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| Fan of the Month |
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This month we feature a talented young artist from Belgium. Tom, who is almost fourteen years old, has been an Oddworld fan since Abe's Oddysee. He aspires to work with the Inhabitants, possibly as a Production Designer. "When I am fully qualified to do so," says Tom. Tom recently asked Alf, "What does a production designer at Oddworld do besides creating characters?" Oddworld's Senior Production Designer, Farzad Varahramyan answers, "A production designer at OW is expected to do many things. We design more than characters. The designers here design the fashions and artifacts the characters wear, environments in which these characters live in such as the Necrum forest or the Industrial Rupture Farms. We also have to design each individual object that goes in these environments. Everything from trees and rocks to furniture, lights, and buttons on a keyboard terminal that Sligs can use. How do these characters get around OW? They need transportation, whether it be animals they ride on, or trains and Slig plains that consume fossil fuels. We are essentially creating an entire OW universe from scratch!" Name: TomAge: Almost fourteen! Occupation: Tom: I'm a secondary school student. Beside the common things, my fellow pupils and I study French, English, ancient Latin and Greek. (I hope to create characters for which a Latin or a Greek name would be very appropriate). Hobbies: Tom: Making cartoons, creating all kind of characters, especially monsters. I try to design them as original as possible (that's important!). Once a week I attend the school of art in a nearby town. However, I teach myself most of the tricks of the trade by carefully studying artwork from all kinds of designers. I really would like to improve myself. I try to sketch real objects we have at home (such as the mannequin). The rest of my free time I like to play on the PlayStation® (especially Oddworld games, what did you think?!). Favorite Film: Tom: Star Wars! All these films inspire me. I also like Jurassic Park and The Lost World too. I find it incredible the way the dinosaurs are generated by computer. Favorite Food: Tom: French fries with a steak (typically Belgian), swimming in a pepper sauce. When did you first become aware of Oddworld? Tom: My friend invited me to play a demo with Abe's Oddysee® on his brand new PlayStation. When did you first become a true Oddworld fanatic? Tom: From the first time I played it. Actually, the reason why I bought a PlayStation was to be able to play Abe's Oddysee® (this took a very long time of asking my parents) What is your favorite Oddworld character and why? Tom: Abe, of course. He is a fine guy, but sometimes a bit clumsy (that's a word I sometimes have to hear from my older brother and my parents). Favorite Oddworld Environment: Tom: Necrum: I like the palm trees and the spiritual atmosphere. (I think Necrum comes from ancient Greek, meaning "dead body.") Favorite bad guy: Tom: The Big Bro Slig. He is just great and he wears cool pants. Have you finished Abe's Exoddus? Tom: Yes, I was even able to save all the Mudokons. The bonus rewarded at the end was terrific, as I do like the designs shown. How did it all start? Tom: When I was a little boy my parents were telling me stories from a book that was beautifully illustrated. I remember the story. It was about a small train undertaking a journey. I started to draw all kinds of trains with different forms and colors. Since then I am fascinated to create things with a pencil on a white sheet of paper. Is there anything you would like to say to your Oddworld fans? Tom: "Stay Odd, and remember: Art comes from the heart, Fantasy remains forever!" |