What is your name and your current occupation?
Eddie Moreno, I’m a freelance animator. Still green but moving along in this rough profession.
What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?
I was a construction worker right after highschool. I delivered supplies to job sites and got to know some cool characters. Made mistakes and got kicked around. Working around 30s – 40s year old will toughen you up quick. Meanwhile I was taking art classes to hone my skill because I knew to be an animator you needed to be a craftsman with your pencil. You carve into paper.I was also a caricature artist at six flags but that’s another story…0_0
What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?
hmmmm Right now I am polishing “turds” as it were. My Teacher told me that to make it in this industry you have to give you best even when the projects aren’t great but the people I worked with taught me a lot and I am grateful for every bit of work they throw at me esp being in the USA at this time… Recessionnn…………..~~~~~Â but to answer your question, I was very proud of my 2009 year film in Calarts. It got me into the Producer’s Show and it wasn’t about cute bunnies making friends. It was about PTSD and the Vietnam Veteran. Deep things…
At age 8 my uncle (age 11) Â showed me the single greatest 2d film ever made by humans, Akira. It was raw, it was powerful and at age 8 it made an hell of an impression on the power of animation. Not just slap stick humor of good ol Ren and Stimpy but how real it be, all drawings. I was like I want to do that. I Â know someone did that I want to have that power to.
Where are you from and how did you get into the animation business?
I was born in Sacramento but raised from chula Vista- to Logan Hieghts, to Golden Hills, to North Park. It was rough watching Southern California through rough streets. Art and skateboarding was the escape but the police always love to make that a crime. Art was the release. I would buy blank Skateboard decks and tag all over the bottom because they may claim the streets but they can’t claim my art. I drew and drew and drew until I got good at it.  At age 18 I tried to get into Calarts and failed. Got into construction and failed three years. Then I tried my final time. It was either join the marines or art school. The application got in and I was accepted. I busted ass and tried by best and met great artist. Greater artist. I was humbled. Still am but that fuels my own willingness to learn the Art of Animation. Teachers helped me along the way. Fellow Calartians pointed me to studios and I got some snags but over all I am happy with my progress but still much to do!  So much to learn.
What’s a typical day like for you with regards to your job?
I wake up. I go to my work station at home and plug away at some animation. I play some star craft. At times I go to the park but really Im trying to get Timing and spacing down. So Im taking a whole lot of clean up work. Basicallty  I work from 9 am to 2 am- Non stop. Its a grind.
What part of your job do you like best? Why?
The power to create anything is something money cant put a price on, really. When I want to make toys, I do it. When I want to make a cartoon, I can. The power of creation is something that humbles me and is the very thing I love. You put your soul into each drawing and that is a meditative process to me.
What part of your job do you like least? Why?
I dislike the fact Flash is the major thing animators are using. That program is not to par. It’s buggy and the creators seem to dislike the animation community.
What is the most difficult part for you about being in the business?
Grinding it out and showing the man you mean business and that means doing things on the cheap (dangerously cheap) just to show you  are not a punk, a hack or someone who can’t be trusted. Im in the trial periods now but Im young and Im hungry. I got survival instincts and I can draw. I say time is on my side. I just dont like the stress that comes from not being trusted. Its bad enough you have to bust 12098310298 drawings in a short time. haha
What kind of technology do you work with on a daily basis?
I LOVE TOON BOOM and I LOVE TV paint. Those programs might save 2d. I dont mind the digital route because it makes it easier for a small team to get something out there.
In your travels, have you had any brushes with animation greatness?
I talk to Ted Ty and James Baxter. I was at a show and they were there. I was giving a gift to a friend. I made a home made toy. It was a bug that spit water. He was impressed and introduced me to James. It was cool talking about a process that was new to James. I also shook hands with Marc Andrews after view my student film “Reaper.” He was a tall man. A powerful man sporting a Celtic attire. He laughed and told me I was crazy for making a film like that and wished me luck. I think it was a compliment, I would go with the cup half full on that one.
Describe a tough situation you had in life.
OHh man, dude whoa… Hmmmm I had a lot of tough situations growing up. One minor situation was with my friend in City hieghts got shot three or four times. Twice in this Stomach and twice on his leg. My mom and I visited him and he was happy about that. He lived but sometimes others don’t.
Any side projects or you’re working on or hobbies you’d like to share details of?
I make things, I just made an indoor garden setup, Im currently making a chess set. Im thinking about making a video game. I make costumes and during halloween I TEAR IT up on the costumes. When girls like it. Garanteed good night! I also make toys from rubber and yes its dangerous and yes I have protection. Stuff is cancerous! No joke!
Any unusual talents or hobbies like tying a cherry stem with your tongue or metallurgy?
Unusual…. hmmm well relative to normal people. What I do is unusual. I sit and draw for hours at a time. When I go outside I draw people. I study them. Unusual relative to normal people. I also make toys. A 26 year old Mexican/Italian/ German guy makes toys. One time a girl walked into my room and saw Godzilla. She didnt go “Godzilla, hell yeah KING of lizards, I LOVE YOU.” No She looked at it. Then looked at me “You still have toys?” :( I do study martial arts. Its called Kendo, Ken- meaning Sword and Do meaning way. So I study the way of the sword. Its hard. its tiring and it keeps me level and strong. Not for the faint of heart.
Is there any advice you can give for an aspiring animation student or artist trying to break into the business? Count your blessings, don’t burn bridges, make connections, have no fear, be humble, draw and draw some more. My old teacher Corny Cole said it best ” Drawing is worked out in the head and with knowledge, taste, judgement, and most important personal expression executed on paper or what ever. Tools mean nothing. An Artist can draw with catsup. Be artist first dammit.”
