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View Profile MetalMaverick
Anyone can be different, but it takes real effort just to be yourself.

Andrew Coe @MetalMaverick

Age 42, Male

Vancouver, WA

Joined on 10/17/02

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I am NOT an animator.

Posted by MetalMaverick - July 23rd, 2008


Well, not really anyway. I animate obviously, but no where near as well as many other users here at Newgrounds.

Now I'm sure to those of you who've seen my stuff in the past find this little "announcement" as anything but shocking, however what I find interesting is how much focus viewers here put on both the animation and the artwork behind most any cartoon submitted. I've had plenty of comments in the past from those who've said I need to improve my animation quality, or most notably, change my art style drastically. But my question to them is.... why?

The reason is simple. For the most part, I don't really care.

For me, the artwork and animations are mainly a means to an end. You see, I like telling stories, I like telling jokes, and I like making movies. My biggest issue has always been how do I give that physical form. In the past I tried a little 3D animation (since I've always been a fan of CGI), but the modeling process was always so time consuming that I never really even got to the actually animating of the models.

Then of course I came across flash, a tool that allowed me to create animations in a rather short period of time. It was like a prayer was answered. Now when you go back and look at my early work and compare it to what I've done recently, there's certainly been improvements, but for the most part there hasn't been any really drastic changes considering it's been about six years now.

I just don't want to spend all my time animating and drawing to only end up with a small bit to show for it. Now obviously if your an animation buff than that's where your gonna focus your efforts, and that of course is cool since I like a well animated cartoon as much as the next guy. I just think sometimes people forget that there are those of us who just want you to watch for the chocolatey goodness inside, and not just the candy shell.

What do you look for most in a flash animation? And if you had to choose, would you rather see a toon with awesome animation and absolutely no substance behind it, or a horribly ugly stick figure comedy that's freakin' histerical?


Comments

i still think your a good animator and should just have fun with it.

P.S. to your little question, i would enjoy a mixture of the two choose.

When I vote on movies I try to look past how good the graphical aspect of the movie, and look more for how much effort people put into the animation as well as how much I enjoyed watching it. I mean, sure if I see a movie that is trying to be very artistic and well drawn and it isn't, I may take off a few points but it doesn't really persuade my vote that much. What my vote really comes down to is how much I enjoyed it though, and I enjoy your animations. =)

You should feel even better about yourself now. =P

I can usually tell what whether people are aiming for good writing or good animation, so I usually vote dependent on what they were aiming for.

What do i look for? Entertainment.

Some of us are easier to please then others. For me writing, comedic timing, being visually interesting (which doesnt mean it HAS to be well animated), high quality sound. Theres lots of things.

I cant say ive been enjoying your toons lately, the bobble heads arent as visually interesting anymore after being used so long with very little changed for example, and the writing, for me, feels rather old and stale. Or maybe its just me getting older, i dont enjoy any of the things i did 4 years ago anymore.

But hell, why does it matter, you enjoy what you do and thats what counts. :)

You certainly have changed bud.

most of all, I try to look for effort in the work. If the person put effort into it then I think it's good.

I'm fine with anyone who:
a) Creates what they do because they enjoy it, not because they're trying to become popular or please certain audiences.
b) Puts effort into their stuff, both in art, animation, ideas, writing, and the aspects of directing the project.
c) Doesn't rip off other people.
d) At least tries out new concepts and ideas, rather than using certain things (collabs, parodies, certain animation/art styles) as a crutch (those things can all be good, but not when used improperly).

So you're doing well in my book. ;)

What I hate is when people talk shit on tweens, as if your entire animation needs to be drawn frame by frame - all 9,000 of them. I don't consider myself an animator and have never claimed to be one. I consider myself a story teller, as I believe you do.

As for your question, I look for something thats original, has style, and a good art direction. I've seen very well animated movies that sucked, as well as poorly animated movies that were great. It's a fine line to walk.

And in the time it took you to animate all those frames, how much of that story would you have told? That's my problem with fbf. Sure, I'd love all my animations to be totally fbf and look all smexy, but the trade off isn't worth it for me.

Ya just gotta let the fbf fans say what they will and keep on trucking. Take in their advice and apply where needed, but don't feel weighed down by it either. So long as your ultimately getting the visuals neccessary to tell your story.

Haha, I've seen a HELL of a lot worse than your stuff, dude. Just keep doin what you do.

If you enjoy what your doing and making an effort at it. That is an animator in my PDF file. Although then again what you enjoy doing and making effort might not make you a good animator and you might just be releasing what other people consider crap, but it will make you an animator noneoftheless even if everyone hates it.

In your case your a good animator! You make people smile, your animations are very humorous even if they don't look graphically beautiful as Waterlollies they are still very enjoyable. So don't say your not an animator.

In my opinion, it's not the great art or cool effects that makes the flash good (unless that's the point, like those movies in the Experemental category).

But, it's the story, or how enjoyable it is.

Im not a fan of your art style but after thinking on it I wouldn't ask you to change your style. I think it helps point you out of the crowd. Everytime I see those ugly eyed character I think, MM was here. Thats not bad, you comedy is actually GOOD! I enjoy seeing the work you put into your projects. Of course some animators (egoraptor being the one who comes to mind right now) have a style that have made them famous (awesome series...) but I read that he is gonna try messing with more realistic facial features and such. He said something like he was growing out of it, and is really enjoying this new thing... Ummm... My uh, point... Yeah... I lost myself...

Thanks for being original MM, some days it may not be worth it, but at least you can know that you are not the one emulated but rather one day or at one time you will be emulated...

I lost me again, dammit all, Im going to bed. Good luck MM, and I wish you great fortunes and such in the future as well as in the current way of life.

Thanks bud. It's good that your willing to look past the visuals to reward yourself with the chocolatey goodness. :)

your lucky i cant even animate only draw realistic sketches i just cant seem to animate them maybe i have bad patience lol but you should be glad with what you can do i think your amazing and i agree comedy before looks always best keep up the good work i love your videos!

A lot of PPL say that i am best @ NEWGRUNDZ! i find it emmbassing sumtimes but there iz no smoke within fire!

i just hope i dont let dowm my fans!!!!!!!!1

meh, I've always liked your work

That was.. beautiful, nah but seriously yea man you bring a valid point.

I'd have to go with a stick figure comedy. (See my 2nd latest news post) But if you could do a toon with awesome animation that's freakin' histerical....

*sigh* if only...

I think how you animate is perfectly fine. The bobblehead character design idea hasn't been done by anyone else by the site. Anyone could easily recognize your style, and that's something to be proud of by itself. The graphics are not exactly the reason I watch your movies, but I still watch them because they keep my interest and they funny.

I don't really like those two choices at the end, but if I had to choose, I would definitely watch the horrible ugly stick figure comedy that's freakin' histerical. Some of the most well-animated movies on this site have been ruined by lack of substance.

I actually feel better knowin that you don't care.

At least you're not doin it on purpose.

lol, sometimes deep down I think I do.

your right you arent an animator you are an anitainer lols.

Anitainer huh?

Sounds sexy

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