"BIG Mistakes..." by Howard Wimshurst + Podcasts

I stumbled across animator/illustrator Howard Wimshurst's YouTube channel where he makes tutorials and discusses the art of animation. I found this video, in particular, interesting and all too relatable.

When I first read the title, I figured it was going to be technical mistakes such as not exaggerating movement enough or not thinking in arcs.

Instead, Wimshurst talks a lot about the struggle of getting discouraged and meeting obstacles causes a lot of young, aspiring animators to give up early in the learning process. He makes a good point about why this happens and even better, how to move past it.

I've certainly hit these bumps and still do every now and again. And I've seen plenty of classmates hit these bumps and then never overcome them. They give up and choose to do something else. It's sad, but in a sense it's a good thing. It's best for people to realize that if animation isn't for them that they realize it early on so that they're not wasting their time. Even if it's for a different area in the animation pipeline instead of the actual animating or something completely different altogether.

On my off-days where I'm just feeling uninspired, unmotivated, and just plain lousy, I'll watch this to be reminded that it happens to everyone and to not give up.

Something else that I've been using for inspiration have been animation podcasts. Animators, directors, and filmmakers alike discuss the process and sometimes even about specific films. One that I really have been liking is "Animation is Hard" by Mike Stamm and Matthew Krick. They discuss all the ins and outs of being an animator. It's a little moreso in the sense of starting your own independent animation studio and becoming a director of animation. Nonetheless it's informative. They discuss the pipeline and what to expect by just being an animator in the professional world.

I really wish there were more podcasts out there for animators; especially for modern day animation. That's why one day, if I become successful as an animator I would want to write an autobiography encouraging young animators and letting them hear my story because that's sure what I could use at this time. I get inspired reading other people's stories. But obviously, most autobios out there are of celebrity entertainers like actors, singers, public figures. Because the faces behind animation stay behind. And even if I were to become successful in the industry, I'm positive that still no one would recognize my face or name on the cover of a book because that's the way it is. But even still, I would want to do it because, like I said, I (as an aspiring young animator) would totally read a book written by a successful animator even if I had never heard their name before in my life.

My school is extremely helpful with hosting presentations of people including alumni who have their success stories to tell from making it into the industry.

It's all very motivating. I hope it continues.