a more traditional set of mediums. I wasn't around then, and most of that was lost on me. That fact goes a long way toward explaining some computer people's attitudes toward traditional art institutions and mediums." - Jon Gilbert, Website Systems Engineer, Netscape Communications Corp.

"I liked that the film talked about the struggles and the stick-to-it-ness. It mentioned the unavoidable truths of bad storytelling, lay-offs, and company failures. It also talked about unconventional successes through those stubborn enough to keep on going when doors were closed on them." - Robert Abel

"I think anyone in a creative field could learn the fundamental lesson that sometimes it's more important to do it for yourself than to wait for someone else to support you in your endeavors. There will be those who already understand this lesson, and others who never will! - David Barrington-Holt.


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Note: Readers may contact any Animation World Magazine contributor by sending an e-mail to editor@awn.com.