Getting Ahead

Hello all! Don't mind me, Im just doing some summer cleaning, getting rid of all the cobwebs and the musty stench this blog must have from lack of lovin.

For Cryin out Loud!

                                   Took me long enough to get some more images up, my goodness.

    Here are some of my final Works in Life Drawing...

And Cartooning...

 ...And Finally an Anatomy Drawing, Ill have some more of these later!

Adios!

Jacob Whyte

jacob_whyte@yahoo.ca

Seeking a Friend for the End of the Year

"If you can dream it, you can do it." Walt Disney

    Well, looks as if Year 2 semester 2 of Max the Mutt has just about come to  a close, with only a few more assignments to hand in. And since one of these assignments is a written one, I figure I would get in the mood by summing up the positives and the negatives of my experience this year.

Positive:
   Overall Drawing skill defiantly improved exponentially. A rendered portrait in three hours? Sure why not! Character lineup and poses? Pfft, in my sleep (or lack of, see below). Overall sense of forms and three dimension is a lot better then months prior, and I look forward to continuing this trend.

Negative:
    Different teachers having different preferences/ expectations. Despite all of my efforts, I still am not 100% on what great line quality is as multiple teachers look for different qualities in the line. No wobbles or frayed lines is about the one consistency, but as far as where to show tension and stress or making the line come alive I don't know. Could be a practice issue.

 Positive:
   Overall confidence with a pencil in my hand improved exponentially. I can say now that I can put an image in my head competently on paper, which you know is tough if you have ever drawn before

Negative:
    Student Favoritism. In the end, its who you know and whats on your reel/ portfolio that lands you that prime position in the animation hierarchy. But while I'm in school, its nice to receive that well earned 'high pass' to boost my self satisfaction to keep going. Its not so nice, however, when your peer who might have half assed or simply ass kissed there way through the course get the same grade. I guess this is another life factor that doesn't stop in high school.

Positive:
  Opportunities galore. This year alone I have met and talked shop with more professionals then I care to count. When you come to Max the Mutt, you put your finger directly on the pulse of the industry as far as I am concerned, and that is very important.

Negative:
    Work load. Remember that aforementioned improved drawing skill from earlier? Well you have to work hard for it, definitely. I'm not opposed to hard work either, but under 4 hours of sleep a night, and even then you feel guilty for even putting your head down takes a toll after a while. There is a HUGE jump from first to second year as well, so if you thought your first trip round the sun with Max was difficult, you might what to think of a different learning path.

Positive:
    Tools, tools and more tools. The reason I am so happy about it being summer break is that the opportunity for self exploration is finally here. I can finally apply all that I have learned to my own works, and am beyond excited to see how much further I can push.

And that about sums it up. I have in no ways attempted to sell the school; that's not why I made the blog in the first place. To give you all an accurate idea as to what you can expect from the school is, and Ill let the works speak for themselves... which Ill upload soon!

Later!

jacob_whyte@yahoo.ca

That is a Deep Dish.

" Keep your head up, but not in the clouds! "  -Pizza delivery man

Another week, and other slew of works, enjoy!

 

They just want me for my Body (of Work)

"Animation is like cooking soup, you can't add to many or too little ingredients. Balance the Principles for the tastiest results." Bruno Tachinno

   Well, another week in the books, and the pressure is really starting to mount. Portfolios requirements have been assigned and only 3 weeks left to complete them, its going to be a hard home stretch. I am also looking for summer jobs downtown this year, which is a different beast to tackle altogether.

   One of my teachers and I had an interesting industry chat last night discussing how the animation industry gets royally screwed over by people working for cheap/ free. 

 I could go on and create a wall of text, but there is someone more qualified then I who makes the point just as clear as I ever would have. Ladies and Gents, Mr. Steven Silver .

   Intense, yes, but very valid. The point that struck me was when he mentions other fields. A plummer, and electrician, a banker, all professionals that do what they are trained to do and get payed properly, why does it have to be any different with artists?

   My teach was in the same situation with a college of his at work, who apparently on a lunch meeting was criticizing him for wanting more pay then he felt was right. '55 a year is enough' the college said, but my teacher retaliated stating that if he was to lower his prices, then the payment for all those underneath him would take a hit as well, inadvertently making it that much harder for us all to make a decent living.

  Moral of all this, don't sell yourself short. Be confident, but not cocky, and you will be the working professional self sustained artist you have always wanted to be.

Have a good one!

Jacob

A Crood Awakening

"Somewhere between work and play, great art takes place." Rob Corbett - animatingyourlife.com

      Its been a really crazy week at max the mutt. With week 8 of twelve now under wraps, second year is nearing its curtain and refuses to go out with nothing but a bang.

     Tuesday March 5th was the day that our school was treated to a private showing of The Croods, Dreamworks new movie directed by Chris Sanders and Kirk De Micco whose past works include Lilo and stick and How to train your Dragon. The two intended to hit the stage after the movie for some Q and A, however, that due to bad weather they were stuck in Chicago, and that we were to watch the movie by itself.

      Hearing this, many sad faces entered, but after 98 mins of Croods, none left!

       I was pleasantly surprised with the film, great well structured story and nice character arcs, coupled with the snappy but subtle Dreamworks animation you might expect. There were some amazing colourful environments and creatures that seemed to be pulled straight from prehistoric dreamland.

      We couldn't dwell long after the film though; early next morning a news crew from CP24 was arriving at Max the Mutts College campus to report.

      So I did what any sane person would do... dawned a hair tie like Guy and asked if the storm was going to hit us. Here's the clip:

CP24 at Max the Mutt

      .....So if your, I dunno, in need of a low voice for VA, or just need a baritone for your barbershop quartet, drop me a line... or something.

      But in all serious it was a lot of fun, and I hope the school getting heard by larger names will bring in the business it deserves.

Alright enough words. Hears what my brain told my hand to do this week:

     
     Sayonara!

Jacob Whyte
jacob_whyte@ yahoo.ca

Don't let the Ambassador hit you on the way out!

I'm sorry for the title, I really am.

Salut, mon amis, I am back again with a slew of art and a little news. About a week ago, my roommate and loving sibling ordered Chinese food and gave me his fortune cookie. I'm always disappointed with fortune cookies today, as may of them are not fortunes and more life advice. Only this cookie had a very applicable message inside....

Literally the day after I got this message, our animation course director Tina Seemann approached me  asking if I would like to act as a student ambassador for the Toronto Animation Arts Festival International, informing students of upcoming contests and events, as well as earning industry opportunities myself.

Life can be so awesome sometimes!

Anyway, without further adieu, my Jack in the Box animation assignment from last week, and a slew of new works:

 

That's all for now, Peace!