Motion Graphics Interviews 2009

So in this wacky world we call multimedia, of which I have been fortunate enough to make a pretty good go of over the last 10 years, I am digging even deeper into the world of After Effects. It is an awesome tool for bringing it all together.
So look for my NEW show reel to include lots of 3D layers and video as well as my 2D animation!

Recently I interviewed a couple of outstanding artists in the field of motion graphics to get their perspective on the application, what it's strong points are, and where its heading. Here is what they had to say.

Motion Graphic artist Justin Katz is someone I know and admire as a fellow animator. His work primarily is used for advertising purposes of products and services.
Justin Katz says...

Amy: What is your first step when you approach a project?
Justin: It's usually a step backwards. I'm constantly asking myself and the client - what are we really trying to say? Once this question is clear I can then start diving into design and copy.

Amy: Do you do your own storyboards?
Justin: Most of the time, it depends on the project. If it's coming from an agency they will usually provide boards. But they are never complete thoughts - usually a series of style frames and it's up to the animator to decide how things will flow/transition. It's really all about the transitions. I'll do my own boards when I'm in charge of a project and usually have a strong hand in the copy as well. Most projects are sans boards and just rely on some style frames.

Amy: Where do you get your ideas for motion?
Justin: I'm always checking out industry sites, watching short films, and experimenting. As with any art form you gotta experiment - it's often "happy mistakes" that will lead to breakthroughs for me. There are of course gimmicks and stylistic techniques that one develops over time or mimics from other sources. But these are just style. People can have careers just being button pushers and animating other peoples work or trying to emulate the latest ipod ad, but it will not help you progress as an artist which takes vision - it will however probably help your technical skills. There is no greater joy then executing a short or ad that is your own unique design and represents you fully. sites: motionographer.com mograph.net

Amy: What effects do you use the most?
Justin: I stick to basic AE effects - pretty much everything can be accomplished with them unless you're going for some niche plugin look. As for 3rd party plugs - you'll want a good particle system - trapcode particular is great. A morpher is always handy - re:vision effects makes a good one called re:shape. I only buy plugs if they are needed for a project. Other than that I'm pretty much just using AE as I would photoshop! Most are available for free trials so check out what works for you!

Amy: How long di it take you to get to where you are, professionally?
Justin: I graduated film school in 2004 from RIT's school of film & animation. I discovered motion graphics in 2003 and decided to ditch MAYA and pursue AE as I was more drawn to 2-D. So I've been using AE since 2003. After that I worked at a small boutique in Rochester, NY right out of school for pennies and then started freelancing in NYC. I moved out here two years ago and after 2 full time gigs at different studios in PHX I'm back to freelancing full-time. So, in short, I've been in the biz 5 years.

Amy: Where do you see the trend going for motion graphics?
Justin: I see a LOT more 3D being integrated everyday - and more and more complete pieces being done in 3D. It's pretty essential to have some kind of 3D knowledge now if you wanna stay in the game. You have to wear MANY hats. Small boutiques are popping up everyday and are producing work greater than the big boys. You are not just a motion designer - you are a copy writer, editor, producer and director. I'd say over 90% of ads on TV have some type of motion in them either as art cards, main focus, or additional elements. It's not going away - it's becoming the norm.

Amy: Why Motion Graphics as a career?
Justin: Because it's rad and it gets you laid! ;) Oh, and it's a combo of everything I love. All forms of animation work here! Hand drawn, 3D, stop-mo, design, live-action, photography - everything! It's really just animated design when you think of it! It's a lot of fun too!

Amy: How many hours do you spend, typically, on a project?
Justin: Totally depends on the project - I can bust out a 30 sec ad in a day or two depending on how focused I am and how simple it is. I'd say between 2 days and 2 weeks.

Amy: How many people are typically involved in a project?
Justin: With agency work - tons, you have account people, creative director, art director, copywriter.
Usually there are so many hands touching and grabbing the project that it turns out to be something completely different in the end.
I prefer working with clients directly and letting them have minimum input after the pre-production phase.

Amy: What are your favorite or dream projects?I used to want to be an animator for Williams Justin: Street and do Adult Swim shows. Now I just want to be part of a strong creative team! I want to be surrounded with passion and the creative spirit. It was around me for a bit in NYC, but I long for that art-school intimacy again. In my spare time I'm working on several short works which I'm very passionate about and excited to complete. As for fav type of client projects - anything with good design that is delivered to me - or anything I can put more than my 2 cents into.

Designer and artist Joe Scheiman is a fellow artist belonging to one of my professional groups and a great resource when it comes to practical use of motion graphics for television broadcast, specifically. Joe is currently employed at Channel 3 TV in Phoenix, working in the News broadcast graphics department.

Joe Scheiman says...

Amy: What is your first step when you approach a project?
Joe: My first step is to get as clear and concise understanding from the client on the project at hand. Asking as many questions as possible to make sure we are on the same page and have the general guidelines and ideas ready to go. This way, it does not waste either of our time from the start of the project. It also allows me to present a price area for the project.

Amy: Do you do your own storyboards?
Joe: I personally have not done any storyboards since my days in college a little over 11 years ago now. Although, they do not seem to be all that difficult and do really help to paint a picture of things before going into the production stages.

Amy: Where do you get your ideas for motion?
Joe: Just about everywhere. Right now, working in TV, I try to pull ideas or modify them from watching other news networks such as the local competitors, the national news, and sports networks.

Amy: What effects do you use the most?
Joe: In After Effects, Zaxwerks 3D Invigorator is quite a popular one for giving a 3D look to text and adding materials or textures to it. Also, soft glow blurs with highly contrasting the images and adding a faded blur to it gives things a nice soft glow. Those two are about the most popular for myself.

Amy: How long di it take you to get to where you are, professionally?
Joe: About 5 years. I started out of college working in broadcast news in Cleveland, OH and after 2 years I wanted to move on. However, I was still low man on the totem pole. I worked there for 6 years before moving on to my next TV job which really was my next big step and things have improved everyday since.

Amy: Where do you see the trend going for motion graphics?
Joe: I think they will remain about the same, possibly grow a bit more. The broadcast news market is so flooded with them though. Everything is always flashy and moving. I believe these types of things will always stay around but I also think viewers may get bored with them having seen so much of the same thing that some changes may come in the way of mixing things up, possibly with stop frame animation looks or still images composited with moving video. Something that combines the two elements and keeps things fresh.

Amy: Why Motion Graphics as a career?
Joe: Honestly, I never really wanted to do Motion Graphics as a career. I have always enjoyed the print and web end of design much more. However, motion graphics can be very rewarding because it is still still an art and a skill you must possess. Anyone can learn software, but the eye for design is what counts in the end, and you can see that just by watching the local ad commercials on TV, done by someone at home with their own personal computer who have no idea what design is.

Amy: How many hours do you spend, typically, on a project?
Joe: That really all depends on how much is being asked of you. The closest thing I can relate time wise is that I do a monthly video podcast for my former employer. It usually runs between 4-5 minutes in length. It uses an animated open, an animated lower third, bullet point OTS, and credits along with a looping background. Going from the raw video to the adding the still screens and publishing it to iTunes and the web, I would say that process takes anywhere from 8-10 hours.

Amy: How many people are typically involved in a project?
Joe: Again, depends on the who and where. For the podcast, there are 4 people involved. The talent, the writer, the executive producer and myself (video, design, editing, publishing, etc.). However, at the TV station, it could be much more or less. Possibly only 1 other person asking for a quick down and dirty animation for a story or people at all the management levels looking for a promo spot for the station which includes a whole bunch of departments and people.

Amy: What are your favorite or dream projects?
Joe: As I mentioned earlier, I absolutely love print items. From logos to flyers and banners, to large scale items like banners and vehicle wraps. Things that I can leave a more permanent mark on and that tend to last for many months or years.