What is your name and your current occupation?
Jason Kruse, Cartoonist/Animator
What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?
I was a swim instructor for a long time and a worker at Little Caesars but that’s about as crazy as it got.
What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?
Though it wasn’t critically well-received, my favorite project I worked on was animating everything in “Master of Orion 3”. A huge undertaking but I had so much creative freedom and got to animate aliens.
How did you become interested in animation?
I started drawing comic strips in college and after that decided to try some animation classes in Manhattan. After that I was hooked.
Where are you from and how did you get into the animation business?
I grew up in Jersey. After college I basically begged my way into a small studio on the shore doing everything from inbetweens to cleanup to full-on animation and storyboards–it was awesome.
What’s a typical day like for you with regards to your job?
Get up. Go to work or work on my reel and portfolio.
What part of your job do you like best? Why?
The chance to be creative. It’s what drives us in this industry. That, and the chance to work on something amazing.
What part of your job do you like least? Why?
Looking for work. It’s so stressful.
What is the most difficult part for you about being in the business?
Often these days, most projects are contract-based so you could be working for a month or 2 and then be out of work and looking again.
What kind of technology do you work with on a daily basis?
3d Studio Max, Maya, Photoshop
In your travels, have you had any brushes with animation greatness?
I had my graphic novel turned into a short-lived television show. It was called “World of Quest” and ran on the Kid’s WB for a season. Then the the Kid’s WB went out of business. They did make a 2nd season but it only ran internationally.
I’m working on a new project called “Frost”. Right now it’s taking the form of a prose novel. That’s about all I can say about it but there is artwork online for it.Is there any advice you can give for an aspiring animation student or artist trying to break into the business?
