TRANSMISSION #20 // I NEED TO GET OUT. FAR OUT.

I love to work. Stepping into my office and losing myself for a full day is never a bad thing.

My office is comfortable; the walls are lined with bookshelves filled with comics and volumes of move/game ‘art of’ books, Star Wars toys old and new are everywhere, concept art from friends and past projects surround me and a collection of killer mountain bike trails are right outside my door.

But occasionally, I need to get out.  Far out.

I’ve talked about #TAILGATEOFFICE in previous blogs and have spoken to quite a few people about it in the last few months.  For me it’s less a ‘work from the road’ concept and more of a ‘change your environment often’ philosophy.

I am incredibly influenced by my surroundings.  When the surroundings are unexpected and everything around the next corner is unknown I’ve found new ideas come easy.

Being away from my desk helps to keep the creative part of my mind fueled.  You can’t ignore what a new environment can do for you.

Some time ago I was traveling for work.  A few unique locations caught my eye.

 

THE ABANDONED HOSPITAL

This was not only a great photo opportunity (I take photos and video for a lot of pre-production and reference gathering) but gave me ideas for numerous zombie outbreak scenarios.

It’s good to have a few on hand.

 

THE CLOSED BRIDGE

Scheduled for demolition, this structure presented me with multiple ideas for where to stage a particular action sequence for an upcoming project.

And an alternate escape route in the event of a bank robbery gone wrong.

 

THE HAUNTED HOTEL.

I didn’t turn that lamp on. But on it was.

Apparently this is a common occurrence in 100 plus year old buildings.  It also reminded me that sometimes an effective scare can be subtle.

 

TOP SECRET TESTING FACILITY.

I actually don’t know what this building’s purpose is, and I don’t care.  This has nefarious ongoing experiments with alien technology written all over it.

I want to believe.

 

ARTIFACTS OF THE CREATIVE

I found something in a basement that, in an instant, reminded me of the fun my friend and I had making Super 8 movies every summer in a small town.

That camera and those summers remind me of why I do what I do today.

Ideas can come from the most unexpected of places.  Get away from your keyboard every now and then. 

END TRANSMISSION.

– SEAN