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- In a nutshell, here is my experience:
- I went to Art College to study life drawing, photography, and
- sound. While there I segued into performance, music composition, video
- and computere animation. The college initially had 286 clones running
- pansophic software; it was a feeling of "this is it", and besides, it was
- fun :). They got SGI and Alias 3.1, which allowed my class and myself to
- teach ourselves for about two and a half years. In the meanwhile, I
- started putting together a project in my final year and a half which
- would blend live action and computer animation. Nobody, including the
- instructors, really new Alias, so we were able to set our term project
- and teach ourselves.
- Anyway, what happened is that I assumed I'd use the one-chip
- College equipment to tape, and shoot on location. I knew I'd find a way
- to blend it later.
- I went to the local post houses and community cable, and what
- evolved : I met a best friend with similar views, Community cable
- accepted the project even amidst a busy schedule (we have a way cool
- Cable group in Halifax) and provided 3-chip broadcast cameras, tech
- support, a really driven DOP, and some transportation.
- The stipulation was that it be shown on air (ah, SURE, yesokay...).
- I approached Dalhousie theatre (I was taking music and French,
- and hung out with the theatre folk), and found a group of theatre
- students who brought solid professional conviction to the parts, and
- access to a theatre with lighting grid.
- Essentially what happened is that the whole thing snowballed. Big
- Time. Now, looking back, I've been freelancing regularly at the only
- non-network Online suite (which just bought an Avid) for three years
- (presently using a Toaster and Lightwave 3.1), worked around town, taught
- video and computer at the local artists' co-op, and even met my mate after the tape showed at the local film fest.
-
- In print, it almost seems silly, but it happened.
-
- The point is that doing a project seems to make a difference; you
- meet lots of people who can and will get involved. What began as a way to
- ease re-entry into the work world from college turned into lots of
- oppurtunity to learn.
-
- I'm not working at Free Range yet (this is my next goal - I think
- I'll do well and love it there), but something will happen.
- I wish you luck; it's waiting for you anyway, simply because this
- is what you wish to do.
-
- Exceptionatly long-winded piece ('ll post privatly next time);
- I'd enjoy hearing how all of you accomplished what you have.
-
-
- Ken Mayfield.
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