CORE 4D Interviews - Paul Babb

[Corebot]

Paul established a US-based entity for Maxon, to serve North and South America and introduced Cinema 4D to The Americas in 1998, His initiatives included strategic partnerships with industry-leading production studios and design firms, along with orchestrating product bundles with Adobe After Effects and Apple Final Cut Pro.

Paul's leadership and strategic planning played a pivotal role in Maxon's unprecedented growth. Today, Cinema 4D stands out as one of the fastest-growing and widely-used 3D products for digital content creation. He takes pride in being part of a team that facilitated the emergence of 3D in the motion graphics industry.

In 2016, Paul was honored with the Studio Daily 50 award, recognizing influential creatives and technologists. Known for his creative energy, customer service advocacy, and support for training and education, Paul is often invited to speak at industry events, particularly on the subject of motion graphics.

 

 

 

Describe yourself in a single word

Enabler (the good kind )

How did you get into C4D/ Maxon and 3D in general?

 

In the early 90’s I got my first job in the 3D industry – marketing managerfor ElectricImage (a 3D animation product on Mac). This was in the early days of 3D. I was there for a few years (learned a lot about the industry, artists and studios). They were purchased by the company Play (wellknown for the Snappy). Play was formed by former marketing people from Newtek. I was pretty sure my position was redundant, so, I went back into freelance marketing. Maxon started out as one of those freelance jobs.

 

Which area interests you most?
Facilitating, inspiring, motivating and helping creatives be successful in achieving their vision.

 

What other apps are you using and what for?

 

I assume this question is more geared towards artists. How about I tell you one of the things I find really interesting out there? I think Rive (https://rive.app/) is an extremely innovative and unique new offering and a significant breakthrough in the creation of real time vector graphics.
At its core, Rive is a new graphics format. Rive graphics are not just static; they can be animated, interactive, and functional. The format and its players are open source so designers can create interactive content forproducts, apps, websites, and games - and Rive runs anywhere (web,iOS, Android, Windows, Unreal, Unity, C++, etc.). A huge advantage is how greatly it speeds up workflow by reducing designer-developer handoff.

 

Which learning resources you used and would recommend?

 

This forum of course, Cineversity, of course!  School of Motion, Linkedin Learning, and YouTube/Google searches for anything useful.

 

Do you think talent is overrated and can be offset with a lot of hard work?

I’ve always felt there were two types of 3D animators and digital artists ingeneral - those who are naturally artistic and less technical, and those who are more technical with less artistic background. We used to call it right and left brained, (but I’ve recently read some scientists call that a fallacy).  And there are those amazing exceptions – the people who seem to have both artistic “talent” and an innate understanding of technology. Talent is an intrinsic skill (as in something that comes natural
to you). But it is a skill. So yes, I do think those not born with it can develop artistic sensibility.

 

Your best advice for newcomers, tip or trick to pick up regarding marketing and industry?

Create. Even with talent, nothing comes without practice and execution. Create what you love, what inspires you. Be inspired by others. Inspire others.

 

Thoughts on AI?

Artists worrying about how AI is going to affect the industry and their careers is completely understandable. But it cannot be ignored. It’s here and it’s not going away. The best thing to do is figure out how it canultimately serve and empower you. Part of being a creative professional is adapting to what is thrown at you, whether it be a client’s desires or technology advancements.

 

Top 3 wishes for C4D

a. That it will continue to humbly serve the artistic community.
b. That it will continue to innovate and impact the industry.
c. That it will be remembered as having a positive impact on the industry and secure a place in design history.

 

 

Message for Core4D

 

Stay positive, stay passionate and keep the community spirit.

 

Tell us something we could not possibly know about you but you find important or funny : )

 

In my early 20’s I was an actor. I did mostly stage musicals, but I did doone film. I was a pirate in the movie Hook. I was also in the Hook Coke commercial – like everything else it can still be found on YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUIAPbXevaA
For fun, I still perform in a band with my buddy and my daughter

https://thelaurelcanyonband.com/

 

Plans after a long journey with Maxon?
Clear my head, look out into the horizon of the industry and get a good idea of what’s happening in the industry and where it’s going. Hopefully, I will find something where I can focus my passion and energy.
Yes, I am actually looking for a job (it’s been rumored I am retiring – no way!! I have too much energy left.) – hopefully, it will besomewhere in the industry. This industry is my family. Also, some exciting news. This week I've accepted an invitation to be an Advisor for the team at Rive. It’s not a job. I took an advisory position for a product I think has a tremendous amount of potential in the interactive design industry. I encourage everyone to check it out. Really innovative and fun.

If people want to contact you

https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulbabb/

 

 

[BoganTW]

Awesome. Paul is a really cool guy and has been the friendly face of C4D for such a long time. I'm sorry he is leaving Maxon but really hope he lands in a spot he is enthusiastic about.

[geoblob]

Marketing folks are always very positive. Was hoping for more of a look inside at the inner turmoil/successes/intrigue at Maxon, as we got from Per Anders, but I guess I'm just going to have to sit here and... bask in some positivity.

[3D-Pangel]

On 3/19/2024 at 7:56 PM, geoblob said:

Marketing folks are always very positive. Was hoping for more of a look inside at the inner turmoil/successes/intrigue at Maxon, as we got from Per Anders, but I guess I'm just going to have to sit here and... bask in some positivity.

Paul (and I got his name correct this time ) is a class act.  I would never imagine he would talk about turmoil or intrigue from a company he gave 25 years of his life to and help turn into what it is today.  

 

Personally, I am sorry to see his departure from Maxon.  I was also sorry to see Per Anders leave as well.  But it is what it is and all we can do is wish them the best.

 

Dave

 

P.S. +1 for The Laurel Canyon Band.  Californian rock from the 60's and 70's was the best!!!  Rock music today can't hold a candle to it (IMHO).  Just look as its longevity ---- 50 years is it?

[geoblob]

Yes I wish him well. And I do owe him for giving away a full license of R18 at Half-Rez 5 in Chicago. I won that grand prize - same day as I got my first paid 3D gig, and even met Beeple there (before he got a stylish haircut). Everyone really loved it when Paul was around.