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Tuesday, November 26, 2013
CTN Interview #3: BRYAN SIMS
Bryan Sims
http://bryansimsillustration.blogspot.com/
Which term are you/ When did you graduate?
I graduated Fall 2012
1. How was getting ready for CTN?
This year was much different, I actually didn't know if I was going or not so I had very little preparation. In the past I did a lot before hand. I made business cards, put my portfolio together, printed it, and made sketchbooks to hand out.
What did you expect from CTN?
Well, it was my 3rd CTN so I kind of knew what to expect. I wanted to meet new people this time around, which really didn't happen. It was more of a reunion with Art Center friends.
How did you like it?
It was good. In the past I remember leaving very excited or very disappointed because of the feedback that I was given on my portfolio. I have to say though, every year I have left inspired and excited about creating new work and trying to become a better artist. Especially after seeing all the other amazing artists. It is a really good motivator.
Did you show your portfolio?
This year I did not show my work. I have a job I am happy at and it wasn't worth waiting in the long lines. I brought it just in case but I didn't end up having an opportunity to show it.
2. How was the crits? Was it helpful?
In the past the crits were good depending on who you talk to. I have found it, for me, unproductive to show my work to every possible person. If you show it to 20 people you are going to get 20 different opinions, and they will all contradict each other. It is important to know who you're showing your work to. Based on my experience, I would much rather show a recruiter or art director my work rather than one of many artist. If you are going to show someone wouldn't you rather it be someone who knows what the studio is looking for and could give you the best advice? If you do talk to an artist know which ones will give you the best possible crit rather than showing someone and all they say it, "awesome!" One of the best crits that I received was by Marcelo Vignali. He is an artist I'd recommend showing your work to. Chis Oatley and Stephen Silver are also really good people to talk to.
What would you do better or different next time?
I would like to talk to and meet more people. I like the idea of having a booth and promoting yourself that way. You stay put and people come to you. I think that is something I will do next time around.
Any tips or funny stories?
Everyone should go, network, show your work, and have an open mind. Know who you are showing your work to. Submit your work for the raising the bar. I was selected for my character designs last year for the personal reviews and I ended up getting a free pass because of it. I have also been selected to do the breakfast with the pros, which was a lot of fun.
Go to the panels, I have seen some amazing things at those and met some really legendary artist. Last year I saw Tyrus Wong, the year before during Andreas Deja's panel he brought out Richard Sherman who performed a lot of the old Disney songs that he and his brother wrote for Walt Disney. (I am a huge Disney nerd so I was very excited about that.)
I also got to meet my favorite artist one night, Peter DeSeve. I usually don't get nervous but with him I was extremely nervous. I saw he was kind of in a rush walking alone so I quickly introduced myself and geeked out for a second. I asked him if I could get a picture so he said yes. I have my friend take a picture of us. As we look at the camera Peter says,"so are we doing smiles with teeth, no teeth.." My friend says, " got it." Peter, "Oh already? Did it come out good? should we take one more?" My friend, "no its good. It's gestural." So Peter runs off. I'm excited to see the picture. This was my goal this weekend at ctn, meet Peter DeSeve, I did and now I have proof. So I look at the image and this is the "gestural" pic that my friend took.... He looks like he's about to sneeze, we should have taken another.
I graduated Fall 2012
1. How was getting ready for CTN?
This year was much different, I actually didn't know if I was going or not so I had very little preparation. In the past I did a lot before hand. I made business cards, put my portfolio together, printed it, and made sketchbooks to hand out.
What did you expect from CTN?
Well, it was my 3rd CTN so I kind of knew what to expect. I wanted to meet new people this time around, which really didn't happen. It was more of a reunion with Art Center friends.
How did you like it?
It was good. In the past I remember leaving very excited or very disappointed because of the feedback that I was given on my portfolio. I have to say though, every year I have left inspired and excited about creating new work and trying to become a better artist. Especially after seeing all the other amazing artists. It is a really good motivator.
Did you show your portfolio?
This year I did not show my work. I have a job I am happy at and it wasn't worth waiting in the long lines. I brought it just in case but I didn't end up having an opportunity to show it.
2. How was the crits? Was it helpful?
In the past the crits were good depending on who you talk to. I have found it, for me, unproductive to show my work to every possible person. If you show it to 20 people you are going to get 20 different opinions, and they will all contradict each other. It is important to know who you're showing your work to. Based on my experience, I would much rather show a recruiter or art director my work rather than one of many artist. If you are going to show someone wouldn't you rather it be someone who knows what the studio is looking for and could give you the best advice? If you do talk to an artist know which ones will give you the best possible crit rather than showing someone and all they say it, "awesome!" One of the best crits that I received was by Marcelo Vignali. He is an artist I'd recommend showing your work to. Chis Oatley and Stephen Silver are also really good people to talk to.
What would you do better or different next time?
I would like to talk to and meet more people. I like the idea of having a booth and promoting yourself that way. You stay put and people come to you. I think that is something I will do next time around.
Any tips or funny stories?
Everyone should go, network, show your work, and have an open mind. Know who you are showing your work to. Submit your work for the raising the bar. I was selected for my character designs last year for the personal reviews and I ended up getting a free pass because of it. I have also been selected to do the breakfast with the pros, which was a lot of fun.
Go to the panels, I have seen some amazing things at those and met some really legendary artist. Last year I saw Tyrus Wong, the year before during Andreas Deja's panel he brought out Richard Sherman who performed a lot of the old Disney songs that he and his brother wrote for Walt Disney. (I am a huge Disney nerd so I was very excited about that.)
I also got to meet my favorite artist one night, Peter DeSeve. I usually don't get nervous but with him I was extremely nervous. I saw he was kind of in a rush walking alone so I quickly introduced myself and geeked out for a second. I asked him if I could get a picture so he said yes. I have my friend take a picture of us. As we look at the camera Peter says,"so are we doing smiles with teeth, no teeth.." My friend says, " got it." Peter, "Oh already? Did it come out good? should we take one more?" My friend, "no its good. It's gestural." So Peter runs off. I'm excited to see the picture. This was my goal this weekend at ctn, meet Peter DeSeve, I did and now I have proof. So I look at the image and this is the "gestural" pic that my friend took.... He looks like he's about to sneeze, we should have taken another.
http://bryansimsillustration.blogspot.com/
CTN experiences: Victoria Ying
Hello again!
Ready to share more CTN experiences!
Today we have Victoria Ying! She graduated on Fall 2007, and after a bit she became a great Visual Development Artist at Disney Animation features. She has been attending to CTN many times sharing a booth that never stop growing and getting popular with the also Disney artist, and Art Center alumni Mike Yamada. They also Started a business called Extracurricular Activities Design Studio, where they sell their own products, great books and do Workshops. (You guys should check it out because there they are doing great things, are amazing teachers and their product is really pretty and they are really knowledgeable about conventions). They also teach often at CDA.
I hope this inspires you!
We started doing CTN with PecknPaw our group Disney project, after that year I thought "Hey I could make my own book!" and I did, since then we have attended and exhibited every year.
Ready to share more CTN experiences!
Today we have Victoria Ying! She graduated on Fall 2007, and after a bit she became a great Visual Development Artist at Disney Animation features. She has been attending to CTN many times sharing a booth that never stop growing and getting popular with the also Disney artist, and Art Center alumni Mike Yamada. They also Started a business called Extracurricular Activities Design Studio, where they sell their own products, great books and do Workshops. (You guys should check it out because there they are doing great things, are amazing teachers and their product is really pretty and they are really knowledgeable about conventions). They also teach often at CDA.
I hope this inspires you!
1.When did you graduate form Art Center?
FA 2007
FA 2007
2. How long have you been going to CTN?
4 years!
4 years!
3.How you like it so far and why?
We started doing CTN with PecknPaw our group Disney project, after that year I thought "Hey I could make my own book!" and I did, since then we have attended and exhibited every year.
4. What would you suggest for ACCD students to do when they go to CTN or conventions?
CTN for sure, SDCC, maybe Spectrum Live if they are fantasy artists.
CTN for sure, SDCC, maybe Spectrum Live if they are fantasy artists.
5. Any tips or funny stories.
Learn to SELL! be a salesperson and you can make dem big bucks.
Give a look to Victoria Ying's work: http://www.victoriaying.net/
And their Extracurricular Activities Design Studio: http://eca-la.com/
Saturday, November 23, 2013
CTN experiences: Cheryl Johnson.
Hello!
After CTN, we are trying to compile all the experiences we can, form the ones of us that went there with a booth, to show our portfolio or just for fun! So we share experiences and tips that may be useful for us in the future!
Here is Cheryl Johnson, she is 8th term and ready to graduate ! She had a booth shared with Chloe Bristol, and for both of them was their first time!
Here is her experience! I hope you guys enjoy!
1. Talk about your experience at CTN How was getting ready, what did you expect, if it was accomplished, what did surprise you, what would do different or better next time.
Overall, having a table at CTN was an amazing experience. I went last year as an attendee, but for me, having a table was so much better. It's not for everyone, though. To really do well with it, you have to be personable, approachable, all-smiles. You also need to know exactly what you want to say about yourself as an artist.
Getting ready was a lot of work. Some people prep up to a year in advance but Chloe and I decided to do this in August and began preparation in September. It was enough time for us because we didn't do anything too fancy with our table, but if you have big plans, best to start earlier.
I already kinda knew what to expect because I had been to CTN before. What I didn't expect was how many artists were asking ME to look at their work! I never refused, though, and gave them my honest feedback.
Next time around, I'll be working on developing work that is even more unique to me. People who get the best response really have something special they want to tell the world. It's not all just nice, pretty, rendered pieces.
2. Will you do it again? Was it good profit?
Definitely! I plan on doing it again (hopefully with Chloe) next year. I didn't sell anything this time around, but I will next time. What sells best is sketchbooks and FAN ART. People really dig fan art. And pieces focused on characters and character interaction.
3. Did you learn anything new from doing this
any tips for people that may wanna have their own booth on the future?
I learned so much. I learned that the animation world is filled with so many nice, genuine people. Really, it was pretty amazing how nice everyone was. I learned how important it is to have your own, unique voice as an artist if you want to stand out at all. For the most part, everyone there is exceptionally talented, so to stand out, really seek out what you like to do and do that! (Yes, I'm telling you to not listen to your Art Center teachers. Do what YOU want to do.)
Tips: Be nice. Smile a lot and ask lots of questions (be engaging). You never know who is looking through your stuff. It could be someone really important. Show you work to your idols - they will look at it! Come on - who doesn't like looking at art? If you don't get the response you want, don't be discouraged. Just take it as a sign that there is still work to be done and keep moving forward! It's not a "no", just a "not yet".
For those that are not familiar, check Cheryl's work, she is amazing!
Blog: cbjart.blogspot.com
Tumblr: cbjart.tumblr.com
Thanks Cheryl for sharing!
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