Rodney + Computer = Working Again

Hi Everyone,

Animation is hard. Loads of hours go into it, plus agonising over colour palettes, constantly worrying that your computer is not going to crash, and stressing about the three scenes that you need to have done by teatime. Having 2 strokes and being in a wheelchair doesn’t help.

I’ve moved back to the Naki, and with it came inspiration, and motivation. (I’ve included a video storyboard and a pic of what I’m animating now!) My goal is to get up and working again, to bring those characters in my head to life, and to create new ones.

But in doing this first project it became quickly apparent the little laptop I’ve been using can’t handle the work to come. That this animation might never get made. That I might have to stop before even getting to the starting line.

So that’s what this is all about: I need a better computer. I have the will, and the skills. I have a plan I can achieve. I just need a computer, something pretty vital in the animation industry.

I don’t want to sit around twiddling my thumbs for the rest of my life. So please help me become a productive member of society again. - Rodney Selby

Here’s just a little more background about Rodney and the computer he needs.

Rodney is 43 years old and had his first stroke when he was 33 and a second one two years later, which affected his right side and has left him with mobility issues. Prior to this Rodney was a freelancing animator and illustrator in Wellington, which he had to give up due to the second stroke in 2012.

The computer Rodney wishes for, needs to be built specifically to his requirements with a 32 inch curved screen . The cost of such a computer will probably be approximately $3,500, plus initial subscription fees for design software. Rodney’s goal is to start working again as an Animation Director, and continue developing unique styles and shorts.

Jan and Jenny