What is your name and your current occupation?
Ely Dagher. I run BeaverAndBeaver studio and work as a freelance director.
What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?
No interesting stories there I’m afraid!
What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?
That would have to be my short film “waves ’98”.
Where are you from and how did you get into the animation business?
I am from Beirut, Lebanon and I actually got into animation sort of by chance as it combined two of my passions; filmmaking and illustration.
What’s a typical day like for you with regards to your job?
Right now I’m in the writing process, so it’s more about fighting procrastination and getting in the mindset everyday.
What part of your job do you like best? Why?
The fact that I do what I used to consider my hobby.
What part of your job do you like least? Why?
The part that I like the least is that my hobby became my job and that there is little time to actually have a hobby!
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 do follow the latest technological advancements and what is coming but I don’t let that dictate my work and my direction. I do have a soft spot for the classic stuff.
What is the most difficult part for you about being in the business?
The difficult part in the beginning was finding a balance in doing interesting creative projects for little pay and other commissioned projects that pay well. It’s easy to get stuck in the good pay, not challenging the commissioned project world – and difficult to get out of it. Things are of course easier with time.
If you could change the way the business works and is run how would you do it?Although I do like the rush sometimes you feel you have to compromise for budgetary and time constraints and that is a shame.
In your travels, have you had any brushes with animation greatness?
Not yet. I haven’t traveled that much in that world.
Describe a tough situation you had in life.
Where do I begin ? I’ll leave that for another conversation…
Any side projects you’re working on that you’d like to share details of?
I’m working on something but I can’t share any info yet 🙂
Any unusual talents or hobbies like tying a cherry stem with your tongue or metallurgy?
I can make a really good cup of coffee, Â and I’ll leave the cherry stem tying to Audrey.
Is there any advice you can give for an aspiring animation student or artist trying to break into the business?
Patience and ambition and then some more patience.
