Can one be TOO ambitious?

[appledoze]

As an aspiring future animator I've developed a lot of ideas about what I would be very interested in creating or adapting for a project. As much as I like to think of what I could do, sometimes I worry that maybe I'm asking too much of myself. Heck, I haven't even drawn as much as I'd like to lately, and I don't want to feel or think that I'm losing interest. Even if I do become an animator, if I try to set high goals I might not have a chance to reach them. I'd love to share with all of you some of the ideas I had in mind, but I don't know if that would be a smart thing to do for an animator making ideas. I guess what I could do for now is try to do sketches and concepts of the certain things I had in mind.

So in short, is it bad to have TOO many ideas that in the end you might not be able to achieve?

[Rodney]

As an aspiring future animator I've developed a lot of ideas about what I would be very interested in creating or adapting for a project. As much as I like to think of what I could do, sometimes I worry that maybe I'm asking too much of myself. Heck, I haven't even drawn as much as I'd like to lately, and I don't want to feel or think that I'm losing interest. Even if I do become an animator, if I try to set high goals I might not have a chance to reach them. I'd love to share with all of you some of the ideas I had in mind, but I don't know if that would be a smart thing to do for an animator making ideas. I guess what I could do for now is try to do sketches and concepts of the certain things I had in mind.

So in short, is it bad to have TOO many ideas that in the end you might not be able to achieve?

I don't think you can have too many ideas.
It's not bad to have a lot of ideas... that's actually a very good thing.
However, expecting to be able to implement and carry through on every one of those ideas is what is going to prove fatal to you.

Ideas are easy. Brainstorming is good for you.
But out of that storm of good, bad and indifferent find the cream of the crop, the best of the best and those you can reasonably expect to execute. Then make them work FOR YOU.

There are some ideas that are worth working for but every idea that comes to mind?
Do you really want to spend two years... five years... the rest of your life doing it?

My 2 cents.

[Moneyguns]

As much as I like to think of what I could do, sometimes I worry that maybe I'm asking too much of myself.
NONSENSE!!!:mad: You can do anything you set your mind to. Hear's a tip: Remember constant focus and constant action on what you wan't.


Heck, I haven't even drawn as much as I'd like to lately, and I don't want to feel or think that I'm losing interest.

Hear's a tip for that too: Try visualizing that you have already achieved your goals and the emotions you would feel when that happened. And then start living like you have already achieved your goals. It will get you excited about what you want and it's a great way to develop faith.:)



Even if I do become an animator, if I try to set high goals I might not have a chance to reach them.

Counting the things you already have in life that you are grateful for is a GREAT way to get rid of fear, stress, and doubt.



So in short, is it bad to have TOO many ideas that in the end you might not be able to achieve?
NOOO!!!:laughing:
Hope that helped. God speed on your journey to become an animator.:)

P.S. Never-Give-Up.

[Moneyguns]

However, expecting to be able to implement and carry through on every one of those ideas is what is going to prove fatal to you.


Ok I'm super duper totally sorry about this Rodney:( but that's garbage.

Appledoze, I wouldn't listen to that sentence if I was you.

[Sidney]

Whoa, Money!
You're like a guru or something.

And a Pep coach to boot. :D

[joedorsey]

Keep going with your ideas. Make sure and log them somewhere so you can return back to them. You'll find some that are gold and others....well, not so much.

It's good to get honest outside input and stay true to your own unique vision. I've found many great pieces of advice from the folks here.

Think big! Think small! But, consider this a journey and it does take time. We have animators here that spend many hours working on their craft. Others like myself don't have as much time to spend. So, you keep chipping away and try to improve one step at a time.

I've had some of my animatics looked at here. It's great to have other artists share their perspective on your work. It's hard putting yourself out there, but it can be very rewarding. One thing Don has said here is "does it entertain"? I always try to keep that in the back of my head when I'm writing and drawing. You may not always hit the mark, but every once in a while you get a bulls eye.

[Seth]

Ok I'm super duper totally sorry about this Rodney:( but that's garbage.

Appledoze, I wouldn't listen to that sentence if I was you.

I dunno, I'm going to have to take Rodney's side on this. I might be mistaken, but I think he's saying that if you have too many ideas/projects that you are trying to carry through at one time you'll only overload yourself and get nothing accomplished. That's a problem I have is putting too much on my own plate, and then getting depressed because I can never finish my goals. Anyways, those are just my thoughts.

[jeremyhopkins]

Even if I do become an animator, if I try to set high goals I might not have a chance to reach them.
I assume when you say become an animator, you mean earn your living from animating and that isn't always a good indication of success. I've earned my living as an animator in television and haven't done anything special. If I wanted to start in feature work, it's like starting all over again. Therefore, the first suggestion I'd offer is to let you know that not all animation is the same. You'll have to distinguish between the styles and the learn the underlying principals that make great work shine. You'll have to develop a system of constant study where you break down and analyse the best stuff. If you can, go to the source and study the original inspiration rather than copying a newer copy. Examine real life and discover what makes an appealing character. Animation is much more about the journey than the destination because everyday, if you're really doing your job right, you'll be learning and discovering new things. Though if you're not enjoying the process, then perhaps animation is not the right choice for you. Since you're just starting out, do what's right for you, finish some of your many projects and the rest will come together. Good luck!

[Moneyguns]

I dunno, I'm going to have to take Rodney's side on this. I might be mistaken, but I think he's saying that if you have too many ideas/projects that you are trying to carry through at one time you'll only overload yourself and get nothing accomplished. That's a problem I have is putting too much on my own plate, and then getting depressed because I can never finish my goals. Anyways, those are just my thoughts.

Oh yea.:eek: That makes sens. Yea don't stress your self out. That is no bueno.

That's my bad Rodney.:o I thought you meant don't get your hopes to high because it will be to much pain when you fail. Sorry.:(

[Rodney]

No problemo.

I thought you meant don't get your hopes to high because it will be to much pain when you fail. Sorry

Any production will go through several stages... one of them is hate.
For long term commitments (not unlike any marriage) it's important to be able to weather through the hate stage and emerge again before it proves fatal.

In this sense, having too many ideas that distract you from the important things (an excess of waste) can a very bad thing.

I've seen too many folks lose sight of what is truly important in their lives to the extent they've lost the joy of that initial inspiration. Again... what a waste.

There is a limited number of ideas any one person can act upon alone. Perhaps that is why we tend to formulate, nurture and work as teams? Of course with teamwork comes the inevitability of compromise... but also the promise of better (shared) things.

[Richard Willimot]

One of the best pieces of advice I've heard is to set small achievable goals for yourself. Instead of trying to climb the mountain, make it to the next ledge and so on. "The journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step." I think you also have to be honest with yourself about your ideas. Just like admitting you're making a bad drawing and trashing it to move on. Everything you do will add to your knowledge. So evaluate your ideas and see if they are worth pursuing, if not move on there's always a better idea to come.