Kazuya Masumoto is quite the legendary creator, having worked at Gainax on ‘Gurren Lagann’ and ‘Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt,’ before founding Trigger and producing ‘Kill la Kill.’ 🎥 I remember watching all those animations in awe, so I couldn’t resist picking up his book, ‘Animation Production Manual.’ This book dives into not just cels or storylines, but the entire animation production process. While reading, I stumbled upon this gem of wisdom.
First, critique thoroughly! Critique! Critique!
It even suggests to ‘critique until your mouth is dry.’ (Technically, it says to offer feedback until your mouth is dry, but you get the gist 😉)
In Japan, there’s a traditional way of teaching and learning on the job. A mentor attaches themselves to you, pressuring you intensely. As mentioned in this book, it’s all about critiquing, critiquing, and more critiquing. Naturally, the learner responds with the utmost politeness, like ‘Thank you, Manager!’ while bowing deeply. The next step? You’re given a task bigger than you can handle and left to your own devices. Once you’ve battled through and completed it solo, you emerge as someone who can truly handle that work on their own.
This book suggests a similar vibe for teaching and learning animation work. It even breaks down the animation production process step by step, making it ideal for anyone curious about the animation process. If you’re interested, why not skim through it at the bookstore? 📚
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