Adam Sharp

http://www.adamations.co.uk/

Adam Sharp is a freelance 3D artist living in the UK who has finished work on two of his short animations and is working on a third. He's won the CFX Short Film Award for his "The Little Thief" animation and has also worked on TV commercials, Animated Series pilots and music videos. Starting with a traditional animation background and a will to succeed he has proven himself to be an outstanding CG artist.

By Paul*PabloGrca*Hutchens

SQ – Tell us a little bit about yourself, where were you born? When did you become interested in art or computers?I was born in Birmingham, I was actually interested in prosthetic creature FX mainly because of the old Harry Hausen films, I know it sounds clichéd now but that really got me into animation. I studied animation at the surrey institute of art and design in Farnham. After several uninspiring jobs, the usual one's you get when you graduate, I got an illustration job in a new media company. This was the first time I'd really used computers, but after several months I was introduced to Lightwave and gradually became the resident 3d artist. I left the company after 2 years to pursue a freelance 3D Artist career.

SQ – Tell us a little bit about your background in 3D? I come from a traditional animation background, and was keen to make my own short films, but at the time it wasn't practical due to time and money. I began looking into stop frame animation and after several uninspiring jobs, the usual one's you get when you graduate, I got an illustration job in a new media company. This was the first time I'd really used computers, but after several months i was introduced to lightwave and gradually became the resident 3d artist. I left the company after 2 years to pursue a freelance 3D Artist career. I began working on a few ideas whilst in between projects. My first film "The little thief" won a few awards and I managed to get some funding from the UK film council which was much more than I was expecting. So, as a result, I've continued to make my own shorts between projects.

SQ - Do you think an artist is better off having a traditional background in animation and or art? Personally yes I think its very important to have an understanding of traditional art, as any package you use is just another tool to get your idea across.

SQ – Where do you work at the moment and what’s your position there? I've been working as a freelance 3d artist for the last 6 years. I handle modeling, texturing, animation and lighting, depending on the job.

SQ - There are many reasons why a person chooses to work freelance, do you prefer it to working with a studio? It really is a bit of a double edged sword. It gives me the flexibility to choose the jobs I want to do, and when I'm not working I have the time to develop my own work. But its not definite work so you find yourself constantly looking for the next project, and you don't get paid holiday or sick leave.

SQ - Does freelance work come to you or do you have to go looking for it? It generally finds me now, which is nice. But i occasionally still look on the job boards on sites like spin quad.