Animation Mentor:
What inspired you to learn animation?
Deter Brown:
I was a software developer for about 8 years before I had finally had enough! I knew there had to be something more interesting and creative that I could spend my time doing. Always loved animation, but never thought about pursuing it as a career. However, the whole marriage of computers and animation removed a very large hurdle for me... that whole drawing part. Loved watching Disney, Warner Bros., etc... but the Pixar films pretty much got me to think that I might be able to give this a shot.
Animation Mentor:
What would be your ultimate dream job?
Deter Brown:
My ultimate dream job would be to work at a major studio on a project that stands the test of time. Meaning a movie that people will always recognize and remember (i.e. Toy Story, Nemo, Star Wars, LotR, etc.) I would love for my grandkids to one day say, "my granddaddy worked on that!" Oh, then I want to direct.
Animation Mentor:
How has your experience at Animation Mentor been so far?
Deter Brown:
My experience has been pretty special. I cannot believe how much I've learned in a year. Plus I've met a lot of really great people.
Animation Mentor:
What's one of the most important and/or interesting lessons you've learned while at Animation Mentor?
Deter Brown:
Not really sure if this is a lesson...but a comfortable workflow is something that I've started to develop here at Animation Mentor. I was fortunate that I was somewhat familiar with Maya coming into the program...but I never felt that I had a grasp on a workflow. To this day I get nervous when approaching an assignment because I'm not totally comfortable yet...but, and I guess this is the lesson, with practice you will get it down. Plus it helps seeing the pros (a.k.a. mentors) do their thing.
Animation Mentor:
Who is your favorite animator?
Deter Brown:
You know, I don't really have a favorite animator per se. I grew up watching animation, but I was never a die hard fan to the point where I could name the 9 Old Men, etc. I really didn't start paying attention to actual names until the whole internet boom of personal web pages. So, with that being said there are animators that I admire from checking out their personal stuff...Victor Navone (who will ever forget 'Alien Song'?), Cameron Miyasaki (probably the best bouncing ball animation I've ever seen)...Brian Taylor (Rustboy)...and Andy Murdock (Lots of Robots).
Animation Mentor:
What is your favorite animated/CG scene of all time?
Deter Brown:
Hmmmm...if I had to choose one, I would have to say the one scene that floored me the most would have to have been the shots of Gollum talking to Frodo outside of Shelob's lair. The subtlety in acting and the rendering made me, for the first time, not look at him as a special effect, but as a living breathing character...it was scary.
Animation Mentor:
Anything else you want to say to your fellow and prospective students of Animation Mentor?
Deter Brown:
Yea, to my fellow students just keep on keeping on! We're a part of something really special here at Animation Mentor. At no other school of any discipline are you taught by so many professionals. For any prospective students, read that last sentence one more time!
Check out Deter's personal website at DeterBrown.com
What inspired you to learn animation?
Deter Brown:
I was a software developer for about 8 years before I had finally had enough! I knew there had to be something more interesting and creative that I could spend my time doing. Always loved animation, but never thought about pursuing it as a career. However, the whole marriage of computers and animation removed a very large hurdle for me... that whole drawing part. Loved watching Disney, Warner Bros., etc... but the Pixar films pretty much got me to think that I might be able to give this a shot.
Animation Mentor:
What would be your ultimate dream job?
Deter Brown:
My ultimate dream job would be to work at a major studio on a project that stands the test of time. Meaning a movie that people will always recognize and remember (i.e. Toy Story, Nemo, Star Wars, LotR, etc.) I would love for my grandkids to one day say, "my granddaddy worked on that!" Oh, then I want to direct.
Animation Mentor:
How has your experience at Animation Mentor been so far?
Deter Brown:
My experience has been pretty special. I cannot believe how much I've learned in a year. Plus I've met a lot of really great people.
Animation Mentor:
What's one of the most important and/or interesting lessons you've learned while at Animation Mentor?
Deter Brown:
Not really sure if this is a lesson...but a comfortable workflow is something that I've started to develop here at Animation Mentor. I was fortunate that I was somewhat familiar with Maya coming into the program...but I never felt that I had a grasp on a workflow. To this day I get nervous when approaching an assignment because I'm not totally comfortable yet...but, and I guess this is the lesson, with practice you will get it down. Plus it helps seeing the pros (a.k.a. mentors) do their thing.
Animation Mentor:
Who is your favorite animator?
Deter Brown:
You know, I don't really have a favorite animator per se. I grew up watching animation, but I was never a die hard fan to the point where I could name the 9 Old Men, etc. I really didn't start paying attention to actual names until the whole internet boom of personal web pages. So, with that being said there are animators that I admire from checking out their personal stuff...Victor Navone (who will ever forget 'Alien Song'?), Cameron Miyasaki (probably the best bouncing ball animation I've ever seen)...Brian Taylor (Rustboy)...and Andy Murdock (Lots of Robots).
Animation Mentor:
What is your favorite animated/CG scene of all time?
Deter Brown:
Hmmmm...if I had to choose one, I would have to say the one scene that floored me the most would have to have been the shots of Gollum talking to Frodo outside of Shelob's lair. The subtlety in acting and the rendering made me, for the first time, not look at him as a special effect, but as a living breathing character...it was scary.
Animation Mentor:
Anything else you want to say to your fellow and prospective students of Animation Mentor?
Deter Brown:
Yea, to my fellow students just keep on keeping on! We're a part of something really special here at Animation Mentor. At no other school of any discipline are you taught by so many professionals. For any prospective students, read that last sentence one more time!
Check out Deter's personal website at DeterBrown.com