The first tool I’m going to introduce is Assumptions
One of the most dangerous things while communicating with others is Assumptions.
You would not believe but in daily life we “unconsciously” assume so many things.
Assumption is most poisonous thing for any communication.
Everyone at the office assumed that Fire Exists in the building are Most obvious things, at the day of fire it turned out that, the building doesn’t have any Fire Exits as from Architect to everyone who involved in Constructing assumed that Fire Exits are most obvious things.
See Most Obvious things are even more hazardous.
What’s most obvious in your world can’t be the same for anyone else.
E.g
It’s insane to assume that everyone knows Animator’s Survival Kit Book or Disney Animation: Illusion of life Book, I didn’t know it for long time.
Same way you can’t assume Everyone knows ILM , PIXAR, DreamWorks , they don’t..
I know many guys who are Animation Students and who don’t know.
Or maybe your all town knows you are outstanding at drawing , but it doesn’t mean the person you are communicating on internet knows unless you specify.
You might say , “I know that much”
May be your most obvious thing is different.
How about Email account ?
Most obvious thing ?
I bet it is .. 🙂 I know few folks who don’t have Email Account!!
You will say ” There are always exceptions ”
Yeah, you are right but you must understand you can’t assume, especially when you are having an Important Communication.
It’s your question of your Career in Animation , and you just can’t assume that joining some course , everything will be fine or even though the course entails good stuff you can’t assume that the teachers will be capable of teaching the way you need or what you need.
There might be possibility that teacher himself never have been part of any animation production pipeline. If you are in India , there is maximum probability of happening this , that teacher himself have not experience of working on any project or worked many years ago.
And in Animation industry things really change rapidly so its always best to get coached from someone who knows current industry standards.
I think you definitely know the old phrase , “You are only as good as your teacher”
Assuming for any important communication is dangerous.
Imagine if Doctors assume some things about their patients, the results will be insane.
If you have worked on project with big team , you know that you just cant assume that someone is doing the JOB ..
You have got to know Who Exactly ? We have this habit of assuming from many years ( may be you don’t), but if we have practiced unconsciously for many years, we will need some conscious efforts consistently in order to get rid of it .
So here is your Assumption Tool
First and most important thing DO NOT ASSUME at all.
And if you are –
1. Write down what things you are assuming
2. Why you are assuming ? Are there any good reasons or facts
3. In communication , always specify what’s your assumptions are , most crucial thing to do
E.g
You tell other person in communication – What are the things you are assuming & what things he should / can assume even before the actual communication
