| |
Scene
Thing
by
Meatpod (As
appeared in Tyrone #03)
Before
I begin, I'd like to say that this article is sort of a
response to the one by Sagramore, a piece that appeared
in Tyrone #2. I don't know Sagramore, so I mean him no offense
by this piece. I do, however, disagree with a few of the
issues that he raised.
Anyway, let's begin. Like everyone has been at some point,
I used to be
a little obnoxious kid who hung around in #ansi and tried
to get into the club
that the big boys were in. I hassled major artists who had
no fucking idea who I was (they probably still don't), and
I got banned a lot by ops who were annoyed at my behavior.
My art was lousy. I didn't even consider applying to a group.
Did this get me down? Yeah, sometimes it did. It didn't
stop me from pissing people off and getting banned, though.
Eventually, after a long chain of events that I don't feel
like fully exploring here, I wound up in one of the top
two groups in the scene, Serial (I think that now, after
Serial was disbanded, even the staunchest anti-Serial
Remorse members will acknowledge that we were pretty much
neck and neck for a long time). Having gone from an entry
level position in the scene to being the guy who has to
turn people down when they apply to one of the top groups,
I think I'm pretty well qualified to dispense with a few
pieces of insight that I've picked up (in no particular
order):
1. I'd
like to say a few things about irc, since that's where a
lot of scene
goings-on take place. First off, irc isn't fair. Some people
are in control, and some aren't. You have to learn to accept
that. You may feel that the people who control the channel
abuse their control. They do, it's true. It's too bad. It
used to piss me off, but I've learned to relax about it.
Which brings us to another point about irc.
2. Some people complain that #ascii is getting to be another
#ansi. I don't
really see the problem with that. True, #ansi has a certain
infamy, due to the relaxation of morals that some claim
pervades the channel. You have to realize, though, that
this is irc, not the bible belt. I'm sure that if you have
enough brains to be smart about computers, you'd be able
to loosen up a bit. In addition, there's always the option
of going off and making your own channel if you don't like
it. If the next kHz is such a shrinking violet that he gets
"turned away" by a bunch of rowdy kids, tough
noogies for him. That prospect doesn't really bother me
too much.
3. On the other hand, I'd like to remind all of you prospective
artists to follow your hearts. Don't take bullshit from
anybody, and say what you think (keep in mind people may
not always agree with you). Some things you have to deal
with (read: sit on it), and some you don't. You have to
learn to tell the difference, and no one can teach you.
It's something you have to come up with on your own. What
this boils down to is as follows: do what you feel is right
(not what you think you should feel, what you DO feel).
4. I never used to understand why people weren't really
enthusiastic about me drawing them something. Now I do.
If you lack talent (and I know you
can sure as fuck tell if you do), people aren't going to
be crazy about your shit. You need to accept this. I try
not to put down people's work, but I also don't appreciate
being hassled when I deny someone membership to a group.
You will get better. You may have to settle for a group
of lesser calibre than Remorse or Serial on your way towards
scene "stardom," if such a thing exists. On behalf
of serial, though, I feel compelled to mention that we often
gave new artists a chance, even if we didn't think they
were up to par art-wise. Sometimes, having the experience
of being in a group can do a lot for the spirits of a developing
doodleboy.
5. How does it feel at the top (or as close to the top as
I am, personally)? Pretty much the same as it does at the
bottom, except I know a bunch of
people by their first names. I feel essentially the same
way about my "art," I still take the same pride
in it. It feels good, too, when people tell you they like
what you've done, no matter how good you think you are.
6. A quick way to get to the top? That doesn't exactly exist.
To gain respect,
I would recommend that you keep quiet until you're pretty
sure you know
the score, and then act humble. I don't know you -- if you
get up in my face, it doesn't help my opinion of you. Don't
take things too seriously, and don't give up.
All
newbies eventually turn into the people they used to loathe,
at which point they realize they aren't as bad as they thought
they'd be. Everybody gets their 15 minutes of fame (Andy
Warhol), and that includes you. The scene is NOT a big deal
-- it's a hobby, and that's it (except in the case of VGA
artists that go on to become professional graphic designers)
-- nothing more, and you should treat it as such. The scene
is ephemeral, nothing. It's just a big exercise in bullshit.
RELAX. If you don't agree with any of this, fine. It's not
my problem. Despite what you may think, this "scene"
thing is an open medium, so say whatever you like. Just
be aware that nobody has ALL the answers.
The scene brings people together in a way that nothing else
is quite able to. If you're lucky, you'll make some great
friends in the whole art and competition process. With respects
to that, I'm very lucky, and I wish you the same.
meatpod
(ex-serial ss 97, PROUD FUCKING DOODLEBOY)
[As
with anything scene related, I feel obligated to write greets]
brad
and scott -- I love you guys. TRI forever.
john, mike, jeff, justin, and my other first-name basis
nigs -- HI GUYS!!!
josh and chris -- I couldn't do without my local nigs, guys.
Peace.
everyone
from serial has my respect.
everyone in remorse has my respect, even those of you who
were... close-minded at times.
if you
didnt get a greet, chill, I still love you.
top
of page
|
