Animation is an art form where motion and expression are valued over its aesthetics. However animation contradicts itself, because great script based animation is not dependant on exceptional performances or flawless motion but drama, emotional impact and most importantly, great story telling. I've studied American and Japanese animation my whole life, as a child I grew up watching both. While Americans are innovative with technique and technology, the Japanese are a great example of a culture that utilizes the essence of the art.

The Japanese market has a high percentage of smaller companies creating animated series. However they lack the funding of the larger American companies, and have to stick to a tight budget on motion and artwork. Many of the shots appear like storyboards with motion graphics effects. It was this aspect that molded their films and their visual language. These films are dependent on character development, drama within character relationships and story. Although they don't have the glamour of American animation, Japanese animation creates a piece that affects you while achieves the most with the least.

I am glad to live in this period in history where computers, with advanced animations and visual effects applications, can consolidate multiple tasks into one action. Using these tools animators can become their own production team with the ability to multi-task but also to expedite the processes involved in creating animation in order to maximize their time and save money. At the same time my skills are much broader then those of animators in the past because the needs are greater. I'm an animator but also a generalist. When you are a freelancer it is an assets to be able to work in multiple fields of 3D and 2D.