Animalators

Sarah Blank is a freelance animator, compositor, designer and sometimes-writer/director. In the episode, we chatted with her about CG and live action compositing, Travel Oregon and user interfaces in VR.   Links: Website: www.thesarahblank.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-blank-96062b11/ Travel Oregon: https://bit.ly/2N7dnfb NYU Tisch: http://tisch.nyu.edu/ Nomad Editing: http://nomadedit.com/   Notes: -Apple screen graphics -Game of Thrones Season 1 -Compositing (CG and live action) -Travel Oregon -The forest for the trees approach -NYU Tisch -Nomad Editing -Editing vs. Compositing -Editing on Game of Thrones -Seasons of freelancing -Husband, Dave Blank -Coordinating freelance schedules and taking time off -California Bloodbath -Giving yourself deadlines on personal projects -User interfaces in VR -Commonalities in top-level work across studios -Pigeon-holing artists -Improving as a director -Dream client: Michel Gondry -Favorite animated film: Who Framed Roger Rabbit -What do the people you love think you do at work all day?: CG modeling and animating -Animalator: The Ouroboros

Lisha Tan is a Creative Director at The Mill in Los Angeles, CA. In the episode, we chatted about The Story of O.J., reading YouTube comments and managing creative limitations as a director.   Links: Portfolio: http://www.themill.com/portfolio/filter/collection/103/lisha-tan The Mill: http://www.themill.com/ Lilchotchke: https://www.etsy.com/shop/lilchotchke Resolution Design: http://www.resolutiondesign.com.au/ The Pirates of Somalia: https://imdb.to/2M955Gd   Notes: -The Mill LA -Mill+ -Project processes -The Story of O.J. -Jay Z -Reading YouTube comments when a job goes out -Giving and receiving notes as creative director -Communicating vision on a project -Transition to creative direction -Coaching character animators -Personal pitching process -The Mill’s internal resources -Pitching vs. pre-production -Lisha’s process of ideation -Managing creative limitations as a director -Lilchotchke Ceramics -Lisha’s mentors -Resolution Design -The Pirates of Somalia -Developing personal style -Favorite animated film: Spirited Away -What do the people you love think you do at work all day?: I don’t they know--messing around with cartoons. -Animalator: A little hybrid cat-thing because people tell me sometimes I’m like a cat.     **Note: The Mill worked with JAY-Z, Roc Nation and Director Mark Romanek via Anonymous Content to create the animated music video for ‘The Story of O.J.’   Lisha and The Mill artists realized JAY-Z’s vision using a combination of hand-drawn cel animation, computer graphics, and painted backgrounds, collaborating with Titmouse to animate the original characters.

Wesley Louis is a Director at The Line Animation out of London, UK. In this episode, we talked about The Line’s team structure, hiring freelancers and Super Turbo Atomic Ninja Rabbit.   Links: The Line: www.thelineanimation.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/librabear/?hl=en Tumblr: https://librabear.tumblr.com/ Blogspot: https://librabear.blogspot.com/ Gorillaz - Humility: www.thelineanimation.com/work/gorillaz Jamie Hewlett: http://jamiehewlett.com/ Aya Suzuki: http://ayasuzuki.blogspot.com/ Super Turbo Atomic Ninja Rabbit: https://bit.ly/2NHxro8 Electric Theatre Collective: http://electrictheatre.tv/ Partizan: https://www.partizan.com/   Notes: -The Line -The Line's team structure -Founder meetings & complimentary strengths -Hiring freelancers -Gorillaz -Jamie Hewlett -Aya Suzuki -Enforcing cinematic animation perspective -The Line funding their personal projects -Super Turbo Atomic Ninja Rabbit -Celebrating personal projects in a big way -Setting deadlines for personal projects -The post-mortem process for commercial work -Electric Theatre Collective -The Line’s business structure -Looking forward -The Illusionist -Partizan -Wesley’s story of process and growth -Becoming a director -Dream Client: Nike or Capcom -Favorite animated film: Kiki's Delivery Service and Akira -What do the people you love think you do for a living: Draw and make things move. -Animalator: Rabbit, because of Super Turbo Atomic Ninja Rabbit

Manddy Wyckens is a director and designer at Studio AKA. In episode 57, we talk with her about giving direction, doing things she loves and finding a voice.   Links: Website: https://www.manddywyckens.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/wyckns Tumblr: http://manddywyckens.tumblr.com/ Studio AKA: https://www.studioaka.co.uk/ 99 Percent Lifestyle Interview https://bit.ly/2zsRRiC Gobelins School: https://www.gobelins-school.com/ CalArts: https://calarts.edu/ Cory Loftis: https://twitter.com/coryloftis?lang=en Revolting Rhymes: https://www.netflix.com/title/80234290   Notes: -Studio AKA -AKA’s pitch process -Giving direction -Finding her craft and voice -Digital classes and animation vlogs -Gobelins School -Sociological differences in schooling -Interning at Disney -Mentor: Cory Loftis -American feedback -Having a voice in client work -CalArts -Focus and spontaneous drawing -Commercial work -Freelance -Compositing -Character design -Freelance life vs. full-time staff work -Short films -Writing a children’s book -Liking to do a lot of different things -Storyboarding -Exploring professional illustration -Dream client/project: Google Spotlight Stories -Favorite animated film: Revolting Rhymes -What do the people you love think you do at work all day?: Whatever animated film we see. They think I’m always abroad and that I do cartoons. -Animalator: To Be Determined

Handel Eugene is a motion designer and instructor for Mograph Mentor and Otis College. In the episode, we talked about his journey to Full Sail University, failure motivating success, and his obsession with documenting life. Links: Website: http://handeleugene.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/handel_eugene Spider-Man: Homecoming: https://vimeo.com/250944644 Perception Black Panther Animatic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QE_8p58q0z4 Video Copilot: https://www.videocopilot.net/ We Are Royale: http://weareroyale.com/ Notes: -Marvel -Spider-Man: Homecoming -Perception -Client involvement -Black Panther -Full Sail University -After Effects -Jayson Whitmore/We Are Royale -Family on art as a career -Dropping out of college -Failure motivating success -Teaching at Mograph Mentor and OTIS -Learning the tools before you get to school -Tutorials -Personal development -“The Gap” Ira Glass -Having a mentor -Freelance vs. studio work -Gathering inspiration and developing ideas -List obsession -Documenting his process -You can’t put a price on fulfillment -Dream client/project: Using my skills to make an impact for good -Juneteenth -Favorite animated film: The Prince of Egypt -What do the people you love think you do at work all day? They think I made Black Panther, but for the most part, they get what I do. -Animalator: Night Owl

Joe Russ is a director, illustrator, motion designer and one of the developers of indie game Jenny LeClue. On the episode, we talked about his transition from freelance motion design to game development, impostor syndrome, and the journey of making Jenny LeClue.   Links: Twitter: https://twitter.com/Mografi_Joe Jenny LeClue: http://jennyleclue.com/ Jenny LeClue Twitter https://twitter.com/JennyLeClue Ben Tillett: https://twitter.com/VoiceOfBen MK12: https://www.mk12.com/ Psyop: http://www.psyop.com/ Gretel: https://gretelny.com/ Fathoms: https://vimeo.com/83345929 Anatomy In Motion: http://mografi.com/anatomyinmotion/ The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore: http://morrislessmore.com/?p=app Inside: http://www.playdead.com/games/inside/   Notes: -PAX East 2018 -Jenny LeClue - Detectivu -Core team - Ben Tillett -SCAD -MK12 -Psyop -Impostor syndrome -Gretel -Not just an artist but a professional -Fathoms -Freelancing 9 months per year -Personal projects -Looking back -Learning -From freelance to Jenny LeClue -Anatomy In Motion -Ringling College of Art and Design -Teaching -The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore -Mentorships -Jenny LeClue Kickstarter -Coding & planning -Pre-release feelings -Appreciating the journey -Advice for aspiring game developers -Gamemaker, Unity, Unreal -PlayMaker -Release plans -The future of Jenny LeClue -Dream client: Wes Anderson or David Lynch -Favorite animated film: Iron Giant or Magnetic Rose -What do the people you love think you do at work all day?: Make a book -Animalator: Corgi

Tuna Bora is an illustrator, production designer, and content creator living in LA. On the episode, we talked about working with Nexus Studios, Hussein Chalayan, and getting out of your head.Links: Website: http://www.tunabora.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/tunamunalunaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/tunamunaluna/Nexus Studios: https://nexusstudios.com/Patrick Osborne: https://twitter.com/patricktosborne?lang=enJonathan Nkondo: https://www.instagram.com/futursauvage/Otis College of Art and Design: https://www.otis.edu/Hussein Chalayan: http://store.chalayan.com/Hussein Chalayan Table Dress: https://bit.ly/2v6kFLOThree Legged Legs: https://bit.ly/2GTYCJnElastic: https://elastic.tv/Wild Wild Country: https://bit.ly/2FYBYQyHeadspace: https://www.headspace.com/Notes: -Nexus Studios-Directing -Challenges-Writing & narrative-The Artist’s Way-Seeing yourself outside of what you do-Successful strategies for collaboration-Moving from Istanbul, Turkey to Los Angeles, CA-Otis College of Art and Design-Fashion -Hussein Chalayan-Hussein Chalayan Table Dress-Three Legged Legs-Angus Wall/Elastic-Gameshow winners-Taking pressure off-Staying open to the world-Drawing without expectation-Cultivating openness-Wild Wild Country -Headspace-Dissociating from emotions and getting out of your head-Definitions of being an artist-Personal projects-Conquering fears-Rupi Kaur-Hyperbole and a Half-Going back to basics-Originality and style-Dream Client: Jonathan Nkondo-Favorite animated film: Evangelion-What do the people you love think you do for a living: At least some form of animation

Alex Griendling is the co-owner of Lunar Saloon with his wife Meg. On the episode, we talked about movie posters, creative freedom, and making what you want.   Links: Lunar Saloon: https://lunarsaloon.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/alexgriendling Stardeck: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/lunarsaloon/stardeck-space-grade-playing-cards MCAD: https://mcad.edu/   Notes: -Lunar Saloon -Bouncy Smash -The gaming industry -Cold tweeting -Making what you want -Kickstarters -Stardeck -Astro Alphabet -Interlink -Movie posters -The film industry -Creative freedom -Google -Design vs. Being a designer -Teaching at MCAD -Client relationships -Design process -Starting with sketches -Not being defensive to feedback -Minneapolis -California -Starting Lunar Saloon -The future of Lunar Saloon -Being proud of your work -Twitch -Live streaming -Dream Client: Valve on branding fake corporations and characters within their games -Favorite animated film: Akira, Princess and the Frog, Who Framed Roger Rabbit -What do the people you love think you do for a living: Logos and stuff -Animalator: Dinosaur

Andrew Kramer of Video Copilot joined us for episode 52. We talked about rising to expectations, Intercept, Star Trek lens flares, and relying on the talents of a team. Links: Website: http://www.videocopilot.net/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/videocopilot Element 3D: https://aescripts.com/element-3d/ Action Movie FX: https://apple.co/1kehsvC SENTiNEL: https://vimeo.com/248374832 Intercept: http://bit.ly/2D4iwii Notes: -Video Copilot -Deciding what to work on -Pushing yourself -After Effects -Star Trek -Concept vs. tools used -Element 3D -Bad Robot/Super 8 -JJ Abrams -Rising to expectations -Outside perspectives -Star Wars: The Force Awakens -Relying on the talents of a team -Tutorials -The After Effects community -Action Movie FX -Client work -Managing time -SENTiNEL -Short timelines -Review sessions -Skill development -Intercept -When to stop tweaking single VFX shots -Directing -Future short films -Writing for scenes -Creating tools -Dream client: Elon Musk -Favorite animated film: Tangled and How to Train Your Dragon -What do the people you love think you do at work all day?: My kids just think I work on Star Wars all day -Animalator: Raven -Andrews questions for Zac -Bouncy Smash -Future of Animalators

Austin Mann is a travel photographer who is constantly on the move creating content for today’s best brands. He also founded Weld, a co-working space and community for creative pros. On the episode, we talk about fostering creative communities, how to face closed doors in your creative career and how to pitch yourself.   Links: Website: http://austinmann.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/austinmann WELD: http://www.weld.co/ Good To Great: http://amzn.to/2EbyHj5   Notes: -Weld -Co-working had just begun -We work better together -Creating trust -Collaboration -Asking good questions -Relying on others -Define where we are going -Good To Great -Blind spots -Collective imagination -Pitching ideas -iPhone 6 Project -Photography -What makes a good looking image -Injecting time -Interacting with light -Dream Client: Audi -Favorite Animated Film: Toy Story -What do the people you love think you do for a living: Travel Photography -Animalator: guanaco  

Wesley Slover is the founder of Sono Sanctus, a sound design studio in Grand Rapids, Michigan. On the episode, we talk about Wesley’s music library, learning to think like a designer, and his love for game development.   Links: Website: sonosanctus.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/SonoSanctus Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wslover/ Marmoset Music: https://www.marmosetmusic.com/ Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences: http://www.cras.edu/ Twenty Thousand Hertz: https://www.20k.org/ Jordan Scott: https://t.co/LvQ18QjF3y Level 99 Games: https://www.level99games.com/ Trevor Richardson: http://www.trevorjrichardson.com/   Notes: -Remote Work Model -Sound Design Process -Supporting Animation Studios -Short turnarounds -Pitching -Reference tracks -Wesley’s music library -Marmoset -Poverty Island -Client feedback -Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences (CRAS) -Matthew Lee Johnston -Microsoft Game Studios -Audio burnout -Twenty Thousand Hertz Podcast -Learning to think like a designer -Getting in the door -Cassette tape ministry -Live sound -Getting it right the first time -Being comfortable doing things wrong -Transition to freelance -Jordan Scott -Game development -Level 99 Games -Arkham Horror -Captain Sonar -Battlecon Online & Pixel Tactics -IDEO design studio -Freelancing in Seattle -Hiring his first employee -Dream Client: Nintendo -Favorite Animated Film: Akira -What do the people you love think you do for a living: His wife pays the bills -Animalator: Bat

Ross Plaskow, is a freelance animator and creator of Meat Mysteries. Having worked with the likes of Google, Target, Disney XD, Hulu, and Facebook, he told us a little bit more about his university beginnings, falling into freelance and the London animation scene.   Links: Website - www.rossplaskow.com Twitter - www.twitter.com/rossplaskow Instagram - /www.instagram.com/rossplaskow/ Meat Mysteries - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vC0O6WtmY8A Animade - https://animade.tv/ Greg Gunn - https://www.ggunn.com/ Art&Graft - https://artandgraft.com/ Moth - https://www.moth.studio/ Claudio Salas - http://www.claudiosalas.com/ Pencil Bandit - https://pencilbandit.com/ Ransomniac - https://twitter.com/RansomniacToons?lang=en Bouncy Smash - http://bouncysmash.com/   Notes: -Meat Mysteries -After Effects -Passion projects while freelancing -Architecture school -Changing course -2D -Looking for work out of school -Learning how to animate 3D characters -Studying in Denmark -Freelance from a tweet -Greg Gunn -Freelance Anxiety -Freelancing in London -Moth Animation Studio -Art&Graft -Forming professional relationships -The London animation scene -Twitter -Illustrator -Claudio Salas -Advice for new freelancers -Working out the type of work that you want to do -Animade -Lessons learned -Interacting with people face to face -Working out of studios -Burnout -Two freelance jobs at the same time -Dedication to a job -Character animation -Tweening -Background artists for Meat Mysteries -Meat Mysteries release -Pros and Cons of being the creator of Meat Mysteries -Dream Client: Moth -Favorite Animated Film: Akira -Favorite Animated Series: Rick and Morty -What do the people you love think you do for a living?: Draw cartoons in newspapers. -Animalator: Shark Man

Daniela Negrín Ochoa and Iria López are the co-founders of Wednesday Studio based in London, UK. We talk about how they work together as a team, why they often exchange roles, and the importance of always having a personal project on hand. Links: Website - www.wearewednesday.com Twitter - www.twitter.com/WeAreWednesday Instagram - www.instagram.com/wednesday__studio/ Anchorpoint - www.anchorpointanimation.com/ Strange Beast - strangebeast.tv/ NFTS - nfts.co.uk/ Daniel Clarke - http://www.daniel-clarke.com/ The School of Life - https://vimeo.com/188632975 Motionographer article - http://motionographer.com/2017/09/06/better-together-wednesday-studio/?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=motionographer&utm_content=Better%20together:%20Wednesday%20Studio Notes: Wednesday Studio Fine Art beginnings Jumping off point vs. Starting from nothing Creating a brief for personal projects Music videos NFTS Collaboration in schooling and being prepared Getting people on board with a project Being hands on for a project vs. being an Animation Director Handing over the role of design Working with illustrator Daniel Clarke The School of Life Working with other designers and illustrators The beginning of Wednesday Studio Making the jump into freelance animation director at the same time Motionographer article Directing as a team Simultaneously developing a visual language Dividing work and coin flipping Growing as a studio and exchanging roles The future of Wednesday Fear Representation Direct to client or going through a studio Not so personal projects Paying yourself Next exciting steps Taking the studio to the next level Working with a remote team After Effects Hand drawn touches Incorporating 3D shapes Textures in photoshop The hunt for personal projects Dream Client: A charity, National Geographic Favorite Animated Film: Disney Classics like Dumbo and 101 Dalmations Animalator: Gorilla

Lana Simanenkova is an animator and designer at Animade in London, UK. On the episode we talked the Animade created program, Boords, gathering inspiration from tumblr, and the Estonian animation scene.   Links : Website :  http://lana.land/ Twitter : https://twitter.com/LanaSketch Animade : https://animade.tv/   Notes : -Animade -Character work -Talking to Clients and being nervous -Storyboards and style frames -Boords -Boords drawing tools and photoshop -Gathering inspiration from tumblr. and dribble -Trends and avoiding them -Skill development -Awkward characters that are happy about their lives -Early interior design roots -Live drawing classes -Grade School interests -London -Animation and short-films at university -Estonian Animation -Freelancing in university -Twitter -The path to Animade -Difficulties in working with a team -Learning at Animade -Personal projects for skill development -TV Paint and 3DS -Home setup -Burnout -Lessons over the years -Staying fresh -Difficult projects, operating out of the comfort zone -Influencing the Animade style -Advice for young animators -Dream Client : Estonian Academy of Arts -Favorite Animated Film : Childhood - Spirited Away; Perfect Blue -What does your family think you do : Advertisements for TV -Animalator : Mammoth

Lauren Hartstone is a new staff creative director at Sibling Rivalry, having worked with a myriad of companies like Stardust, LoyalKasper, MTV, Imaginary Forces, and Gretel. On this week’s episode we talked about the pros and cons of being scatterbrained, how she approaches a pitch, pulling references, and the necessity of learning from other people.   Links : Website : http://lhartstone.com/ Sibling Rivalry : http://siblingrivalrystudio.com/ Imaginary Forces : https://www.imaginaryforces.com/work LoyalKasper : http://www.loyalkaspar.com/ Gretel :  http://gretelny.com/   Notes : -Sibling Rivalry -Background : VH1 -Brands having multiple specialties -Studios moving towards blended operational lines -Pros and Cons of being scatterbrained -Difficulties in modern personal branding -MTV -Stardust -Recognizing the need to learn from other people -LoyalKasper -Approaching a pitch -Pre production process -Setting the style with a team/creative collaborative process -Where to find references -Imaginary Forces -Narrative work and title sequences -The Pacific -Dusk -Pitching something you’ve never attempted be -Perspective and being mindful of the bigger picture -Presenting a handful of directions -Slack -Pulling and utilizing a reference bank -Gretel -Brand immersion and concept research -Overcoming burnout -Work/Life Balance -Mindsets -The Future : storytelling - Dream Client: Nike - Favorite Animated Film: Doesn’t have one. But her daughter will only watch Frozen. - What does your family think you do: I think they think I color.

Bee Grandinetti is an independent graphic designer, animator and illustrator who is currently working on a team at Google Creative Lab. On the episode, we talked about her consistent desire to learn, her love for small companies and working in her PJs, and how she manages to still be social while working so many hours.   Links: Website:  http://www.beegrandinetti.com/ Motionographer Article - http://motionographer.com/2017/06/27/the-good-and-bad-about-life-as-an-expat/   Notes: -Hyper Island -Google Creative Lab -A new/experimental team of Google. -Blend talk -School Of Motion -Freelancing -Trend researching company working design -Typography -Fresh Content -Moved to Sweden   -Feeling fresh and inspired -Always wanting to learn -Student perspective>Industry Leader -Final projects -Get familiar with people in the industry -Prefers smaller companies -Loves working from home -Goals: Learn Animate & TV Paint. Acting classes. -Learning how to represent people-acting-research. -Ukulele. (always wanted to be in a band) - Dream Client: No one in particular, someone who pays me in a comfortable way, and to hire friends to work with. Give me deadlines. Creative freedom. Something I cares about. - Favorite Animated Film: Lion King, and The Grave of The Fireflies. - What does your family think you do:  Super boring answer. They know, there's no confusion. - Animalator: Baby Goat on Pajamas…mini baby goat!

Daniel Savage is a designer and director based in Los Angeles, CA. On the episode, we talked about his deep love for Instagram, why animation is best done in the context of a team, and the reason for mixed parts.   Links: Website: http://somethingsavage.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/somethingsavage Motionographer Article: http://motionographer.com/2013/12/05/daniel-savage-wondersauce-yule-log-2-0/ Vanity Fair Article: http://www.vanityfair.com/news/2016/05/welcome-to-the-hive Mixed parts: https://mixed.parts   Highlights: - Transition to LA from NY - Networking - Starting from scratch - Linkedin - Print Jobs - Animation is hard when you don’t have a team. - Illustration -> Designer - React through storytelling - Rebrand/more mature work as you get older - Fear of releasing work/pigeonholed - Instagram an extension of portfolio - Versatility - Presenting the work you want to be known for - Mini portfolios catered to individual clients - Working for Comedy Central - Yule Log project - StandardVision - mixed.parts - Sense of community/friendships/connections - How can we get the animation community together? - Wondersauce - Getting Better, Getting Bigger - Mural work - Skill Development/learn new things - Dream Client: Natural History Museum - Favorite Animated Film: Peter Pan - What does your family think you do: They pretty much know - Animalator: Zebra

Joey Korenman is the founder of School of Motion and author of The Freelance Manifesto. During the episode, we talk about why and how he started School of Motion, a few tips from The Freelance Manifesto and his love for teaching, his kids and a short commute.     Links: The Freelance Manifesto http://www.freelance.how/ School of Motion: https://www.schoolofmotion.com/ Toil: http://toilboston.com Twitter: twitter.com/SchoolOfMotion   Highlights: - Freelance.how - Story behind his new book - Two parts: Why you should freelance & recipe for getting clients - How he got his start in motion - Opened a motion design studio: Toil - Doing awesome work, but depressed - Didn't like going into work every day - Felt like there was a lack of purpose - So he created School of Motion - Wrong Mountain Syndrome - The Perfect Day Exercise - Tired of trading my time for money - The beauty of releasing products & passive income - Started teaching at a college: Ringling College of Art and Design - School of Motion started - 30 days of After Effects - Business coach helped launch it - Ask people to buy the course before making the course - Webinar about what is now Animation Bootcamp -100 spots filled up - It sold out in ten minutes - Wired to always be chasing more - But it's not sustainable - Design something that can be run without Joey - Finding balance while still working hard - The art of teaching - Motivators : money and doing cool stuff - Doing work you are proud of not just the work you can get - Core of the book: it's not about money it's about time - 93% of the work Buck does doesn't go on their website - You should intentionally do work you don't want to do because it will pay you better - How to go freelance - Before you ever ask someone to hire you, they have to know you and like you - Reliability trumps talent any day - Identify companies who might need motion design - LinkedIn can be your best friend - sign up for one month of "recruiter" allows for advanced feature - Trigger words to get people to open up an email -- remember people need to open it - First/most important tip: Never ask for work in the first email - Freelancing myth - Myth - Full-time jobs are secure - In theory, people can find more security as a freelancer - Dream Client: Learning and translating animation into new formats - Favorite Animated Film: The Incredibles - What does your family think you do: Teaching people how to make Disney movies - Animalator: Octopus  

On this week’s episode, we were live at Blend Fest 2017 with Andrew Kramer, Patrick Osborne and Erica Gorochow. During the panel, we talked about how originality is a byproduct of authenticity, how their is power in saying yes to something you may not be ready for and the importance of creating in new mediums.   Links: Andrew’s website http://www.videocopilot.net Patrick’s website http://www.bighappyaccident.com/blog/ Erica’s Website http://peprally.co Tilt Brush - https://www.tiltbrush.com This American Life - https://www.thisamericanlife.org   Notes: -#blendanimalators -Blend -Pursuit of originality   -Creation -Originality is a byproduct of authenticity -Passion -Taking risks/chances -Safe Ideas -Pushing boundaries -Experimentation -Process of elimination -Sometimes limitations/constraints are good (ex. Creating a new idea in the world of Star Wars...it has to look like it belongs in that world, but can be a brand new idea) -Problem solving -Storyboards in VR -TiltBrush -Trying new mediums -Community in originally (Pulling inspiration from others-copying to learn) -Practice - Progression - “It’s not where you take things from--it’s where you take them to.” -Jean-Luc Godard -Balance -Power in saying yes to something maybe you’re not ready for

Ted & Adam are the founders of the NYC-based design and animation studio Block & Tackle. During the episode, we talk about what it’s like to work with FX, the difference between being fine artists and commercial artists, and how they balance the fear and unknown in projects.   Links: Website: http://blockandtackle.tv/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/blocktackletv   Highlights: -Work habits -Managing staff -Working with people you like -Letting employees do what they do best -Varying work in portfolio -Trying new trends & styles -Helping clients communicate what they need to communicate -Pitching ideas outside of our usual jobs -Making connections with people in the TV industry -How to balance marketing a business -Working with FX -Pitching -Background -Started company -Taking on ambitious ideas -Balancing fear and unknown in projects -Kraken project -What are you learning, how are you improving -Dream Client: Film titles -Favorite Animated Film: Wall-E -What does your family think you do: Kids think I goof off all day.   -Animalator: Aardvark

Ian & Nick are the founders of Gunner, a Detroit based animation and illustration studio. During the episode, we talk about their studio mantra “no bad frames,” how they attract good artists to their studio, and finding inspiration through old books.   Links: Website: www.gunner.work Twitter: www.twitter.com/gunneranimation   Highlights: -Six people - studio growth -More comfortable now -Hiring people to do the things they don’t know how to do -How they began their partnership -Pros and cons of working in Detroit -Attract good artists & then attract good work -Considering representation -Good work attracts more work -Keep making things -Downtime projects -Mixing mediums together -Undercurrent projects of the studio -Mantra of no bad frames -Bringing in new client processes -Always surprise -Inspiring people -Personal sources of inspiration -Dream Client: Us -Favorite Animated Film: Coraline -What does your family think you do: Cartoons -Animalator: Kangaroo

Dave Chenell is on the motion team at Google. During the episode, we talk about his love for designing games, his new found joy in creating music, and the importance of finishing and sharing your passion projects.     Links: Twitter: https://twitter.com/davechenell Website: thewaterbear.com   Highlights: -Job at Google -Studied information studies -Failed startup -Learning to code -The more knowledge you get the more cautious you are to approach new things -The Dark Room -David OReilly’s game Everything -Powder -Side hobby: Music -Finishing side projects -Throwing out stuff to an audience helps -Balance between Google’s style and his personal style -Introduction to virtual reality -Where are you trying to go -Intentionally don’t plan -Work habits - night owl -Dream Client: NASA -Favorite Animated Film: The External World by David OReilly -What does your family think you do: Google - The Search Engine -Animalators: Flying space dinosaur

Zac Dixon is the creative director at IV in Nashville, TN and also happens to be the host of this very podcast. During the conversation, our guest host, Jay Grandin, (creative director / owner of Giant Ant) and Zac talk about why he started Animalators, how he built up his studio in Nashville and his love for personal projects.   Links: Twitter: twitter.com/zacdixon Website: Iv.studio   Castle Rock Trailer: https://www.iv.studio/portfolio/castle-rock-teaser-trailer   Highlights: -IV -Daughter on the way -Why Animalators -Band videos on tour -Why Nashville -Decentralization of animators -Full-time person in chicago -Learning from Animalators -Nashville was the reason for the switch to animation -Seven person team -Obsessed with finding something original -Having the longview -Bring in new talent and ideas -JJ Abrams projects -Intentionally debrief after seasons -Trying to be a voice of positivity -Not alone in your struggle -Future of IV & the podcast -Personal projects -Failing often allows you to succeed later -Dream Client: FX -Favorite Animated Film:Lion King, Song of The Sea -What does your family think you do: Guitar playing -Animalators: A red tailed hawk

On this week’s mini episode, Zac shares about our new Animalator product: limited edition t-shirts featuring the animalators designed by our guests. For our first t-shirt, we chose Justyna Stasik’s hermit crab (Ep. 36)! To check out the t-shirt go to iv.studio/store. Fifty percent of all the profits go to the artist, while the other half goes to help support the costs associated with running Animalators. We are thankful for your support and are excited to continue cultivating community within the world of Animation. Links: iv.studio/store

Linn Fritz is a designer and animator from Sweden, currently working at Buck in Sydney, Australia. During the episode, we talk about her experience at Hyper Island, the importance of being outside your comfort zone, and how she started Punanimation.   Links:   Website: www.linnfritz.com Twitter: twitter.com/linnfritz   Buck:buck.tv/ Hyper Island: www.hyperisland.com Punanimation https://www.facebook.com/groups/punanimation/ -Life at Buck Sydney, Australia -Small team creating something together -Work flow between the different studios -Using pinterest for inspiration -Illustration design -Wacom tablet -Hyper Island experience -Lived on porridge for awhile -Jumping into a studio -Punanimation - Women animation facebook group -Getting out of your comfort zone -Dealing with anxiety -Buck team process -Pulling references -Don’t just try and please the crowd    -Dream Client: Creative freedom -Favorite Animated Film: The Aristocats -What does your family think you do: Commerecials -Animalators: Alpaca  

Michelle & Chad are the owners of Yeah Haus a collaborative studio in Detroit, Michigan. During the episode, we talk about Michelle’s history in children's book illustration, a breakdown of their Short film: Victor, and the complex balance between work and life.   Links: Website: http://yeahhaus.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/YeahHaus Short Film: http://yeahhaus.com/portfolio/victor/ Highlights: -Freelancers vs. Studio -Directors duo -Pros and cons of being a jack of all trades -Just working and not adjusting processes -Michelle’s love for children illustration -Book illustration in the future -Chad’s love of new things -Desire to do a Netflix show -Short film: Victor -The art of dabbling in things -Dabbling in things -Work life balance -Shouldn’t be afraid of working hard -We need help -Husband wife team dynamics -Hiring someone -Mentorship with Disney -Dream Client: Cartoon Network | Costa Rican Coffee Company -Favorite Animated Film: My Neighbor Totoro -What does your family think you do: No idea - just talented -Animalator: Stressed out Cat

Justyna Stasik is a Polish illustrator based in Montreal, Canada. During our conversation, we talked about her journey of developing her own style, how she begins personal projects and the importance of finding time for them in the midst of client work.   Links: Website: http://www.justynastasik.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/birdiebrains   Highlights: -Working on some editorial work -Greeting card companies -Normally have one big project at a time -Started drawing in high school -Went to school for information science -Got a job at a small start-up -Became the only illustrator and animated in Flash -Switch to freelance -Loves going through the script for the first time and starting to imagine -Favorite part of the project: the first initial brainstorm session -Process -Forcing inspiration, getting mood boards started -Behance -Developing your own style -Matching up skills and taste -Personal projects -Advice to people who are starting: “Work on those personal projects” -Starts personal projects by just sketching -Trying to learn how to draw more expressively -Work and the clients will come -The more you work the more you find your style -First year of freelancing -Trying to find time to dream -Goal: to work for more editorial clients -Dream Client: to be determined - Favorite Animated Film: Akira   - What does your family think you do: Illustrator - Animalator: Crab

Xoana Herrera is an artist at Buck, a production company in Los Angeles, CA. During our conversation, we talked about how she finds inspiration, what it’s like working for Buck and the importance of finding a unique voice and having courage as an artist.   Links: Kyle Brushes: www.kylebrush.com/ Twitter: twitter.com/xoanaherrera_ Website: www.xoanaherrera.com   Highlights: - Husband had a video noticed by Buck - Came from Argentina   - Learning English - Figuring out what it looks like to be a graphic designer at Buck - Started doing a little bit of everything - Learning Photoshop - Learned how to illustrate - Currently pursuing the goal of becoming an Art Director - Loved illustrations every since she was a child - The tension of looking for inspiration vs. copying - Find your own voice - Have courage and say “yes” - You can have skills but a bad attitude and it really won’t work - Feel like you are working at home with your own friends - Learn from other people, ask questions - Inspiration: Sculptures - Outside of work projects - My hobby has become my job - Keep playing with shapes - Kyle Webster Brushes - Try to be humble & grow your own voice as an artist - Dream Client: Treats employees with love - Favorite Animated Film: Ponyo   - What does your family think you do: “you do little illustrations” - Animalator: Horse

Ed Barrett and Tom Judd are the founders of Animade, a studio based in London, England. During the episode, we talked about the pros and cons of pitching, their storyboard tool: Boords, and the importance of delegating.   Links: Website - http://animade.tv/ Twitter- https://twitter.com/animadetv Boords - https://boords.com/   Highlights: -Co-founder and Creative director -Started as a blog -Organic growth -Teaching internally and in universities -Storyboard prototype -Approachable for the beginner & customizable for pros -Boords -Being your own client -Pitching/treatments -Pros and cons of pitching -Always learning how to run a business -Learning as you go -Delegating is hard -Full-time marketing person -How to be intentional about marketing -Getting work from personal work -Getting work from pitches -Feeding off of the community -Dream Client: Myself -Favorite Animated Film: Pixar’s Incredibles -What does your family think you do: “Coloring in” -Animalator: mouse

Agatha Yu is a mechanics designer at Oculus in San Francisco, California. During our conversation, we discussed her experience working at Adobe and Oculus, what it means to be a mechanics designer and the importance of tools and how they shape what we create.   Links: Moonwalking with Einstein book: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6346975-moonwalking-with-einstein Website: http://www.agatha.is/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/yuagatha Oculus: https://www.oculus.com/   Highlights: -Mechanic -Oculus in San Francisco -In Facebook -Working for three different platforms -Building a rocket ship while falling off a cliff -Thinking through movement and user experience -What's working right now in VR -Shooter games -Quill drawing app -Kevin Darts short film -Long term thinking in current design -Moonwalking with Einstein -Memory palace -The future of VR -People learning and evolving to understand space -Technology changes quickly -Mixed reality : Illusion paired with physical space -Laying a virtual reality over physical reality -Mixed vs. augmented reality -Makes a parallel  to theatre -From Sydney Australia, living in Hong Kong -Learned Flash in the library -Studying law -Contract with startups -Used Flash to express ideas and then moved to After Effects -It's always good to have a dividing -Importance of traveling -Interested in building tools -Humans make connections in a way that robots never will be able to -Working at adobe -Adobe’s switch to mobile space -Why creatives can be hard to figure out -Personal project: Game -Switch to VR in studios -Choosing to learn / collect inspiration -Dream Client: Myself -Favorite Animated Movie:  Famous Japan Anime film in 2017 -What does your family think you do: Strap two computers to your face -Animalator: A dog!

Sarah Beth Hulver is a designer at Odd Fellows a creative studio based in Portland, OR. During our conversation, we discussed why she loves using social media, how she ended up at Odd Fellows, and her passion for encouraging women in the animation community.   Links: Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/wonderfall/ Website- http://www.sarahbethhulver.com/ Twitter- https://twitter.com/SarahBethHulver Odd Fellows - http://oddfellows.tv Fx Console Link- http://www.videocopilot.net/blog/2016/10/new-workflow-plug-in-fx-console-is-now-available/   Highlights: -Odd Fellows culture -Pre-production process -Creating a curated Instagram feed -Started drawing as a kid -Grew up in Saudi Arabia -Starting in Graphic Design at SCAD -Gentleman Scholar - attracted to their projects -Didn’t start illustrating until GS -Boss feedback influenced work ethic -Transition to Odd Fellows -Using Slack for interoffice communication -Fx Console -Art school - loved it, recommends it -Personal projects -Tactile stuff -Stop motion projects -Project with Dan Stevers -Learning & growing as an animator -Knowing how to say no -Work-life balance -Future goals of an art director -Getting more involved in the animation community -Create something impactful -Encouraging women in the animation community -Social media - finding inspiration, growing a presence -Dream client: A children’s book -Favorite Animated Movie: Song of the Sea -What does your family think you do: They pretty much know -Animalator: Quail - kind of goofy

Samuel Fast, Josef Andersson and Björn Johansson are the three founders of Brikk, an animation studio based in Stockholm, Sweden. During our conversation, we talked about how they navigate creative challenges, how they built their team and why it is important to stay curious.   Links: Website- http://brikk.se/eng/ twitter- https://twitter.com/brikk_animation Santapocalypse- http://brikk.se/eng/blog/yule-log-2016-santapocalypse/   Highlights: -Trying to stay curious -Don’t like to do the same thing twice -We find people we like to work with -Nice people culture -How to push clients towards something outside of their expectations -Treatment design -Differing creative processes -Meeting in art school -How to play on being young = the competitive advantage   -Didn’t have much to lose when they started -Starting to be able to say no to things -Taking work that doesn’t make it to your portfolio -Dividing work between all three creative directors -How to get through creative challenges -Trying to get better at planning -Learning from mistakes -Always growing as a team -Learning how to keep things personal -Why it can be helpful to learn less -Getting better at organizing and managing team -Santapocalypse -Establishing processes   -Advice to young animators: Say yes to everything -Dream Client: A client that trusts you -Favorite Animated Movie:The Jungle Book -What does your family think you do: Grandma once said: starving artists -Animalator: the moose

Ryan Moore is a creative director at Gretel based in New York City. During our conversation we talked about how Gretel handles pitches, the process of boiling down a brand and how to anticipate the evolution of brands.   Links: Website- http://gretelny.com IFC Case Study- http://gretelny.com/work/ifc/ Viceland- http://gretelny.com/work/viceland/   Highlights: -Creative directing at Gretel -The company is 11 years old -Viceland Project -Try to boil things down to the ethos of the brand -Working from both sides to the middle -Bringing in the whole team on -Two ways of getting work: pitch vs. direct to work -Boiling something down to a core metaphor -IFC Case study -Every brand evolves -We never pitch things we don’t believe in -Simplicity -Editing or reducing is basically my job -The only way to know the line is to cross it -Managing teams -Learning how to listen…to your client..to the studio -Showing your work to non-designers -Brand changes -Teaching -Moving graphic design -Learning how to let go -Dream Client: A public utility -Favorite Animated Movie:  Ratatouille -What does your family think you do: Grandma once said: He works at the internet -Animalator: An owl. Why? Because owls stay up late. They’re quietly observant. And they’re silent killers.

Aharon Rabinowitz is the head of marketing for Red Giant based in New York City. During our conversation, we discussed the importance of work life balance, his start as a production intern at Sesame Street and why artist’s feel personally offended when you reject their work.   Links: Red Giant- http://www.redgiant.com/ Website- http://allbetsareoff.com/   Twitter- https://twitter.com/ABAOProductions    Leaky Timbers Video - https://vimeo.com/191184006   Highlights: -Psychology major -Intern at Sesame Street -Not a puppeteer -Saw a behind the scenes Star Wars program -Teaching intercity art programs -Back to Sesame Street as a technical manager and animator -Nickelodeon Digital as a producer -Workshops/Podcasts -Taught classes to professionals -Dreaming about coding problems -Head of Marketing at Red Giant -Pick up someone else’s trash kind of culture -My biggest problem is reining my team in -Understanding products is a large part of the job -Writing -Budgeting -Leaky Timbers video -Old/New -Executive producer role -Personal artwork -Artist’s rejection -Time is the only thing you can’t have back -Working well with people is most important -Work hard, be a life long learner -Work life balance -Dream Client: Red Giant Film Projects -Favorite Animated Movie: Tron -What does your family think you do: “the actor!” “teacher” “movie maker” -Animalator: Cat

Luca and Ilenia are the founders of Illo, a studio based in Turin, Italy.  During our conversation, we discussed their self-driving video bot named Algo, how Illo was formed and how they’ve crafted a unique office culture.     Links: Website- http://illo.tv Twitter- https://twitter.com/illotv Vimeo- https://vimeo.com/illo   Algo- algo.illo.tv   Highlights: -How they met -Studied communications -Focused learning on start-ups -Started in a small apartment -Hired one person to learn animation -Computer coding -Algo -Producing 100 videos in a weekend -Hiring someone good with expressions for Algo -The future of Algo -Growing their company -3 persons per year on average -Creating a good and unique working culture -Every two weeks they change their desks -Ideation process -Swedish brainstorming sessions -Delegating & working as a team -Good & great projects -Future of their work -Working with start-ups allowed them to try lots of new things -Get started tips -Learning how to lead creatives -Dream Client: Fashion brand -Favorite Animated Movie: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs -What does your family think you do: videos -Animalator: French Bulldog

John Schlemmer is a motion lead at Google in Mountain View, California. During the conversation, we talked about team dynamics between animators and developers, how to create the best possible user experiences through animation and the importance of finding the best solution not just the fastest.   Links: Twitter- https://twitter.com/johnschlemmer Website- http://schlem.me/ Dribble- https://dribbble.com/johnschlemmer/   Highlights: -Motion Lead – Material Design at Google -Introducing motion design on Inbox by Gmail -UX design approach -Having consistent elements within transitions -UI development guide -Helping to know what to focus on in UI -Animation in long spits vs. short spits -The 12 Disney principles -Should animators code? -Challenges for animators looking to be a part of an interactive team -Finding the best solution, not just the fastest -Proving value to customers -Motion sometimes gets pushed into later versions -Show effectiveness of motion in design = best way to get work -The right movement can be key to helping users understand how to use or do something -Integrating animation from the planning stage on -15-20 frames long -Beta testing -UX team including engineers -Learning how to create the smoothest experience -Adding in polish to experiences -Where did it all start? -Dream Client: Nintendo and Google collaboration -Favorite Animated Movie: The Lion King -What does your family think you do: I work on the apps you use like Gmail. -Animalator: Myself and my dog

Seth Worley is a resident filmmaker at visual effects software maker Red Giant and the director and writer of short films. During the conversation, we discussed the importance of making client projects your own, learning how to pace and structure story development and how to receive negative feedback on the work you create.   Links: Website- http://www.sethworley.com/ Twitter- https://twitter.com/Awakeland3D Form 17- https://vimeo.com/48853502 Red Giant- http://www.redgiant.com/   Highlights: -Resident filmmaker at Red Giant -Make films with our software -Magic Bullet -Directing -Roger Rabbit behind the scenes -Watching people watch movies -Music videos -Form 17 -Receiving online feedback -Don't let your identity be wrapped up in your work -Advertising agencies are just nervous -Think in themes -Leaky Timbers -Story Clock Notebook -Trace story threads -Story pacing -Idea development -Themes -Dream Client: Myself -Favorite Animated Movie: The Incredibles -What does your family think you do: My son thinks I make movies -Animalator: Jogging lego guy

Kirsten Lepore is a director and animator based in Los Angeles, CA. During this week's episode, we talked about how Kirsten is learning the art of appreciation, the specifics behind her Adventure Time episode and how photography has influenced her stop-motion.   Links: Website- http://www.kirstenlepore.com/ Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/kirstenlepore# Twitter- https://twitter.com/kirstenlepore Sweet Dreams Project- http://www.kirstenlepore.com/Sweet-Dreams Move Mountain- http://www.kirstenlepore.com/Move-Mountain Adventure Time Episode- http://kirstenlepore.com/Bad-Jubies-Adventure-Time-episode   Highlights: -Started with a camera in fifth grade -Making ridiculous movies -Very first stop-motion with movie candy -Going to school for animation -Musical background -First project: Sweet Dreams -Always start in the middle of a video -Currently working on a personal project -Stick with it, stay with projects, how to coach students -Book trailers -After Effects animation -Learning on the job -Moved to CA and went to grad school -Learning photography influenced stop-motion. -Lighting is key -Animation is an extension of what live action could be -Learning how to appreciate film -Move Mountain project -Adventure Time Episode -Avoiding burnout -Dream Client: Someone who gives me total creative freedom and trusts me -Favorite Animated Movie: The Lego Movie -What does your family think you do: Animator - oh so you work at Disney -Animalator: Koala

Ryan Summers is a freelance animator based in Los Angeles, CA. During the conversation, we discussed the how to network, balancing budgets in a project, and the importance of always adapting and learning in the industry.   Links: Website- http://ryansummers.net/ Twitter- https://twitter.com/Oddernod http://tjpeters.ca/tj-dailies   Highlights: -Comic Books, Movies, Cartoons, Video Games -Problem-solving day to day -A switch to art school -Working in many different industries -Slot Machine company, Chicago Board of Trade -Learning from various kinds of people -Imaginary Forces -Importance of networking -Being a problem solver -Specific pitching -Balancing budgets -Character animation -learning from different studios and how they approach new problems -Getting back to 2-D animation -Dream client: Myself -Favorite animated film: Iron Giant -What does your family think you do: Interior designer -Animalator: Orangutan

Daniel Chester, Dave Prosser and Marie-Margaux Tsakiri-Scanatovits are the founders of Moth Collective based in London, England. During our conversation, we talked about their start at Royal College of Art, the fight for a good story and what it was like to pitch The Guardian. Links: Website: http://mothcollective.co.uk/ The Last Job on Earth The Guardian: https://vimeo.com/155534602 Modern Love New York Times: https://vimeo.com/135288462 Highlights: -How they met -Royal College of Art -Moth Collective -Selective about projects -Leading to more projects -One year ago stopped freelancing -Based in East London -When to start adding employees -Collective vs. studio -Artist and business -Storytelling conflicts -Brainstorming -Vision casting -Project roles -Fighting for ideas -Mixing of styles -Learning CGI -Learning how to communicate better -Personal projects -Feature film -Friday fun day -The art of pitching -The Guardian project -New York Times project -First failed project -Future of Moth Collective -Dream client:  A client that doesn’t meddle in your business too much -Favorite animated film: Zootopia -What does your family think you do: They pretty much get it -Animalator: Moth

Michael Jones is the founder of MoGraph Mentor based in Bend, Oregon. During our conversation, we talked about the power of visual journalism, the ins and outs of MoGraph mentor and the future of art education. Links: Website: http://michael-jon.es/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/MichaelJones7 MoGraph Mentor: http://www.mographmentor.com/ Highlights: -Self-taught -Character animation -Motion design -Animation Mentor -Learning on projects -Cardboard Castle -MoGraph Mentor -12 weeks of workshopping -Develop artistic skills and professional skills -Provide job placement -Connect mentors with aspiring artists -Students from 70 different countries -Future of education -Always re-making our skill sets -Make sure your product provides value -Freelance balance -Business development as a freelancer -Skills and network correlation -Educate your client -Cost structure of art education -Visual journalism -Time management -Propaganda -Dream client: The New Yorker -Favorite animated film: Tangled -What does your family think you do: If anyone has a broken printer, I am the one they call. -Animalator: Bird

Andrew Vucko is a freelance design director and animator based in Toronto. During the show, we talked about how Dance Dance Revolution changed his life, his personal project: Original, and the challenges in posting work for the world to see. Links: Website- http://vucko.tv/ YouTube Gaming- http://vucko.tv/portfolio/youtube-gaming Original Short- http://vucko.tv/portfolio/original Motionographer- Original- http://motionographer.com/2015/01/21/what-it-takes-to-be-original/ Firewatch- http://www.firewatchgame.com/ Boomerang Mono- http://vucko.tv/portfolio/boomerang Highlights: -Sociology/psychology background -Film school -Dance Dance Revolution changed his life -Big Studios in Toronto -Jumped into full-time freelance -Learning 3-D -Shifting from generalizing to specializing -First personal project -Original Short -Time management -YouTube gaming -Gaming -Firewatch -Sonar Festival -Boomerang Mono Project -Posting your work -Dream Client: Cartoon Network -Favorite animated film: Space Jam -What does your family think you do: My parents are pretty savvy. -Animalator: Butterfly

Erin Sarofsky is the owner and executive creative director of Sarofsky based in Chicago, IL. During our conversation, we dove into her process and workflow habits, how she began her company, and what it is like to work on projects with Marvel. Links: Website- http://sarofsky.com/ Twitter- https://twitter.com/Sarofsky Art of the Title article- http://www.artofthetitle.com/title/captain-america-the-winter-soldier/ Animal Kingdom Main Titles- https://vimeo.com/168837557 Highlights: -Digital Kitchen is “where I grew up” -Taking every single opportunity   -Superfad -Communicating budgets with workers -Art of the Title - Captain America: The Winter Soldier -Workflow habits -Concept-ing process -Be careful with partnerships -Creating good workplace culture -Helping younger designers build talent -Always have a junior and a senior on a project -Learning how to be a boss -Community title sequence -Pitching strategies -Studio set-up for Marvel -Focus on design -Favorite parts of working with Marvel -People respond to authenticity -Upcoming projects -Animal Kingdom on TNT -Love anything with a heavy design element & main titles -Being a great collaborator with the client -Dream Client: Marvel -Favorite animated film: Toy Story -What does your family think you do: Mom said I design business cards -Animalator: A little dog

Claudio Salas is an independent animator, director and designer based in London. During our conversation, we talk about the tension of being a generalist or a specialist, how to collaborate within the animation community, and a few of Claudio’s latest projects. Links: Website- http://www.claudiosalas.com/ Childline Project- http://www.claudiosalas.com/childline/ The Wisdom of Pessimism Project- http://www.claudiosalas.com/pessimism The Wisdom of Pessimism Project Spreadsheet- https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1FRA-PjApn88JJEufk_muLWDDdlq1Gz2Yco1tNyTG1HI/edit#gid=0 Blend- http://blendfest.ca/ Wine After Coffee- https://vimeo.com/wineaftercoffee Highlights: -Uncle taught him how to draw, scale and grid -Started on photoshop & flash -Schooling -Intern at Buck LA and NY -Now a full-time freelancer in London -Childline project -Benefits of working in a team -Buck’s team dynamics -Communicating with clients -Transitions and style frames -The Wisdom of Pessimism project -Working with a bunch of freelancers on big projects -Spreadsheet, mood boards -Animation community -Blend, Wine After Coffee -Inspiring people -Blend -Being a generalist or a specialist -Taking time to learn, push your skill set -Life & work balance -New projects -Dream Client: A studio that treats their employees with love and respect -Favorite animated film: Aladdin -What does your family think you do: They get it -Animalator: A black sheep

Phil Borst is the lead motion designer at Spread Truth based in Normal, IL. During our conversation, we discussed how to balance two jobs and a family, learning to perfect camera movements, composition and scene layouts, and the importance of getting feedback from other artists. Links: Vimeo www.vimeo.com/philborst Ligonier https://vimeo.com/157529316 Framed Ink http://www.amazon.com/Framed-Ink-Drawing-Composition-Storytellers/dp/1933492953?ie=UTF8&keywords=framed%20ink&qid=1464286622&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1 Spread Truth http://spreadtruth.com/ Highlights: -Went to school for film editing -Wedding videos -Learn how to work on quick deadlines -Graphic design -Started taking on small personal animation projects -Learned animation from tutorials online, reading a lot of books -Animated storyboards with sketches -Designing and animating workflow -Sources of inspiration -Life/Work balance -Learning new things -Trying to get better at design -Framed Ink -Camera movements -Learning about composition and scene layouts -Cinema 4D / After Effects combinations -Pros and cons of working by yourself -Getting feedback from other artists -Patience is key -Spread Truth -Role as lead motion designer -Dream Client: an opening title sequence -Favorite animated film: Alice in Wonderland -What do your kids think you do: they get it, still don’t understand how long it takes -Animalator: Turtle

Aaron Ray is one of the founders of Legwork studio based in Denver, Colorado. During our conversation, we talked about how the studio got started, the ins and outs of creative project management, and the importance of having creative outlets. Links: Website http://www.legworkstudio.com/ Twitter https://twitter.com/aaronjray Animated Storytelling http://www.amazon.com/Animated-Storytelling-Creating- Animation-Graphics/dp/013413365X Highlights: -Background -Loving to draw -Rust Boy project -3-D Skills -Basic design development -Ad agency -Collective - Marketing Ad for young people -Transitioning into Animation -Started Legwork in 2008 -Team size growth up to 14 -Defining the brand -Pros & cons of being in Colorado -Company growth -The art of self-editing -Team dynamics -Put your culture/tone into it -Challenges of managing -Book: Animated Storytelling -Timelines -Storyboards -Thick skinned -Other creative outlets -Future of Legwork -Dream client: Music Videos -Favorite animated film: Ernest & Celestine & Song of the Sea -What do the people you love think you do: Cartoon stuff -Animalator: Turtle

Rachel Yonda is the senior graphics producer for The Late Late Show with James Corden based in Los Angeles, California. During the conversation, we discussed her transition from television to freelance and back to television, how to escape creative dry spells and where to go for creative inspiration. Links: Website: rachelyonda.com Twitter: twitter.com/rachelyonda Highlights: -Obsession with animated characters as a kid -NYU -First Internships -Little Einsteins Rigs -Transition into freelance -TV motion design vs. studio work -CTN Expo -Transition back to TV -Overlap from freelance career -The Late Late Show with James Corden -Senior Graphics Producer -Day to day work - games, headlines, etc. -Role changes every hour -Collaboration within the workplace -Being a lifelong learner -Creative dry spells -”You can’t animate life if you don’t live life.” -Places for inspiration -Dream client: Find illustrators and animators I admire and work with them -Favorite animated film: The Big Snit -What do the people you love think you do: actually doing the Late Late Show allowed for a lot of clarification. -Animalator: caterpillar

Greg Gunn is a creative director at Blind studios based in Los Angeles, California. During the episode we talked about the importance of creative weightlifting, the pros and cons of art school and the importance of developing and sharpening ideation skills. Links: Mythical Mondays: https://vimeo.com/151205483 Website: http://www.ggunn.com TLDR: http://www.ggunn.com/tldr/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/grgnn Highlights: -Otis College of Art and Design -3D Animation -Thrown into directing -Benefits of art school -Design thinking -Importance in finding a teacher, mentor -Transition from school to director -Ego & creative control in a project -Working with clients -Speaking truths over yourself -Personal projects -Mythical Mondays -Creative weightlifting -Becoming a creative director -A day in the life of Greg Gunn -Keeping skills fresh -Style vs. substance -Sharpening ideation skills over technical -Teaching -Dream client: A nonprofit, help create a video that will tangibly help people -Favorite animated film: Spirited Way -What do the people you love think you do: no clue -Animalator: a fox

Chris Kelly is a creative director and co-owner of Odd Fellows, a sateen design and motion studio in San Francisco, CA. During this episode we discuss how Odd Fellows grew into the company it is today, the role of Creative Director, the advantages of blending styles on a project, and the difficulties of making the transition from artist to manager. Links: Website: http://chriskel.ly/ OddFellows: http://www.oddfellows.tv/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChrusKelly Bot & Dolly: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lX6JcybgDFo Highlights: -Background- fine art focus -Adobe cut and paste challenge -Auto Fuss -Transition from 2 to 11 employees -Workflow -Creative directing -Working remotely vs. locally -Freelance staff -Advantages of collaborating with a lot of different people -Diversity of styles -Blending different strengths & styles -Pitches -Introverted -Managing -The fear of letting go -Dream client: Any client that trusts you -Favorite animated film: Tall Tales & Legends -What do your kids think you do: Animation cartoons -Animalator: The turkey Tom

Marcus Eckert is a programmer and motion designer based in Oslo, Norway. During this episode, we discuss Wide Sky, taking negative feedback, where to start when learning code languages and the importance of developing new skills and improving on the old skills. Links: Website: http://www.marcuseckert.com/ Squall: http://www.marcuseckert.com/squall/ Tumblr: http://marcus-experiments.tumblr.com/   Twitter: https://twitter.com/marcus_eckert Wide Sky: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/wide-sky/id592925278?mt=8 Wide Sky Trailer: https://vimeo.com/57916203 Highlights: -Background -From journalism to counselor to freelance motion design -Wide Sky game & its trailer -Process of getting better, trying old work again -Coding & expressions -Taking feedback -Advice for anyone looking to get into creative projects -App culture -Squall -Stop motion -Google/ Apple Motion Design -Future for Marcus -What Marcus is learning right now -Advice on starting to learn code languages -Tools for After Effects -Dream client: Someone who doesn’t tell you, you can do whatever you want -Favorite animated film: Ghost in the Shower -What do your parents think you do: Apps the stuff that is on there -Animalator: a cat   Animalators is part of the Gradient Podcast Network. Learn more at Gradient.is.

Michelle Higa Fox is a director and animator based in Brooklyn, New York. She owns Slanted Studios which focuses on creating mixed-media animation for experiences of any kind. During the episode, we discussed her permanent public art pieces, how she started with Mixtape Club, and the importance of building trust with a client. Links: Slanted http://www.slanted.studio/ Website: http://www.higafox.com/ Twitter https://twitter.com/higapod Squall http://www.marcuseckert.com/squall/ Highlights: -Background -Transition into animation -Mixtape Club- the first business -Music videos -10-11 of freelancing months & breaking for 2 months for personal projects -Transition from doing every style to being a director and needing to make those calls for clients -Make things over and over again to get better -Pitches: committing to making something look a certain way -Making depth without using 3D software -Building trust with a client -Interactive installation in an airport -Touchdesigner -Love for stop motion -Squall -The future for Michelle -Dream client: The MTA (who runs the Subway in NYC) -Favorite animated film: Rejected, The Hedgehog and the Fog -What do your parents think you do: I think my parents know now -Animalator: a corgi- my dog Merlin   Animalators is part of the Gradient Podcast Network. Learn more at Gradient.is.