The work experience unit is officially over, and with it many things were learnt. With my work placement at Picasso Pictures, I had the chance to see how a small part of a vast industry works. Being in such environment and meeting such great people, helped me understand how to approach work in a production team. With feedback talks with director James Boty from FinkBoom, t whom I mainly did work for, I understood that is crucial to be able to visualise what the director wants, and quickly show him what he wants.
Although, many times at Picasso Pictures during my placement it was very quiet it allowed me to sneak upstairs and ask productive questions to the freelancers working there.
Questions mainly were focused on work ethic, career approach and professionalism. with these talks I learnt a lot not only about the industry, my career, but also how to effectively approach university. the importance of a community in the CG and animation world.
These were the high points of my work experience, however where is highs is also lows, the only low point I can figure was the fact that it was extremely quiet on the first week, and it truly lowered a lot my esteem to face the second week, though I didnt allow that affect my work ethic, and I was hard-working as I always do.
Overall, It was a great experience, because it allowed me to meet different people and keep their contacts, for future questions. and mainly to have a taste of what the industry awaits me.
Showing posts with label Work Placement. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Work Placement. Show all posts
Monday, 30 May 2011
Picasso Pictures, Production Company, 2003
Picasso Pictures is a one of the UK's leading independent production companies based in London, more specially in the animation/ advertisement field.
It all started back in 2003 when a group of producers (Jane Bolton, Dominic Buttimore and Richard Price) from the Post-production house The Moving Picture Company , decided to create a production team. The main objective of the creation of Picasso Pictures was to introduce new work to The Moving Picture Company as well as giving opportunity for new talents to shine in the animation/ advertisement world.
The initial studios were on the corner of Wardour street and only later, they moved to 9-11 Broadwick St where they still remain. This studio consists in a 4 floors building in the centre of Soho London, the 4 floors are divided accordingly, the 1st floor houses a small post-production team, which quickly, composite and edit any animation footage ready to show to the clients. The 2nd floor, consists in the executives, Jane Bolton and Richard Price, and many producers, such as Inga Johnson, they are the people in charge to secure the jobs and ultimately are the face of the company who have to negotiate with the client.
The 3rd Floor is the place where ideas are made, brainstormed and decided, on the director's floor, many animation directors are based in there, however many others work away from the studio.
So if the 3rd floor is the place where ideas are born, the 4th is theproduction of those same ideas. The production room, houses a few computers where many freelances artists pass by and work for Picasso Pictures, giving all their best to the clients. To receive the ideas into a final product Picasso Pictures has its own Render-farm, a potent unit which allows to render the work in time for tight deadlines and picky clients.
One of the main objectives of the creation of Picasso Pictures was to give the opportunity to young talents to share their work and visions. Therefore, the studio consists in great directors who are distinct with their work.
What follows is a quick showcase of some of the directors and their work.
Tokyo Plastic
Zune Art
MTS 4G Commercial
Finkboom
ZombieGotchi
Steve May
X &Y
Alongside this great directors and many more, is a exhaustive list of freelance artists that make these ideas happen. I had the chance to meet 2 of them, and was really pleased to bo able to aske them a lot of questions.
Ricardo David
Gael Lendoiro
These 2 artists were freelance artists, who were working on one of the projects. While Gael Lendoiro, was a generalist artist, Ricardo David is a generalist focused on animation, his strength. These 2 artists are only two of many people that work for Picasso Pictures as freelance artists, aiding with their respective skill, from concept to final product, from modelling to animation.
With a house full of talent either in the director's room or the production one, Picasso Pictures has been growing since its launch, and the success doesn't look like is going to stop.
All works are copyrighted to the named artists
Tuesday, 17 May 2011
Work Experience: Day 6 to 9
The last few days of my work placement ( which is now over), were slightly busier. Firstly, I carried on meeting with the artists upstairs and throwing my shopping list of questions. then I had my first go at modelling for a director.
After meeting with James Boty, from Finkboom. he was willing to give me some 3D stuff to do. I can i was excited and worried, excited because finally I had something that i enjoyed to do and worried because I didn't know if my modelling skills were up to standard. However, i began modelling some stuff for him which would be featured in an upcoming pitch. ( details I cant say).
This experience was great because it allowed me to work 1 to 1 with the director/ art director, and gave em the chance to get instant feedback on my work and on the things that needed changing. having to prepare the models for a pitch that was due last Friday, it helped me visualise how to work with extremely tight deadlines.
Indeed, some of the days I was doing some extra time to catch up with the production, which was enjoyable.
with my days of work placement over, I pretend to still be in contact with Picasso Pictures and the directors within it as well as applying everything that I learnt from the professionals I had the chance to speak to.
i have to say overall it was a great experience, shame it was so short.
Good things will come, hopefully!
After meeting with James Boty, from Finkboom. he was willing to give me some 3D stuff to do. I can i was excited and worried, excited because finally I had something that i enjoyed to do and worried because I didn't know if my modelling skills were up to standard. However, i began modelling some stuff for him which would be featured in an upcoming pitch. ( details I cant say).
This experience was great because it allowed me to work 1 to 1 with the director/ art director, and gave em the chance to get instant feedback on my work and on the things that needed changing. having to prepare the models for a pitch that was due last Friday, it helped me visualise how to work with extremely tight deadlines.
Indeed, some of the days I was doing some extra time to catch up with the production, which was enjoyable.
with my days of work placement over, I pretend to still be in contact with Picasso Pictures and the directors within it as well as applying everything that I learnt from the professionals I had the chance to speak to.
i have to say overall it was a great experience, shame it was so short.
Good things will come, hopefully!
Tuesday, 10 May 2011
Work Experience: Day 5
Fifth day at Picasso Pictures, and overall it was a quiet day...
I did continue doing some 3DS Max tutorials, to boost my knowledge in the 3DS Max. Wrote the questions to ask the executives about the company. The last part of the day, I went into the production room, and met again with the 3D artists over there.
This time, I focussed my questions on showreels, how to build one and what to put in it. Gael Lendoiro, and Ricardo David, gave me crucial advice on what to do and how to start one.
They also gave me advice on how you present your work, therefore I thought of creating a blog which will be my website, it wont have any feeds but rather will work as a showcase for my work, I will be working on that over the summer so I can update with some of the 3rd year's work.
for now here is the website of the two incredible artists, I have been meeting with.
Gael Lendoiro Website- Here
Ricardo David Website- Here
Enjoy!
I did continue doing some 3DS Max tutorials, to boost my knowledge in the 3DS Max. Wrote the questions to ask the executives about the company. The last part of the day, I went into the production room, and met again with the 3D artists over there.
This time, I focussed my questions on showreels, how to build one and what to put in it. Gael Lendoiro, and Ricardo David, gave me crucial advice on what to do and how to start one.
They also gave me advice on how you present your work, therefore I thought of creating a blog which will be my website, it wont have any feeds but rather will work as a showcase for my work, I will be working on that over the summer so I can update with some of the 3rd year's work.
for now here is the website of the two incredible artists, I have been meeting with.
Gael Lendoiro Website- Here
Ricardo David Website- Here
Enjoy!
Monday, 9 May 2011
Work Experience: Day 4
Day 4, a quiet day... after getting those 2D designs for the client, Rik the one in charge of the project is just correcting some small changes. Although a quiet day, I had the chance to browse some interesting stuff on internet.
I have also met Leo, my colleague who is doing working experience at Nexus. it was cool to share experiences that we are living in both companies.
At Picasso Pictures, I spent some time getting the grips of 3DS Max just for fun!!
The last part of the day was by far the most interesting of these couple of days,. I had the chance to meet with directors, such as Steve May, the Tokyoplastic Guys and others, it was great to speak about work, Steve May for example, showed some work, either the one he did for his band or the funny illustration he is all the time doing. Inga Johnson was spreading the word that I would be in the studio this week and that I ca do some 3D, Tokyo Plastic, member Sam Lanyon Jones asked me for the protfolio so he may find me some stuff to do this week.
Meanwhile, here is some work by the 2 Directors I met.
©Copyright tokyoplastic
©Copyright Steve May
On the second part of the tour, I met the production team, which is finalizing some work in an 3D ad ( in 3DS max). It consisted in a couple of members which were finishing animating and rendering stuff to deliver to a client. Without being too much, I spent some time with them asking questions about the industry, and the difference between big companies and small companies. etc... though, the part that i was really interested in asking was about freelancing. Gael Lendoiro and Ricardo David are two frelancers working in the industry for over 4 years. Although they work as generalists most of the part, Gael is specified in rendering and lighting while Ricardo is an animator, for companies like Crytek, etc. So it was great to meet them, and learn a bit more freelancing, the subject and the industry out there. Lastly, i met another guy doing work experience, he was from Germany, and he was working with tokyo plastic on some concept art, hopefully he will still be there.
Today, I will sneak upstairs and ask a few more questions about showreels. Being a freelancer is all about putting your best work to grab jobs, so I guess I will receive great advice from them.
I have also met Leo, my colleague who is doing working experience at Nexus. it was cool to share experiences that we are living in both companies.
At Picasso Pictures, I spent some time getting the grips of 3DS Max just for fun!!
A Teacup
The last part of the day was by far the most interesting of these couple of days,. I had the chance to meet with directors, such as Steve May, the Tokyoplastic Guys and others, it was great to speak about work, Steve May for example, showed some work, either the one he did for his band or the funny illustration he is all the time doing. Inga Johnson was spreading the word that I would be in the studio this week and that I ca do some 3D, Tokyo Plastic, member Sam Lanyon Jones asked me for the protfolio so he may find me some stuff to do this week.
Meanwhile, here is some work by the 2 Directors I met.
Tokyo Plastic
Steve May
On the second part of the tour, I met the production team, which is finalizing some work in an 3D ad ( in 3DS max). It consisted in a couple of members which were finishing animating and rendering stuff to deliver to a client. Without being too much, I spent some time with them asking questions about the industry, and the difference between big companies and small companies. etc... though, the part that i was really interested in asking was about freelancing. Gael Lendoiro and Ricardo David are two frelancers working in the industry for over 4 years. Although they work as generalists most of the part, Gael is specified in rendering and lighting while Ricardo is an animator, for companies like Crytek, etc. So it was great to meet them, and learn a bit more freelancing, the subject and the industry out there. Lastly, i met another guy doing work experience, he was from Germany, and he was working with tokyo plastic on some concept art, hopefully he will still be there.
Today, I will sneak upstairs and ask a few more questions about showreels. Being a freelancer is all about putting your best work to grab jobs, so I guess I will receive great advice from them.
Friday, 6 May 2011
Work Experience: Day 3
Yesterday, I had my 3rd day working at Picasso Pictures.Thus far is being a great experience, I have been meeting people and talking about the industry.
I mention to Inga Johnson to meet more people in the production room, which is in the 4th floor (currently at the 1st floor). However that had to be delayed as I was rushed with some work to do. The work consisted in continuing some 2D Design work for a client, creating some website banners in different formats etc. So far I learnt some stuff about branding, and composition within a banner as well as how space counts a lot in the industry. With me I have a list of what the client have asked with all the sizes and how big they have to be in kb, this has to be followed strictly. The designs I have been doing are just first versions which will be approved or not by the client.
Finally, I have spoke to Inga and she mentioned that maybe some 3D will need to be done next week, hopefully!
p.s: I wont be able to show these designs here, however I will ask inga if it is possible to to get them and show them on the crit.
I mention to Inga Johnson to meet more people in the production room, which is in the 4th floor (currently at the 1st floor). However that had to be delayed as I was rushed with some work to do. The work consisted in continuing some 2D Design work for a client, creating some website banners in different formats etc. So far I learnt some stuff about branding, and composition within a banner as well as how space counts a lot in the industry. With me I have a list of what the client have asked with all the sizes and how big they have to be in kb, this has to be followed strictly. The designs I have been doing are just first versions which will be approved or not by the client.
Finally, I have spoke to Inga and she mentioned that maybe some 3D will need to be done next week, hopefully!
p.s: I wont be able to show these designs here, however I will ask inga if it is possible to to get them and show them on the crit.
Wednesday, 4 May 2011
Work Experience: Day 2
Second day of the work experience at Picasso Pictures and I was a bit more of movement. Without giving it all out, because I can't, I have been doing some 2D work, marketing design for a well-known client. It consists in basic photoshop editing of layers, merging pictures, to make presentable, pitch templates to show the client. It is just a quick job to do.
Meanwhile, I have a quiet funny experience. I have been following the blog of this illustrator called Steve May, for over a year. Yesterday, while doing some stuff, one of the directors came downstairs, and after chatting a bit he left. The guys in my room, kept mentioning his name, which was Steve May. After trying to remember where I knew that name,when I check his blog did some research and tried to match the pieces of the puzzle. I found that the artist Steve May, who I have been following the blog for over a year is the same Steve May, Animation Director at Picasso Pictures.Interesting!
I then entered in contact with him, who thank me to follow his blog, today I had properly a 1 to 1 conversation with him.
It just proves that the industry is too small. or that I am all over the web as a stalker. You tell me !
Meanwhile, I have a quiet funny experience. I have been following the blog of this illustrator called Steve May, for over a year. Yesterday, while doing some stuff, one of the directors came downstairs, and after chatting a bit he left. The guys in my room, kept mentioning his name, which was Steve May. After trying to remember where I knew that name,when I check his blog did some research and tried to match the pieces of the puzzle. I found that the artist Steve May, who I have been following the blog for over a year is the same Steve May, Animation Director at Picasso Pictures.Interesting!
I then entered in contact with him, who thank me to follow his blog, today I had properly a 1 to 1 conversation with him.
It just proves that the industry is too small. or that I am all over the web as a stalker. You tell me !
Work Experience: Day 1
Yesterday, I had my 1st day of work experience at Picasso Pictures in London. It started at 10.00 with Inga Johnsson showing the installations of the studio. then they set up a computer for me, so i would be able to work. I have to say the firstly was very quiet, didnt do much apart from browsing the internet, etc. However i was able to see how the industry works when is tight deadlines ahead.
Not much to add from the always awkward first day. Apart that I did some runner work, by going shopping, etc.
Not much to add from the always awkward first day. Apart that I did some runner work, by going shopping, etc.
Saturday, 16 April 2011
Work Placement: What is the Situation?
Last week, I received the Email from Inga Johnson , a Producer at Picasso Pictures and who will be working with me in about 2 weeks time. I promptly sent an email to her, just to ask how was the situation. So within bringing cookies and boiling kettles, I know now when to start. So my Work Placement starts at 10 am on the 3rd of May, at Picasso Pictures.
On that day, I will be introduced to the team and a tour around the place and then hopefully will be able to be slotted in according to Inga Johnson.
Meanwhile, to fulfil the brief we need to write about the history of the company we will be working with, when I asked Inga, she said that she will introduce the executives, Richard Price and Jane Bolton, and then i can ask all the questions.
Everything is set to start my work placement on the 3rd, one last thing I can't forget is to bring the cookies!!
A bit off topic, I really wanted to put my work out there a bit more and although the blog is a good tool, it is difficult to harvest new followers, and special people working in the industry. So I'm proud to present that Ruben Martins is now on Polycount, a CG community forum in where students and professionals share their work, give feedback and all that useful stuff.
So follow me on Polycount, my username is eCzety ( it was a games nickname and don't ask me why I chose it)
On that day, I will be introduced to the team and a tour around the place and then hopefully will be able to be slotted in according to Inga Johnson.
Meanwhile, to fulfil the brief we need to write about the history of the company we will be working with, when I asked Inga, she said that she will introduce the executives, Richard Price and Jane Bolton, and then i can ask all the questions.
Everything is set to start my work placement on the 3rd, one last thing I can't forget is to bring the cookies!!
A bit off topic, I really wanted to put my work out there a bit more and although the blog is a good tool, it is difficult to harvest new followers, and special people working in the industry. So I'm proud to present that Ruben Martins is now on Polycount, a CG community forum in where students and professionals share their work, give feedback and all that useful stuff.
So follow me on Polycount, my username is eCzety ( it was a games nickname and don't ask me why I chose it)
Tuesday, 12 April 2011
Work Placement: Beyond Transcription
A few weeks back, I was happy to know that I would have work placement in a company. Picasso Pictures, is the place in which I will spend around 2 weeks absorbing what the industry is all about. Being a unit for university, apart from the work experience I will get, I was also asked to write about the company I will be working with, and if possible show any work that I am going to to there.
This unit supposed to be a 5 weeks unit, but because I am having 2 weeks of work placement, I will need to produce something more. It was said that I could either finish the my transcription animation or do the models and metaphors project ( a competition project).
After pondering about it, I decided for a third option. I spoke to Phil and he gave me green light for this choice. For the next couple of weeks I will be doing the work placement unit, as well as modelling the Characters from the Character Design Project ( if you remember the Robots shown on the blog banner).
I have also found that I have to learn a lot about animation, so I will be intensively teaching myself, the art of animate, firstly I will accurately understand the principles and then apply them to the 3D world.
This blog will be more active than ever, From either my experiences at Picasso Pictures, any development about the characters or animation exercises. Finally, as part of my understanding for animation I will be posting excerpts of good animations and films.
Here I leave you with one of the most amazing sequences, in my opinion , done in 2D Animation. It was part of my childhood, when feeding my head in Disney Films.
Pocahontas- Colours of the Wind
Why I chose this?
Firslty, I have to give credit to the animator, Glen Keane a master of 2d Animation, animated this sequence. What stroke me the most is how expressive the animation is, and how every element animate the sequence works. It is visible 2 styles of animation, it is either characters moving or morphing animation. The animation has weight and timing. All this beautiful work is aided by the expressive colours.
Hope you like it.
This unit supposed to be a 5 weeks unit, but because I am having 2 weeks of work placement, I will need to produce something more. It was said that I could either finish the my transcription animation or do the models and metaphors project ( a competition project).
After pondering about it, I decided for a third option. I spoke to Phil and he gave me green light for this choice. For the next couple of weeks I will be doing the work placement unit, as well as modelling the Characters from the Character Design Project ( if you remember the Robots shown on the blog banner).
I have also found that I have to learn a lot about animation, so I will be intensively teaching myself, the art of animate, firstly I will accurately understand the principles and then apply them to the 3D world.
This blog will be more active than ever, From either my experiences at Picasso Pictures, any development about the characters or animation exercises. Finally, as part of my understanding for animation I will be posting excerpts of good animations and films.
Here I leave you with one of the most amazing sequences, in my opinion , done in 2D Animation. It was part of my childhood, when feeding my head in Disney Films.
Pocahontas- Colours of the Wind
Why I chose this?
Firslty, I have to give credit to the animator, Glen Keane a master of 2d Animation, animated this sequence. What stroke me the most is how expressive the animation is, and how every element animate the sequence works. It is visible 2 styles of animation, it is either characters moving or morphing animation. The animation has weight and timing. All this beautiful work is aided by the expressive colours.
Hope you like it.
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