Q: What projects are you currently working on? A: Right now, I’ve just finished a full 3d animation spot for a German TV channel. Meanwhile, I’m working on a solo project, which is gonna be my first shortfilm video production with a lot of visual effects in it, no cars though…
Q: Was it hard to start your career as an automotive artist/designer? A: Basically I started my career as a 3D visualizer doing a lot of archviz (architectural visualizations), but always pushed myself in my little spare time to make something different, more personal, more challenging, things I personally like to be involved with… and one of those things is definitely cars. So in order to pitch myself, I decided to create a full cg animation of my favorite car: the BMW 2002. From modeling through animation and rendering, I tried to achieve a cinematic look to the atmosphere srrounding the car, giving at the same time, all the attention to those little details only a car lover/3D modeler would appreciate. Shortly after this, I began to receive some commercial automotive projects. So what started as personal hobby, became my professional line of work.
Q: What is your favorite subject to model? A: I like to model personal items, objects with history. Things that some people might see and relate to.
Q: How did your passion for 3D modeling and vintage cars begin? A: It started back in college, when I was first introduced to 3ds Max. I was just beginning to learn how to model and finding out the infinite possibilities of the 3d world. As soon as I got a hold of it, what was going to be my first model? A car, obviously! As always, my passion for cars started with my father. When I was about twelve-years old, he gave me a collection of fifty miniature classic cars as a present. So from that point, I already knew what a Stingray or Spider was, but without really knowing what their actual names were.
Q: How does the creative process start? A: My first thoughts are always: make something different. I plan everything in my head and then start getting lots of references and figuring out how to make it possible. Open 3ds Max and let the magic begin...
Q: Do you own or aspire to own a vintage car (and which one)?
A: Unfortunately I don't own one right now as I don’t have a garage to store that special car yet. But as soon as I have, it’s obviously going to be the BMW 2002 and possibly a Porsche 911 Carrera… Who knows?…
Q: As an artist, when you look at a car what do you see? A: The lines, the colors, the essence…
Q: Do you have an all-time favorite car? A: Yes, I have a lot of favorites, but I think my favorite at the moment is the Mercedez-Benz 300SL Gullwing.
Q: Where do you like or would you like to see your videos displayed most? A: On every car community channel around the world that would appreciate it.
Q: What is your favorite era of motorsport? A: Probably the '80s. I love this era!
Q: Is there a classic that you’d like to redesign for production today? A: I’m not in favor of redesigns, I’m all old-school. I think what was created in the past, should stay in the past. It’s what makes it a classic… but that’s just me.
Q: Given the chance to design or model anything, what would you like to do, that you haven’t yet? A: Well, I guess it’s gonna have to be another car right? Remember that 300SL I told you about?...
If you haven't yet, check out Elias'sBMW 2002 animation !
