Why Animators Need to Be Problem-Solvers

Eyeline problem from "Who Framed Roger Rabbit"

Studios love animators who are also problem solvers. An animator who helps to solve problems (and, hopefully, doesn't create them) is a golden asset to any organisation.

On the left is an example of problem-solving by animator Simon Wells, on the 1988 feature film Who Framed Roger Rabbit.  

Back in 1987 I was Simon's In-betweener (a job that involved smoothing out the animation flow), and I was always impressed by Simon's ability to solve visual problems, such as the one on the left.

"It Doesn't Work": How to Fix Tech Problems

Why Doesn't It Work?

"It doesn't work"  is a problem frequently encountered by our students at Escape Studios.

Remember that every technical problem, no matter how infuriating, has a solution. One of the key skills our students learn at Escape is how to solve problems - and find solutions, so that production work can continue. Digital artists face an endless stream of technical hiccups.

What is the Fifteen Minute Rule?

Fifteen Minute Rule

What is The Fifteen Minute Rule? It's something I encountered for the first time while working at Sony Pictures Animation, on Open Season. It's a simple rule, and a good way to keep production moving ahead.

The rule is this: if you get stuck on a problem, spend 15 minutes trying to figure out the solution. Google it, Read The Manual, check out online forums - whatever works.

But, if you still can't figure it out after 15 minutes, ask for help. Someone next to you might be able to solve the problem quickly and simply, and you don't want to spend a lot of time trying to fix a problem that most likely has a simple solution.