James Lee Animation
patreon
PLANET NOX #01: The Patreon Launch
🕑 Added 2022-09-17 16:02:33 +0000 UTCWelcome to Planet Nox.
It’s not just a monthly blog. It's a journey to another world. It’s an experience.
Jam-packed full of excitement and food for thought. Right here on Patreon...
A kind of - “Patreon Feed” - if you will.
So I’m writing this post the day before the big Patreon push. To be honest, I’m a little antsy, but keeping my expectations in check. Realistically, I’m cautiously estimating new signups to be somewhere in the vicinity of 3.5 billion.
And that number doesn’t even include children, the elderly or pets. If I can get just under half of the total human population, then I can comfortably say I will have avoided complete and catastrophic disappointment.
To all the people reading this, can I just say... Fuckin hell - ya sexy bastards. You’re doing me a big ol solid by being here, showing your support, giving me some cash, an helpin ya boy make it all happen. <3
Anyway that’s enough whackin off, lets get down to business. Planet Nox is gonna be an evolving, random mishmash of segments. Some will come and go, as I figure out what you guys are into. I’m just gonna treat this as a semi-finessed brain dump, that I can knock out in a day or so, once a month, and make it feel like a little ittybitty magazine for you guys.
And finally, I just wanna get some mad respect in here for the people who’ve been donating for the last couple of years. The Patreon has been pretty bare bones until now, so thanks for sticking around as it’s been all coming together - ya legends.
Alright homies. It’s partytime.
Above: Actual photo of me being happy on discovering I have new Patrons.
My latest short and Patreon launch video is OUT NOW. Check out the 'RISE OF NOX'.
What artists and media inspire you?
I grew up reading Jhonen Vasquez comics, I’d say that’s probably the most visible inspiration in my work. Classic anime, such as Evangelion, DBZ, Akira. For Nox specifically, I’d always liked this kind of wacky/dark early 90’s late night TV vibe. I wanted to capture the vibe of some weird short film you’d catch flicking through channels in the early hours of the morning, or the janky movements of claymation from a classic film. Beetlejuice is another big inspiration of mine. The surreal stop motion FX, but also his charismatic and disgusting vibe. I love the deep, gritty cinematic tones of Fight Club and Scorsese films, and always thought how cool it might be capturing some of that and translating it to animation. And sleazy villainous characters, like Hexus from Fern Gully is an old favorite of mine. Oh, and Shohei Otomo does some incredible black and white illustration that's been another direct inspiriation for Nox, who I recommend you check out.
What tips would you give to an aspiring artist?
For those just starting, or want to start, I think you gotta find a deep love for it. Get a little obsessed with it. Not getting down on yourself comparing to more experienced artists, but having an attitude that that could be you too, if that motivates you. But not just dreaming about it, actually doing it. Enjoying the process and relishing the small wins, even that’s only getting a stick figure to move. Like lifting at the gym, we all start with those tiny little plates and work our way up.
And for those a little further ahead, work with what you got. You may be lacking in areas, but find creative ways to get yourself further for the time being. If all you can do is these wonky, misshapen, technically lacking drawings, there’s no rule saying you can’t just roll with it. Embrace it. Maybe with some imagination, that’s what makes your work punk rock. Still keep up the practice in areas you want or need to improve in. But just realize, no matter how good you get, you’ll only ever be working with what you have. The skillset you posses now. The resources at your disposal now. I don’t know any artist that isn’t super critical of their own work, so there’s no reason to let it hinder your progress. Let the self doubt just be background noise and keep pushing on.
What’s your favorite thing you worked on?
My Nox stuff for sure. I feel like I’m getting my creative fix, more so than I ever thought I could be when I was younger. I’d say ‘Back from The Dead’ was when a lot of the techniques and tools all finally clicked, where I’d optimized the process enough that things could really start moving. Everything was just buttery smooth, without hiccups. I was super happy with how it all turned out.
Do you take commissions?
I’m just too busy at the moment. If I’m not doing YouTube stuff, I’m usually looking to pay the bills, and my regular freelance work is better for that. Though hopefully all this Patreon stuff will mean I don’t gotta worry ‘bout makin ends meet.
How do you get motivated to start a project, or keep motivated to do creative work?
I think it’s more about removing things that demotivate me. Cutting back on social media. Eating well, exercising. It’s so cliche, but often times it’s not the work itself, but the life you’ve built around it. When I was younger I can remember these days sitting at my computer, frustrated and feeling uncreative. Feeling kinda like a failure, that I’d lost the spark. I wish I could go back and just say “dude, of course you’re not feeling creative, you went to bed at 3am. And stop having a focaccia for breakfast"
Motivation and inspiration tends to just come naturally out of living well. For me ideas usually happen when I'm not at the computer. When I'm out for a run or doing something else. Put on some music and let the mind wander.
What programs do you use to make your videos:
Animation: Adobe Animate CC (Which I wouldn’t recommend)
Editing: Premier CC
Compositing: After Effects
CC CGI Environments: Unreal Engine
Photo Editing: Photoshop CC
Illustration: Clip Studio Paint
Music: FL Studio
Audio: Audition CC, but lately I’ve been using Reaper.
What equipment do you use?
I use a Cintiq 22HD for my animation, and film everything on my Galaxy Note 9 with Moment lenses. I’ve had this pro Black Magic camera for a while, but I went back to phone because of the versatility. I’ll be switching to a Sony A7IV, which I think is going to be ideal for my purposes.
Gotta question you’d like to ask? Hit me up, maybe I can answer.
This month, I've been getting back into traditional media, which is always refreshing. It's been a while since I've had dedicated space and desk for drawing, away from the computer. There's something about drawing in a dark room with a desk lamp, that reminds me of when I was starting out. Kinda nostalgic actually.
That's all for now. Thanks for supporting my Patreon and I'll see ya next time.
Comments
James Lee Animation
For sure something larger has always been the goal. Nox from the beginning has always been a development project for some kind of unknown bigger thing. Whether that be in an online form or a more traditional series format.
James Lee Animation
That’s a possibility in the future if I can get some time and know-how to make it good !
The Cheeze Ity
Have ya thought of a discord server?
Petrichor
You know it's funny, because your style also reminds me a lot of Elijah Wood's character from Sin City. Love the vibe
James Lee Animation
Yeah I think that doing art for money does change the nature of it. What makes the sucky days bearable for me is getting longterm meaning and fulfilment from the work. It took some time to transition out of freelancing and corporate gigs, and I designed Nox as a project with a lot of creative flexibility, to keep the work interesting. Going into it, I’d say its important to have a really clear goal on what the work is for. Personal fulfilment, a career, or for the enjoyment of it. Because the project is going to be shaped by the goal, and trying to hit all three at once leads to disappointment IMO. A personal short film will usually have a very different online potential than something more tailored for growth, and I think it’s important to know that going in. Hustling is simply built into the model for online growth. Which sucks, because it’s counter to the implicit promise the platforms were built on. Ie: expression, creativity, personal fulfilment. Given the sheer competition to make it online, having a job and creative hobby, seperate, is an underrated option. Especially if the goal is to have a balanced and fulfilling life outside of work. It does seem like everyone online is hustling, but the sketchbook and models and paints are always there, in your house. The hustling world outside doesn’t have to matter and you don’t have to let it in.
Gallium
I'm more of a honey wheat guy
James Lee Animation
A: ✌️
James Lee Animation
That’s the malleable spirit!
James Lee Animation
White or wholemeal?
General Dagour
Aha, fellow Narcos Mexico enjoyer. You have good taste Nox.
Whakada Bellgate
looking good :-)
MalixCrash
Fuck YouTube, you're awesome. Keep doing good work.
Geliton Man
I'm here to stand by you and your... "big swinging weenie" to give the biggest middle finger to YouTube
Bigmac_1625
I hope for nothing more than your day to be a little bit more Noxious ^_^
PigeonFoo
Happy to be here.
Dr. Nuclear Prototype
Like others, I too have been a long-time admirer and I can say your unique style is what opened my eyes to whats possible with content creation. I have long waited for this day. Let Planet Nox Rise <3
Martin (Pixel)
I've been following your work since you posted Tarboy and my god am I glad to be able to support your work you genie
Dragaroth
Dude the moment I saw the vid I was on board. The wildly unique and high effort stuff you put forth deserves Monetary Respect (TM)
Stranger Danger
Cooler beans
Heero Effin' Yuy
Question: :D
Strings right
ALL. HAIL.
DrBagPhD
Youtube can suck a girthy one, happy to support you fella, greetings from Scotland!
danzil R turner
Man you just gave me the most none BS answers I ever heard thank you seriously
Dianna Wolf
Question: Have you considered doing an animation series? Matthew Gafford doing one for Star Fox and wasn't sure if you're keen doing a kind of 'Nox n' Friends' or whatever animated story. The social commentary and political landscape is great, but wasn't sure about your other future projects.
Lady Chalk
Take me, baby!
Yotara
I’m here for the indoctrination!
Gallium
This is the best thing since sliced bread
Andy Spats
Question: Do you feel that it's possible to still have art as a hobby in this hustle culture economy? I used to paint warhammer minis as a hobby but as soon as I started accepting commissions I grew to resent it. I finally got back into it now though, but I notice everyone is trying to monetize each bit of their life.
ThatDovahkiin
Everyone wanted this and everyone is very much on board.
Eve Hawthorne
I've been your patron for like two years now, and I've been VERY EAGERLY awaiting this moment! I absolutely ADORE your content and am so freakin' ready for this crazy journey ahead of us
OB3
JTHM is one of the best things to happen in the 90s. Such beautiful forces like yourself & VivziePop have risen from Vasquez
