A couple of days ago, i recieved an email from Tim Miller, creative director at Blur Studios asking me if i were interested in a job. Naturally i was. Just found out that he was talking about a real job. Obviously in L.A.! And i thought he was talking about a couple of pics... Also this would require learning 3DS Max, but it wasnt a problem according to him. Quite a shock to say the least. Now im not really sure what to do. Naturally im extremely tempted, but i already have a job here, and leaving my fiance is nothing i would look forward too. She sais its ok, as long as its in periods, but im not sure. Just wanted to ask the "family" here about some advice. What would you guys do?

When I graduated from the UofA as a Geologist, I had a real decent offer to begin my career on an offshore rig. 9 months on, 3 months off, real good money. My daughter was less than 2yrs. I decided to stay in town and take a filler job. I did not want to miss her growing up. I made the right choice for me. However, as a result of no geology jobs around here, I never practiced that profession. Advise very reflective consideration. Best wishes you. remember to think OUT of the BOX. Perry :)

First and formost, congrats and well deserved! To address the personal side first - Is it an open ended job or a fixed term issue? I did a similar thing for a year and a half (Fort Worth, Texas) with weeklong trips home (Montreal, Quebec) to see my girlfriend every two months (and vacations). It worked out ok over that term but we both feel that for it to go over two years would have been a strain. Can you tele-comute? Videoconference with broadband? Or do they actually have to have a butt in a seat? Can you do it there for a startup period and then tele-commute. Some ideas to explore. Richard

Is the job you have where you are something you LOVE? Of course, I'm assuming that they will pay you more than you are getting at your current job. And, is there no way your fiance could ever join you in LA? I once turned down a great job (in Antarctica ... it would have been wonderful) because of a guy who didn't want me to go (not as understanding as your fiance). The relationship ended and I never got the chance to go again. If working in the industry is important to you, then take the risk.

Attached Link: http://www.blur.com/

Well, cant say that i LOVE my work now, but who loves to work anyway. :) No, but seriously, its an ok job, and leaves me time for personal work. Its not an absolute must to work in the CG industry, have never been actually, but it would be great to give it a shot though. Still dont know all the details, but i presume i would be required to spend a great deal of time there, especially if i have to learn 3DS. The job he was talking about was as a modeler and "Scene Assembly" guy. Basically finishing shots. (lighting, rendering, compositing, modelling, some light FX etc) Ideal for me right now, would be if i could do freelance for them, or something like that. I will ask about that too.

Dan, Yepp, those are the guys.

Tough call. I'm doing it around the other way and leaving a high paid job in order to leave the country and be with my girlfriend. To me it felt like the right choice. I think it really comes down to what you think feels right. Good luck what ever you decide.

Wow Rochr! First of all... I wanna say a BIG congratulation! Ur work is always amazing and its fully deserved they want you. Personally i think if i had the oportunity u got i think idd do it. Having a job i REALLY like is something i feel is important for me. But everybody is different... I think u should do what u feel is right deep inside of u.

Congrats Rudy!! (just a matter of time IMO) Check out the details, weigh out all the pros & cons. If it feels like something that will work, Go for it! Also find out if it's something you can start there and continue in a freelance position later. If the money is right, flying home once a month doesn't seem half bad. Good Luck Pal & Cheers!! Rod

I'd recommend finding out exactly what you'd be doing, and then talking with as many people as you can that do the same thing. You love doing art now, but when it becomes a "job" it may take on a new flavor. And congratulations!

Sorry for the mistake in the company you stated. (I deleted my previous entry-lol!) I agree with Muddy here. Really good advice. Also how much do you really love living in Sweden? Still lots to consider.

I saw the rockfish trailer a few weeks ago, absolutley stunning stuff, then you come out and say they offered you a job!! The first thing that came to my head was that nobody deserves this offer more than you rudy. sorry i really have no advice, i mean, I have no real world experience, but all I can say is defintley make one of them "t" charts, with the pros and cons, and if you think it will open up more doors of opportunity for a career, then I would consider it seriosuly. Defintley congrats though man, Im really excited for you--and good luck with whatever the future holds in store.

Thanx a lot guys! :) Just sent an email to Tim Miller, trying to find out some more about this. Ill let you know how it goes. The Rockfish clip was cool indeed. :)

Blur studios...I think I have their website saved as a favorite somewhere. Great trailer. Awesome stuff. I really have no advice on the matter, except to say, It's hot in LA! (at least, most of the time) But you already knew that.

You deserve it, RR, tentacles or not. ;-P But, of course, I'm in no position to offer you advice on the other issue at hand. So I'll limit myself in saying that I'm really glad they fished you out, because you do stunning work. Whatever decision you'll take, your work will continue to delight us... :) S.

Anybody with eyes would recognise that you have World-class talent Rudy, obviously Tim Miller did!! I can't think of another artist in any software category here at Rendo that has so consistantly made my eyes bug out and my jaw drop in amazement! If you can do that with our humble application, I know that very soon you would be doing even more amazing things using an app that is one of the CGI industry standards. You also have a chance to be paid while learning an app that many people have paid huge amounts to go to school to learn, from some of the top people in the business.

I wonder though if living in the "land of the midnight sun" has a lot of influence on the unique style of light and shadow that you put in your renders. Maybe sunlight deprivation is part of your Muse, who knows? I'm afraid that living in a place like L.A., with its' sunny, sandy beaches and fast glossy lifestyle might change "our" Rudy,lol. Next thing you know, you'll be rendering scenes of dazzlingly sunlit and glossy Sci-fi cities full of perfect Poser people! Seriously though Rudy, whatever decision you make, I hope it will be the right one for you. Best of luck!

First off BIG congrats! Long ago I did some special effects at Lucas Studios for a client, required going to LA. for two months, but it wasn't a 'permanent' position. On the upside, these things only come along once in awhile, so take advantage of it while you can...this could be a foot in the door to bigger things...more money, security, and a possible future for you and your fiance...learning a new software skill, your work seen by miilions with a certain amount of fame and presitage working for Blur Studios... On the downside, you need to leave home, family and friends, move to LA, not a garden spot by any means, and will be under pressure to not only learn a new software, but do production work on tight deadlines. Creativity will no longer be a lesiure item, but an everyday chore...you will be finishing and polishing other peoples ideas... Best thing to do is a pros and cons list, see if they are even, if one outweights the other, some deliberation is necessary.....things to ask of your potential employer; -are they procuring you a residence? -are they paying for the move? -how much money? -what type of expenses will you have? -what benefits, if any? -what type of schedule will you be on? -will you be expected to learn 3DS MAX and keep to a production schedule as well? -where will you be working? -who do you answer to in the end? Director? Art Director? -what type of work schedule will you be expected to keep? -Can you start with them doing freelance, or do they need a butt in a chair in LA? -is the move 'right' for you? (or what are your goals for life?) -how often will your fiance be able to visit you? you her? -could she accompany you to LA? would she want to? However, whatever you decide, make sure it's right for 'you'...you have extraordinary talent, and this could be the path to something bigger. I wish you luck!

They hand out jobs here? Congratulations! In my entire life I have never changed jobs unless I got a better deal than the one I had already. And that doesn't just mean the money...! Good luck whatever you decide. 'Ask not of the Elves for council, for they will say both yes AND no..' LOTR.

Well, plus..you've got an offer in the hottest market in your field, and a positive job offer. Looks good on a resume, as I always say..
The minus side is, like most specialized fields, the hottest markets have the fiercest competition..so who knows..it's your life..if I was younger, I'd say go for the experience, and see what comes up in the end..you can always tell 'em you worked in LA..good luck.

If it were me, I'd be up for it... (A job that pays with unique experience vs. just being a full-time student running on some meager savings.) But like the others have said, find out what the whole deal is and weigh the options. The competition at that level will be fierce, but these types of job offers don't come up often... It appears that even if your work doesn't make it into a movie, it would appear that you could still get something in a commercial, music video, or even a videogame... And we'd have the benefit of saying we knew about you before you hit the big time. :) (I'd be able to say, "Hey, I sorta know the guy who did those buildings in that shot...") (Not like you couldn't stick around here still, it's just likely that you wouldn't be able to spill the beans on at least half the things you're working on.)

Congratulations Rudy, I can't think of anyone better for such a job and can see why they contacted you.

Everyone has covered most things you need to consider but one thing that springs to mind is that this opertunity may never come again and if you don't go will you be forever asking "what if"?

You have the talent Rudy, you are wanted in the right place, to do work that you are exceptional at.
This sort of opertunity doesn't come around every day and if the prospects are good it may be the best move to make.

All the best in whatever you decide. 8)

Catlin

What may be fun now may not be so when it becomes your job.

Rochr, If you are concerned about 3DS MAX you could go to descreet's site and DL GMAX; the interface is similar enough from what I understand, that you can get a jump start on MAX that way. Sweden to L.A.- man That'll be an adventure for sure. If you can see about getting your old job back if it doesn't work out for you in LA that would be the clincher for sure! I sez: "Yeah, go for it! -you gotta get that lambo' somehow!" Congratulations!, - TJ

Tough choice? Blur Studios, amazing experience with a well-known company, travel, Los Angeles, Hollywood, Blur Studios is in Venice, maybe you would be here when Siggraph 2004 is jumping in August?!! No choice, go. GO! You can stay with me, in Los Angeles/Hollywood, lol. Go. Agent "go to Blur, Rudy" Smith

Congrats on getting the offer Rudy - couldn't go to a more deserving bloke.. err tentacled thing. As for whether to go or not... I base a lot of these big sort of decisions on lifestyle... is it a lifestyle you want? Anyway, thats just me, and hope that whatever decision you make is one your good with.

Best of luck, whatever your choice will be!

Attached Link: Tim Miller of Blur Studios Interview

LOL! Hey, thanx for that generous offer man, although i wouldnt wanna spoil my good(?) rep by being the eight-legged parasite. :) Still havent recieved any answer from Mr Miller, but it took some time to get the last one so...

Busy guy I bet. I joked earlier, but yes, tough decision. I once had to be gone from girlfriend for 3 months, a couple thousand miles away. Not easy. AS

Rudy, have you looked at the animations on their site, I can see your work in them and it is certainly one of the reasons you've been contacted. I think your art would fit in perfectly with what they do, they have lots of those dark, futuristic type scenes that you do so well. Now that I've seen some of their work I would say that you should take up this challenge, it looks like it could be the perfect opertunity for you to excel. I wish you well in this and hope what ever descision you make is right for you. 8) Catlin

Yeah, come to California!! See the loveli fjords!!