CAN: Cincinnati Animation Network

So last night a bunch of animation folks squeezed into Flaming Medusa Studios to talk about art business stuff for 2 hours. I shall attempt to recap what was said for those who couldn't make it.  I expect after this is done it will be a pretty handy post for anyone who is starting freelancing. David Hartz (animator, fire sculptor, and professor of animation at UC Blue Ash) was also awesome enough to come and he was very helpful with providing his insight as well. And we begin. I have been hanging out with lawyers a little so let me also say that I am not a CPA or MBA or Lawyer so this is just based on my experience, but I'm no expert. I'm just telling you what I do. 1) INVOICES Invoices are important. If you are working as a freelancer or independent contractor (same thing) on a project you must give the client an invoice in order to get paid.  You don't get automatic paychecks if you're a freelancer like you would as an employee. I have had artists no...

...that The Wind Rises by Miyazaki is great.  It was also very nice to see the movie with a bunch of animators who are also obsessing over the animating grass and wind and crowd scenes and noticing weird things that civilians may not. After the movie, you get to talk about the stuff you noticed with people who know what you're talking about! It was quite fun. It was different from his other movies because it was based on a real man's life. The animation made it possible to show Jiro Horikoshi's inner life, dreams, and imagination; you could really feel why he was so attracted to flight. It also had depictions of the Kanto Earthquake of 1923, the Great Depression, references the tuberculosis epidemic and also Japan's plunge into war. I was super glad to see the folks who could make it- I couldn't say hi to everyone so- Hi to those I couldn't say hi to! I hope you all met each other or at least 1 new person.  Depending on the box office numb...

Image from http://www.moleskine.com/ Hi guys!  We had pretty good attendance for the portfolio review session, we were lucky enough to have pro illustrator Christina Wald and Pro Animator Allison Craig as well as myself there so I think everyone got a good chunk of time to discuss what they were going after with someone.  I wanted to include this on the blog for those who weren't able to attend. Art life - It's normal to have a job outside of art before you get your foot in the door.  We all do it. DOn't let bozos make you feel bad about it, they're not trying to do something as competitive as you are. Your life will take a different path than other people's lives, that's normal.  We're different than civilians, we're artists- this comes with the territory. Getting in is hard, but once you're able to get in then getting more work is easier. And those same people will think you're glamorous and will be somewhat jealous! - Your competit...

Image from:  http://www.mydesignshop.com/design-critique-services Just a reminder that the Cincinnati Animation Network's  portfolio review  is this Thursday Jan 30th from 4pm to 6pm.  We will be meeting in room 3A of the main branch of the Cincinnati Public Library. Allison Craig  (a super talented animator at Titmouse) and  Christina Wald  (a super talented illustrator who runs her own illustration business) will be there to give feedback on portfolios and answer any questions or concerns you may have about working in animation/illustration. And I ( Darcy Vorhees ) will be there too, doing the same. The room we're in has wifi, so that's good. I will bring a PC laptop so we can look at stuff online.  If you want to bring printouts or a select group of originals or a laptop or other device to show your work on, feel free. I'd prefer not to have to transfer files onto my computer though. Christina suggested that parking on ...