A Reel Mover and Shaker
AfterEffects is a software program by Adobe that puts the pizzazz in film and video and Dean Velez is king of this craft. Think you've got a lot on your plate? Listen as this laid back, Bronx born, Emmy award winning, certified expert, instructor and dad gives us the scoop on making it in the competitive broadcast industry.
BFC: Where did you grow up and what was the culture of your home like?
DV: I grew up in the Bronx, NYC in a housing community called Co-op City. I grew up with my 4 brothers and my parents. I'm not sure what you would call the culture of our home...It was explosive, not in a bad way...just in a loud way, My family tends to speak louder than anybody I know. Lots of spanish food, but not a lot of Spanish was spoken in our place. My parents believed that the best way for us to get ahead was to adapt to an english speaking world. I regret it now, and wish they would have brought us up bilingual. But heck I'm not going to complain, life's been pretty good to me.
BFC: Where do you live and what is the culture in your home like today?
DV: I currently share a house in Boca Raton with 2 other artists, The culture would be akin to a college dorm...is there culture in a college dorm?...hmmm
Good Food, Good Friends, we don't take life to seriously...and we don't take it for granted.
BFC: How do you make a living?
DV: I am a freelance motion graphics artist and instructor...so I make my living in a few different ways.
1. I have an online training program for Motion Graphics using After Effect. It's called "The Anvel" www.theanvel.com
2. I travel around the U.S. doing classes and personal tracing for Photoshop, After Effects and Premiere.
3. I'm contracted to build animations for clients. I'm currently working with a design firm in Boca Raton FL called blurMEDIA www.blurmedia.com I do alot of motion graphics components for their web sites.
BFC: How would you define your style?
DV: I'm a commercial artist I adapt for the client If the want pretty I do pretty...If they want scary I do scary. I've never really locked myself into any one style.
BFC: Where do you get your inspiration?
DV: From everywhere, I'm constantly looking at the world at thinking wow what would that be like moving?
BFC: What are your dreams for your art and what are you doing to actively pursue them?
DV: My dream is to share my knowledge and educate other artists ...I'm constantly training myself and then sharing that knowledge with others thru my training materials.
BFC: What are the obstacles you've come up against and what have you done to conquer them?
DV: I've never seen problems as obstacles or road blocks...just detours. If you slow me down I work twice as hard. Talent, determination, and a great outlook on life can move mountains!
BFC: What is one mistake that you do not want anyone to recreate?
DV: Save some money for a rainy day ...everything looks worse than it is when you're broke!
BFC: Do you have any words of inspiration for Artists that want to follow in your footsteps?
DV: Train, Train, Train, Practice, Practice, Practice...you will go far and fast if your skills are perfected. Be respectful to everyone, this industry is too small to make enemies.