I have worked in media most of my adult life. When I was 23 I moved from Boston to Los Angeles to work in the film industry and began my career working for Nickelodeon television.
Eventually I began finding work in art departments and animation companies due to my experience and training in painting and illustration. Ultimately I ending up at one of LA's first all digital effects studios VIFX/ Video Image. I began working on digital effects for the next 20 years.
I have always been fascinated with technology and it's fusion with art. My experience seems to be a cross reference of these two disciplines. I have been lucky to have worked with many talented people and learned from them. Actors, directors, artists, Musicians, animators, make up people. It's been a genuine privilege to work with these talented people.
My goal with this blog is to document the work of these people and analyze the changes in the various visual arts while recognizing the history at the same time.
I am not looking to act as a critic. My goal is more op/ed commentary and historical perspective. I feel this is more conducive to discussion and open dialogue.
Hey Cool,
ReplyDeleteI'm really interested in that 20 year period. I think your subject is very clear and I look forward to seeing you you educate and comment on historical this subject from a historical perspective. I also look forward to hearing your opinion on important innovations vs. innovations that may have hindered the industry.
Thanks,
Vic
Vic
DeleteI attend on elaborating on that 20 year period and the development of the technology used to create movie visuals. It is such a dense subject that it will take me all semester just to skim the surface but I look forward to doing it.
Hi CoolVFX,
ReplyDeleteI remember growing up with Nickelodeon and being a huge fan of the show "Doug." As a member of a younger generation, I too am looking to break into media. Your topic is clear-cut and to the point. It doesn't reveal too much and it leaves the reader interested in learning more. I am always interested in learning more about media and the visual arts, so I am curious as to what you'll discuss in the upcoming weeks.
Best,
Spinach
It was fun working for them but i desired to work in feature film and at the time they werent really doing much of that
DeleteCool,
ReplyDeleteGreat Biosketch! You've given us a nice glimpse into what makes you the go-to-person when it comes to learning about the ins and outs of VFX. I'd love for you to fill in some of the gaps so we can see your thought process. What finally made you move from Boston to L.A.? How did you learn painting and illustration? What was it like working at VIFX / Video Image?
This is an awesome topic and your credentials more than support any viewpoint you might have on the subject. Good work!
- Jasper Parks
To Jasper-
ReplyDeleteThank you for the comments. i moved to LA because I was primarily interested in learning and being involved in the creation of motion pictures. The East (at least at the time I left in 1990) had very little film production activity. It took me a few years of working in television and commercials before i got my first job working for on a big studio feature film in 1993.
My training in illustration was in 1985 when i briefly attended Massachusetts College of art and studied sculpting and illustration. I finished my art degree in California where I attended Otis art college in Westchester. I have studied drawing and illustration all my life so I'm proud of that accomplishment as I admire artists.