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 <[email protected]> wrote: > > Alastair, brilliant letter. Here's hoping other studio executives will > chime in. > > > > > On 10 March 2014 11:44, Martin Chatterjee < > [email protected]> 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 >> <[email protected]>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 < >>> [email protected]>: >>> >>> 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
