Scary Monster Vs Lucky Frog Update #4: Taking a Break…
In marathons, runners talk about hitting “the wall”, when the oxygen-starved muscles start to crash and the tired mind begins to rebel against the whole silly idea of running for twenty-six miles for no reason. Working on an animated film is no different (yes, I know, I know, the analogy has been beaten to death, but just roll with it, will ya? Lousy Analogy Police… *shakes fist at no one*). Last night, I finally hit that “wall” with Scary Monster Vs Lucky Frog…
Note: if one is being chased by ghosts or werewolves, running for twenty-six miles is not a silly idea. Just so we’re clear…
Anyway, I’ve spent this week working on the coloring, using Painter and the Wacom tablet, and so far all I’ve gotten done is half of one character in one scene. That’s it. Nothing more.
Nice…
I am so very, very, VERY tempted to drag the entire project to the iMac’s trashcan and say, “SEE ya! Wouldn’t wanna BE ya!” Just be done with the whole cantankerous mess. I have spent the last six months penciling and inking this movie, with the prospect of another three-plus months to work on the coloring, and the end result will be… well, essentially, a three-minute Flash cartoon. Complete with jaggedy motion and flat colors. All to bring a weak gag to life.
Swell…
Before I do anything rash that I just know I would regret, I’m putting the whole project into neutral and coasting to a stop. Taking a powder. Walking away for now. Let my neurons realign themselves with the creative powers of the cosmos…
Don’t know how long I’m going walkabout. Could be a day. Could be six months. I’ve put out an open invitation to the Muses for spiritual guidance and inspiration, but they are notoriously fickle, so an answer may or may not be forthcoming. Only time will tell…
Excuse me while I find a train to throw myself in front of…
2 comments
Ah the wall. Dan, I hit the wall about a month ago. I kept working. I was literally crying some nights while I storyboarded begging firstly for a higher power to exist so that I could then pray to it to get me out of this production hell I was in. Then I realized the only way to get the job dob was just to press on and DO IT.
There are times when the work is uninspiring, tedious, or you just think you’ve bitten off more than you can chew. I’ve written a slogan on my whiteboard which may help:
“How do you eat something bigger than your head? One bite at a time”
Slog it out, my man. Keep the nose to the grindstone and when you wake up, the job with be done.
I’m usually a slug-it-out man, and that’s the advice I’ve given at AnimWatch time and again. However, it’s not the advice I’ve always followed.
Sometimes you *have* bitten off more than you can chew. Sometimes, which is worse, you didn’t think through the idea before you started working on it. In those cases, a break is warranted. You’ll either get your wind back, or you’ll discover the truth about your project. If it’s too big for you, or a dumb idea, you’ll be able to walk away. If it’s doable and a good idea, maybe you just need to catch your breath. But time will tell.
Throw a little love my way, won't 'cha??? Thanks!!!! :)