How are CG Cookie's Blender tutorials made?

"What is the hardest part of recording a tutorial?"

Even seasoned Blender instructors deal with hit-the-record-button anxiety: "I have to work through some insecurities," says Kent. "'Do I have enough knowledge about this topic? Could this be wrong? Is my accent funny?'". 

Wayne seconds this: "I am concerned about giving 100% correct information...or passing on my bad habits," he adds. "People need to create their own!"

An additional challenge comes from recording long courses and keeping the momentum going. "Dense courses are a challenge in willpower," says Kent. "After months of researching, rehearsing, recording, and editing, it's easy for the drive to fade."

Jonathan's main focus is on keeping things engaging: "Watching someone model an object is actually quite boring most of the time," he says. "Showing the whole process without drowning out the crucial parts with tedium -- that is a part of the art."

"What are some challenges specific to making Blender tutorials ?"

Blender is a living organism that never stops evolving -- which can pose a huge challenge for Blender teachers. 

"It's not uncommon that a tutorial I made last week is technically outdated this week," says Kent. 

Blender is also free - which makes some users question paying for Blender education. If the software is free, the training should be free, too - is what some think.

"This is a common misconception about the nature of open-source," explains Kent. "Sure, the software is free, but time is never free. Blender's primary developers are deservedly paid salaries to ensure that high-quality development is sustained and organized. High-quality Blender training works similarly. Having a job that's commonly questioned in this way can be challenging but people usually understand over time," he adds.

Wayne Dixon's setup for recording tutorials

"What software and hardware do you use for recording?"

Computer graphics require significant resources. If you're running a screen recording software on top of that, you better have the hardware to back you up -- here is what our authors use.

Kent's software and hardware

Microphone: Rode NT-USB 

Recording software: Open Broadcaster Software (OBS) 

Video editing: Kdenlive ("Though I'm always looking out for a better open-source editor!") 

Audio editing: Audacity 

Image editing: Krita 

Kent Trammell in his recording den

"Any weird obstacles you deal with when recording?"

CG Cookie operates as a 100% remote team which means all our instructors work from home. This brings special challenges (and we have some tips on how to ace remote work!)

"People are always ringing the doorbell while I'm recording!" says Jonathan. "The speaker is right outside my office door and my housemates are constantly ordering things from Amazon."

Kent seconds the noise issue: "It's typical for a lawn-mower, chainsaws or construction to start in my neighborhood without warning -- and last for 2 hours precisely as my mouse hits the record button." But even when the stars align and all is quiet, accidents can still happen: "More than once, I've recorded a video only to discover my mic was muted," says Kent. "Of course, in my head this wasted take is the best I'll ever do and it's a major shame that it's lost forever."

Additionally, Kent and Wayne are both Blender dads which takes the art of recording training to a new level: "It's hard to resist my 2 kids bursting in my office to give me a hug," laughs Kent. 

Wayne supplied video evidence of his trials as #BlenderDad

"What is the WORST thing about making Blender training?"

"YouTube trolls can be a real burden," says Kent. "My skin has certainly thickened over the years but sometimes it's still deafening. It's dumb how one bad comment can negate dozens of positives. In the end, it kinda comes with the territory though."

Wayne has his own way of dealing with trolls: "Youtube comments are notoriously bad -- which is why I never look at them."

For Jonathan, the worst part is knowing that at some point, you have to call it done: "The worst part is that we can't cover everything! My scope is always creeping -- but having a rough deadline certainly helps."

"And the BEST part about making Blender training?"

The three authors are in agreement: seeing how much people progress from our courses is the best reward.

"Seeing someone post their tutorial results and crediting your course as their guidance or inspiration is the best feeling," says Kent. 

Wayne agrees: "The best bit is when users have those ah-ha moments where they figure something out and then can apply what they have learned outside of the tutorial space."

"How is the rest of CG Cookie team involved in training production?"

At CG cookie, team collaboration happens mainly at the beginning and end of course production. We brainstorm ideas as a group and agree on a topic.

Next, each instructor records the meat and potatoes of the training - and at the end, we usually collaborate again on trailers and promotional material for the course. 

"During the training production, I get lots of feedback from Wes Burke and Kent that helps me to improve," says Jonathan. 

"Occasionally, Kent and I tag teamed on a projects," says Wayne, "and I always enjoy that. I'm often asking the other instructors stuff like 'Hey Kent, how do I apply a texture to this object thingy here?' I can't know everything about everything, so I'm always happy to ask for help."

"As a Blender teacher, are there any misconceptions you'd like to clarify?"

"People think we get it right the first time," says Wayne. "But that's not the case. Each lesson is edited, which often means repeating the same sentence several times until you don't slur the words together like a drongo...or actually say what you meant to say without rambling on about something that isn't necessary."

"How do you know when the production of a course is finished?"

Wayne: Da Vinci said it best: 'A Blender course is never finished - only abandoned.'