Downshifting…

Last week I found myself beset with vision problems (double vision, inability to focus) and throbbing headaches. My boss at work thinks they’re migraines; I think it’s just overwork. Too many long workdays starting at a computer screen, followed by too many long worknights of the same…

So, this past weekend I shut down all the computers and cozied up with some sketchpads, writing notebooks, and pencils. Smartest thing I’ve done in weeks. Besides having my vision return to normal and making my headaches go away, I was able to work on sketches and keyframes for Evolution, as well figure out some production schedule changes for the films after Scary Monster Vs Lucky Frog.

I’ve also begun looking at some changes to the way we do business in general — less emphasis on hard deadlines, more emphasis on production-based design. Steve Ogden’s Moon Town production blog and podcast has been full of useful information on running with a production-based design philosophy. I did something similar with Break Time, and it worked really well, but for some stupid reason I haven’t been following it lately. Anyway, I hope the changes will allow for more productive studio time, without making me want to shove my head in a bucket of water and take deep breaths. And I need to have more fun doing this. Making myself partially blind and totally psycho is not fun…

Since I’m trying to slow things down to a more manageable level, the original June release date for Scary Monster is up in the air. Like I’ve mentioned previously, it’ll get done when it gets done…