Hi Alastair - It might be worthwhile to link to the article from the front page of your site. Perhaps put a large link right above the Glassworks banner?
I think the entire Softimage community would appreciate it if other shops would take similar steps. For any sort of change to happen, this story needs to reach the general population (ie shareholders). -Paul ᐧ On Mon, Mar 10, 2014 at 8:17 AM, Chris Marshall <chrismarshal...@gmail.com>wrote: > If we knew who a letter like this could be sent to, we could all copy it > into an e-mail and individually send it to that person. > > > On 10 March 2014 12:13, Amaan Akram <xsil...@warpedspace.org> wrote: > >> >> Alastair, brilliant letter. Here's hoping other studio executives will >> chime in. >> >> >> >> >> On 10 March 2014 11:44, Martin Chatterjee < >> martin.chatterjee.li...@googlemail.com> wrote: >> >>> Alastair, >>> >>> excellent letter and spot on. Thanks for taking the effort. I hope this >>> letter does not "just" stay inside this mailing list but gets more exposure >>> as well. >>> >>> -M >>> >>> -- >>> Martin Chatterjee >>> >>> [ Freelance Technical Director ] >>> [ http://www.chatterjee.de ] >>> [ https://vimeo.com/chatterjee ] >>> >>> >>> On Mon, Mar 10, 2014 at 12:35 PM, Morten Bartholdy >>> <x...@colorshopvfx.dk>wrote: >>> >>>> Thank you for posting this - my sentiments exactly Alastair - very >>>> well put. >>>> >>>> >>>> Softimage is the very reason why we can handle complex stuff with a >>>> very small crew. With Maya on the horizon we will be less effective and >>>> have to hire more freelance TD's to get the same things done => less money >>>> earned. >>>> >>>> >>>> Morten Bartholdy >>>> >>>> VFX Supervisor >>>> >>>> Gimmickvfx.com >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> Den 10. marts 2014 kl. 11:20 skrev Alastair Hearsum < >>>> hear...@glassworks.co.uk>: >>>> >>>> Folks >>>> Dan Y and other folks, I hope this comes across as firm but reasonable. >>>> I will post it on other appropriate sites. Any ideas on that front? >>>> >>>> * An open letter to Autodesk. * >>>> >>>> Dear Autodesk >>>> >>>> My name is Alastair Hearsum. I’m a founding partner, director and >>>> head of 3d at Glassworks. If you haven’t heard of us, we are a small to >>>> midsized company which has been creating VFX and animation for TV >>>> commercials for markets around the world, for the past 20 years. We have >>>> branches in London, Amsterdam and Barcelona. We create innovative and multi >>>> award winning work and we use Softimage. >>>> >>>> Your announcement that you are retiring Softimage has left us >>>> saddened, disappointed and not a little angry. The anger for two reasons; >>>> that you have shot the racehorse of the 3d software world in the head in >>>> its prime but also that you didn’t consult with us about this assassination >>>> or discuss any of your plans for the future with us. We have no idea what >>>> the future from you holds. We are big and longstanding users of other >>>> Autodesk products as well as Softimage. The puzzling thing is, >>>> technologically speaking, there was no writing on the wall as there was >>>> with Henry and Flame, for example, or these days with Flame and Nuke. >>>> >>>> We have been punching above our weight, in London, for the past 20 >>>> years competing well with the much larger organisations of MPC, Framestore >>>> and The Mill. One of the reasons we have been able to do that, apart from >>>> the deep talent of our crew is, I believe, because of the software that we >>>> chose. I’m nearly 150 years old now but I still sit at the computer making >>>> pictures for TV commercials to the same arduous schedule that I always >>>> have. So I know what I’m talking about. For a period a few years back we >>>> had a 50/50 split of Maya and Softimage. We chose to go 100% Softimage. Its >>>> better for the work that we do and the sector we are in. Its no coincidence >>>> that all the finalists in the recent British Animation Awards (tv >>>> commercials) did their work in Softimage. Similarly, both silver and gold >>>> award winners in the 3d animation category at this year’s British >>>> Television Advertising Craft awards were Softimage companies. >>>> >>>> You may well go on to list major work that’s been done in Maya. Sure >>>> there has, and great work too. But Maya is used as a shell in the major >>>> film effect companies. It is heavily customised and unrecognisable as the >>>> product you ship. We have our proprietary software and tailored workflow as >>>> well, but Softimage remains pretty much untouched. It is lean, efficient, >>>> and the ICE environment is innovative and empowering. >>>> >>>> So you’ve done it. What’s next? Like I said we have had vague >>>> information about what the future holds. We hear rumours about bi-frost and >>>> that’s about it. From what I understand from various sources there are no >>>> plans to replicate the efficient workflow and full ice functionality that >>>> made us so productive. You have offered free transitionary licenses of Maya >>>> with the threat of having to discontinue using Softimage in 2 years time. >>>> >>>> >>>> The final thought is not just about what software is best for our >>>> future but also about what sort of software supply company we want to get >>>> into bed with. The attributes that come top of my list: listening to >>>> customers, acting on their recommendations, speedy development, innovation. >>>> Now does that sound like you? >>>> >>>> Alastair Hearsum >>>> Glassworks. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> -- >>>> Alastair Hearsum >>>> Head of 3d >>>> [image: GLASSWORKS] >>>> 33/34 Great Pulteney Street >>>> London >>>> W1F 9NP >>>> +44 (0)20 7434 1182 >>>> glassworks.co.uk <http://www.glassworks.co.uk/> >>>> Glassworks Terms and Conditions of Sale can be found at >>>> glassworks.co.uk >>>> (Company registered in England with number 04759979. Registered office >>>> 25 Harley Street, London, W1G 9BR. VAT registration number: 867290000) >>>> Please consider the environment before you print this email. >>>> DISCLAIMER: This e-mail and attachments are strictly privileged, >>>> private and confidential and are intended solely for the stated >>>> recipient(s). Any views or opinions presented are solely those of the >>>> author and do not necessarily represent those of the Company. If you are >>>> not the intended recipient, be advised that you have received this e-mail >>>> in error and that any use, dissemination, forwarding, printing, or copying >>>> of this e-mail is strictly prohibited. If this transmission is received in >>>> error please kindly return it to the sender and delete this message from >>>> your system. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>> >>> >> >> >> -- >> 3D Artist/TD @ The Mill, London >> http://www.amaanakram.com >> > > > > -- > > Chris Marshall > Mint Motion Limited > 029 20 37 27 57 > 07730 533 115 > www.mintmotion.co.uk > >
