Thesis Work pt.5
- jmaxwheeler
- Feb 26
- 2 min read
This past month has been a wonderful journey in discovering what all I can accomplish and finding my limits. I would say limits is an inappropriate word but more of my own constructed constraints. For example, I could certainly sleep less and work more. I have sadly removed my social life, not permenantly of course, but until I receive my master's degree and the semester ends. It can sometimes be a bummer when I am not able to hang out with friends or catch up with my wonderful classmates but I remind myself it's only temporary. My priorities right now are my two jobs, teaching at UT Dallas and nonPareil, and my thesis. There are other things I prioritize as well such as church and family, but in regard to work and play it's those three things.
Moving off of step tangents to spline has been a lot smoother than I was expecting. Usually, I dread the process however, with the encouragement of my committee and the wonderful tools that come with animbot it was smooth. I am still working hard, pretending that everything is due on March 13th. Of course I will have more time but don't let me know about that. I believe if I can keep the same momentum up I will be sitting very comfortably in two weeks. That way I have plenty of time to light the scene and render it using arnold rather than maya.
I am sure after witnessing my calendar, you might have the question "How do you stay sane or resist burnout???" I know I would ask that question. There are plenty of resources on productivity or healthy work lifestyles but to be plain and simple. It's about breaks, nothing longer than an hour. My workspace below (pardon its mess) is where I can work efficiently and relax as well. Ideally, I would rather separate the place where I relax and the place I work, however it's not a luxury I have. The first monitor is where I animate in the viewport. The second holds my camera preview and graph editor, and the third is my Wacom tablet that usually has music or syncsketch pulled up. When I am feeling tired or feel comfortable taking a short break I have been working on Gundam kits. This newfound hobby has been an excellent way to relax. I know Richard Williams discusses the idea of animating in silence and while it has been effective in my work, I would rather work slightly slower while listening to the Clair Obscur Expedition 33 soundtrack.
The real saving grace through this work session has been my committee. I am sure they can attest that I am 100% using them and not taking their input for granted. Using Syncsketch my animation mentor is able to give me quick notes and suggestions. They have all been extremely helpful as I work.
It's starting to feel like the home stretch, and I want to make sure I work even harder as I approach the finish line. I am very excited to share the final results of my labor.
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