Ao from Freedom does a Planet Terror parody outside Sunrise’s entrance. Read : Authorized personnel only.
This week marks a full year of work for me at Sunrise Emotion Animation Studios here in Ogikubo, Tokyo, working on Otomo Katsuhiro’s Freedom Project. Its genuinely hard to believe that so a long time had passed since I first joined Freedom Committee in November last year, but I figure a lot have to do with the crazy working hours; when production crunch time sets in and we toil round the clock the feeling is like getting sucked into a black hole, with no distinction between day and night.
My very untidy table at work; mangas are a must for relaxation / Posters from past Sunrise Emotion works.
I’ve quite honestly never worked so hard in my life before. An average of 10-12 hours per day, 16-18 during the weeks before deadlines with seemingly no end in sight – I think the only reason why I haven’t yet blacked out from fatigue is simply because I enjoy my work quite a bit. I can still recall vividly the initial wave of euphoria that engulfed me when director Morita-san said I had made the team – for the chance to work on a Katsuhiro Otomo animation project is truly a dream come true. Its nice to be credited in the ending sequence too.
Character facial expression study sheets for Freedom.
It’s been an amazing experience working with some truly talented figures in the anime industry – Freedom’s director Morita-san ( also director of Kakurenbo and co-founder of Kamikaze Douga ), co-director Hiroaki Ando ( who was also co-director for Tekkon Kinkreet and CG director for Steamboy ), my director of photography Yamaura-san, ( who worked on Glay’s Survival and Koji Morimoto’s Noiseman, 2 films that really inspired me during my student days ), as well as the rest of my co-workers, all whom are incredibly gifted and humble folks.
A “sticky board” in the studio with the latest notices, updates and ad campaign proposals for Freedom.
With 5 episodes completed the Freedom series will soon be nearing ( hint : well, maybe not that near. :] ) its climatic ending. I still have about half a year of work here, but I am already on the casual lookout for any new, interesting projects out there. Perhaps I might even stay on; but for now, I’ll just immense myself in this memorable adventure and enjoy the moment while it lasts.
All images copyright of Sunrise Emotion. No unauthorized usage allowed. Ao’s Planet Terror parody is pure fan art.
Related posts:
Sunrise Emotion Bonenkai 2007 忘年会
Updates on work
Life after Freedom
A new year and new beginnings, 2008.
Work, work and more work.
You call that messy?! I’ve seen worse tables of animators although I can’t remember the names of them (just random pictures I stumbled across) They have papers pouring out of the shelves, and just a small clearing for them to place their paper and work… I don’t know how they do it.
I’ve always liked seeing the inside of the places that produce the anime we watch so thank you very much for this post.
ok, i prefer Rose McGowan…anytime. drools…
You bought the whole collection of Dragonball? Or is that company property?
hahaha…..i noticed the dragonball as well….
w – You’re welcome ! :] I suppose the 2D animators’ tables can potentially get much more untidy, with all the paper they have to handle.
jackson – Yeah, somehow I figured you would…haha.
Zero and whazzup – Yeah I got all of them from 2nd bookstores, a few copies each time. Its about 2 Singapore dollars each and still in mint new condition. My colleagues would borrow them from me quite often to read too.
I do feel emotional reading about your adventures in Tokyo…
I’ve always enjoyed reading your posts, something with a slightly different perspective from someone who’s right in the middle of it all.
Great photos, too, by the way.
ガンバレ!
haha my table is about the same… papers & drawing/sketching books lying all around… just place them somewhere i could reach them anywhere anytime…
but im still most inpressed with the rack at the side… so many manga & sorts… 2nd pic
whats the software used for freedom? and ur desk is uber cool.. XD
orion – Thank you for the kind words ! :]
JaLorMee – Mangas are a must ! :]
Tiny Red Man – We are using LightWave. Its an untidy desk ! Haha.
i love the planet terror reference!
my desk is super untidy…just a small clearing for my elbows when i work…
Your work desk seems relatively neat to me!
You should take a look at my desk…at home! D:
lucky you, having so many manga books
and character sheets too >.,
tragic comedy, Dev – *laughs* I think creative folks tend to be an untidy lot…