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.
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"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.
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"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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