What sources have you used to learn
the programs you used to
make your site?
I really don't use any sources other then the help files
that come along with each program. In the past I tried a few
books, but they never seemed to help. I occasionally will go
to flashkit for a weird actionscript problem, but other than
that I tend to just play with programs until I get a feel
for how they work.
What was the most
difficult or time-consuming portion of your
current V2 design?
I created most of the site fairly quickly, and really spent
the majority of the time fixing it up, and putting the final
touches on everything. I tend to spend way too much time on
the small imperfections I continually notice. For example,
the main interface animation...I created the actual model
very quickly, but I obsessed over the lighting forever, I
probably worked on the lighting 10 times longer than I did
anything else on that model. I guess the most difficult
thing is being satisfied with any particular portion of the
site, especially the 3d renders.
What advice can you
give fellow developers and artists that has
helped you throughout the years in terms of experience and
getting
things done correctly?
Try to have fun working. For me web design is the coolest
profession there is, and if I can enjoy my work, and
continue to make stuff I like, I'll eventually get better
than I am now. A lot of young developers get frustrated
early and lose motivation. I believe it's important to not
let other peoples work get you down, it's a terrible habit
to compare your work to others, just do your thing and stay
focused.
Where
do you see yourself 5 years from now or what are your
future plans?
I have absolutely no idea where I will be. If you asked me
the same question 5 years ago I would say I'd be working on
some TV show in LA editing video. I plan to keep making
stuff like I am now, for as long as I possibly can. I really
don't mind staying freelance, or joining a development team
fulltime. I enjoy making any sort of multimedia, and as long
as the work keeps coming I will continue to make it.
Do you
think there is a 3D company out there with software that
will likely take over the Internet, much in the same way
Flash did?
No, the 3d programs are all so good, and have been around
for so long that no one program could take over. When flash
first came out it was perfect timing on macromedias behalf.
There was nothing like it, and as the internet changed Flash
seemed to fit in even more. The only competitor for flash
has been Adobe Live Motion, which we know didn't [affect]
flash much. There are 3d artists that can make great stuff
with lightwave, 3ds max, or maya, it doesn't really matter
which program they use.
What is the best,
most imaginative website that you have ever
visited? i.e. What single website absolutely blows you away?
Definitely
kirupa.com!!!
jk I don't know if a
website has ever "blown me away" but
gmunks work (which isn't really
websites) is the best I've ever seen, he was doing stuff
that would blow
people away now...back in 2000.
What/who are your sources of
inspiration?
I always have a hard time finding real inspiration, I think
total boredom is probably my biggest motivator. I find that
if I've hit a dry spell, the best thing to do is just sit
down and try to make something new, try experimenting a
little, after a few hours of that I'm inspired to start
working again. When I'm fresh out of ideas I usually go to
trailers or movies for some cool ideas.
If you were given the chance to meet one person, past or
present, who would it be and why?
I'd want to meet Billy Bussey in like 1982, I think it would
be cool to babysit the 5 year old version of yourself for a
day. Although I bet I was a pretty boring kid, I would
probably just sit there all day and not say anything...then
the current version of me would get mad because I wasted my
"meet anyone" wish on a kid who isn't even fun...then I
would resent myself for the rest of my life. Man that would
suck!
Many of your
pictures feature you wearing a cap and/or an atari
t-shirt. Is there a reason behind that?
I think all of my pictures have that same combination. I
love white hats, they seem to go with everything. I have a
shaved head, and I probably look a little scary without a
hat on, so I wear it most of the time. The Atari shirt just
fits nice, it's a vintage "Atari computers" T-shirt from the
80s that a friend got for me online. I took all the V2
photos the same day, which is why all the photos on the site
have me sporting it. Plus ATARI RULES!!!
Thanks for
letting me talk about myself for so long :)
Thanks again to
Billy Bussey for agreeing to answer the questions*
we all had for him. Thanks also to the members Phil
Jayhan, naliwarcow, grimdeath, and the rest who helped provide the questions
for this interview.
* one question
was repeated; kirupa points the finger at kirupa for
that error!
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