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Gerkinman
Driven, if nothing else.

Age 37, Male

Motion Artist and In

Northern Rivers NSW

Joined on 1/11/04

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Retiring from Animation

Posted by Gerkinman - September 24th, 2010


Yes, i think its time to throw in the towel, im sure a large majority of people dont care, and the other majority are surprised i didn't give up earlier, so sorry to the handfull of people that were still interested in my work.

This wasn't a decision i came too lightly, and its been on my mind for several months now.

I could try to list all the reasons why im stopping, but in the end it all comes down to money. I cant "afford" the time it takes to make film and animation anymore. Life isn't as simple as it was when i was in school, back when i could sponge off my parents and make whatever the hell i wanted, as much as i wanted. Im living a life where i not only work full time but also run my own business on the side, and im not even making any actual money, im just making enough to cover living expenses and all my savings are going towards a move interstate at the end of the year. I've spent over a year working on Telescope, this would have once upon a time taken me around 3 weeks to complete, its not because im neglecting the project, its more that i just always have more important things i need to be doing.

I've also never been one of those people who could come up with an idea that everyone falls in love with and can than proceed to make a living, or at least have a little extra spending money thanks to things like flash ads and google ads on Youtube, and even if i did have the content that would attract that sort of traffic, i could never allow someone else's ads to be plastered all over my own content, its just something that has never appealed to me, especially after having spent over 4 years in the web advertising business. More power to the people that do, its just not for me.

So i guess thats the bad news and why im leaving the animation scene behind me (to an extent at least, i will continue to do corporate animation, logos and the like, which i actually really enjoy). And for those that are interested i will still be available for little collab parts.

So the good news then.

Since money is a good motivator im working on a number of graphic novels, which is only motivating because i have a publisher for them. Im already 33 pages into the storyboard for the first of a series of novels detailing Gerkinman's story, starting naturally with his origins. Im also in the process of reworking "The Telescope" into a Graphic Novel, which will be the first book i release, hopefully early next year or even late this year (I personally think it looks much better in stills then in motion anyway). The main attraction to Graphic Novels for me, i think, is scale isn't as much of an issue in print as it is in animation, its allot harder to animate something with massive scope then it is too illustrate the key areas (especially when you animate as badly as i do). So thats good news isn't it? Well i guess not for people who dont want to have to pay to see my work... ah well.

Other then that, im just trying to get a strong portfolio together so i can stand a chance of getting a job similar to my old job doing web design when i get to Melbourne. And if im lucky it might even pay enough for me to close down my business and get back to my own creative endeavors.

Thats about it...

Retiring from Animation


Comments

I could have sworn you did this a long time ago. Am I mistaken?

I think i did a number of years back, then had a massive year suddenly and put out tonnes of content.

I'm sad now.

Carry the torch my friend.

Aww man.

you cant really "retire" from animation in the same way you cant retire from art.
Hopefully in the furute you will find a work that lets you exploit your film making talents.
still, kinda sad to hear you are on a dry season :(
the part about the telescope reminded me about myself and the voodoo flash I made. Man its just... life gettin in the way :(

If it was my life id be as happy as larry, or harry? ;D

But its not as much as id like it to be, and i just feel awful starting things and never getting to touch them.

lol furute

Furute is what comes after the future.

ONOH ILLUMANATEH AHH!!!! :o

lal

it's a break, not a retirement. come back later, i'm sure 5 or 6 of us might vaguely remember you. we'll do a "Gerkinman's Comeback Collab."

Ha ha, that idea blows my mind, Gerkinman hasn't been seen since 2008 lol.

:[.

There there mate, there there.

I never quite understood the point of "retiring" from a hobby. I mean, usually life takes people in a lot of directions, something tells me at some point in your life you're probably going to end up animating something again. Retiring from it seems kinda pointless. Good luck on your graphic novel, I'm sure it's gonna look awesome.

Retiring probably isn't the right word, i mean i don't want to do this as a hobby anymore, im pretty determined to find a way to do this as a profession.

The graphic novel will look just like the screens ive posted.

there goes my only true fan :`(( sad to c u go!!!!

ps: loldix

Ill always be your biggest fan, cant wait to see more dave ;D

ahh dude its a shame you're giving up on animating the telescope, it was looking pretty cool

still good luck with the comics

I was really happy with it when i started it a year ago, i don't know if i've been working on it so long that i hate it or if it just no longer meets my vision. Im just glad im getting it finished in one form or another. Im all about the story, not the medium its told in.

you'll find your way back buddy, it'll take sometime but you'll come back too animating one day and have as much fun as you've ever had in you life! Sure it'll be awhile but.. idk live the life you need to live, but NG and all the art, flashes, and other crazy shit will still be here for you.

I dont mind waiting .

Im sure NG will still be here in 4 or 5 years, and its not like im going to stop watching toon's here and posting the occasional drawing.

pretty good art skills there, the triangle with the eye reminds me of the one pyramid with the eye from doodle god

Yeh, that's the "eye of providence" ;D

It really sucks that you're going to quit animating for a while because I really liked your Alison promos, Like A Brother, and Out There.

I didn't know anyone liked Alison ha ha

Oh shit, so does that mean No Australian Collab. I really love your animation. But you are not retiring because later on whenyou find spare time you will animate. Just say that you will not be doing as much.

I'm sad now

: MasterAardvark rip off

No no, im still in the collab, i can handle something small like that. :)

Hey, when you get your comic published, give me the link to buy it.

lol good post but you gotta check out this site that gives you FREE Xbox Live and PSN points before Microsoft or Sony shut it down! its called <a href="http://freegamerpoints.net">http://freegamerpoints.net</a> and ive been using it for awhile its great, especially with Black Ops on the way :P

I've just discovered your work!! And that's sad... ah well.

It's at least I could view what you've done and I could see your comics also. :3