Life and Work
Feb 17, 02:56 AM
So I’ve been working a lot lately. I’ve been cranking away on this one huge project, finishing it up. I still cant really talk about it but it should be done (mostly) in the next couple weeks. I cant wait to be done with it and I think it’s shaping up to be a pretty darn fine little film.
It’s interesting what becomes of my brain when I saturate it in just one thing like this. On a normal day, it’s bouncing around from one idea to the next, dreaming up some foolish scheme or what have you. Lately though, so much of my mind-space is occupied by “Project X” it’s literally all I have the energy to concentrate on. Everything else is sort of dim and hazy. It’s a weird place to be but at least Im focused! I can only work at this pace and at this intensity for short bursts though, it’s really not healthy long-term.
Things I’ve learned along the way
I’d like to do a big summary post (or posts) about it when its finished, but for now I think it would be helpful to at least start thinking about what I’ve taken away from it.
This is my first big project I’ve taken on while dating someone. Its crazy to think about, but I started this film a year and a half ago, and at that point Harmony and I had been dating for like 6 months! Man time flies. Im really blessed to have a girlfriend who is so understanding of the insanity required to create something like this. She’s the best! Of course there have been times when we’re both tired and stretched too thin by our respective jobs and lives and we snap at each other. Thankfully those times are brief and we’ve been able to talk things through pretty well I think. She’s only punched me in the face 3 times in 2 years. (I kid I kid)
Im not sure I can do the lone wolf animator thing much longer. Its too isolated and limited in scope. Im not really sure what my ideal team setup is, but I at least know that going it alone isn’t good for me anymore. This current film is unique for me in that Im following someone else’s script and taking direction from them, and I have never really done that before — definitely not on this scale. Thats been nice but I would also like to have a team doing the actual meat and potatoes art/layout/animation alongside me as well. I used to kind of think I couldn’t trust anybody else to realize my brilliant vision or whatever but now I think Im just full of high-horsing bologna. At least by now I’ve proven that I can do this thing that I do pretty well and can hopefully jump right into a team setting feeling somewhat confident. Im through with thinking my way alone is the best way though. Its downright exhausting to think about taking on another film alone. shudder
I think about my time at Dayspring as a temp right out of college a lot in contrast to the lone freelancer gig I have now. It wasn’t my ideal job but it was an amazing place to learn Flash and push myself at a nice manageable pace. I met some great people there too! On one level they are good friends which is great on its own, but on another level I can honestly say that about every project I’ve gotten has bloomed out of the relationships and trust I built up with people there. Thats incredible and I really miss having those kinds of connections. I’ve been floating out on my own in my rickety apartment way too long, its time to connect somewhere fresh! I imagine I’d only last a while at a full-time gig then I’d be pining for a new hermit cave, though. Ah well…
good to hear your so close to the end. i’m excited to see the finish product and what all this work hath wrought. it seems to me, at least as far as american history is concerned that those looking to find their fortune, get a new start, go on an adventure, start a new community, etc etc etc have headed out west…i’m just sayin.
— bv 277 days ago #Very interesting thoughts about the future post-“project-X.” I can’t wait to see the film in its final form.
— Chad 274 days ago #Harm,
The bad news is that Vance will be involved in many amazing projects for the rest of his life.
The good news is that Vance will be involved in many amazing projects for the rest of his life.
And balance will forever be a challenge. (but not impossible!) I’m nowhere near balance, but I’m extremely thankful that Heidi gets excited about my projects and is so encouraging.
Vance, I’m glad this arduous process has helped you learn about yourself, your hearts desires, and your place in the world. (On top of creating a fantastic work of art.) Your post reminds me of my days slaving in a cave-like factory. It is rarely fun, but it’s interesting how clearly you can hear messages from yourself in these situations.
I love how the artistic process not only produces something new, it also changes the artist. It teaches us (for better or for worse) and shapes our view of life. When it’s a collaborative work like this one the life lessons seem to double.
Anyway, all of us Dayspring folk have been quite selfish with you. One has wild powers when one has a Vance Reeser in the proverbial pocket. But I can’t wait to see what happens when you unleash yourself on the rest of the world.
— Kirk D. 267 days ago #Wow thanks Kirk. Its been fun working with you on this monster. I wouldnt exactly call it toiling in the factory, even though sometimes it felt like it! I really did enjoy it a majority of the time.
Im already considering starting some kind of indie cartoon channel of my own and seeing if I can make a living off of it… Creative independence is so deeply ingrained at this point I guess its hard to shake these kinds of thoughts. So who knows. Its good to have a nice quiet period to find the next step, whatever it might turn out to be.
— Vance 260 days ago #