2009 Motion Graphics Reel
December 14, 2009
Audio by: Evolution Audio
Intro/Outro Footage: DangerDom
Click here to check out some work from my previous reel.
Posted in: Broadcast / Commercial / Front Page / Promotional Spot / Reel / Show Package / Sports
5 Comments
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Justin McClure
Dec 29, 2009, 6:39
Justin, thanks for the comment! I do all of my animation and compositing work in After Effects. As far as design, i use the old industry standards, Adobe Ps and Ai. I have 3 kids and one on the way, so most of the time i read fairy tales or stories about mice, or pirates. I think the last book I actually finished was a book called "1001 Rules for my Unborn Son" here is a link to the book. http://rulesformyunbornson.tumblr.com/ it's a really great book and a super fast read.
I try to be inspired by everything, even walking down the grocery aisles at the local super market. Lately I find myself amused and inspired by the simple things, i think mostly because of my children. Children are fascinating to study. They think differently. They ask amazing questions that are twisted and skewed about the simplest stuff we just don't think about or take for granted. My son asked me yesterday, "how does a digital camera work?" and "how it can capture a moment and then put it on your computer?" - I have no idea. and frankly i never even thought about it, i just know that it can.
The other sources of inspiration come from my creative process. I am like a packrat, I collect and file almost anything visually pleasing to the eye. When i start a project I usually take an entire day just to research and dig for information, images or just different styles. Sometimes I pull from what i have already collected, and other times i start with a clean slate. These collections I call mood boards. I can quickly set a stage with several looks, pin them up and use that as fuel for the design stage.
I think the other important thing that i have learned along the way is to always design first, then animate. So often i think young animators get in a bad habit of going right into Ae and start animating. I have been there. It always starts out great and ends terribly. Great design has legs, it will take off effortlessly and you find yourself thinking of a thousand options and ways to animate. Where as if you just start in with no direction you find yourself running into walls or unforeseen road blocks, making the project painful.
My last 2ยข. I work very hard at what i do. In fact i am writing this comment back to you at 5:20 am after being up all night working on a first draft animatic. I am not telling you that staying up all night will make you a great designer, but you have to be willing to put that kind of effort into what you love doing. You have to have that drive and passion to survive in this industry. There are only a handful of artist that were simply given that "God Given" talent. The rest of us have to make up for it with a big heart, long hours and a few tears.
I hope that has given you a little insight about my approach. Again, i am pretty tired, hopefully i responded to your questions correctly. If not, my contact info is on the home page and you can always connect with me here as well http://www.justinmcclure.tv/networks feel free to call me or email me with questions or comments any time!
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Dan Cooper
Jan 28, 2010, 0:37
Thanks for the insight to your creative approach. It's always cool to hear about how different people view the world around them. Great design in your reel, and congrats on the new addition to the family.
Cheers,
Dan -
Drew Finnie
Feb 2, 2010, 21:00
Great body of work here Justin. I totally agree with you on the bit about designing before AE and how it will sometime end terribly. After I started making boards ( which i believe are mostly used to "convince" a client on a concept ) they help act as a quality control for the projects aesthetic through to the end..
Can i get those gigs of inspiration you have cataloged? J/K
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Leave a Comment
Extus Justin
Dec 26, 2009, 10:27
Hey Justin. Thats an awesome Demo reel. Im really impressed. You seem to be one of the best at what you do. I want to be good like you some day. What programs do you use and what books do you read? Where do you get your ideas from? Your advice will be much appreciated. Thanks in advance Justin.