What is your name and your current occupation?
Eddie Soriano Supervising Director at Big Bad Boo Studios in Vancouver, Canada
What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?
Being a Draftsman in an Engineering firm that pays not even $6 bucks a day. Crazy, but this happened not in America, but back in the Philippines where I came from more than 20 years ago.
What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?
Projects from Nickelodeon: Angry Beavers and Catdog… I directed a few episodes. Â Timing Director for Timon and Pumbaa, the TV series. Â Atomic Betty, I directed a few episodes.
How did you become interested in animation?
It just happened by accident. I was working with a group of artists (painters) way back late 80’s. I saw them preparing their resumes to apply for Hanna-Barbera. I totally had no clue of what that company was doing. I just went with the flow and did what others were doing. I applied, and of the 15 people who applied (from our company), 2 were called in. I was one of the 2, was trained, and got the job.
Where are you from and how did you get into the animation business?
My above sentences will partially answer this. Â In addition though, I came from the Philippines. Worked there as an animator for Hanna-Barbera, Walt Disney TV animation, and Fil-Cartoons Warner Brothers Division. In total, about 6 years of experience in animation before I got hired and worked on a working visa here in Vancouver, Canada in 1993. I worked with many other local studios here since I became a Canadian citizen.
What’s a typical day like for you with regards to your job?
Typical day is just having fun with the thing that I enjoyed most, drawing.
What part of your job do you like best? Why?
Thinking and figuring things out. Just like storyboarding. It’s so much fun.
What part of your job do you like least? Why?
Deadlines…. deadlines always kill me. I remember the sleepless nights working. It pays though, after it’s all done and animated, seeing your hard work comes to life on TV is just a very different feeling.
What kind of technology do you work with on a daily basis?
Both Macs and PCs. Softwares are; Sketchbook pro, Photoshop, Toon Boom Harmony and Flash.
What is the most difficult part for you about being in the business?
Sometimes I think it’s the security. As you know, everybody in this field are contractual. You don’t know what will happen after your contract ends.
In your travels, have you had any brushes with animation greatness?
I remember being sent as part of a contingent to YTV office in Toronto Canada to talk about the project we were working on. It seems like a dream being in front of these big shot personalities, Studio managers and owners. It’s like being on a first date, I’m floating like a cloud.
Describe a tough situation you had in life.
Being out of work for a few months. I’m glad this happened only once for me.
Any side projects or you’re working on or hobbies you’d like to share details of?
I also do graphics and website designs. I also create online databases for schools. Right now, I’m administering database websites for 4 schools in British Columbia.
Any unusual talents or hobbies like tying a cherry stem with your tongue or metallurgy?
I don’t know…. I can probably drink 10 pitchers of beer in 2-3 hours and throw it back out within 15 seconds.
Is there any advice you can give for an aspiring animation student or artist trying to break into the business?
Never give up things that you love doing. If you like animation, don’t stop practicing. I must admit, it’s hard to get in if you don’t have the connections and if you are not good enough. The trick is be good and always update your portfolio. Talk to the people in the industry. Browse studio websites and see what’s happening around you. Don’t be afraid to step forward and present yourself.
Awesome guy!