#47 MOONJAM: The Wild World of 3D: Animating Peas & Ryan Gosling
Aug 2, 2024
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AJ Jefferies is a multi-disciplinary digital artist and animator known for his imaginative 3D animated shorts. He shares insights on creating his quirky films Peas and Horse, merging humor with the nitty-gritty of 3D technology. AJ recounts his whimsical journey of crafting a tiny Ryan Gosling for a magazine cover, delving into the joys and challenges of character design. He emphasizes nurturing children's creativity through The Monster Project, highlighting the delicate balance between fun and professionalism in the animation world.
AJ Jefferies discusses the chaotic yet innovative nature of being a 3D Generalist, emphasizing how chaos can spark creative breakthroughs.
The importance of spontaneity in personal projects is highlighted, allowing AJ to explore ideas freely and maintain creative enjoyment.
His unique experience creating a Ryan Gosling action figure showcases the dedication to craftsmanship and overcoming technical challenges in 3D printing.
Deep dives
The Artistic Journey of Alex
Alex, also known as AJ, is a 3D artist whose background spans both illustration and animation. Initially drawn to 3D through a course he attended, he found himself working in a small team, where he quickly learned to juggle multiple roles due to the limited resources available. Over the years, he honed his skills in character modeling and animation while contributing to various projects in advertising and video games. Recently, he has focused more on animation, pursuing personal projects and freelancing for studios, highlighting his evolving artistic journey.
Creative Chaos and Metaphors in Work
Alex reflects on the chaotic nature of the creative process, using the metaphor of a horse struggling to put itself together to describe artistic challenges. He emphasizes that being a generalist means embracing chaos, and that chaos often leads to innovative ideas and breakthroughs. His project titled 'Peas' emerged from a whimsical idea sparked while feeding his children dinner, which he turned into an animated exploration of motion graphics in a surreal landscape. This playful approach underscores the importance of creativity and finding inspiration in everyday life.
Personal Projects and the Absence of Structure
In discussing his personal projects, Alex reveals his preference for a more spontaneous approach rather than rigid planning and structure. Unlike his commercial work, which necessitates formal storyboards and feedback from clients, Alex enjoys exploring ideas freely in personal projects like 'Peas.' This allows him to surprise himself and maintain the enjoyment of the creative process, ultimately leading to a more authentic end product. By keeping structures loose, he allows creativity to flourish without being overly confined.
The Creation of Ryan Gosling Action Figures
Alex shares the unique experience of creating an action figure of Ryan Gosling for promotional purposes tied to the film 'The Fall Guy.' Initially approached by a magazine to design a CGI figure, Alex quickly took on the challenge despite limited time. Once the design gained traction, he ended up collaborating with a studio to produce 20 physical replicas of the toy, painting them himself to ensure quality. This remarkable project not only showcased Alex's talents but also forged a connection to the film industry, culminating in an unexpected and satisfying experience.
Challenges of 3D Printing and Personal Projects
While diving into the world of 3D printing for the Ryan Gosling figures, Alex faced numerous technical hurdles that tested his skills and patience. He had to navigate the complexities of scaling, detailing, and the limitations of his equipment while simultaneously managing the project timeline. His commitment to achieving a high-quality result led him to paint every figure's head individually, transforming a commercial assignment into a grueling yet rewarding endeavor. This meticulous work exemplifies his dedication to craftsmanship even in the face of chaos and pressure.
Future Aspirations and Festival Dreams
As Alex looks forward to the completion of his new short film, he expresses a desire to participate in film festivals, seeking the exhilaration of sharing his work with an audience. He emphasizes how important it is to experience the reactions of viewers firsthand, especially after missing out on showcasing his previous short 'Horse.' Despite juggling multiple projects and commercial commitments, Alex is focused on wrapping up his film by the end of the year. His excitement for future endeavors reflects a never-ending commitment to exploring new creative avenues and staying connected to his audience.
AJ Jefferies (MOONJAM) is a multi-disciplinary digital artist, illustrator, retoucher, character designer, animator, and director. He has been creating images, characters, and animations for the advertising, gaming, and entertainment industries since 2001.
In this episode, AJ dives into making his 3D animated short films Peas and Horse, fueled by wacky ideas and a desire to learn new 3D animation technology.
AJ, a versatile 3D Generalist, explains the chaotic yet creative nature of the job. We also discuss his involvement with The Monster Project, which helps children recognize the power of their imaginations and pursue their creative potential.
And don't miss AJ's story about making a tiny Ryan Gosling from The Fall Guy, which started as a 3D illustration for Empire Magazine and escalated into physical versions.
This episode offers great insights into working as a 3D Generalist, making animated short films, and having fun as a 3D artist.
