Featured Member - Steve O'Donnell

[bmckain]

1. Hi Steve, thanks for taking time to do this interview. I’m pretty sure most members will know who you are but for the record would you mind introducing yourself and tell us something about you, your hobbies, favorite movie, where you work, that sort of thing.

Well hello Foundation 3D community. My name is Steve O’Donnell, but most know me as “Sodonn”. I’ve been a bit inactive in the F3D community for the past two years but I do pop in from time to time. I became a new daddy about 18 months ago, hence my inactivity here on the forum. When I’m not busy enjoying our new baby girl, I love getting together with close friends for a friendly game of Texas Hold’em or heading out to the beach for a day of skim boarding. Before becoming an artist I had a 17 year long career as a pro stunt skater. I literally “ran away with the circus” for two years. Yes, that’s right….I was a circus performer in Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey circus. I designed a skate act and went along as a performer / troupe captain as well as lived on the circus train for those two years….but that’s an entire separate interview I guess.

Currently I’m an environment modeler at EA Sports Tiburon in Orlando Florida working on the Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2010 game for X-Box 360 and Play Station 3.

2. When did you decide you wanted to be an artist and what inspired you to that end?

Since I was in grade school, you know….before computer graphics….back in the days of rapidigraph pens and ruling pens….I wanted to be and artist. I could always be found with a pencil and paper, doodling away. But it wasn’t until my mid 30’s, when my body started to feel the effects of skating and the realization that I couldn’t skate forever settled in, that I decided to pursue a career as an artist. I was instantly fascinated with Pixar’s Toy Story and I needed to know “how did they do that?” I wanted to know….how did those artist bring something so to life, by using a computers.

3. At what point did you get involved with the 3D medium and what motivated you?

It was at the point of needing to know how all these animated movies were made on computers, that with the help of a friend, I decided to attend a local school that would teach me. I didn’t care if it turned into a career or not….I just wanted to know how it was accomplished.

4. Did you go to school for a 3D/CG degree and whether yes or no, what do you recommend to those entertaining the idea of working in a studio or school?

Yes, I did attend a CG School and for what it is worth, I did earn an Occupation Associates Degree in Digital Animation and Visual Effects….though I’ve never been asked to provide it to a potential employer. A rather expensive piece of paper it is…LOL! Whether I would recommend attending a school for those who want to work in a studio is a loaded question of sorts. School is not for everyone. For me, it was worth it. Sure….you can always learn from books, DVD’s, and community forums such as Foundation 3D, as I continue to do to this day. In my opinion you will most certainly learn faster in a school environment. Some schools have instructors who are fresh out of production studios, instructors who are aware of the most current tools and techniques that are used in our industry and who can teach from real production experience. Schools with great instructors who are fresh out of production studios can offer effective critique as well as networking possibilities for students that are looking to enter into a career involving 3D production.

5. Many members will know that you have done work in the industry so how about telling us where you got your first 3D/CG job and how the progression has gone.

My career started out awesome, then it got rocky for about a year and a half due to location, and now it’s great. I got my first 3D gig with Digital Domain as a LightWave 3D generalist in the commercial division. It was a contract position for 3 months. The offer to stay longer was extended, but I opted to leave because I needed to return home for my wedding and I didn’t like LA at all. After returning to Florida it was hard finding work in the 3D industry. I did a few freelance gigs here and there and then I landed a full time position with Paradigm in Memphis Tennessee doing architectural visualization. After only 3 months at Paradigm, a family matter caused me to move back to Florida. Once again I found myself freelancing for a short stint and then I landed a 6 month contract with EA Sports. EA uses Maya as their 3D package, so I had to learn Maya on the job having never used Maya previously. After finishing my contract with EA I landed a full time job as a Maya lighting artist with a small local 3D production studio. Three months into the Maya lighting job the company ran into financial trouble and couldn’t make payroll. The Christmas holidays were three weeks away, and I had newborn at home. I called my old boss from EA Sports out of shear panic and inquired if there were any positions open and it just so happened that there was another 6 month contract position available, so I jumped on it. On the last day of that contract EA hired me full time….that was one year ago.

6. What do you enjoy most about 3D?

Oh come on now….you know the answer to that Mr. McKain! You know…that old LightWave Group Star Wars short film project where us community members got together, and made some really awesome things….and ….. yeah….what ever happened to that thing….LOL! Seriously…that was fun! It was unique to get together over the internet with folks you’ve never met face to face, working for free, in spare time, trying to bring a story and vision to life. Though the project was never finished, there was great collaboration and positive encouragement between members, and I made some great friends during that time. I actually met one of them in person and had a few beers.

Honestly, I’ve enjoyed every project I’ve worked on.

7. What is your favorite of all your 3D work?

Jenny 867-5309 ( the cell phone image ). I modeled my cell phone just because I wanted to practice on a few techniques. Once I had it modeled and textured just right, I decided I wanted to render a single image that tells a story. I was sitting at the bar in a local restaurant with my wife brain storming all these crazy ideas like the cell phone sitting on top of a bloody ransom note, wife thought I was mental, when I looked down and in front of me was a napkin, a beer, and my cell phone. There was a guy checking out all the chicks at the bar…and that is when the idea hit me…and I wondered if women ever leave their number on napkins for a guy at the bar.

8. Many members have seen your work I wonder if you can share something members haven't seen and expound on it and why you particularly like it?

The cartoon style renders are from a series I worked on as a Maya lighting artist. Although I hadn’t worked in Maya very long, I was given a lot of creative freedom and encouraged to bring to the table what I thought was appropriate. The end result was a look that the producers and other staff members really enjoyed and from that point forward, the look of the project changed. It was a pretty gratifying moment.

8. You were one of the first to engage on F3D so many members will recognize you. What advice would you give the serious hobbyist regarding 3D in general?

First….Soak it up! There is a wealth of knowledge out there on forums from seasoned professionals and hobbyist alike that are more than willing to share their techniques and experience. I couldn’t begin to tell you how helpful the members of this site, many from old LightWave Group, were when I first started.

Second…..be your own worst critic when it comes to your work. If you are putting a demo reel out there hoping to get into this industry, be sure that your work pleases you. There have been many times where I’ve tried and tried to achieve a certain look or task. Even though I may have learned something along the way and was proud of some accomplishments along the way…some things just don’t belong on a reel. If you are doubtful about a piece of your work and not 100 percent happy with it….then chances are someone out there will not be impressed as well. I held off on my first demo reel for two years until I was 100% happy with what I had on it.

Third…Remember your mom’s advice, “Don’t pick that up….you don’t know where it’s been”(especially when you’re in a bar and had a few drinks)

[MayaMan]

Good interview and some nice work on show too! I especially like the advice at the end.. LOL.

[Meurig]

Cool stuff Steve.

I had no idea you'd had a stint at DD! Impressive!

[Tony Gardner]

Nice interview Steve, I remember the 'Jenny' image.

[Davide_sd]

great interview, love the pics, especially the cartoon style renders!

[Rigel]

Steve! Glad to hear that you're still around and doing well for yourself.

I remember the bedroom image and I very definitely remember the stir that the Jenny image created when you posted it.

Congrats on the EA Sports gig. I still play their Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit 2 from time to time. I may have to find the golf game just to check out your scenery.

[Mikala]

Great interview Steve.
Also great to hear you've found some stability in your job!

[deg3D]

AH Steve! good to hear from you bud, and great interview! And good too see some more work from you as well. The 'toon stuff is great, as is all of it!

But it doesn't hold a candle to that lil' cutie-pie! Oh bud, my heart goes out to you come teenage time when dating begins...

Congrats on your gig at EA as well!

All my best to you and the family!

deg

[CAClark]

Nice stuff man, and a good read.

Cheers!

[Treybor]

Excellent work and interview. Impressive.

[BillS]

Really good read Steve. Great work!

[Kionel]

Cool interview, Steve.

BTW, Sam and Ivan showed that "Jenny" image during the beginning Block One at the DAVE School to demonstrate an effective piece of 3D art. (They also showed the Matrix lifter, but I think that was just to hear the sound of us crapping ourselves in fear. )

[Woody]

Great interview!
Glad to hear that you're still at EA and doing well Steve - would love to catch up sometime.

[Sodonn]

Originally Posted by MayaMan

Good interview and some nice work on show too! I especially like the advice at the end.. LOL.

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it. It's also good to have a fellow Maya user around here too.

Originally Posted by Meurig

Cool stuff Steve.

I had no idea you'd had a stint at DD! Impressive!

Thanks dude! Yeah....just a little stint there...but was a great introduction to the industry.

Originally Posted by Tony Gardner

Nice interview Steve, I remember the 'Jenny' image.

Thanks Tony...Hopefully someday I'll find time to do another personal project that will compare to "Jenny".

Originally Posted by Davide_sd

great interview, love the pics, especially the cartoon style renders!

Thanks.

Originally Posted by Rigel

Steve! Glad to hear that you're still around and doing well for yourself.

I remember the bedroom image and I very definitely remember the stir that the Jenny image created when you posted it.

Congrats on the EA Sports gig. I still play their Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit 2 from time to time. I may have to find the golf game just to check out your scenery.

Thanks. Yeah....still around.....just too busy to be around as much as I would like to be. I tried to get permission to use some screen shots of the environments on the Tiger games for this interview....but I already donated blood this month and couldn't afford to give any more.

Originally Posted by Mikala

Great interview Steve.
Also great to hear you've found some stability in your job!

Thanks...very nice to finally be stable...especially in these times.

Originally Posted by deg3D

AH Steve! good to hear from you bud, and great interview! And good too see some more work from you as well. The 'toon stuff is great, as is all of it!

But it doesn't hold a candle to that lil' cutie-pie! Oh bud, my heart goes out to you come teenage time when dating begins...

Congrats on your gig at EA as well!

All my best to you and the family!

deg

Thanks Deg. I've been following your work lately....very impressive. Ug....don't even get me started on the dating years. I know I'm in for it....I've already started practicing my nun chuck skills.

Originally Posted by CAClark

Nice stuff man, and a good read.

Cheers!

Thanks Craig! Man...I was looking at your profile thread of all your work....I remembered them all....but geez man....do you ever make anything short of perfect?

Originally Posted by Treybor

Excellent work and interview. Impressive.

Thanks Sean....good to see you're still around.

Originally Posted by BillS

Really good read Steve. Great work!

Thanks BIll...how have you been BTW?

Originally Posted by Kionel

Cool interview, Steve.

BTW, Sam and Ivan showed that "Jenny" image during the beginning Block One at the DAVE School to demonstrate an effective piece of 3D art. (They also showed the Matrix lifter, but I think that was just to hear the sound of us crapping ourselves in fear. )

Wish they would stop showing my work....there are some grads that are just as good, if not better.

Originally Posted by Woody

Great interview!
Glad to hear that you're still at EA and doing well Steve - would love to catch up sometime.

Yes...must catch up some time Charles. Tell Nancy I said hello! How's school by the way?

[Woody]

I'm hooking up custom Facial UI's in Maya tonight after modeling what
seemed like a shedload of blendshapes for a character that I'm in the
middle of rigging. School is going really well, I've managed to keep
myself at 3.9 for my GPA so far, but there's still three weeks left in
the semester for me to blow it till Summer comes along...

I'll be sure to tell Nancy that you said hello! Great to see you around Steve.

[baldhobbit]

I really like the mech machine (Matrix).

[CAClark]

Originally Posted by Sodonn

Thanks Craig! Man...I was looking at your profile thread of all your work....I remembered them all....but geez man....do you ever make anything short of perfect?

I try and avoid it, but if I do, it doesn't usually see the light of day on the interweb

Cheers!

[Rigel]

Originally Posted by CAClark

I try and avoid it, but if I do, it doesn't usually see the light of day on the interweb

Cheers!

Humble, Mr. Clark, very humble.

[rolin]

great work, especially that cartoon stuff

[Syntrifid]

Apologies for chiming in so late, but good to see you in the lineup, Steve. Some fine 3D work there! And congrats on the recent addition to the family!

[Sodonn]

Thanks for the kind words everyone.

Currenty....I'm nursing a severly broken right wrist from a skimmboarding accident at the beach last Saturday.

In the meantime..I finally got approval to show some screen shots from the game I work on...








and of course...the gnarly x-ray of my wrist...LOL!

[Gordon Robb]

Ouch! And great shots.

[deg3D]

Ooooo, dude, owwww-cha. Nice work, on both accounts, it seems, eh.

de

[Mikala]

Oi!
Steve ya money is in yer hands!!
Get well quick!

[Rigel]

I feel pain just looking at that x-ray!

Those are beautiful landscapes Steve. I seem to remember you mentioning at one point you were designing golf courses. Nice to see the results.

[Sodonn]

Again...thanks for all the get well wishes and the compliments on the environments.
Had my first follow up with Doc today...and got to see the pics of metal plates and screws holding my injury all together. His exact words was " you smashed it". Evedently I chipped the tip of one of the bones right off. Doc is opptomistic about recovery..but I'll be out of commision for some time. Guess it's a good opportunity to catch up on some movies playing at the local theater.