About Animation Guide: What kind of education did it take to get you where you are today? What's your alma mater?
Willi: I attended The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale, which proved to be a great school. Besides learning the software, I learned all sorts of art skills, such as drawing, painting, composition, photography, etc. It was a great well-rounded education and I met some of the people I would network with for the rest of my career.
But, most of my learning was, and still is, from reading on my own. All of the magazines I subscribed to were computer graphics-oriented. I read, read, read, and then read some more on the subject.
I also made myself become a "student of life." I forced myself to see the little details in everything, such as how people move, or how that little stray strand of hair dances in a drafty room. The way light and shadow hits the world around us or notice what color water actually is.
About Animation Guide: What animation software packages do you prefer to use? What would you recommend to a beginner?
Willi: There are so many really great software packages out there that it's difficult to prefer one over the other. I'm partial to 3D Studio Max, mostly because I've spent so much time on it that it's become easy to me and I'm so busy that getting into another program's learning curve is not possible right now.
3D Studio Max has also matured into one fantastic tool that does so much really well. It's well suited for many different lines of work, such as television, visualization, movie, print...the list goes on and on. The best bang for the buck.
However, because most high-end packages require a big learning curve, if I had to start from scratch, I think I would examine the end result first and go from there. In other words, if you look closely, each package has its own "look" that you can pick out if you spend enough time around 3D. The look of the final render is what I'm talking about.
Then, spend some time reading about each choice. Actually pick up some manuals if you can, or spend some time sitting on the floor of book stores reading. You can sometimes get a feel for how well you mesh with a given package by doing that.
As for a 2D package, there's a lot to be said about Flash. I've used it for broadcast projects as well as for the internet.
About Animation Guide: Apples or oranges, tea or coffee: do you prefer traditional animation, or computer animation?
Willi: In the end, it's all about using the right tool for the job. When working on a deadline (which is always), you have to assess what will best get you the results you need. From time to time, it's a combination of both.
For my personal stuff, I usually gravitate towards computer animation. I love being able to save multiple versions, backtrack, try new things, and have time to do it all. I've done both, and enjoy both, but the nod goes to the keyboard.
Naturally, I'll plan things out with a pencil and paper first if I can.
About Animation Guide: Are you currently working on, or have you worked on in the past, any independent animation projects? Tell us more.
Willi: I did a little 3-minute 3D animation project called "Pee-Pee Stop" about a little alien traveling through space and having to make a bathroom stop at an intergalactic rest area, and not having an easy time of it.
About Animation Guide: Can you offer any advice to those interested in producing their own independent animations?
Willi: Take your time, be open to different options, and don't be afraid to bounce ideas off people you trust.
