What is your name and your current occupation?
My name is Syed Waqar Alam. I’m doing the best job in the world, Animation!
What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?
None. My first job is animation.
What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?
I’ve worked on the upcoming hollywood movie “Mega Spider”, It was so much fun to animate 8 legged, freakishly big spider. Recently, I’m working on an Abu Dhabi cartoon TV series “The Adventures of Mansour”.
Where are you from and how did you get into the animation business?
I’m from Pakistan. My childhood is full of Chuck Jones cartoons and Disney movies. I’m a big fan of Pixar movies! Once, I saw the making of Aladdin, Glen Keane flipping his shot of Aladdin meeting jasmine for the first time and at that very moment I was introduced to my dream. I was amazed on how I could do with a bunch of drawings. At the age of 19, I completed my diploma in 3Ds Max software. Soon after that I was luckily accepted as a animation trainee at ICE Animations. At that time, my animation was not so good but enough to be accepted as a trainee.
What’s a typical day like for you with regards to your job?
We have our dailies in the morning at ICE Animations, shots are assigned, approved and most of the times flushed away… The most awesome thing is that I do what I love to do! and the fun part is that I’m paid for doing that.
What part of your job do you like best? Why?
Exploring new ideas. Getting used to do something special every single day. Life drawing sessions. But what I love the most is watching the final preview of my animation when every thing is Alive!
What part of your job do you like least? Why?
Having my shot being hanged several times and acting out the reference video for my animation.
What kind of technology do you work with on a daily basis, how has technology changed in the last few years in your field and how has that impacted you in your job?
Maya is used for animation because of being user friendly. The growing craze of technology has impacted me positively because now with the help of some plugins and other helpful stuff, I can save a lot of time while animating. The technology is always gonna change but the main thing is knowing your basic fundamentals properly.
 What is the most difficult part for you about being in the business?
I have nightmares about losing my skills!
In your travels, have you had any brushes with animation greatness?
I don’t travel much.
Describe a tough situation you had in life.
The most tough situation for me is to choose. Life means change. Every thing changes but you have to just, keep swimming.
Any side projects you’re working on that you’d like to share details of?
Don’t have any going on right now.
Any unusual talents or hobbies like tying a cherry stem with your tongue or metallurgy?
I have a hobby of collecting action figures.
Is there any advice you can give for an aspiring animation student or artist trying to break into the business? Just focus on what you’re going to do, stick to it, then do it and finally be happy with it, because if you’re not happy doing it then try something else. Always learn from your mistakes and don’t afraid to do mistakes because if you stop doing errors then there’s a problem. Before starting a career, first make an inspiration, a goal, which you and the people around you thinks that you can’t achieve it and then, achieve it!
Great work,congratsu