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Alex Blain - Four4BIT Creative Spotlight

Updated: Jun 3

Four4BIT Creative Spotlight - Alex Blain

Four4BIT Animation Studio is thrilled to debut the first post of the 'Four4BIT Creative Spotlight' with a remarkable talent, Alex Blain! If you've scrolled through Instagram or Twitter, it's likely you've stumbled upon his breathtakingly brilliant work! Alex, a versatile artist, is making waves in animation, music, and children's books with his extraordinary skills. Today, he joins us to share insights into his creative journey, answer burning questions, and inspire us all with his message!


Alex Blain

Hey Alex! Your work is incredible! Could you share with us what initially ignited your passion for animation as a career, and how did you get started in the industry?


Hi there! I really appreciate your kind words; they mean a lot to me, and I'm thrilled that you enjoy my work. One of my fondest childhood memories is watching "My Neighbor Totoro," directed by Miyazaki for Studio Ghibli. The film transported me to a magical world, captivating me with its colorful style and animation. As I grew older, my passion for animated films only intensified. I decided to pursue a career in this field and directed my studies accordingly, focusing on computer graphic animation (3D) while also dedicating my evenings and weekends to honing my drawing skills.


After completing my education, finding a job proved challenging. I eventually accepted a position in character modeling, using it as an opportunity to build a strong 2D animation portfolio during my personal time. Although I faced some struggles breaking into the 2D animation industry, I'm now grateful to work as a director in this field. My next significant goal is to produce my own short film and eventually transition to working on a feature-length project.


Wow! This is truly inspiring! Can you share with us one of your favorite projects you've worked on and what made it so special or memorable for you?


One project that I'm particularly proud of is "Hypercharge" for Supercell’s Brawl Stars game, which I directed alongside Sun Creature for the trailer. Working on this project was a fulfilling experience for me because it marked my first time directing, contributing to the writing, storyboarding, composing music, providing some art direction, and handling animation. I was fortunate to collaborate with an exceptional team comprising many talented individuals. It was truly rewarding to engage in the creative process alongside such skilled professionals and to have the opportunity to develop 2D animation from scratch.


For me, this project represented a significant accomplishment, as I had long harbored aspirations of working as a 2D animation director. Moreover, the positive reception from the audience was incredibly gratifying—it's always fulfilling to receive such feedback.


"Hypercharge - Supercell’s Brawl Stars game"


It's amazing to hear how you took on these various roles and collaborated with such a talented team to bring this project to this extraordinary result! Alex, your passion for developing 2D animated projects is truly inspiring! Now, moving on to your projects, we're intrigued by your process in creating the original short film 'Boubou' and the magical world it explores. Could you share with us what this project is about?


Thank you! I initially embarked on the "Boubou" project with the aim of demonstrating my ability to direct a project from its inception. So, I began by writing the screenplay for the short film, creating storyboards, developing concept art, and so forth. I submitted the project to the CNC (Centre national du cinéma), and they provided some funding to support its development.


The story revolves around a young girl named "Boubou" who undergoes a transformation examination. While she transforms flawlessly, a dispute arises among the professors regarding her eligibility for admission to the academy.


Currently, I am immersed in the animation process. I have recorded the voices with the participation of all my family members, and I am diligently working to bring the project to completion. Fortunately, my good friend Romain Recher is assisting me in securing additional funding to ensure the project's successful completion. 2D animation is indeed a fantastic medium, but it undeniably entails complexity and demands a substantial amount of time and effort!


"Boubou Short Movie Kickstarter Trailer"


It sounds fascinating! The involvement of the whole family adds such a unique touch to the project. Please, we would love to hear more about the creative process behind bringing this enchanting story to life!


I always begin by sketching rough ideas on paper. Once I have identified key moments and developed a narrative, I start writing the project. Using this written outline, I transition to TvPaint to create a storyboard. After refining the storyboard to my satisfaction, I proceed to produce an animated version to establish the timing of the project.



In parallel, I conduct further research on color to define the visual aesthetic. Next, I export all the shots and commence work on the rough animation, followed by refining the details in the tie-down animation stage. Once the line work is cleaned up, my talented wife Lucie Blain applies colors to each frame. Subsequently, I focus on painting the backgrounds and animating shadows.


Following this, we move on to the compositing stage, where we integrate the elements onto a timeline alongside the voiceovers, sound effects, and music. As you can see, there are numerous steps involved in the process!


The level of detail and dedication in your creative process is truly remarkable! It's inspiring to witness how each step contributes to the final enchanting result. And it leads us onto the next question, facing challenges in your career, especially in making a 2D animated project on your own, must have been quite daunting. Can you share a particularly challenging experience you've encountered and how you navigated through it?


The most challenging aspect is completing the project. With my current workload, I only have limited time to dedicate to the short film. Initially, I was thrilled to work on it whenever I had a spare moment, but now it's becoming more challenging. I have so many new ideas and stories I want to share with the world, but I must prioritize finishing this project before starting anything new. There's still a lot of work ahead, but despite the challenges, I remain passionate about it. The main obstacle is finding enough time to animate the shots.


That's a real challenge, and facing it indeed requires patience and motivation! Regarding your other involvements, we also noticed you're taking a major part in writing children's books and pursuing a career as a professional composer for animated projects! Could you share how these projects fit into your creative journey? Additionally, how do you stay creatively inspired and motivated in your work?


Yes, one of my challenges is that I'm interested in many things! I enjoy writing, composing music, and much more. I believe that exploring new areas presents a great opportunity to enhance the skills you already possess. For instance, my experience with music has taught me about rhythm. When creating a piece of music, there needs to be a balance of repetition and novelty. Repetition helps the audience grasp the melody, but too much can lead to boredom. It's about finding the right balance between familiarity and surprise, which applies to animation and storytelling as well.


The same concept applies to children's books. With limited pages, we need to craft a story that engages both young children and their parents. It must be simple enough for the child to enjoy yet still interesting for the parent. If the parent dislikes the story or finds it too simplistic, they're unlikely to revisit the book. This principle also holds true for animation. Every discipline, despite its differences, contributes to improving skills in other areas.


As for inspiration, I try to diversify my daily activities. I start with some work on children's books or manga, then switch to animation. I take breaks for activities like running and also spend time on music composition. This variety ensures that I'm never bored, as I'm regularly engaged in something new. Additionally, I believe that creativity is like a muscle—it grows stronger with practice. The more you exercise it, the easier it becomes to tap into your creative abilities. Practice is key.


"Alex Blain : Fais Attention à Toi Grenouillette - Trailer"


We LOVE the way you think! It's smart and beautiful how you manage to balance everything! And as we know, creativity is key in animation. What advice would you give to someone just starting out in the animation industry?


I believe I can offer two pieces of advice. Firstly, immerse yourself in the works of others—read books, watch movies, and explore creative endeavors from both the past and the present. Your mind should serve as a repository of inspiration, like a vast library. Secondly, actively engage in creative practice. This can take the form of working on projects such as children's books, short films, or illustrations. The goal is to captivate your audience and leave them intrigued by your work. Continuously strive to surprise them and evolve creatively. While it may sound straightforward, it's undoubtedly a challenging endeavor—one that requires a lifetime of dedication.


In two words, Super inspiring! Reflecting on your great experience, what are some key skills or techniques that aspiring animators and artists should focus on developing?


Today, it's easy to recognize the high-quality work produced by studio professionals. To stand out, you must match this level of excellence and actively share your work. Utilize platforms like Instagram and create a demo reel to showcase your talents. It's crucial to establish your presence in the industry and demonstrate your dedication to potential employers. Additionally, be receptive to feedback and embrace opportunities to learn and grow. While receiving criticism may be challenging, set aside your ego, listen to the feedback, and use it as a tool for improvement. This willingness to learn and adapt will benefit not only your career but also your personal development.


"Artwork from the short movie Boubou by Alex Blain"

"Artwork from the short movie Boubou by Alex Blain"


Absolutely true words, and very wise. As we strive to spread positivity and inspiration through our work, we believe in the power of each individual's voice to make a difference! Alex, the stage is yours to illuminate the world with your message of positivity. What would you like to say?


You're completely correct, and I appreciate you sharing this message! Life is undeniably beautiful, and it's up to us to determine its level of beauty. Learning to collaborate and embracing self-love are essential steps towards being able to freely love others.


That's incredibly significant! We truly appreciate you for sharing your message with us and our readers, it means a lot! Finally, what exciting projects or endeavors can we look forward to from you in the future?


Firstly, I'm focused on completing the Boubou short film! After that, I'm working on a manga called "Le Royaume du Roisson." ( It's a story I envision becoming a feature film in the future. However, the manga will serve as a platform to develop the story, characters, and creative universe. I have a deep passion for 2D animation, and I genuinely hope to have the chance to tell compelling stories in the future and share them with audiences! Thank you for the interview!


It's truly incredible to hear about your upcoming projects! Alex, we wish you all the best as you embark on completing the Boubou short film and delve into the creation of 'Le Royaume du Roisson.' Your passion for 2D animation and storytelling is evident, and we can't wait to see the creative worlds you'll bring to life!! Thank you so much for taking the time to share your insights and experiences with us and our readers. Your journey is inspiring, and we're grateful to have had you here for this interview. Thank you once again, and we eagerly anticipate witnessing your future successes!


"Artwork from the short movie Boubou by Alex Blain"

"Artwork from the short movie Boubou by Alex Blain"



Email for commissions or contact: alexblain.contact@gmail.com


You can also find Alex Blain on social media such as : (Links) Twitter X | Instagram | Patreon


 
Four4BIT Animation Studio - Four4BIT Creative Spotlight

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