Posted by Leanne/ September 15,2010
(www.freelanceanimation.com)
Interview with Dan Wang, the director of talent development at Oktobor Animation
Animation is an art form. It is more than using computer technology and moving an object from A to B. Animators should spend their time to push the performance and expressions. It is about telling stories and giving life to the characters.
3D Animation industry is growing and they are looking for well educated, character animators. Freelance Animation has recently been meeting with Daniel Wang, the director of talent development at Oktobor Animation who gave an overview of what animation graduates would need.
Is there a huge demand for animators overall?
I see the demand of CG animators very much trending upwards locally. I believe that the major growth in CG-production and the subsequent jobs being created that we are starting to see here will be pushed further with New Zealand’s strong pipelines and smart use of technology. Everyone in the world knows Weta, and that has paved the way for others. The world is taking notice and saying, “Hey, there’s something happening down there.” We are showing there is real talent and innovation here. That is attracting international interest, particularly from North America where they are actively looking for production solutions, and Nickelodeon putting some of top series in Auckland is just the tip of the iceberg. Larger scale productions are more specialists driven rather than the generalist work that in the past dominated Auckland, and the biggest aspect of that is character animation. Locally we see a lot of technicians and an abundance of CG modelers and texture artists, but not a lot of animators. The demand is high enough for us that while we always look locally first, we have lately had to go overseas to the US, Australia, even as far as the Netherlands in order to fill a number of those positions.
What would you define a good graduate reel? What are the key things that you suggest “must” be in the reel? What are the key things that you recommend not to put in the reel?
A good graduate reel depends on what the artist is most interested in getting in to. For a CG animator, there is no need to get bogged down with modeling, texturing, rigging, lighting, or anything at all other than showing some polished animation. Our productions are very character based, so we always look for lip sync and acted out scenes, even if it’s with the most generic of rigs. A walk cycle is great, but we have to assume an animator can do that. It alone won’t make much of an impression. In fact good reels don’t need one. We like to see a performance, however short. Unless you are an outstanding modeler and character designer, don’t try to impress with that if you are ultimately trying to showcase your ability to create motion in CG. Nothing kills a potentially good reel easier than trying to do too much. Some generalists are quite good and truly can do it all, but in my experience, that is more the exception than the norm. So stick with what you are good at.
What are the key skills that animation students should focus on?
CG animation is not all that different from traditional 2D animation in the end. It is timing, weight, body mechanics, and acting. That doesn’t exactly sound like Maya 101, but the software is merely the way that the art form is expressed. In the end most people can easily become competent enough in that. The trick is always remembering its roots in traditional animation, and finding a workflow that suits you.
How long do you think a student needs to spend on training in order to gain all required skills?
Some say it takes 8 years to truly become a good animator, but I come from the old school put your nose to the grindstone and do it mentality. And I believe that an inspired individual will easily find the necessary discipline if they stay curious and love what they do. And if that’s the case it can be effectively done in 18 months to 2 years. But that’s assuming laser focus, and life is not always so simple. So probably realistically 3 years or so. But it all depends on the individual.
What are the key fundamental that you would recommend students look for in a training course?
The things I mentioned above are the same things I would recommend an aspiring student to look for in a program. A lot of real focus on animation is the way to learn CG animation. It is an art form, not a technical skill. The basic understanding of a software package, usually Maya, is obviously needed, but how it applies to animation is the most important part of it for an animator obviously. Good tutors who can give experienced feedback on performance as much as the technical know are important as well.
What are some of the highlights of working in this industry?
I’ve worked in all sorts of situations: big productions, small ones, in all different departments, and all over the world. While the industry relies and accelerates because of the magnificent technology that is available now, in the end it is people doing the work. No one can do it totally alone, (not yet anyways!). So the biggest thing I learned in all of it was that almost anyone can learn competency in software. That is not what is rare. And there will be the geniuses, talents, or just dedicated hard workers that shine, but it’s the interaction that makes it work. When there is interaction, people are engaged and learning from each other, and pushing each other forward. So people skills are as important as any technical skills. You don’t have to be a public speaker or the life of the every party, but you do have to engage, not just report, but interact. In that vein, the best thing about being in this business for me is the people I’ve had the opportunity to work with – being able to battle alongside them in something that I love, to grow and see others grow, and to ultimately experience the group satisfaction when it all comes together. Cliché I know! But its true…
I chose this article because I found parts of it very informative, they explained what makes a good showreel for a character animator. I have highlighted the bits i found most interesting and useful to my research.
Oktobor is a world-class visual effects and animation studio based in Auckland, New Zealand. There work is focused on television commercials, feature films, interactive and entertainment productions.
