Demo I
Demo II
Demo III
Demo IV
Insights
Introduction
What comes to mind when you hear word "animation"? Is it cartoons, anime, Japan, or cat girls? No doubt, it has something to do with those! But let's explore the philosophical aspect of it first!So we, animators, observe the living world, see the repeating patterns, and recreate it on canvas, which can be a piece of paper or, most likely, computer software.Animators' job is to give life to what is otherwise a dead, static world. What defines animation is movement. No movement, no life.The role of imagination is crucial; it is the first step to transformation. Recreating ideas from your imagination to the real world requires breaking down your idea to simplicity, building from bottom to top, it takes some serious patience.To sum thing up, animation is means of giving life to the world. Like bonfire at nigh, sparkling lemonade in the hot summer day or a cat paws touching your cheek.
Solitude
We are one and alone. Isn't this a rather uncomfortable thought? Can make you go mad even thinking about it. It's also a bridge to your true identity, by embracing it we return to our original nature.Loneliness can feel particularly dreadful, especially to the fragmented mind of ego, which exists as a separate entity among dozens of others. But why would consciousness prefer schizophrenia (splitting itself into multitudes) over being one integrated self? Could it be that ego consciousness is afraid to be alone? If you are brought up in world of duality and that's the only reality you know, then when you get the non-dual experience of the world, this brings as much joy as misery. Misery in the form of deep, existential and infinite loneliness. It is easy to see why people would prefer the world of duality, because who would want to go through the abyss of our inner void, from which you can not return, experiencing despair and infinite loneliness. Madness indeed.As your sense of oneness gets stronger you're becoming more and more aware and alone, it also gives you knowledge that cuts deeper than the surface. Specifically that the outer world is the mirror image of your inner world and vice versa. We're something like a fractal. The pattern of conflict in our inner world, like anger, expresses in the outer world as wars, disasters or some kind of geo-political conflicts. 'As above so bellow' sort of thing.To see the world as your reflection is very practical, because by improving yourself you improve the world. By applying this knowledge, you can create a more pleasant life experience. But from the point of ego this feels like insanity. Truly it can feel like you're going mad. Mostly because ego likes to blame "others" for it's misery, but when you realize that actually you are responsible for the world you're creating, it comes as a shock and the mind will filter this knowledge out as it threatens the survival of your normal day to day identity.To unify fragmented self into oneness, the role of acceptance (and forgiveness) is crucial. It's hard enough to accept other people as they are, but when you know that all your judgments of others, are the things you can not accept about yourself, and exist as potential seeds within you, ready to sprout, it's very painful.That's why cultivating your inner garden is so important. Choose carefully what kind of plants you allow to grow in your garden. Right kind of cultivation makes your garden beautiful!
Living for yourself
How do you live? This was also asked by the famous japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki, and it's the title of his latest film a.k.a. The Boy and the Heron.It is one of the most fundamental questions one can ask to themselves. Can we have a life that is abundant, meaningful, joyful and expect that our efforts will be noted, appreciated and rewarded accordingly? You would want to believe that the world is a just system and what you give you receive back in some form. But is it true?It might be that from the highest perspective, the world is a just system, but we usually don't have the access to such perspective, given our human limitations. Being human, we want to see the results of our efforts happen much faster and in certain form (most likely in monetary value). Usually touching only the surface levels of dimensions of life. On most part, we are unaware (and generally, uninterested) of how our actions affect our inner, deeper and more subtle aspects of being, because we are thought to focus only on superficial stuff like money, status, appearances etc. And, don't get me wrong, it is good to consider these things and sometimes shift from spiritual to human perspective and live from that place. Especially it is true, if you have spent too much time exploring your inner worlds and disregarded the material aspect of reality. So let us take the more human way of seeing things.Living in this society you have to think about how to earn your living. Essentially you're a beggar, because you have to ask someone to employ you. This puts you in a position of vulnerability and you can easily be taken advantage of and abused, especially if you are acting out of desperation (but sometimes you have no choice).It is important to set boarders, to know your needs and values, and above all never give 100%, because if you do, you will soon burn yourself out, and you will not like the consequences of that. Let us explore this last point more.The best is to give moderate amount of effort or less, keep everything to a minimum, just enough to not get bored. I know this sounds wrong, but by experiencing a "burnout" myself, I felt need to say this. Also by observing other people and employers, I see that they are pretending, simulating, deceiving, manipulating, playing mind games and using your gullibility to make you do more than you actually need and paying you less (but not all employers). I know that you want to give your best and impress everyone with your work, but please stop yourself, unless you want to get nervous breakdown. Be wise and refrain from doing too much work. You will soon realize that it is not that easy, as you are by default accustomed to give your best and now have to consciously pull the brakes. Keep in mind that your bosses are not your friends and you shouldn't trust them. Trust in God (Mother Nature, Life, Great Spirit or whatever you think moves this world), but do not put your trust in humans! Be sure that everyone is playing games and nothing is as it seems.But take all this with a 'grain of salt' as I am only exploring a particular point of view, things could look very different from the point of view of your employers.Honestly all would be well if you would be adequately compensated for your contributions without worrying about "burnout" or how you are going to survive (especially if it's the work you enjoy doing), but in most cases, you are not, and given only bones and leftovers, and that is unacceptable!So please, when you engage in employment, set boarders, don't allow them to abuse you, don't trust them, if they give you more work ask them for more money or politely decline, just don't overwork. Remember "less is more", and take care yourself.
Route to gratitude
Do you appreciate life? Does your route lead to your root? What am I even talking about, I thought only plants have roots. NOT!.In this age where we are subjected to so much external stimulation, it is essential that we are well rooted in our source of being. Life without gratitude seems empty, frustrating and unfulfilling.
First let us understand what gratitude is.In the most deepest sense it means being thankful for the present experiences (yes, even bad ones). All experiences are good (even though I clench my teeth as I write this) as they are the sources of wisdom. So what is the source of gratitude? Is it not it's contrast - despair? Despair over having and being NOTHING!? When everything is taken away from you and you are left with nothing you understand how precious the experience of life is.Being cut off from knowing the despair of nothingness makes you take experiences of life for granted. Unable to see the black you can't recognize the light in which you are standing. So this can lead to becoming numb, taking things for granted and chasing more stimulating experiences hoping to find the fulfillment in them, but you never do. You feel frustrated that no matter how much you have you are still not satisfied. Why is that? Because you have lost connection with your root - nothingness/emptiness. So how do you connect with that?You would go on a journey looking for what would satisfy you, the ultimate and final thing. Some call it god, some call it enlightenment. In doing that you will have removed all things that are not You. You peel yourself like an onion. Guilt, fear, lust, greed, insanity, shame etc., all these things have to be observed within You. And then when 'all' layers have been peeled off, there is nothing, and profound sense of aloneness kicks in, that spirals you into abyss of despair. Deep, deep despair. The process is very painful and destructive. Your ''shadow'' (negative thoughts/energy), is often your visitor. Days seem like years, the very concept of time disappears. Although I don't wish this to anyone, the self annihilation and transformation is necessary to have any deep and meaningful appreciation for the most basic things - a place to sleep/rest, warmth, drink and food, healthy body, clothes etc. the list goes on endless.Nobody really wants to do this because it's like killing yourself, it's very painful, you end up alone and you can't really show how much gratitude you possess, because it's individual thing something you can't share with anyone, only You can know the depths of your gratitude.In the end you wake up in the forest, because that's the only place you can think of going when you have nothing. The only true home that accepts you unconditionally. The forest doesn't ask for money, it is peaceful, fresh air, waking up to singing birds and seeing wild animals, it is lovely! Takes some skill to live in forest though. That's why it's important to protect our forests - our root to home!
Reflections
Journey beyond the screen
part 1
(STORYBOARD) In the night of a full moon, the character ("Oak") has lost himself in the computer screen. The power of his attention lifts the veil of illusions and drops him into the void. The experience of despair and confusion, re-creates the "reality". One thing changes into another. The room is replaced with the forest and a bonfire burning in the center. The fire morphs into the mythical creature resembling a deer. The character, in the act of trust, decides to follow the creature, leading "Oak" deeper into the forest.
As he follows the deer spirit, he wakes up at the foot of a mighty oak tree. He feels so relaxed there that he falls back to sleep.
Journey beyond the screen
part 2
Now, as he wakes up on the streets, he has to think about food and shelter, so he goes and find himself a job. The job is so cruel that he wants to hide himself from himself, but eventually he is forced to accept the harsh truth of what he has become.
Mystically the "Oak" finds himself in the cave of the mountain. There he is greeted by a rather peculiar beast in the form of a dragon. There he reveals him few important truths.
AI experiment
Short video created with AI, carrying important message.
About
Hi, my name is Juris - an animator among other things. My interests include creating digital visuals that shows the beauty of movement.I am in the business of imagination, thus I like to create, transform and give new shape through the creative process.
I have came to understand that to work in this field one must be planted firmly into something solid and real, so that you keep your foot on the ground and not fly away to clouds, because the imagination can take you outside the boundaries of time and space, which can be dangerous...That being said,
I invite you on this journey, for us together, to discover and get in touch with that force of infinite imagination, to create something truly beautiful and meaningful.
3D Models
Log cabin
Shelter
Simple log cabin with stove,
made from forest materials.
Basic survival shelter
with fireplace.
Mister Fox u
Tipi house
Traditional Native american house aka Tipi.
Miss Frogita
Cute frog rig.