What is your name and your current occupation?
Christian Lignan , storyboard artist
What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?
Being an Air Commando in the French Air Force for (mandatory) military service.
What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?
“A vew to a kill” a James Bond live-action movie, storyboarding the car stunt sequences with the stunts coordinator.
How did you become interested in animation?
When I learned that animation cells where painted by girls (way before digital compositing…)
When I learned that animation cells where painted by girls (way before digital compositing…)
Where are you from and how did you get into the animation business?
I am from France, I got into animation business after I knocked on the door of an animation studio in Paris, they gave me a test as they were looking for inbetweeners, I passed it and got hired right away as an inbetweener.
I am from France, I got into animation business after I knocked on the door of an animation studio in Paris, they gave me a test as they were looking for inbetweeners, I passed it and got hired right away as an inbetweener.
What’s a typical day like for you with regards to your job?
Being happy to go to work, knowing that I am going to draw. Simple.
Being happy to go to work, knowing that I am going to draw. Simple.
What part of your job do you like best? Why? Working with people who like my work, feeling their trust and from there pushing the envelope as far as possible.
What part of your job do you like least? Why?
Dealing with the frustration of some producers (mostly in feature) who failed somewhere else in their career and ended up in animation like a dead whale on a beach.
Dealing with the frustration of some producers (mostly in feature) who failed somewhere else in their career and ended up in animation like a dead whale on a beach.
What is the most difficult part for you about being in the business?
The stench of the dead whale rottening on the beach.
The stench of the dead whale rottening on the beach.
What kind of technology do you work with on a daily basis?
Photoshop, Sketchbook Pro2.
In your travels, have you had any brushes with animation greatness?
I worked with great people in Europe. Meeting Bill Hannah and Joe Barbera were great moments, as well as Chuck Jones. But the one I will always remember here in the US is Bob Givens for his great spirit.
I worked with great people in Europe. Meeting Bill Hannah and Joe Barbera were great moments, as well as Chuck Jones. But the one I will always remember here in the US is Bob Givens for his great spirit.
Describe a tough situation you had in life.
To keep it on the animation side I would say that to be the witness of the closing of a studio has always been something tough and it happened more than once!
To keep it on the animation side I would say that to be the witness of the closing of a studio has always been something tough and it happened more than once!
Any side projects or you’re working on or hobbies you’d like to share details of?
So many to choose… So little time to do them.
So many to choose… So little time to do them.
Any unusual talents or hobbies like tying a cherry stem with your tongue or metallurgy?
Not really.
Not really.
Is there any advice you can give for an aspiring animation student or artist trying to break into the business?
Be always open-minded, receptive to projects, do the best you can, it is worth it, we always learn something from others.
Be always open-minded, receptive to projects, do the best you can, it is worth it, we always learn something from others.
