THIS IS AN ARTICLE IN PROGRESS..... MOSTLY RANTS
I am writing this article in my Blender blog, but I think this article may have bigger scope.
MONEY DOES NOT EQUAL CREATIVITY
Recently, I can see more clearly how the 3D industry (TV, Film, Games, Architecture, Design) works, which are mainly focusing toward commercials and money making business. Not so much on creativity, nor accessibility.
Well, maybe "nothing wrong" with that, of course. Artists need money to live, and money could lead to more development and productions. It's just the way it is... Oh, is it really?
But I think, it has all become more and more laborious jobs, less creative jobs, and creative tools are always as expensive as ever. Most of money does not really go to proper place.
I do NOT like what I am seeing:
- Commercial Packages remain really expensive
- Tools are expensive too. The latest Wacom is darn expensive.
- Many doors are closed.
- VFX Artists are losing jobs
The "creative industry" is not really always as the idea of CREATIVE LIFE as we dream of.
Unless the artists or developers out there are motivated to do sides projects that are more creative. Luckily, there are some of evangelists out there, giving away tools, ideas, and knowledge that drive for creativity.
These days I can see that the real potential creative drive is: the non-professionals (the general public). Not solely from artists or professionals or people who claimed to be professionals.
Ideally, everyone should have more time to be creative because every one is actually creative or can be creative. The problem is always TIME and MONEY. But usually MONEY comes first.
EDUCATION AND THE DARK SIDE
At this moment, I am probably privilege enough to be working in the educational area, albeit short, but it gives me a little insight of university and education process. I consider that part of luck and I feel that I have responsibility to do more.
Even though my responsibility at Uni is relatively small, I like the positive energy from some of the students. The beginners tend to want to learn the tools with great passion. But sometimes the fun ends too quickly. Subject is short and they realized they have to submit assignments, and so on. Before they know it, they graduates and have to find jobs.
What students really need to understand:
- You are not guaranteed a job and job does not always guarantee experience.
- You do not have enough knowledge, you need to seek for knowledge yourself.
- You need to work together with other people and on your own.
- You need to find connections and community.
- You need a lifetime mentor and you will become a mentor for others.
THE BRIGHT SIDE OF THE INTERNET
The good thing nowadays is that many people have access to Computer and Internet.
Somewhat it is easier to connect to a group of people, to find knowledge (although you need to filter them out), and to be really creative in many ways.
THE CREATIVE OPEN SOURCE TOOL BEST EXAMPLE CASE: BLENDER
Anyways, to be creative in 3D and computer graphics, here you got something like Blender. Blender is big. I only knew Blender for about a year. I researched and studied Blender from scratch using all the materials available online. It actually works.
Blender is basically summarize my passion for 3D and computer graphics reborned.
Blender is open source and available for all kind of computer platforms, can be installed on any computer. What else you can ask for? You got the tool and you are free to create anything with it. Unrestricted with license and no need for $$$$$.
This is one example of ULTIMATE CREATIVITY TOOL. Blender Foundation really got it right.
I have yet to find proper Blender educations here in Australia though. All university teachings are of course targeted for the industry (but sadly the industry itself cannot support all the graduates from university).
At the place I was a tutor (we use Maya), even powerful 3D package like Houdini got ditched, just because there is no job in Australia that requires Houdini. Sadly.
Anyways, that's the dilemma of commercial packages. Well, I think we can all think a bit differently.
In "poor country" like Indonesia, I found out that some group of people teaching Blender on laptops at Starbucks. This is brilliant moves. On the other hand, Australia is a "rich country", but the funny thing is that I still found many schools and colleges here do not have enough computers for all students. Which is kind of sad, but this is reality that often overlooked.
Maybe Blender can be used to implement 3D and Computer Graphics in all kind of areas that are more general, not just for Film and Games. Perhaps more for educations and things like 3D printings, information and technology education for general people.
Even if there are "no jobs", I think we can create jobs and opportunities using tools like Blender.
I would go to local Library, have access to computer and Internet and download portable Blender:
http://www.blender.org/download/get-blender/
Everyone deserves creative space and opportunity to be creative and find joy in being creative. Free to be creative.
I promise myself, when I manage to reach the top, I want to help to make changes to creative industry.
CREATIVE PROJECT EXAMPLE: THE ADVENTURE OF WANARA
Here is one example Blender project that deserves more attention that it has.
This is work of some of best Blender artists in Indonesia (animators, modelers, etc), and in collaboration with Japan as well, they are creating a big animation, digital comic and game project based on an ongoing novel by Adhicipta R. Wirawan:
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6902932.A_R_Wirawan
You can follow the project on their Facebook page here:
https://www.facebook.com/the.adventures.of.wanara
Great Blender Artists are THE NEXT PIXAR, true?
See also:
http://www.psfk.com/2012/12/awaken-creativity-chase-jarvis.html
Just another random thought on Blender Sushi. I am just a bit too idealist, sometimes.
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