What is your name and your current occupation?Â
Josh Zinman, Freelance Story Artist
Josh Zinman, Freelance Story Artist
What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?Â
 I used to smuggle ferrets from Arizona into California and sell them on the black market for a hefty mark-up.
What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?Â
Robot and Monster at Nickelodeon was the most awesome production I have ever worked on. Amazing people, brilliant show, and lots of cake!
Where are you from and how did you get into the animation business?Â
I grew up on a cattle ranch in Paso Robles, CA. I really liked to draw so I figured I would become a tattoo artist. Once I discovered how painful tattoos are, I shifted focus towards animation.
What’s a typical day like for you with regards to your job?Â
Wake up, make coffee, think about my sequence, procrastinate, nap, realize I’ve wasted the day, panic, procrastinate some more, make coffee, stay up all night finishing my sequence. Repeat.
Wake up, make coffee, think about my sequence, procrastinate, nap, realize I’ve wasted the day, panic, procrastinate some more, make coffee, stay up all night finishing my sequence. Repeat.
What part of your job do you like best? Why?Â
Kid’s think I’m super cool because I know how to draw Timmy Turner.
Kid’s think I’m super cool because I know how to draw Timmy Turner.
What part of your job do you like least? Why?Â
Kids are always asking me to draw Timmy Turner.
Kids are always asking me to draw Timmy Turner.
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?
Cintiq and Photoshop, although I usually thumbnail on paper or bar napkins. Technology is great…I work from home and pitch storyboards to my director via Skype. I don’t even need to wear pants!
Cintiq and Photoshop, although I usually thumbnail on paper or bar napkins. Technology is great…I work from home and pitch storyboards to my director via Skype. I don’t even need to wear pants!
What is the most difficult part for you about being in the business? Â
Living in LA was the worst…but now I live in the wonderful Bay Area and work from home.
Living in LA was the worst…but now I live in the wonderful Bay Area and work from home.
In your travels, have you had any brushes with animation greatness?
Gary Conrad, Jim Schumann, and Jeff Biancalana
Gary Conrad, Jim Schumann, and Jeff Biancalana
Describe a tough situation you had in life.
One time on Robot and Monster we had to decide between Chocolate cake and Red Velvet cake. How do you choose between perfection and bliss?
One time on Robot and Monster we had to decide between Chocolate cake and Red Velvet cake. How do you choose between perfection and bliss?
Any side projects you’re working on that you’d like to share details of?
Real Estate
Real Estate
Any unusual talents or hobbies like tying a cherry stem with your tongue or metallurgy?
I volunteer at a local animal farm and milk goats.
I volunteer at a local animal farm and milk goats.
Is there any advice you can give for an aspiring animation student or artist trying to break into the business?Work hard. Draw a lot. Don’t be an asshole. Â Also, invest in real estate.
