I
am completely fascinated with both art and music, especially when
an artist expresses themselves through both mediums. Seems like a
natural fit to me, especially since I come from the "I want my
MTV" generation. I think it is exciting to discover which
popular artists display this "Dual Expression of the Creative
Mind". It is from that perspective that I continue the quest
to get to know the artists that use both gifts.
This time the journey takes us back home to Renderosity with
the discovery of a multi-talented creator in our midst. It
is my pleasure to introduce you all to Rudy Sarzo.
Rudy Sarzo is best known for his musical bass chops as a
professional recording and performing artist, worldwide, for over
20 years. He has played with Ozzy Osbourne, Quiet Riot, Whitesnake,
Yngwie Malmsteen, and is now a member of the multi-platinum Heavy
Metal group DIO.
Besides Rudy's musical accomplishments, he also demonstrated
Acid, Vegas, and DVD Architect software
for Sony Pictures, released the "Acid for Non Linear
Editors" training DVD, and created the "Working
Man's Bass" loop library exclusively for Sony Pictures'
Acid Software. He has an admitted passion for digital art.
It was Rudy's passion for digital art that brought him to
Renderosity. It was the first article on this creative quest that
prompted him to get in touch with me so we could explore this
concept further.
So, let's get this show on the road! |
(Rudy Sarzo)
|
(Rudy in Action)
|
Hi Rudy, I'm pleased to meet you. I have to admit,
Clint and I have been fans of yours for a long time. Your heavy
metal riffs have caused my husband to bang his head for many years,
and inspired me to learn to play the bass.
I'm happy to meet you too, Lillian. I love the Renderosity website!
It amazes me that there is such a resource like this on the
Internet.
You are already a member of Renderosity?
Yes, I am a member of Renderosity. I subscribed to your newsletter
so I won't miss any news while we're on the road. It's how I found
out about your articles.
I'm really glad you did. So...how would you describe
yourself?
I was born in Cuba, and came to the United States in 1961. I'm 55
years young and still going strong. Rock and roll keeps you
young!
It's funny, I don't drink and I don't smoke. Coffee is really my
only vice. I guess I just have too much to do and too much to
accomplish to have any other vices. Well...except you count music
and graphics! |
Who or what inspires you?
Everything! Everything from the personal experiences of life, to
absolutely out-of-this-world concepts and ideas.
Story-telling...
It's all about the stories.
Art is about telling stories. Wondering what is going on behind the
eyes of that character in the image. It is the thread that unites
the video with the audio. That is inspiring. Sharing stories.
Connecting the audience with a story. |
(Murray looms during the sound check in Santiago,
Chile while Rudy plays bass.)
|
(Two of Rudy's training DVDs)
|
What came first for you, art or music?
I think for me, they both came at the same time. Music and visual
art are both important elements to story-telling.
My background is in visual communications. For example, I was able
to use what I learned in college to produce my own bass training
videos. Pretty simple, just point camera at myself, and go. Fun
stuff! |
How did you get started in music? Was there a moment
when you went, "I have to do that"?
The real reason I did it was because of the girls. I saw the
Beatles and went, "WOW! I want that!" What I went to
school for was mass communications. I wanted to be a motion picture
director. At that time I was living in Florida. The only thing
available for film in Florida back then was "Flipper".
What I found instead was a lot of club work. |
(Rudy laying down on the job, back in the
day)
|
(A few still images from the DVD Rudy created. It is
used during the Dio "Holy Diver" performance and features
Ronny James Dio, pictured.)
|
How did you get started in graphics?
I have always gravitated towards graphics. Now the technology has
finally caught up to where I can actually create what I have
envisioned, and can now easily create it with a push of the
button.
When I first started with the Amiga, it was a very painstaking
process. But, I kept trying and learning more and more so I could
tell a story on the screen.
I love Motion Builder. I think it is so important to have
an easy work flow. If I took a Poser character into
Carrara, it handles beautifully. All I have to do is
create a character and create a new template for the bones. Most of
the bone structures are very similar and can be used easily. Weight
maps translate really well.
Now I live in Los Angeles. LA is a very Maya and
Lightwave oriented town. I attended Siggraph last year to
get a good grasp of the industry. Because I am getting serious
about graphic art, I made the investment in Maya, and to learn how
to use it properly.
Sometimes the choice of software can be a political choice. Because
of the industry standards and that it demonstrates a persons
commitment to a particular platform. If you invest your time and
money, it sends a message that you are "serious".
It's the same thing with music software selections regarding
midi-integration. Before I made the decision, I did a lot of
hunting on the net. Everyone had their own opinion of what was the
best software. I do believe that proper training in how to use each
software is important to maximize the full potential of each
piece.
Here's what I created for the
"Dio Holy Diver Tour Video", if you would
like to take a look. I've progressed a lot since I made this, but
don't have anything else complete that I can share at the
moment. |
Do you listen to music while creating art?
Oh yes. Obviously, I have to listen to the music while creating
this kind of visual art. They have to compliment each other, to
tell the story of the song.
I notice there is a lot of music content now that does not
currently have a visual representation associated with it. I
foresee there will be more musicians creating a visual story or
representation to showcase their music on the mobile content
devices.
I wish there was a software that was more intuitive to the
musician's mindset that is easy to use. Now that Vue,
Zbrush, and Carrara are reasonably priced and
easier to use, I think you will see more and more artists learning
how and creating art. |
(Dio performing WE Rock at the Razzmatazz. Last show
before Rudy's basses were stolen)
|
 
(From Buenos Aires to Germany and all points in
between, the fans love their Heavy Metal)
|
Do you have a preference of music?
I like heavy metal, where I can create to the emotion of the music.
You know what's coming next when it changes keys and tempo. They
work well together, the combination of visual and audio. Because we
are affected by the interplay of the music behind what is
happening.
How many times have we heard that music is the sound track of our
lives? It's because we emotionally connect the music with time and
space. |
What software/equipment do you use and why?
3DS Max, because it reminded me of the way that music
software works. I watched numerous training videos before even
attempting to use it.
To create the tour video, I used Combustion and
Partical Illusion for the fire in the eyes and stuff, then
played them on the JumboTron. I also use 3DS Max,
Carrara, Poser, and Motion Builder. Once
in a while, I go into Maya 6 standard. But basically,
because the Carrara-Poser combination works so well, along with the
terrain, it makes it easy.
It's funny, Poser reminds me a lot of the loops and samples we have
in music. Most of the new music created today, are loops and
samples. It's not a bad thing. It's just another tool available for
creating and telling stories.
Living in LA I meet a lot of animators. Many of them use Poser, but
don't want to admit it. Little by little they are coming out and
saying, "yes, I used Poser". It's sort of like musicians
admitting they used samples and loops in their music.
It is really about getting to a point where telling the story is
more important than what you used to tell it. It's no longer
important to have to start from scratch with creating and
expressing the story.
(Rudy and Gaudi's Art Gecko)
|
What are you currently working on?
I just came on board with Ocean Visual
FX, a 3D animation and Visual effects boutique studio,
located in Huntington Beach California, as the company's new
3D
Technical Director.
I will be using Lightwave. So, I'll be learning it more while I'm
out on the road.
Also, last fall our Holy Diver tour was captured live at London's
Astoria and is going to be released on DVD May 30, 2006 in the
US.
What are your plans for the future?
We're leaving May 24th to go on tour throughout Europe and South
America.
What? No plans for a US tour?
I would love to play the US. Oddly enough, it's more cost effective
to tour the world where the venues get more fans at each
performance. |
Any parting advice or "words of
wisdom" you would like to share?
I really appreciate what you guys are doing. It makes it possible
for people like me to learn how to do stuff like this. I'll tell my
friends, I was up till 3:00am learning another software! I get so
excited learning new stuff. I think the secret is never stop
learning!
Oh yes, I would love to meet up with Renderosity members all over
the world during the tour. You are welcome to contact me via my
site at www.rudysarzo.com
(Meet and greet with the fans backstage at the Tuska
Metalfest in Finland)
Rudy, it was a pleasure talking with you. Thank you for
taking the time to do the interview and for sharing your art and
music with us. I know you and the rest of the band are pretty busy
with the release of your new album due out May 30th and getting
ready for your European/South American Tour next week. We wish you
all the best on your tour and with the new job at Ocean Visual FX.
Please pop in from time to time and say hello and let us know how
things are going.
The pleasure was all mine. Thank you!
Check out the latest clips from Dio's new CD due out in the
US on May 30th!
Please visit Rudy Sarzo?s official website at www.rudysarzo.com
go to www.ronniejamesdio.com to get the latest news about
the band and see Dio's tour
dates!
All images within this article are copyright
and used with permission from Rudy Sarzo.
Any use of these images without written permission from the artist
is prohibited.
Music copyrighted by Dio and may not be redistributed without
express written consent.
| Â |
 |
Graphic Tales from the
Road
Industry News and What's Happening
"Dual Expression of the Creative Mind"
featuring Rudy Sarzo from Dio
Published: May 15, 2006 |
Lillian
Hawkins
Renderosity
Marketing Manager
|
 |
|
Comments