That's right, you read that title correctly. The Eds' took on the magical shooting friendships forever ponies' head on head. One of their creators, Big Jim, at the center of it all. He was one of the original artists for Ed, Edd, and Eddy and the current director of My Little Pony. This week I had a complete and utter throw back.
University of Saint Francis hosted an event that invited the one and only, Jim Miller, as a guest speaker to talk about animation and his path to where he is now. I have to admit, my mind was blown away at the mere fact that meeting the person who helped to create the Ed, Edd and Eddy of my childhood was a possible.
My sister came in one night while I was sleeping and left the poster and a six inched Subway meatball sandwich on my counter. Of course, me and my sleepy butt didn't realize it till later. But when I did wake up and read the poster I was soooooo happy. I ran to the kitchen and put it on our calendar.
It was going down Thursday for sure!
When the day finally arrived I packed up my two most important sketch books and we drove over to the auditorium. The thing was packed with people of various ages. Some were there for My Little Pony, some for the animation world and process, some for remembering their childhood, and others....maybe for stalking?
Anyways, my sister and I listened to the speaker. Big Jim was a casual guy who made jokes here and there with his sense of humor. He wasn't overly serious and even had a slide of a few steps in the process. So much review and work goes into just one episode, 22 minutes, that it was no wonder he was ready to be done with it in the end. All that revision would make my mind dull too. Think of all the papers I did in high school and college.
Talk about numbing.
At the end of his speech, there was a question and answer portion. A little girl asked if he did Season 1 episode 25, and another person asked about the voice work. I wanted to ask why the animation was done in the Philippines and not in the States even though its cheaper. But I held back and my sis asked about the steps he took to get where he is today. He said it varied, because he didn't plan any of this and that he didn't even really have an education behind it like most people think you would need. He did mention though, if you wanted to get your work out there, to always send samples to different companies. They are always asking apparently.
Finally, it was my turn. After waiting to the very end, I got the mike and asked one, simple question.
"When we are done with this, and you have time, can you please look at my sketchbook and give me some advice?"
His reply: "Sure. and anyone else who wants to show me their's I will be happy to look at."
Mind is blown away.
Can you imagine how nervous and excited I was to ask? I was positive that there were other people who wanted to show him their sketch books, but were too afraid to ask. I hadn't been that nervous to ask a question since I was in India and asked the Bishop of Canterbury if he wanted to have tea with us after the meeting. Needless to say, after he was done asking questions, a flood of people came and lined up to meet him. He seemed a bit surprised or just really touched. Maybe he didn't expect such a crowd of people to show up or be interested. Maybe he didn't give speeches often. Either way, he welcomed everyone warmly and it made me think about the importance of being happy to the fans. Like Taylor Swift, she makes it her business to care and know, and it really feels great for us "normal" people.
As Big Jim looked through my sketchbook, he noted that I liked anime and that I had a lot of completed work. "You should try drawing loose pictures, like gestures, to help you with your drawing and storyboards," he told me after I asked him about story-boarding. It wasn't like I didn't have ideas, but putting them down on paper was tough for me. "If you draw loosely you can get your idea on paper. Don't focus of making a completed picture."
Of course! I had a feeling it was like that. Seeing his story-boards, they were nothing but scratches with notes at the bottom. He said if I drew my story-lines like that, it could help my storyboard ideas and everything. It made sense...I had been missing a step all along.
After signing my sketchbook on the very first page of what I consider a not so great drawing, I stepped to the side and let other people have their share of Big Jim. I returned later though for a photo with him and I felt soooo happy! A lot of other people showed him their drawings too and asked questions and asked for his autograph.
But I was the first! And I am sure Big Jim and I will meet again!
My sister came in one night while I was sleeping and left the poster and a six inched Subway meatball sandwich on my counter. Of course, me and my sleepy butt didn't realize it till later. But when I did wake up and read the poster I was soooooo happy. I ran to the kitchen and put it on our calendar.
It was going down Thursday for sure!
When the day finally arrived I packed up my two most important sketch books and we drove over to the auditorium. The thing was packed with people of various ages. Some were there for My Little Pony, some for the animation world and process, some for remembering their childhood, and others....maybe for stalking?
Anyways, my sister and I listened to the speaker. Big Jim was a casual guy who made jokes here and there with his sense of humor. He wasn't overly serious and even had a slide of a few steps in the process. So much review and work goes into just one episode, 22 minutes, that it was no wonder he was ready to be done with it in the end. All that revision would make my mind dull too. Think of all the papers I did in high school and college.
Talk about numbing.
At the end of his speech, there was a question and answer portion. A little girl asked if he did Season 1 episode 25, and another person asked about the voice work. I wanted to ask why the animation was done in the Philippines and not in the States even though its cheaper. But I held back and my sis asked about the steps he took to get where he is today. He said it varied, because he didn't plan any of this and that he didn't even really have an education behind it like most people think you would need. He did mention though, if you wanted to get your work out there, to always send samples to different companies. They are always asking apparently.
Finally, it was my turn. After waiting to the very end, I got the mike and asked one, simple question.
"When we are done with this, and you have time, can you please look at my sketchbook and give me some advice?"
His reply: "Sure. and anyone else who wants to show me their's I will be happy to look at."
Mind is blown away.
Can you imagine how nervous and excited I was to ask? I was positive that there were other people who wanted to show him their sketch books, but were too afraid to ask. I hadn't been that nervous to ask a question since I was in India and asked the Bishop of Canterbury if he wanted to have tea with us after the meeting. Needless to say, after he was done asking questions, a flood of people came and lined up to meet him. He seemed a bit surprised or just really touched. Maybe he didn't expect such a crowd of people to show up or be interested. Maybe he didn't give speeches often. Either way, he welcomed everyone warmly and it made me think about the importance of being happy to the fans. Like Taylor Swift, she makes it her business to care and know, and it really feels great for us "normal" people.
As Big Jim looked through my sketchbook, he noted that I liked anime and that I had a lot of completed work. "You should try drawing loose pictures, like gestures, to help you with your drawing and storyboards," he told me after I asked him about story-boarding. It wasn't like I didn't have ideas, but putting them down on paper was tough for me. "If you draw loosely you can get your idea on paper. Don't focus of making a completed picture."
Of course! I had a feeling it was like that. Seeing his story-boards, they were nothing but scratches with notes at the bottom. He said if I drew my story-lines like that, it could help my storyboard ideas and everything. It made sense...I had been missing a step all along.
After signing my sketchbook on the very first page of what I consider a not so great drawing, I stepped to the side and let other people have their share of Big Jim. I returned later though for a photo with him and I felt soooo happy! A lot of other people showed him their drawings too and asked questions and asked for his autograph.
But I was the first! And I am sure Big Jim and I will meet again!