Merci Gracias Mahalo Danke schön Grazie Yokoke Thank You …
Special thanks to the following people for their help during this entire process:
First and foremost, I want to thank my students. This book is written for them. To the following students in particular, for contributing their artwork and words of wisdom: Chris Beaver, David Bokser, Josh Burton, Sean Danyi, Arturo de la Guardia, John Doublestein, Nick Dubois, Nathan Englehardt, Katie Folsom, Jeff Gill, Chris Grim, Fay Helfer, Neil Helm, David Leonard, Adam Levine, Mark McDonald, Rob T. Miller, Luke Nalker, Dan Nichols, Zach Parrish, Tonya Payne, Sara Pitz, Brett Rapp, Tim Robertson, Colin Senner, Eric Urban, Ben Willis, and Ryan Yokley.
Second, I want to acknowledge all of the Maya authors and artists I’ve encountered along my journey to learn and teach this subject – specifically Jason Schleifer, Chris Maraffi, and the many others who’ve taught the Maya Masterclasses that I have attended at SIGGRAPH between 2002 and 2007.
I need to thank Lucilla Hoshor, for introducing me to the people at Focal Press at SIGGRAPH 2003. Apparently, Lucilla knew before I did that I was going to write a book.
A special thanks to Georgia Kennedy, my supportive and phenomenal contact at Focal Press. Georgia’s encouragement and confidence saw me through the entire uphill climb, especially her insistence that I get some sleep during the process!
Thanks to Kevin Nield*, my technical editor, former student, teaching assistant, and all round nice guy. Without him, much of what I wrote wouldn’t make any sense!
My sincere thanks go to Jenn West**, my editor and friend who knew absolutely nothing about Maya. She was able to tell me when I needed to re-word and clarify things to help her understand what on earth I was talking about.
Thanks again to not only the students, but also the faculty of the School of Film and Digital Media at the Savannah College of Art and Design, for their constant support and questions of “How’s the book going?”
A special thanks to all of my family and friends who have encouraged me throughout the years to pursue my dreams, including special recognition of my teachers and mentors who have also instilled in me the curiosity of learning and fostered my ability to problem solve. An extra special thanks to Randy Asprodites, Penny Clarke Johnson, Sue Dee Lazzerini, Darlene Marr, Tom Mavor, Elemore Morgan, Jr., Dana & Bob Niedergall, Pat Perrone, Heidi Poche`, Chyrl Savoy, David Thibodaux, Dickie Wagner, and Paul Werner.
And finally, a super-duper special thanks to my children, Joshua and Nathanael, and my loving husband, Michael Cabrera. His encouragement and willingness to spend five weeks away with our two-year-old son so that I could finish this book was down right amazing!
Characters by Kevin Nield, served up on a tray with his head and fruit (2007).
* Kevin Nield graduated from Savannah College of Art and Design in the Fall of 2007 with an MFA in Animation. In the approximately 2% of his time not tweaking models, props, lighting, rigs, etc. on the computer, he tries to devise ways of testing whether or not he has woken up in the same universe on this particular day. You can check up on his work or tell him about your universe at: www.kevinnield.com
** Jennifer West developed her love of English grammar through avid reading and conversations with her English-teaching father. She received her Bachelors of Arts in English Literature from Armstrong Atlantic State University in 2006. She has gone on to pursue a Masters in Library and Information Science from the University of South Carolina, anticipating a May 2008 graduation. To contact her about her editing and research services, please email her at: [email protected]