Interview with Neil Blevins

[leigh]

That's a great interview, I'm plugging that one now :thumbsup:

[FabioMSilva]

man i love this job!

I´ve learned of Neil along time ago when i was discovering the Cg-Web(along with Nick Carpenter, Francisco Cortina & Brandon Fraser, or is it davids? lol cant remember)

the only thing i dont like is that he´s art is too creepy...

but he makes really cool organic materials.:airguitar

[Signal2Noise]

Actually, I've mentioned this before, Neil is my inspiration and what got me hooked on CG and 3ds max in the first place. His work is reminiscient of HR Giger's (Alien) stuff which I think is cool.

:thumbsup:

[ThE-BirD]

Yeah, great interview!! Neil's tutorials helped me through my first year of learning cg on the job. :thumbsup: for Neil!!

[Renzsu]

Go NEIL!! Thanks for the tips on the splutterfish forums and cg education stuff on your site!

[ThirdEye]

One of the best things about Neil is his musical taste! :buttrock:

[BrandonD]

He's also an all-around nice guy and makes a good roomate. Since he moved out I miss the sound of 300 beats-per-minute growling death metal ;)

[decible]

Agreed, he likes good music. I just saw Strapping Young Lad play with Meshuggah the other night in Cleveland. It was awesome.

Dustin

[cdinic]

what a poor interview. I mean honestly the first 2 questions sounded like a grade school kid wrote them.

Nothing against Neil Blevins, he did a great job of answering the poor questions.

I just think it would be best if someone with some journalistic training conducted these interviews.

-Chris

[Goldeneye]

Yeah. The interview was definitely not what I'd describe as par. But, that in no way affects my opinion of Neil or his work. Dang, his stuff was and still is the reason I keep pushing myself to learn 3Dstudio. Excellent works and good tutorials too.

[facial]

Yes, great interview, Love his thoughtful works :D

[pomme]

I think he's overated. He's just another Giger wannabe. Also it helps to have started back when there weren't many cg artists, less competition, but this guy TODAY wouldn't stand a chance of getting into Blur (and Blur experience is what got him into Pixar). Ask him to model a head, and get ready for a laugh. Oh wait, look more wires, hey look another robot. Ooh he's so dark, ooh look creepy monsters.

[DocuWild]

It is sad when a good artist cannot get credits for his work. Comments like your Pomme casts no shadow on Neil and his work, only on your own jealousy at another persons skills. So what if he cannot do everything in the realm of art. So what if he is inspired by Gieger. So what if people praise and appreciate his art.

Instead of racking down on someone who have done you no harm, try going out and produce something yourself. I bet there are several with your state of mind who are just dying to tell you how bad it is.

[Carina]

I've been impressed by Neil Blevins work for a long time..

And I couldn't disagree more with pomme.. Not that I would say he's the best 'modeller' that has ever existed... Rather that he doesn't need to be because he knows how to compose interesting graphics.

[fango]

Originally posted by Carina

Not that I would say he's the best 'modeller' that has ever existed... Rather that he doesn't need to be because he knows how to compose interesting graphics.

couldn t have said it better than the lady, this is what make the "artist" part in cg artist.

Blevins ' been in the industry for 10 years. I remember 10 years where i was (mostly between doodlings and discovering sex). The guy 's past is forged into how we do things today, and that deserves at least respect, and some humility from our part.

[soulburn3d]

Thanks to everyone for their kind words. I totally did not expect this to become a news item.

And pomme, being another Giger really isn't my interest, I mean, he's already done that and has done a far better job than I ever could. It's not like there's an originality button somewhere, all our work is influenced by others, we do the work that interests us, and as we improve the connection between our initial vision and the final image, hopefully something fresh comes out. I'm always working at improving my skills, maybe one day you'll see something of mine that you feel is truly original. :)

As for getting into blur, getting any job is about being in the right place at the right time with the right skills. I always knew I wanted to do something artistic, and was prepared to work at it till I got to where I wanted to be, no matter how long it took. While I am indeed lucky, I do honestly believe your take on the events of my life seem a bit harsh.

Anyways, again, to everyone, thanks a lot.

- Neil

[pomme]

It bothers me when hacks get admired for doing nothing but be the first to enter the industry. Man does this guy ever suck! And people get inspired by this crap, LOL

I sometimes feel like a hack myself, but when I look at Blevin's stuff, I suddenly feel better, at least I'm not that bad, and this guy works at Pixar of all places!!! That really cheers me up! It means I might have a chance! Oh wait, the market is now over-saturated, who cares if we have talent, it's 2003 and no one cares.

I'm presently unemployed which is why I'm so angry. So don't mind me.

[Iysun]

pomme:
first of all, what looks great to some people will look like crap to others, people have differnt tastses, your obviously to narrow minded to see that, and lack common sence, and with your attitude its no suprise to me that you dont have a job

nice interview there and i personly like your work

:bounce:

[Wiz]

hmm pomme i think you don't have a job because of your additude maybe? i am sure if he wasnt good enough he wouldnt be in pixar.. obviously the guy is awesome ,has extremely nice works.. and not the usuall works.. if you have a problem getting a job iam sure as hell its not niel's fault.. i am sure it's your own fault ,and trust me if youhad mad talent you would get a job ,a nice one.. i guess you don't have that talent :( dont blame it on niel.

[pomme]

Originally posted by AnotherHell
pomme:
first of all, what looks great to some people will look like crap to others, people have differnt tastses, your obviously to narrow minded to see that, and lack common sence, and with your attitude its no suprise to me that you dont have a job

nice interview there and i personly like your work

:bounce:


I got my attitude after I became unemployed, unemployment will do that to you. I used to think like you, I was nice and all, but then... Ooh the big creepy down-turn came along and spooked me out of a job, and it had wires coming from everywhere which oddly looked exactly like Dave Mckean's work in Arkham Asylum. If you didn't understand that joke, I'm sure blevins gets it.

[ME3D]

Good to see neil progressing. We all should take inspiration where it comes from, and run with it.
I've had quite a few adults and kids contact me and say it influences them....So good. We all need that inspiration. Each one of us should admit our work is only great in some peoples eyes, and at the same time know we are always working to make it better.

Try as hard as possible and hope it works out for you.

BTW wheres your great works pom pom ...I'm sure we'd all love to comment.

Feel free to give me your crits, I can take it.

[Flaviosen]

Niels works is the true inspiration. His work is one of the reasons I started with 3d. And does anyone here actually believe that pixar would hire/keep a guy that don’t have any skill. That is just stupid. :rolleyes:

Goooooo Niel
:airguitar:

[pomme]

I've noticed that everyone who says that blevins is good creates crap themselves.

Then you have the ones who say blevins is an inspiration, but what they're really saying is: he's a retard who's done quite good for himself which is an inspiration for other retards.

[Refracted]

wow, who peed in your cornflakes... anyway

great interview neil, keep it up :thumbsup: you know i love all your 3d stuff :applause: (and your music taste :P)

[atzfratz]

Hey pomme

its not all about modeling a head. I personally think there is alot of mood in his artwork which is much harder than model anatomic correct. And Neils Artwork was the most impressive stuff on the net when i started and i really love it. Maybe your unemployment is just a matter of horrible sense of art. And with that attitude you wont find a job in the future.

And the fact that you dont show any of you stuff just shows how good it seems to be.

[Carina]

Not that I don't realise that you're being deliberately offensive..

I would advise you to channel more of that energy into actually better yourself in order to GET employed, rather than wasting time on behaviour that can only be described as increadibly childish.

And by making up excuses for behaving like a right twat, and especially flaming someone because he has a job and you don't, you're only making yourself look stupid.

[jason-slab]

hey niel good to see u here

i must just say, your "educational section" on your website has improved my skillz quite alot, soooo THX:thumbsup:

pomme: don't be a dork!


|jason

[ThirdEye]

Originally posted by pomme
I think he's overated. He's just another Giger wannabe. Also it helps to have started back when there weren't many cg artists, less competition, but this guy TODAY wouldn't stand a chance of getting into Blur (and Blur experience is what got him into Pixar). Ask him to model a head, and get ready for a laugh. Oh wait, look more wires, hey look another robot. Ooh he's so dark, ooh look creepy monsters.


LOL :rolleyes:

[pomme]

I should also mention, that it's normal for a person to trash Sylvester Stallone, and then have some newbie who's still in school to retort: "he can't be that bad, he's a million dollar movie star, he inspired me to get into boxing, he's a genius"

But you know what? Stallone sucks because we know better. We've seen quality acting, AND IN COMPARISON Stallone sucks.

I don't think anybody on this board gets where I'm coming from. Wow, people here have no guts, their affraid of saying what's on their minds because they have their gallery and name attached to their profile.

[atzfratz]

yes, you are right
and we are wrong

[Flaviosen]

from the land of the flamming poeple ?
GO NIEL:buttrock:

[Carina]

Originally posted by pomme
I don't think anybody on this board gets where I'm coming from. Wow, people here have no guts, their affraid of saying what's on their minds because they have their gallery and name attached to their profile.

I'm sure it's a coincidence you don't have either:D

[Merkeba]

I agree; a great interview with a great artist! I have always loved Neil's work from the first time I saw it; and he does have a style of his own aside from what some of "us" may think. :rolleyes:

[Darkchild]

pomme you are so so pathetic it's almost funny. :thumbsdow
why don't you post some of your work?

[RobertoOrtiz]

Nice interview!

[lildragon]

Pomme you're an interesting troll we get them often but you're a lil more unique. But anyhoo everyone from this point on please disregard and ignore his/her replies and comments, pomme made himself/herself look very bad as is, and hiding behind a online persona just shows his/her lack of confidence and credibility either in his/her own well-being and/or art. So please everyone here do me a favor and just don't reply to his/her posts. okie :)

nice work Neil, have been a fan since your inception of Soulburn.

salud!

[Signal2Noise]

Lildragon, do we know for sure if Pomme is a "he". I'm thinking more of an "it"...:shrug:

;)

[BrandonD]

Originally posted by pomme
I think he's overated. He's just another Giger wannabe. Also it helps to have started back when there weren't many cg artists, less competition, but this guy TODAY wouldn't stand a chance of getting into Blur (and Blur experience is what got him into Pixar). Ask him to model a head, and get ready for a laugh. Oh wait, look more wires, hey look another robot. Ooh he's so dark, ooh look creepy monsters.

Having worked with Neil, I can say flat-out that you're wrong. Neil's skill, talent and work ethic are what made him a major asset at Blur and what is probably doing the same at Pixar.

There's more to this industry than being a good artist.

[John-Stetzer]

Originally posted by BrandonD
There's more to this industry than being a good artist.

Indeed; that Neil happens to be one is a bonus :^).

[SheepFactory]

Pomme if you keep this up you'll be Unemployed AND Banned from the board.

Now considering the increase in job postings since two months ago you must really lack a good demo reel or you would have moved on to a new job by now. I dont mean this in an offensive way , maybe its time to polish that demo reel of yours instead of flaming accomplished artists who work at pixar. ;)

[romi]

. . . and the other thing that makes Neil an admirable 3D artist is that he shares his knowledge with everyone else. i think all of us have benefited from his tutorials at his site and his advise at the Discreet Max forum. well, I for one, is very grateful to Neil for his help and advise and plus i love the images he creates!

putting someone down is just uncalled for. be constructive, not mean.

cheers

[pomme]

Originally posted by BrandonD

There's more to this industry than being a good artist.


That's all I wanted to hear from you guys.

[SimonReeves]

nice interbiew, to be honest I knew sweet fa about mr.blevins, aswell as some nice work, ther education parts of hius site have been really helpful to a lot of people I beleive




pomme - takes one to know one

:thumbsup:

[Signal2Noise]

Originally posted by pomme
That's all I wanted to hear from you guys.

Actually, you didn't "hear" it from "[us] guys". You read it from BrandonD. Furthermore, BrandonD still maintains that Neil is a good artist although you have stated Neil isn't good- or rather- "sucks". But now you're agreeing with BrandonD? I think you misread Brandon's statement of "There's more to this industry than being a good artist". It means Neil not only is a good artist. He also possesses more on top of being good. Neil represents the whole package of what it takes to be successful in this industry. Especially when it comes to attitude and personality. You, Pomme, will need to look those up in a dictionary.

Anyway, I'm done. Basically I just wanted to point out that we all did not say what you wanted to hear/read.:p

[pomme]

okay I'll stop.:beer:

[Signal2Noise]

:love:

[Neil]

damn, i didn't read that it was neil BLEVINS you were all talking about....

;)

[cbutlerc]

First off, great interview

Neil has been very,very generous with his skills to the community.
Just like everyone else I thank Neil for all of his efforts in helping us learn from his knowledge.
I can peraonally say that I have learned very much from his tutorials from his website, and from his help on Discreets Max forum.

Not only is he a great artist , he has proven his skills by helping us all learn.

Just wanted to add my 2 cents to support Neil, not that he needs it though.

[jeremybirn]

I enjoyed reading that interview - it's great to see attention paid to an artist for whom I have so much personal and professional respect. Of course I can't talk about them now, but a lot of people will enjoy the scenes he's making at Pixar when they hit the theaters.

-jeremy

[proton]

Great interview...and even better artist:buttrock:

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