What is your name and your current occupation?
My name is Thierry Dezarmenien and I am currently a freelance character animator.
What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?
Nothing crazy really, I was a graphic designer.
What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?
The project I am working on right now, it is a short film and I am super happy and proud to be part of this team.
How did you become interested in animation?
I don’t even remember, it’s seems I was always interested in it. But Something sure is the feature film Aladdin from Disney definitely change me, there was a Thierry before watching Aladin and a Thierry after. Because after that screening in 1992 I knew I wanted to be an animator and nothing else.
Where are you from and how did you get into the animation business?
I am from France, I get into animation after graduating from a 3d art school in France, after that I made my way to animation by starting to work in the gaming industry.
What’s a typical day like for you with regards to your job?
I open my eyes, give a kiss to my wife, wake up switch on my computer, get dressed, finally having breakfast, then checking my email, launching Maya and everything. I wish I could switch On my computer before opening my eyes, but so far I didn’t find a way of doing it.
What part of your job do you like best? Why?
Generating ideas, thinking of the shots I animate, doing some rough test in 2D. The Blocking Phase. Because I like that moment when you dig into a scene trying to find the best approach possible, sharing ideas with coworkers and directors. When the director is ok with sharing ideas 😉
What part of your job do you like least? Why?
Softwares crashes, let’s all go back to traditional animation! Pencil, paper and light box, yeah!
What kind of technology do you work with on a daily basis?
A computer, an intuos4, This year I am gonna ask a cintiq21 HD to Santa. Finger cross.
What is the most difficult part for you about being in the business?
I feel a bit like a nolife sometimes. Weeks can pass before I call my relatives and family.
In your travels, have you had any brushes with animation greatness?
Yeah…I am not sure about the meaning of that question, lol. Sorry to be french, my English have to be broken, it is mandatory. (one google translation later) I met Eric Goldberg once, on a Flipbook booth a few years ago during an animation festival in France, Annecy. he was animating, and he made animation look so easy it is insulting. He dedicated me a Bugs Bunny, I still own this Sketch up on my wall. It was funny because everybody asked him a genie, I was probably the only one to ask him to draw the character he liked the most animating, so he sketch a Bugs Bunny.
Describe a tough situation you had in life.
I start working at 15 years old. It was pretty tough back then to be in the professional world at first. But I made my way and here I am. Tougher than before.
Any side projects or you’re working on that you’d like to share details of?
With my wife we want to do a new short film but right now we are only on the writing process.
And obviously I keep making new scenes for my demoreel.
Any unusual talents or hobbies like tying a cherry stem with your tongue or metallurgy?
I can put the top part of my ear inside my earhole.
Is there any advice you can give for an aspiring animation student or artist trying to break into the business?
NO! The place is full go away, leave your pencil and get a real job! Â Nah just kiding. My advices is to be curious about everything, animators need to have a lot of knowledge to help them on the creation process. Â And keep drawing, the best animators on the planet are the greatess rough man, so keep drawing.
Nice work, Thierry! You might try try consulting an IT person about setting your computer to turn itself on before you get up. I have my computer set that way.
Thanks Lenord 🙂
I will look for an IT guy. haha
Have a great day man!
Interesting! I was just passing by and I saw your name, wich sounded familiar to me.
That’s funny, I was one of your student this year hehe.
Still, I find that interview interesting. And you met Eric Goldberg! And I should say that software crashes and being a nolife are part of the job.