Animated Advice

Julie Washington, The Cleveland Plain Dealer

May 16th, 2003

T.I.M.E. (Technology and Integrated Media Environment) major Matt Neff won the $1,000 Animation Award in the E.M.I.T. Cleveland Institute of Art Film Festival held in April.

The award money was donated by institute graduates Kevin Geiger and Wen "Moon" Hwa Seun, who are animators in Los Angeles. True to the digital theme, here are excerpts from an e-mail interview with Geiger and Seun:

PD: Is there still room for artistry in animation, or is it all just moving pixels around?

Geiger: Computer animation is no more a matter of "just moving pixels around" than traditional animation is a matter of just moving pencils around. Artistry and good storytelling are absolutely essential. Consider "Final Fantasy," which featured state-of-the-art computer graphics but failed to capture the public's imagination due to a lack of compelling characters and story.

PD: Why did both of you gravitate toward animation?

Geiger and Seun: Coming from traditional arts backgrounds, we related very readily to the range of possibilities afforded by animation, as well as to the inherent graphic qualities of the medium. That being said, we watch a lot of live-action films (about 80 per year).

PD: What advice do you have for people who want to get into digital animation and special effects?

Geiger: Studios will usually train you on the particulars of their production pipeline, but you must learn the basic craft in school or on your own in order to be considered as a professional candidate. Draw, sculpt and take photos. Borrow a digital camera and begin shooting movies. Purchase some inexpensive 2D and 3D software for your computer and start experimenting with it. Investigate which schools have strong computer graphics and animation programs, and understand their portfolio criteria well in advance of applying. Resign yourself to the realities of working for someone else. The animation and effects industry can be very exciting, but most employers have little interest in your personal artistic fulfillment. Those who understand this go farther than those who don't.