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ANIMATION WORLD MAGAZINE - ISSUE 5.02 - MAY 2000
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The Independent Internet The Internet has affected me in multiple ways. It allows me to view the work of and share ideas with animators that would have taken years to experience before the Internet. It has fueled my interest in how art and technology inspire and propel us, motivating myself and others to collaborate so as to make what used to be difficult or impossible into a simple reality. The Internet also allows a freedom of expression, which drives my professional work because no studio model exists with rigid definitions of "acceptable-commercially viable" formats for how images must be made or stories must be told. But most importantly, I see the Internet offering animators everywhere the chance to contribute to a global evolution of the art of the moving image, and nothing could be more exciting than adding my small piece to that very large pie. Debra Callabresi I am the senior animator of AtomFilms' Content Creation Division. I love my job and make good money. I'm also twenty years old.
I wouldn't be the man I am today without the Internet and Flash animation. I finished high school with little experience with creating an animated production. Anyone in the world who walks into a traditional animation studio with that factor over his head would find his ass back on the curb in no time. Oddly enough, I learned all I needed at once. It's shocking to realize that having a working knowledge of Macromedia Flash automatically sums up the roles of the character designer, pencil tester, in-between artist, background designer, cel painter, clean-up, sound editor, producer, director and distributor all into one single person. Independent animators like myself are on the rise within today's Internet. If what we produce is funny, new and creative, the Internet community will respond. With the ease of distribution and accessibility that the Internet offers, clients can view an animator's product in a fraction of the time it takes to send a demo reel. Contracts can be forged through email, and projects can be scheduled over the phone. How has the Internet affected my life? I would have never dreamed of being at the job I'm at, or working with the people sitting next to me every day. I owe the Internet my life. James Dalby As an independent animator, I have focused primarily on the Internet because I've found it much easier to establish and develop my skills through the Internet rather than through traditional animation.
Little formal training and exposure in traditional animation made it difficult to find any position that gave me the opportunity to develop new skills. On the other hand I found it very easy to create animation for the Internet and explore my own ideas without extensive formal knowledge and training. Without marketing and commercial demands, I've been able to develop my own voice as an artist and grow faster than I would be able to in the market-driven traditional animation industry. In addition, I've found that the strong community of animators and fans online has contributed to my development as an animator. Fan sites, tutorials and forums have not only enhanced my knowledge of animation and animation techniques, but also have provided encouragement as well. Without the barriers of breaking into traditional animation, the Internet has made it possible for more people who truly love the art of animation to take creative chances, as well as have more freedom to exchange ideas and concepts. Kwesi Ako Kennedy Heather Kenyon is editor-in-chief of Animation World Magazine. |
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Note: Readers may contact any Animation World Magazine contributor by sending an e-mail to editor@awn.com.
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