What is your name and your current occupation?
My name is David VanTuyle. Currently I am doing storyboards at Renegade Animation.
What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?
Before working in animation I mostly worked at video game retail stores. Ironically, my first job in animation was working at a video game studio.
What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?
I have gotten to work with some amazing artists on all sorts of projects. From commercials, to mobile storybook apps, to title sequences for children’s television shows. Every project I have been a part of has been something new and exciting. That’s what I love most about animation, there are so many different types of projects to be involved in.  I am really excited about this new pilot that I just did boards on for Renegade Animation.
Where are you from and how did you get into the animation business?
I grew up in and studied animation and illustration in Michigan. I have wanted to work in animation since I can remember. When I was 5 my parents took me to Disney World and I was just hooked. I told my mom then and there that that is what I wanted to do. I broke into the industry when I landed an internship at Creative Capers in LA before my last year of school.
What’s a typical day like for you with regards to your job?
Mostly lately I have turned to storyboarding. I have gotten really excited with that part of the development process. I currently am freelancing from home, so my daily schedule varies.
What part of your job do you like best? Why?
Drawing! I have always loved to draw and tell stories. Thats my favorite part of working in animation.
What part of your job do you like least? Why?
I honestly love my job. I think the hardest part would be the the occasional all nighters. Sometimes they are just unavoidable in animation, when you’re on a tight deadline.
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 have been working on a iMac and a Cintiq. To me it all comes down to drawing. Weather that be on the computer, on paper, or on a napkin. The technology can keep changing but everything as leads back to drawing.
What is the most difficult part for you about being in the business?
I would say the most difficult part of being in the business would be just being so far from my family. They are back in Michigan and I have not gotten to see them that much since I moved back out to LA.
In your travels, have you had any brushes with animation greatness?
I would say during my internship is when I was able to meet a lot of my idols in the animation world. We were working on a hand drawn project for the Walt Disney Parks. I was able to meet a lot of very great people on that project.
Describe a tough situation you had in life.
My girlfriend and I did long distance through college for 3 years and they were the hardest years of my life. She was going to school in NYC and I was in Michigan.
Any side projects you’re working on that you’d like to share details of?
Some of my friends from Michigan and I started “drawing a day†blogs where we have been posting one drawing a day now for over a year. Its been eye opening and has given me something outside of work to draw for myself.  I am also working on a short film when I have free time. At the moment with work and everything it is kind of on the back burner but I know I’ll have more time here soon.
Any unusual talents or hobbies like tying a cherry stem with your tongue or metallurgy?
I can make a good machine gun sound effect with my tongue.
Is there any advice you can give for an aspiring animation student or artist trying to break into the business?
I would say the big thing for me was landing an internship. I learned so much and made so many great friends who I still kept in touch with upon moving back out to LA after school.  Like they say “You learn more in one day at a studio than a year in school† Also I would say LEARN TO DRAW. Even if your a 3D artist.
