Comments on: On Epiphanies http://www.notsounwashed.com/2009/01/on-epiphanies/ Now With More Wed, 28 Jul 2010 16:28:13 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Tom http://www.notsounwashed.com/2009/01/on-epiphanies/#comment-31 Tom Tue, 20 Jan 2009 14:25:43 +0000 http://www.notsounwashed.com/?p=21#comment-31 Hey Tim! Honestly I cant take time out of my busy schedule of feeling sorry for myself to feel sorry for you, cos I know you're gonna be alright whatever you do. You've got talent, boy. It's like having a Myer voucher. You don't have to spend it right now. And those things last so long people don't even check the expiration date on the back. In fact does it even have one? On the other hand, why not chuck a sickie and get yourself something shiny, you deserve it. Don't stress. Looks like you have a lotta people here for you. 1.30am brings strange analogies. Hey Tim!

Honestly I cant take time out of my busy schedule of feeling sorry for myself to feel sorry for you, cos I know you’re gonna be alright whatever you do. You’ve got talent, boy. It’s like having a Myer voucher. You don’t have to spend it right now. And those things last so long people don’t even check the expiration date on the back. In fact does it even have one?

On the other hand, why not chuck a sickie and get yourself something shiny, you deserve it.

Don’t stress. Looks like you have a lotta people here for you.

1.30am brings strange analogies.

]]> By: sarah http://www.notsounwashed.com/2009/01/on-epiphanies/#comment-24 sarah Thu, 15 Jan 2009 03:34:50 +0000 http://www.notsounwashed.com/?p=21#comment-24 HAY TIM YOU SUCK HAY TIM YOU SUCK

]]> By: Debari http://www.notsounwashed.com/2009/01/on-epiphanies/#comment-23 Debari Thu, 15 Jan 2009 02:37:21 +0000 http://www.notsounwashed.com/?p=21#comment-23 Hrmmm, yep. All these points are completely valid. But you're a smart man Tim, maybe the smartest I know. So I completely trust what you're doing is exactly what you want. If you're anything like myself you probably have gone though all the possible options in your head a thousand plus times. But if you keep coming back to the same answer, then that's what you need to do. Jump in! In the short term it'll probably be difficult but in the long run you'll thank yourself and know that you did the right thing. Kudos for taking the first step. It seems always to be the hardest. ... Now I just need to take my own advice, and I'm set. :) But seriously man, best wishes in whatever you decide to do. I've told you before, and I'm sure I'm not alone here, but I really love your style of drawing too. I look forward to seeing more. Hrmmm, yep.
All these points are completely valid. But you’re a smart man Tim, maybe the smartest I know. So I completely trust what you’re doing is exactly what you want. If you’re anything like myself you probably have gone though all the possible options in your head a thousand plus times.
But if you keep coming back to the same answer, then that’s what you need to do.
Jump in! In the short term it’ll probably be difficult but in the long run you’ll thank yourself and know that you did the right thing.
Kudos for taking the first step. It seems always to be the hardest.
…
Now I just need to take my own advice, and I’m set. :) But seriously man, best wishes in whatever you decide to do. I’ve told you before, and I’m sure I’m not alone here, but I really love your style of drawing too. I look forward to seeing more.

]]> By: Alex http://www.notsounwashed.com/2009/01/on-epiphanies/#comment-22 Alex Tue, 13 Jan 2009 11:54:53 +0000 http://www.notsounwashed.com/?p=21#comment-22 Tim, As we discussed the other day - I think it's really important that you make adequate time for whatever "makes your heart sing". I especially think someone with your talent should definitely pursue making their own sandcastle. And, I repeat myself, but I also think your hidden talent is writing. Without a doubt you're one of the most eloquent, articulate and entertaining writers I've come across in a very long time - even your scribbles on Baz's monitor nearly reduced me to tears of laughter - I sincerely hope you always leave time to write stuff during your journey. :) Tim,

As we discussed the other day – I think it’s really important that you make adequate time for whatever “makes your heart sing”.

I especially think someone with your talent should definitely pursue making their own sandcastle. And, I repeat myself, but I also think your hidden talent is writing. Without a doubt you’re one of the most eloquent, articulate and entertaining writers I’ve come across in a very long time – even your scribbles on Baz’s monitor nearly reduced me to tears of laughter – I sincerely hope you always leave time to write stuff during your journey.

:)

]]> By: Simon http://www.notsounwashed.com/2009/01/on-epiphanies/#comment-21 Simon Tue, 13 Jan 2009 04:03:43 +0000 http://www.notsounwashed.com/?p=21#comment-21 You could always work at EB? It's a compromise of sorts I guess? Good luck with looking for a new job man, try the greyhounds if you want? Or if Jess wants another one even? Tell 'em I sent you. As for the epiphany, good luck with that! I sure as hell can't give you any advice on the matter, but I can promise to come over and play video games with you when I get back. You could always work at EB? It’s a compromise of sorts I guess? Good luck with looking for a new job man, try the greyhounds if you want? Or if Jess wants another one even? Tell ‘em I sent you. As for the epiphany, good luck with that! I sure as hell can’t give you any advice on the matter, but I can promise to come over and play video games with you when I get back.

]]> By: Ellen http://www.notsounwashed.com/2009/01/on-epiphanies/#comment-20 Ellen Mon, 12 Jan 2009 08:17:35 +0000 http://www.notsounwashed.com/?p=21#comment-20 True about drawing and exhausting yourself and being unable to do anything in your spare time. My second point is that pretty much any commercial game development is product development. You'll always be answering to someone. It's like Multimedia Design vs Multimedia Art degrees: my friend and I did those, respectively, and we used to laugh that the difference was that I had to follow a brief to a tee, whereas she could interpret and explore hers as she wanted. But, uh, game dev as a career requires you to answer to someone above you... creative director, publisher, intended audience etc. It's a product, and you'll never get your own baby. You already know this, though :) You understand what I'm saying; we're agreeing with each other in a roundabout way :) I guess the big question is now: what can you do that doesn't bore you to tears but still allows you creative freedom either on the job or after you go home? True about drawing and exhausting yourself and being unable to do anything in your spare time.

My second point is that pretty much any commercial game development is product development. You’ll always be answering to someone. It’s like Multimedia Design vs Multimedia Art degrees: my friend and I did those, respectively, and we used to laugh that the difference was that I had to follow a brief to a tee, whereas she could interpret and explore hers as she wanted. But, uh, game dev as a career requires you to answer to someone above you… creative director, publisher, intended audience etc. It’s a product, and you’ll never get your own baby. You already know this, though :)

You understand what I’m saying; we’re agreeing with each other in a roundabout way :)

I guess the big question is now: what can you do that doesn’t bore you to tears but still allows you creative freedom either on the job or after you go home?

]]> By: Dave http://www.notsounwashed.com/2009/01/on-epiphanies/#comment-19 Dave Sat, 10 Jan 2009 20:21:45 +0000 http://www.notsounwashed.com/?p=21#comment-19 Here again. Yes, you got a lot of response and all good stuff. It sounds like Ian speaks your language and the "diagram tree" he mentions speaks to me, too. I wish I'd had some thought modelling skills many years ago. Kind of obvious that you are at a big fork in the road, but I would also say you are already on your way. Like you are doing here, talk to everybody, anybody. You say you know what it is you want to do, and plainly you know your craft. Here comes the nasty part: business. If you're up to pitching your own stuff, great. If it goes against your grain so much, you will likely need to collaborate who "gets" business. You should know BS when you hear it by now. It may be a big pill to swallow but you will be in the company of every artist who had to make a living from Shakespeare to H.L. Mencken to Margaret Atwood to Lord British and Frank Zappa. And if you are finding it tough to trust your talent and craft, you can always "just do it". Bon chance, Dave Here again. Yes, you got a lot of response and all good stuff.
It sounds like Ian speaks your language and the “diagram tree” he mentions speaks to me, too. I wish I’d had some thought modelling skills many years ago.
Kind of obvious that you are at a big fork in the road, but I would also say you are already on your way. Like you are doing here, talk to everybody, anybody.
You say you know what it is you want to do, and plainly you know your craft. Here comes the nasty part: business.
If you’re up to pitching your own stuff, great. If it goes against your grain so much, you will likely need to collaborate who “gets” business. You should know BS when you hear it by now. It may be a big pill to swallow but you will be in the company of every artist who had to make a living from Shakespeare to H.L. Mencken to Margaret Atwood to Lord British and Frank Zappa. And if you are finding it tough to trust your talent and craft, you can always “just do it”.

Bon chance,

Dave

]]> By: Ian http://www.notsounwashed.com/2009/01/on-epiphanies/#comment-18 Ian Sat, 10 Jan 2009 14:51:02 +0000 http://www.notsounwashed.com/?p=21#comment-18 OK! I can dig it. Indie is totally in, and has a far greater level of control, satisfaction and entrepreneurship! If you do find yourself "mainstream" again, don't feel shit, because there is just too many ways that could head. Studios frequently fragment away into separate entities, and then the new founders work on projects THEY want to work on. Just... do your best! Ganbare!! OK! I can dig it. Indie is totally in, and has a far greater level of control, satisfaction and entrepreneurship!

If you do find yourself “mainstream” again, don’t feel shit, because there is just too many ways that could head. Studios frequently fragment away into separate entities, and then the new founders work on projects THEY want to work on. Just… do your best! Ganbare!!

]]> By: Tim http://www.notsounwashed.com/2009/01/on-epiphanies/#comment-17 Tim Sat, 10 Jan 2009 12:45:05 +0000 http://www.notsounwashed.com/?p=21#comment-17 OH MAN SO MANY REPLIES. Thanks guys! I was just basically stepping through my thoughts early in the morning anyway, it's good to hear it didn't sound too awful. @Liza: Thanks! I appreciate your confidence. @Sarah: Thanks for your confidence too! This sounds like an acceptably great future. Green jelly is the best! @Ellen: I actually originally applied as a concept artist, and was knocked back by Mr. Whitkin, back in the day - but now I realise that that would probably be even worse. I'd spend the whole day drawing things I didn't really want to and then get home and not want to even touch a pencil. I'm not sure I understand your second point, but basically I think I agree with it? HMM @Dave: Good to hear from you! Even if you must remain mysterious. Thanks for sharing your experiences, I wonder how much they will mirror mine as things go own. @James: Okay! I'll be there. @Ian: If there's any hesitation it comes from my nervousness at finding a way to do what I want to do the right way and still support Jess and myself, not from any hesitancy over whether this is the right thing to do any more. What you say about the game dev diagram tree is true I guess, as long as that game dev is for other people and not myself. As long as I continue to make a career out of it, I will never get to make my magnum opus because I will never have creative control. If I content myself with bedroom development, I'll always have the control I want. I think that's a better way to go. OH MAN SO MANY REPLIES. Thanks guys! I was just basically stepping through my thoughts early in the morning anyway, it’s good to hear it didn’t sound too awful.

@Liza: Thanks! I appreciate your confidence.

@Sarah: Thanks for your confidence too! This sounds like an acceptably great future. Green jelly is the best!

@Ellen: I actually originally applied as a concept artist, and was knocked back by Mr. Whitkin, back in the day – but now I realise that that would probably be even worse. I’d spend the whole day drawing things I didn’t really want to and then get home and not want to even touch a pencil. I’m not sure I understand your second point, but basically I think I agree with it? HMM

@Dave: Good to hear from you! Even if you must remain mysterious. Thanks for sharing your experiences, I wonder how much they will mirror mine as things go own.

@James: Okay! I’ll be there.

@Ian: If there’s any hesitation it comes from my nervousness at finding a way to do what I want to do the right way and still support Jess and myself, not from any hesitancy over whether this is the right thing to do any more. What you say about the game dev diagram tree is true I guess, as long as that game dev is for other people and not myself. As long as I continue to make a career out of it, I will never get to make my magnum opus because I will never have creative control. If I content myself with bedroom development, I’ll always have the control I want. I think that’s a better way to go.

]]> By: Ian http://www.notsounwashed.com/2009/01/on-epiphanies/#comment-16 Ian Sat, 10 Jan 2009 10:49:47 +0000 http://www.notsounwashed.com/?p=21#comment-16 Tim, I'm a little worried. You have very eloquently and very convincingly told us that you don't want a part of video game design. I am happy for you if you are truly done with it & want to move onto something else, or are even looking for a temporary lifestyle change. There is a note of hesitation, as well as a seemingly dogged reason behind your thinking that worries me, if what you felt was true. Why does the diagram tree in your mind RE: game dev end up at do not pass go, do not create magnum opus? Do you really believe that? Tim, I’m a little worried.

You have very eloquently and very convincingly told us that you don’t want a part of video game design. I am happy for you if you are truly done with it & want to move onto something else, or are even looking for a temporary lifestyle change.

There is a note of hesitation, as well as a seemingly dogged reason behind your thinking that worries me, if what you felt was true. Why does the diagram tree in your mind RE: game dev end up at do not pass go, do not create magnum opus?

Do you really believe that?

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