Gamers vs The State of California

I just read about the California law about limiting (or banning) the sale of video games due to its content. So, does this means kids will have a better childhood without video games? Are they gonna behave in a better way? Do California regulators really think parents will have better kids without video games?

I guess the real question is: Are kids gonna be happy with this? Simple answer: No. So, maybe the parents should be asked the same question: Are you California parents, happier that video games are banned from your state? Just remember that the game won't be available for you or your children... So I guess the answer is no. Then, my final question: Who's gonna be happy about this law? Oh yeah, parents that do not have time for their children nor to play video games.

My take: Instead of banning video games, the State of California should invest their time and money ensuring parents are more aware about Parental Controls in consoles and PCs, as well as what the ESRB means. Teach parents the tools they have at their disposal to control what their children play.

That is, in my opinion, money well invested.

Awesome video!

I've been quite busy since I started working at Longtail so I did not have time to write anything here. After animation 8 hours straight (or more), I arrive home with the sole purpose of relaxing, maybe play a video game or just watching some TV. Either way, I felt that I left this blog unattended, which is not good.

I just installed the ScribeFire plug-in in my Firefox browser, so I guess it will be easier to write more often. And what a better way to start posting again than to share an awesome short film of the also awesome animation school Gobelins.

This film was so amazing is so many different ways: colors, animation, camera shots... It's just too awesome to not share it!

Le Royaume

Anyways, enjoy!

Finally, some time...

Happy New Year! :D

Big news since my last post... I GOT A JOB! Yes, it seems my demo reel worked. :D

I landed a job as an Intermediate 3D Animator at Longtail Studios in Quebec City. Everything happened so fast... I started working on Dec 21st 2009, and we (my wife and I) have spent the last month and a half just looking for an appartment, moving, and getting all the services back (phone, internet,etc). Oh, and the dog got sick, which kept us busy for a whole week.

So, after all the hassle of moving, I'm finally working again... And I have to say I love my job. I mean, getting paid to animate a character is one of the best things in the world. And the project I'm working on is really incredible! As the people I'm working with. Everybody is so kind and open minded... In addition to all that, they just hired a new Lead Animator which is a great guy and a terrific animator, so I'm looking forward to learn as much as I can from him.

I only have a 6 month contract, but still I believe I'll get a LOT of experience from this job. I only hope the company decides to keep me in their ranks, which would round up a nice start in the industry... But they still have to know me better and see what I can do.

Anyways, I've updated my Resume on my website, since I've got a new phone number (and with the new experience, obviously). Hopefully, I'll have more time to drop some lines here... ;)

C ya!

New website almost ready!

OK, so with great emotion I have to announce the creation of my official website: www.ricardoayasta.com

The site is almost functional, the only thing missing is my demo reel, which I should be finishing soon. The rest is pretty much done. There are some changes I want to add, like for example, the biped laying in the first page does not change. I'd like it to change to a different pose depending on the page you're watching. Also, the name pages are not good, since they do not have a real name (go to the "Resume" section and check your URL bar to see what I'm talking about). That's because I used the website builder from my hosting provider, which is not that good.

Anyways, the site is running, so if you have any question or comment or idea on how to change it (for the better ;)) then drop a comment!

Cheers!

Ricardo.

New website coming!

I'm very excited to tell you that a new website is coming!

I decided that I must have my own space on the internet, with my name and all. My current site (http://kronkhal.jimdo.com) has serve me well over the course of one year, but now it's time to move on. It's time to start spreading my name as artist over the internet, and leave the a.k.a. "Kron Khal" behind.

I've started with this blog... The name of the blog has change to "Ricardo Ayasta Animation Blog", which makes more sense and over all, it will appear in the first page when you google my name (this blog is in the second page of the search).

Considering that my final version of my demo reel will be ready in the next week or so, I need a place to put it, and a place with my name makes more sense than a place with my alias.

Anyways, I'll keep posted when I have everything set up and running with my new website. I hope I can only add (in some way) this blog to my site so you don't have to change windows between my blog and my site.

Cheers!

Ricardo.