I think I'm starting to catch that animation bug that's been going around. I hate feeling like this because I know how difficult it's going to be, but I want to continue my studies. Not by enrolling in school (been there, done that), but on a personal level. Lately, traditional hand-drawn animation has been a recurring subject inside my head. I think with the right amount of tutorials and books, I could pull off something neat---even if it's only a minute or two.

For all I know, this urge just might fade away in a few days. It seriously needs to. I have some things I really need to focus on. Samples for the upcoming Wizard World Convention is top priority. Overall, comics and screenwriting seem to be saving my life right now.

If anything, I would like to schedule some time later in the year to re-familiarize myself with animation. I'm rusty. Hell, according to one particular instructor at the Art Institute of Philly, I suck at animation. Well, in so many words.

In fact, she failed me in a course that didn't even require any instruction whatsoever. Minimal observation with the occasional roll call---simple shit. It was a glorified free period to work on your portfolio/demo reel. All the students walked out of the course with works in progress---literal WIPS! I suppose she didn't like the direction I was going in... Maybe it was rough around the edges, but it was a freakin' work in progress! Does that constitute failing a student? Hell no, but I dropped out of the course to save my GPA. Unfortunately, the damage was done.

I think a huge portion of this urge is fueled by her opinion of me. Even if it's true, I want to produce something that will symbolize a giant "Fuck You" to her. Teacher/instructors should never rip out the hearts of their students... and piss on it.

Never.

She damaged me on so many levels. Mentally, physically, even financially... I couldn't even think about animating without wanting a drink or two. Suddenly, I want to animate and that scares me.

Maybe this is the road to recovery?

~ KG