Me, Animation and I

What to begin with.. ah yes, so I wouldn't be studying animation if I didn't see Platige Image production. I've always adored their animations.

It all started in early 2000's...
The first movie, which amazed me was 'The Cathedral' by Tomasz Baginski:



This film was nominated for Academy Awards in 2002. Masterpiece!
I love all details, growing animation, the mood and the story based on polish writer, Jacek Dukaj. I remember I started googling for 3D software. So it began.
As 3DS Max looked scary to me, I started animating in (then) Macromedia Flash. Just stupid cartoons. I took inspiration from JoeCartoon - a popular animated series, which I got on my FLOPPY disk from a friend.


Few years later another animation boom on polish forums - Fallen art also by Baginski's studio:


Everybody was familiar with Platige Image animation and renders style. Well, we said it was their trade mark. Another short refreshed my interest in animation and 3D graphics. But still I was to silly to draw or start learning.

Then again few years later, in 2007 comes 'The Ark'. A short film by Grzegorz Jonkajtys, well known polish animator, previously working in Platige Image.

The most stunning fact is, that everything beside characters, props and environment at the end is.. a model. Yes, great postproduction skills! In 2010 I was able to meet with Grzegorz - he said he chosen to create a model of environment because he was too tired of spending too much time staring at the computers screen. Well, great excuse!

Here is a link to great article about this short.

Okay, so that was the great factor of changing my decision what should I do in my life. I chosen Computer Games Modelling and Animation for BA degree.

 During my studies, many times I browsed Animation Mentor and Vancoover Film School student works.
THAT REALLY CHANGED MY LIFE.
Since I felt that.. something to animation. I knew what I want to do for the rest of my life.
Inspired by many reels, I started animation on my own (Animation module started in second semester on second year). Nothing special but I actually started doing something instead of salivating to really great works.
Also, I remember like it was yesterday. Animation module, first few classes, me googling for some inspirations and my tutor comes to me and shows me two videos:


Thing I loved to watch over and over again. Really inspirational. I always dreamed to make animation like guys at AM.

And second one:

We spent some time discussing how particular things were made. The endless possibilities of joining animation and post-production gave me a boost to learn things quicker.

So, I followed some tutorials and finished third year with my first short based on Austin Powers. Well, I don't want to show it again - the level is too low and I'm too ashamed.

A year of intern-ship at post-production studio gave me a lot of experience! Many things changed, I started to look more critical at my work. Aesthetics never been more important as well as good taste of motion.
And now, here I am, at Teesside University to level up my skills.

Future?
Platige Image is my aim.

Dreams?
Disney Animation Studios