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Giorgi Rekhviashvili

You said that animation studios had to shut down due to the economic crisis: any details?

First of all, I would say that animation is a “luxury” industry, to us in Georgia. It is widespread in economically developed countries, yet Georgia is a developing country. Plus we have to deal with big issues: even recently, in the summer 2008, there was this conflict between Russia and Georgia. We found ourselves in a crisis “of our own”, but the world economic crisis struck Georgia as well. As a result, big companies could not take loans, and a lot of them had to close. Well I’m no expert, but I can see the situation we’re facing here, and I feel concerned. You see, recently, I was working for this thriving company on this full-length animated movie, but they thought it was wiser to stop the animation project.

Generally speaking, and beside the economic concern, how big is the 3D animation market in Georgia?

3D animation itself is quite trendy in Georgia: commercials, advertising campaigns, TV programmes… Most of them imply the use of 3D software. Architect studios work mostly on 3D software too. Still, there is no big 3D animation market in Georgia and few investments are made in that area. I wish it were different!

How big is the LightWave community in Georgia?

I don’t have a precise idea. I know about 10 people around me who work with LightWave: that is the extent of the community I personally know, but I guess there is a community, people I don't know personally, but I am curious about new productions, so there’s a chance I would know if there was someone tremendously talented working on LightWave in Georgia.

What do you most like about LightWave?

To me, LightWave 3D® is the best software when it comes to fast rendering and easy modelling. It has the fastest stretch rigging, the fastest rendering and that's why that’s the 3D software I prefer.

And are there some changes you would like to see in future versions?

I would be extremely happy there were animation layers and bones dynamics, as well “pose saving” options – such as those necessary to make mirror poses- and plotting – so that one can put a single key on a single frame for the whole timeline- for channels (XYZ, HPB and scale).

What are especially gifted at when it comes to 3D animation? Lighting? Modelling? Rigging???

I would go for modelling and rigging. Especially rigging! But if you want to create a good animation, you also need to know a lot about cartoon animation principles: weighting, timing etc., stretching and rigging.

What version do you now use?

I use LightWave 3D® 9.6.

You have young kids: do they know about LightWave? Do you think of teaching them LightWave some day?

My kids are eight and three, so it’s a bit young for 3D animation! Well, except for clearing my LightWave scenes and making me furious sometimes, when I forget and leave the LightWave software open. Of course, if they want to learn some more when they get a bit older, I will be very happy to teach them.

We were talking about your one minute film, is there a chance you will resume your project so that it fits a short movie format?

Well not at the time being! I now work on a three-minute project called “Special Forces”, a short movie full of humour and animation jokes. I’m actually working on the concept art script now. So, I don't think about my one-minute short reel now, but I will finish it someday.

If you had the opportunity to do an animation film, what would be your top reference, the animation movie that impressed you the most?

It’s hard to pick just one, but I guess I would go for Monster’s Inc or the short Pixar movie “For the birds”

Thanks so much Giorgi and good luck for your next projects !

An interview by Swingcom
Contact : Solenne Robin - srobin@swingcom.fr

Giorgi Rekhviashvili