What is your name and your current occupation?
Ben Camberos, Illustrator and Character designer.
What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?
I always been involved in art, i guess that would be pre press technician.
What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?
I still have a long way to go, but i guess that would be the current job i have right now…I’m working as a character designer for a feature animated film here in Mexico.
Where are you from and how did you get into the animation business?
Im from Tijuana Mexico, and i have to admit that the internet helped me get into the business, blogs, deviant art, social network sites etc etc.
What’s a typical day like for you with regards to your job?
Get up at 8am, exercise, breakfast at 9:30am and from there to 5pm start sketching or get some freelance work out. then at 9pm i start working again till 2am.
What part of your job do you like best? Why?
When i get paid for something i love since i have memory…also when i get paid for something i never imagined i would get paid for.
What part of your job do you like least? Why?
Try to convince clients that don’t know nothing about the business.
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?
I usually work on computer but sometimes when I’m sketching i still like pencil and paper (need more practice too lol) i work mostly on vectors because its fast and clean, I’m starting on 3D rendering, with the technology we have access now, we can do this kind of things at home more easily and that’s how i think technology as impacted in my work.
What is the most difficult part for you about being in the business?
Getting to be noticed, there are a lot of great artists out there but when you are in a place that doesn’t have an animation industry or culture you need to have more than artistic skills
In your travels, have you had any brushes with animation greatness?
I have meet some of my idols, but i don’t think they noticed me a lot lol… i think i still have a long way to go
Describe a tough situation you had in life.
When i quit my day job to become a professional Illustrator…no money for at least 3 years.
Any side projects you’re working on that you’d like to share details of?
I have a lot of side projects, even more than actual work lol, I’m planning of get some web comics out, clothing, animated shorts…there is a lot of things to come out…stay tuned.
Any unusual talents or hobbies like tying a cherry stem with your tongue or metallurgy?
I like to sing and cook, im bad at cooking but at singing im not all that bad lol.
Is there any advice you can give for an aspiring animation student or artist trying to break into the business?
Always work on what you love, sometimes there will be no money or sometimes you’ll gonna have to do things that are good for you but not well seen by others, work on your dreams and don’t try to impress nobody, not even a super great artist, even if he’s your mentor,idol,god or whatever, be happy with yourself, keep going, be patient, do whats right for you and nothing can go wrong.
