This Is My Old Blog

Hey everyone, though I haven't posted in a while, this is now my old blog. I have my website set up, so please check it out at http://www.jackiecrofts.com

And while you're at it, take a look at my capstone website http://www.strangerdreams.net
It's filled with tons of cool infos.

Thanks! -Jackie

Every day, once a day, give yourself a present. Don't plan it, don't wait for it, just...let it happen.

I've nearly exhausted my list of mystery media that I'm taking part in. I've finished Twin Peaks, The New York Trilogy, almost done with X-Files, and I have successfully started L.A. Noire. All are highly recommended, but above all, Twin Peaks. The best kinds of things are ones that can transform who you are or how you think. Maybe they make you see things a different way that you previously didn't. They could inspire you and open new avenues of creativity that were previously closed off in your mind. I think this is one simple goal that every artist may have in mind consciously or subconsciously. If we can reach even one person with something that we've done and have them say good things about our work, or that it was meaningful to them in some way, we will have accomplished one of the most special things about being an artist. We have the ability to make people react to what we have created. I think it's amazing that fictional characters who have come from other people's minds have the power to influence us to become better people.

Soon, production will begin on my capstone. I'll be posting updates.

"I would like in general to treat people with much more care and respect. I would like to climb a tall hill, not too tall, and sit in the cool grass, not too cool, and feel the sun on my face. I wish I could have cracked the Lindbergh kidnapping case. I would very much like to make love to a beautiful woman, who I have genuine affection for. And, of course, it goes without saying that I would like to visit Tibet. I wish they could get their country back and the Dalai Lama could return. Oh, I would like that very much."-Special Agent Dale Cooper

Post-semester, post-project, post-move, post-rapture post.

Boy, has life been busy lately. I think things are finally settling down. I don't have a definitive subject to talk about here because so many things have happened in general. The semester is over (though summer session is in full swing). The world seems to have survived 'the rapture', which could be good or bad news considering I wouldn't have had to continue going to speech class if there were massive earthquakes. I've moved into my own place with my friend Dean in Greenwood which is a wonderful experience so far. It's a great thing to be on your own. Busy, but great. I'm going to call this one short and just show some art.

Underwood Typewriter modeled in Maya

I've also been working on entries for a contest. One of my favorite bands, Murder By Death, is doing a 7" split with another fantastic band called The Builders and The Butchers. I would recommend both for a good listen. Anyway, they're having a contest and one band will pick the front and the other the back. 

 Brother-Murder By Death

Listen!!!!

Localization

I can do without cable. I can go without a house phone. Right now I'm reaching the 3 week stretch without internet at my current apartment. Being a new media student, it isn't the easiest thing to do. I've been forced to localize. It's something you adapt to after a while, but isn't something I prefer. I find myself planning my schedule around when I'll be in a place that has the internet, which I hate. These are my chances to do homework, or to obtain recourses online that I may need and put them onto my hard drive. As much as I need the internet, I don't like that it has such a hold on my life. It's not something I would notice if I didn't have it. But when I don't, I find myself constantly worrying about when I will be around an internet source to get a paper finished, or to get photos I need to do sketches. I feel like my mind is constantly turning it's gears, trying to keep a mental track of all the things I may need to remember. I guess it's not so bad in the end. Just a different way of doing things, which always takes time getting used to.

I bring up localization as I sit here at work typing this post being interrupted every two minutes to do something. I forget what I'm talking about mid sentence. So my question is, what is the ultimate creative environment for everyone out there to work in? What can you not do without in your creative process? I know that my creative place is far away from here.

Eventually, I'll put up some shots of my 3D projects I've been working on this semester. I forget to take them when I'm at my house working on my project, so when I'm in a place with internet, I can't get to my project to take them. I'll remember to do it one of these days. Until then, here are some sketches and orthos of the character I'm modeling. Almost finished.

Consuming All Things Mystery

First off, let me start out by saying blogging isn't necessarily 'my thing'. Why should the words I say be more important than anyone else's that I need a space to write them so others can read? I'm not sure, but I'm hoping to keep up with it this time and not abandon it. I'd like a space if anything to share with my circle of friends where we can comment on and critique each others work. Plus it's never a bad thing to go back and do some self reflection, and there's no better way than to have it all out there in one spot.  Anyway, the reason I've started this blog is to share with anyone who is willing to listen, my creative endeavors.

The thing that has really propelled me towards making this space is coming to realize that I'm in the home stretch of finishing school. I'll be graduating in May 2012. I have so many projects going on, and I am so involved in many things that I feel it's necessary to keep a sort of catalogue of what I'm doing. For anyone who doesn't know me that may be looking here, I'm a Media Arts & Science student at IUPUI. My focus being the game design/animation track. Many people might know that this field isn't exactly the easiest to just jump right into. And most people who pursue this kind of thing dedicate their time to one focus. They work at this thing so much in an attempt to get so good at it that maybe, just maybe, there might be a chance of getting their dream job.

Unlike most people, I don't necessarily have a focus. I do love concept art, and I most likely excel at digital painting, but the truth is that I enjoy all things related to the field. So, this won't be an 'animation' blog or a 'concept art' blog. It will just be a space for me to show whatever I may feel like doing at the time, whether it's comics, 3D, level building, or what have you.

To round this up, I'll talk about the most important thing I have going on at the moment: my Capstone. Over the next year, me and a friend will be making an old style point and click mystery game. I think eventually we'll get a blog specifically for this, so then I can reference to that. But until then I'll try to share any concept work for it. It's still in the pre production stage right now, but we've gotten a good portion of it written. So like any good researcher, I'm consuming all things mystery so I can make this the best damn thing possible. And who doesn't like a good mystery with a little investigation?

Current mysteries on the roster:

• The New York Trilogy
• LA Noir (soon)
• Twin Peaks
• X-Files

I can only do so much at once! But, I'm open to suggestions if anyone has some great stuff for me. Until next time...I hope everyone has some creepy and inspirational experiences. It's going to be a great rainy week.