What is your name and your current occupation?
MICHELLE URBANO, CREATIVE PRODUCER
What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?
NEVER REALLY HAD ANY OTHER JOBS – MY DAD WAS AN ANIMATION DIRECTOR AT HANNA BARBERA AND GOT ME MY FIRST JOB THERE AFTER I GRADUATED HIGH SCHOOL. I GOT TRAINED BY THE BEST VETERANS IN THE BUSINESS.
What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?
SOME DISNEY SPOTS FOR THE OSCARS, HARRY POTTER FILMS, LIMITED EDTION GALLERY CELS FOR WALTER LANTZ AND CHUCK JONES.
How did you become interested in animation?
I GREW UP WATCHING CARTOONS THAT MY DAD WORKED ON AND AROUND THE PEOPLE THAT WORKED ON THEM AND IT JUST SEEMED LIKE A NATURAL PROGRESSION FOR ME, MORE THAN AN INTEREST.
Where are you from and how did you get into the animation business?
I AM BORN IN SANTA MONICA, RAISED IN MALIBU, THEN WESTLAKE VILLAGE. AS STATED ABOVE, I GOT INTO ANIMATION THROUGH MY FATHER.
What’s a typical day like for you with regards to your job?
WELL, I ALWAYS LOOK FORWARD TO THE PLACES I WORK AT AND THE PEOPLE I WORK WITH, SINCE THIS INDUSTRY CONTAINS A VERY DISTINCT TYPE OF ATMOSPHERE. WHATEVER JOB IT IS I AM DOING, AND THAT DESCRIPTION HAS MORPHED A LOT IN 25+ YEARS, I AM HAPPY TO BE DOING IT.
What part of your job do you like best? Why?
WHAT I LIKE THE BEST ARE THE PERSONALITIES, THE TEMPERAMENTAL “ARTISTS” THAT SURROUND ME WHILE I AM WORKING. IT JUST FEELS VERY ALIVE AND UNIQUE.
What part of your job do you like least? Why?
WOW, I AM HARD PRESSED FOR AN ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION RIGHT NOW……CANNOT THINK OF ANYTHING.
What is the most difficult part for you about being in the business?
THE INCONSISTENCY OF WORK AND MORESO THAN THAT – THE CURRENT RECRUITING AND HR DEPARTMENTS WHO NEVER SEEM TO KNOW EXACTLY WHAT IT IS WE DO WHEN WE APPLY FOR WORK. I MUCH PREFERRED THE OLD DAYS WHEN YOU JUST CALLED SOMEONE SOMEWHERE ON THE PHONE, THEY ASKED WHAT YOU HAVE DONE, YOU TELL THEM, AND THEY SAY “COME IN MONDAY”. I AM TOLD THAT NOW, THERE ARE EVEN SOFTWARE PACKAGES THAT SIFT THROUGH CV’S TO PICK OUT THE ONES WITH THE MOST KEY WORDS AND THOSE ARE THE CV’S THAT GO FORWARD – SOMETIMES A HUMAN BEING NEVER EVEN LOOKS AT THE APPLICATION! WHERES THE TRUST?
What kind of technology do you work with on a daily basis?
COMPUTERS, COMPUTERS, SOFTWARES, AND MORE COMPUTERS.
In your travels, have you had any brushes with animation greatness?
WELL, I GREW UP WITH MY FATHER – THAT IS ABOUT AS GOOD AS IT GETS FOR ME.
Describe a tough situation you had in life.
RIGHT NOW ACTUALLY, ALL THE WORK LEAVING THE COUNTRY TO BE DONE ELSEWHERE FOR PROFIT MARGINS INSTEAD OF WORK BEING DONE HERE FOR ARTISTIC VALUE.
Any side projects or you’re working on or hobbies you’d like to share details of?
I HAVE BEEN GIFTED WITH THE CHANCE TO TRAVEL QUITE A BIT, WHICH I LOVE AND WANT TO PURSUE.
Any unusual talents or hobbies like tying a cherry stem with your tongue or metallurgy?
THE WAY I HOLD A PENCIL IS, FROM WHAT I AM TOLD, RATHER UNIQUE.
Is there any advice you can give for an aspiring animation student or artist trying to break into the business?
YES, DON’T KILL YOURSELF OVER IT – ITS JUST A MOVIE! 🙂
