Monday 15 October 2007

Anonymous said...

I got a comment on my blog the other day. It was for my first lip synch animation;

Anonymous said...

I appreciate this guy has good art skills but everyone post positive comments. this guy still has a lot to learn and his animation skills are mediocre. So make him aware of this please or he will never improve. he is far from those students ­from france.

Thank u

It upset me, because of how accurate he/she was. I spent the whole day thinking about it. I’m not saying I don’t appreciate positive comments, I do, I like to know when I’m doing good, but I also need to know when I’m doing not so good. It is important to my growth. In turn I will do the same to all other bloggers, to try and be honest and to help you all grow as well.

As for Mr/Mrs Anonymous, Thank you, I hope you stop by again, I printed your comment, and it’s up on my wall as a health reminder

On a lighter note, here is a pic of Supermans daddy. Still think Superman 1 is the best superhero movie of all time.

And Again….

Wes



24 comments:

maarten said...

It's true that criticism is needed to grow, but so is possitive feedback, everyone needs motivation... Only criticism will be very demotivating on the other hand only positive feedback might not help you improve.
So maybe a mix of those is best?
I think its a bit lame of the guy saying your animation skills are mediocre without even mentioning his name.
Besides your new to animation and that was one of your first pieces.

Im not saying the guy doesnt have a point, but only critisicm doesnt work for anybody.
Just my thoughts.

(However the comment made me think too, if even your animation skills are mediocre in the eyes of some, probably means ive got a looooooooooooong way to go)

I better get moving.

Love the drawing as always, Im not really into superman so Im not sure what his dad in the movie looks like.

Cant wait till those books get delivered!

maarten said...

By the way I admire your attitude man, hanging that comment on the wall, I wouldnt be able to do that.

Unknown said...

That is the POINT we create blog for, isn't it? Drugs don't taste good but cure illness. You're a lucky one, Wes. Be Happy.

messytimbo said...

i like the superman daddy.

as for the comment. the guy has a point, you can get clouded by positive comments. and it most definitely CAN stop you improving.

but i feel this guys comment was not really about totaly helping you. for starters it wasn't directed at you, it was directed to other bloggers who leave you comments. that particular animation was your first attemp at lipsync and it was done in under two days. so for it to be calle "mediocre" is completly out of contexted for someone who is studying (on a 9 month cousre, unlike the "french" dudes who are studying for 3 years) context man is the key word here!.

if he or she really wanted to help YOU improve he or she would have given you some feed back on what he/she thought you had done wrong and how you could improve.

you should do something more positive with that printed out comment and recycle that piece of paper.

i hope mr Anonymous does stop by your blog agian and gives some useful feed because he sound honest, and you need honesty to improve...but then agian it's easy to be honest when your anonymous.

libra bear said...

Thanks guys, some interesting comments made, Loving the short but sweet words of wisdon Shouren.

Tim, I know I haven't been animating long but I don't wanna use that as an excuse for my work not being where I want to be. That lip synch took me 2 days, but have you seen Antoine Antins horse he did on a lunch break? In order for me to reach the best I have to compare myself to the best and in turn the best have to show me what is wrong with my work. I think people are being honest when they say what they like about my work but sometimes people seem to be afraid to say what they don't like or how I can improve. Nobody, including me likes to be told when they're work is bad, but it is what will help me improve. I do think I can reach a high standard but I won't, can't do it by myself. I agree Tim, I do wish he had said what he didn't like about it, but I took it as a general comment on all my animation.

Maarten, we both have a long way to go before we reach the likes of Glen Keane, but if we compare ourselves to them now, we'll get there quicker.

Paul said...

I don't take mister anonymous' point really. I know you so I know you can lip synch just as well as you can draw. That project wass a ballbreaker so if there is problems with the lipsynch (which imho there isn't) put it down to that and move on. Don't take everything on the chin man!

messytimbo said...

Sorry to keep going on about this. My comment wasn't a loyal defence; it was my view on anonymous comment.
I think that you should aspire become as great as the greatest, but do not feel shame because you’re not yet as good as more experienced animators.
You’ve only been animating one year, and you should feel pride in what you are able to do at this moment. it's not an excuse it's the truth.
I value the importance of improvement, so in the past I’ve always said to you when i feel that something is wrong.
I’ll try harder to give you more useful feed back in future.
But it's a case of the blind leading the blind as were all very in-experienced. If someone has the experience and ability, it's not helpful to just simply spot the level of your skill and call you mediocre.

Doctor Cerebro said...

very interesting. we have to be ready for crits, of course, it is the way to learn. maybe you are not used to it, so when you have a bad comment... you make a post about it!
But that happened also in the course at Saint Martins, at the friday crit everything was: "It is good" and nobody got used to it. Nobody was demanding anymore. It looked like if you made a comment, it was a personal attack. I remember once Timbo made a comment about one animation I did and then came to apologize, but I was happy to get a comment at last. You know what I mean? Of course sometimes we feel bad criticizing, but it is nothing personal and it is really necesary...
I remember that is why me and DMCA made an agreement during the course to always give each other feedback, so we could improve.
so... how is your movie going?

maarten said...

Wesley,
Your drive is incredibly inspiring man. I learn a lot from you on drawing and animation but you just gave me a huge lesson on attitude. thanks

libra bear said...

Wow, this is sparking interesting opinions.

Paul, I wouldn't go back to this lip synch again. Its done and there is know there's no need for me to finish it.

Tim, your not someone I would accuse of not being honest with comments. In class I would always ask you and Shouren because of how honest you were. I agree that Anonymous should have expanded on his comment, but I took it generally, not just on the lip synch. Until I read that I was becoming complacent. I haven't done any life studies since we left St Martins. Thats not the actions of someone who is pushing it. I've lost sight of my goals, sometimes we need to be put back on the path when we stray. I took nothing negative from the comment. It just made me look at myself in an objective way.

Doctor C your right, I don't get critisised in that way often which is why I made a post about it. I want to grow as well. Think about all the people in our class. I learnt so much but others learnt and grew sooo much more. Kim, Dave, DMCA, you to name a few. There were sometimes I knew my animation was off but then I'd be called Fussy or a perfectionist. True, sometimes I can delve to deep into my work but I'm constantly comparing myself to professionals, thats how I get better. I can't help it. The project is on hold, had some things to do.

Maarten, the fact that your animating without tuition is inspiring in it self. I learn lots abot attitude from you also.

Kristian said...
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Kristian said...
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RAWLS said...

DUDE!!!...where did you come from?!?! Your stuff is sick!! How did you find my blog? Great work my friend, very inspiring! Keep it up, and keep in touch.

g1toons said...

thanks, i was just found some clips on you tube, i sent the info to a theater out here hoping that they will host the production it looks really tight i love martial arts

Daniel M.C. Alvite said...

wes,,,,fuck then,,,bloody weaannnkkkrrss.
if he spent that time just typing that kind of words..he´s definately envious of your work, or at least he sees that it´s got potential..anyway, it´s good if you get something good from it.,,fuc.,.he or she,
but, always keep working, believe. you should.
wes all the best don´t get upset.

Nick said...

Still think your art work is awesome Wes, even if your animation is Anonymously average.

Trouble is we're up against the French dudes looking for roles in London now, so we have to be as good in the real world!

Have you applied anywhere yet mate, your character designing would be in demand everywhere! Loads of games companies looking for your kind of talent...

maarten said...

Hey, the link you gave me lead to some linetests of the emperors new groove (which still were awesome lol) Your comment made me think man, so I edited my first post again.
Thanks man.

Fabio Tonetto said...

it's true.Sometimes the people spend their time on the blogs just for leaves some good comments and nothing of focoused that why they have rush to see some good comments in their blogs as well.
Anyway,if i can,i love your stuff ,the cararachters seems very complete and styled.But i'm agree whit the anonimous that left the comment obout your animation,but at the same time i'm agree also whit MAARTEN that leave that sentence "animation skills are mediocre without even mentioning his name".Why he/she didn't saying her/his name?

g1toons said...

i agree with Anonymous to a certain extent but the comment he/she left was kinda of pointless, i dont understand why he/she said, "he is far from the students in france" what does that have to do with feedback, i want to become a really strong, great animator, but i don' do it to become better than anyone else. i do it for a better cause, to give more positive messages to the world. I understand how you feel, but you are not mediocre, but you can't keep comparing yourself to more experienced or talented people, i use to do the same thing then i realized i have to find out who i am as an artist, find out who you are as an animator /artist, and improve, just keep working at it, i have long way to go also, but remember you are an actor, actors don't try and mimic other actors, they create there own identity, think of it that way, just work hard, you are talented, don't lose sight of your goals, keep animating

Doctor Cerebro said...

hey wes i was watching your showreel... pretty cool but where is your task project? i can´t remember it...

sylv1K said...

very nice work!!

David Beer said...

Ok, i'm going to take a real hit here. You guys are full of comments, Hows about all you guys come to my blog, and crit the crap out of me.......
http://sneakyanimation.blogspot.com/

I'd better re-build that thick skin of mine.....

Yo, Wes! Keep the faith, buddy!

Jörn said...

I don't agree with Mr. Anonymus but i agree with you. Most of us artists are a bit vain and blog to get commendation (incl. me) but we grow with critic. And this is rare here in the blogger-scene. I also have qualms to do so.

SHANE PRIGMORE said...

Yeah Superman 1 IS the best. No question. That is a rad design.