Exporting files from Maya to 3DS Max and vice versa is possible through a plugin by an independent developer (plugin is called Polytrans). It's not perfect though and generally it's easier to just model and animate the object in the same program.
As for am I doing this for a job: No, but I'd love to one day do this for a living (especially animation). ATM though I'm still in school studying Digital Arts and Entertainment (
Link) and am mastering in 3D arts, which is basically anything from 2D concept art all the way to Animation and postproduction (special effects for movies and the likes).
I'm still not good enough to end up in triple A companied like Bioware, but that's my eventual goal. I did however participate in some side-projects, the most notable of which is the 2010 Microsoft Imagine Cup: Game Design in which my team and me ended 11th overall (within 0.1% of teh total score of the eventual winner) amongst +- 650 teams from around the world. (Interesting statistic: 8 teams from my school entered and all of them made it to the top 50.

)
As for animation: yes, I had to practice a lot to get to the level I am at now, although I did have an advantage because I have a very good understanding of body mechanics due to having practised 7-8 different sports (2 at a high level). I am currently making a demo-reel with animations for my portfolio site (which should be online in a couple of weeks). Mostly human characters, but the goblin will be on there as well once I rig, skin and animate him.
Finally here's the Gobbo after another 4-5 hours of work.
I'm quite happy with the Jewish Highlander Gobbo, but it's still not pro level.
Anyway, as always comments and criticism are always appreciated and I'm always happy to answer questions.
Cheers, Wolfie
Phew, this must've been one of the mongest posts I ever made.
