Yep, 5 Aug marked the end of my journey at Scrawls Studios. It's been 2 years, my first job since I graduated. I'm grateful for the opportunity to work there, really. Especially when I'm all lost and had zero experience for the animation industry. It was a fine place to work, and the people are friendly towards me. Hmm I always have a guilt that I'm not creative enough to create something new, something good. And you know that not everybody gets to be in the developing team. But at least I tried to accomplish tasks given to me. Throughout a production, some stages may be minor but still essential, so I'm still glad that I was involved and helped completed few projects!
Life at Scrawl and what I did?
I started work when it was still located at Sim Lim Tower. Well I was given a place quite near the door, along with the interns haha. So whenever the bell rings, yup it's me opening it! Quite fine with that actually lol, I can 'exercise' abit. I did rendering for Nanoboy, vectorize the characters in Flash.
[Nanoboy - http://www.nanoboy.net
About a boy transferring into a micro superhero, solving issues in the microcosmos world that affects the human world. Love this 2nd character Tim. He's super super brotherly towards Oscar (the main character), always looking out for him and has a very chill personality. Cute and funny(in his weird way) guy.]
Slowly, I was called into another project, Milly Molly, to be a colorist! The style is nice and the their stories are really sweet. I colored the backgrounds and props! One thing about the coloring, we create watercolor textures in Photoshop and bring into Flash to fill. I was a complete flash noob and probably asked alot stupid questions. Thanks to Robin, my QC supervisor haha, who was very patient with me. He taught me alot of stuff. Hmm he could be quite strict, and has a stern face (He's actually friendly but I was too afraid to feel it). I'm always very nervous when I ask him to check my work.. So when he does said I did a good job, I'm very happy haha. And it's really shiok when you see the animation. "OMG i colored that LAMP. OMG that bedroom!!"
[Milly Molly - http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/1589113 I lost the better website..... nicer graphics and cute games!
About the friendship of two sweet and kind girls who look different but share similarities. Nice stories too!]
After that I think Scrawl moved to Braddell! We said goodbyes to bugis and our favourite $1 bubble tea, a yummy vegetarian stall and pontian wonton mee, packed our stuff and move! Haha its always fun to experience a Before and After of a location. When I interned at Yolk, it looked abit rundown and now with the renovation, its all funky like a mini lounge! =D Then we visited our new office, empty dusty unit. Everybody mopped the floor and cleaned the place up! Slowly desks were in place, computers were set up. Walls nicely painted, nice cozy library corner with books and reference, mini pantry with a fridge and meeting room too!
This period of time I did alot of animatics for Nanoboy and Almost Extinct. Mainly handled timing and audios. Updates new scenes and edit and edit. Hmm I always complain about the routine. And listening to every audio and picking them out makes me really sleepy. But it does feel good when you see the end product xD
[Almost Extinct - http://scrawlstudios.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/img_0352.jpg
Not officially launched yet. A group of cute extinct animals trying to help themselves from being extinct haha..]
In between I did some coloring for Agent Penny, abit fusion of english comic and manga style.
[Agent Penny - http://www.kidswealthfoundation.org/
This is only what it is, don't have the style I worked on]
And lastly props and location design for Silly Bitty Bunny! Haha the style looked quite simple but seriously do not belittle it. The stories are really cute too! Well, had frustrations here and there.. But its still fun overall. Its also different this time because we were introduced to a new software called Toon Boom Animate.
[SBB - http://www.planetnemoanimation.com/sillybittybunny/sbbpilote.html
About a bunny experiencing his first times, first time he lost his tooth, first time he met his best friend etc. Cute little guy. I'll miss him haha.]
Hmm life was quite safe/smooth and I could probably work there forever if they don't fire me haha. But somehow I still feel something missing. I'm not sure what though.. Maybe that's why I want to get out and find out.. Definately a risky thing to do because I did not quit with a backup plan.
Month of July was quite hectic too. Busy making gifts for important friends and meeting them because they are leaving. Well I do know they are leaving for the better and I'm happy for them. Everybody is working hard for themselves and there's no reason to hold them back. Was feeling sad and stuff but yup, with other friends' support I will survive!
A phrase tiff came across and shared with me!
每个人迟早一定要走向自己的路, 都要追求自己的人生.
Everyone has to walk down their own path, and pursue their own life.
不过这不是分离, 是出发, 不是结束, 是开始.
But this isn't separation, its setting out, it isn't the end, but a beginning.
也许有点寂寞, 不过人生就是如此.
Although it may be lonely sometimes, but that's the way life is.
所以, 分离的下个阶段, 就是相逢, 再见的下个阶段就是初次见面!
The next stage after we separate, we will come together once again, and after we say goodbye, we will have many other first meetings.
就让我们一起抱住这份希望, 勇敢的走下去吧!
So let us hold on to this hope, and walk down this path hand in hand!
Haha yes, though unemployed now I'm still busy at home! Spending alot time with mum, having housewife lessons with her. She taught me how to cook few of her signature dishes (will try them out by myself one day) and as if really to train me, our kitchen pipe had problems (caused mini flood and oil spill) and we really spent time fixing it!
So what now?
For today.. sy will be flying off at night. I'll send her off with smiles! (and maybe tears) ..Those leaving and those left behind will get back on their knees and move on! And I'll be more free to ponder what I want to do for my life haha.
May be clueless but I won't stop moving! Anyway such coincidence that I wore a strip outfit on my last day of work and colleagues say that I look like a prisoner going out of prison haha. I had my last items, a towel (as a blanket to cover my lap when I'm cold), a mug, a pair of indoor slippers lol. Prisoner indeed.
Thanks for their gifts and wishes! Ask me to 好好做人 (turn over a new leaf, be a good person) after I leave and don't go in again lol.
