What is your name and your current occupation?Â
Sam Grinberg, Cartoonist & Animator.
What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?Â
Working for EVIL corporations in black and white and synchronization.
What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?Â
I’ve been proud to work with a great company called G-dcast, producing fun animated videos! And working on my own comic book series featuring characters I created at 7 years old.
Where are you from and how did you get into the animation business?
NJ/NYC/LA. Originally I wanted to strictly do comics, but I slowly branched out as my interest focused more into animation.
What’s a typical day like for you with regards to your job?Â
Since I’m currently a freelancer, I can spend hours of the day switching from project to project and working on different things at different times.
What part of your job do you like best? Why?
Everything.
What part of your job do you like least? Why?Â
None. It’s all worth it.
None. It’s all worth it.
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?
A Cintiq tablet. It’s amazing and insanely helpful. I still draw “traditionally”, on paper, but when it comes to editing and animating it’s a tool every artist should have.
What is the most difficult part for you about being in the business?
I would have to say the difficulty of finding new jobs. It’s always scary and tough, but when they come, it’s worth it!
In your travels, have you had any brushes with animation greatness?
I was at the Brooklyn Comics Festival in Williamsburg (which was held in the basement of a Church) and was stunned to see Matt Groening. He was walking around, buying comics just like anyone else. So I approached him, gave him my comic and spoke to him for a little. He was extremely nice I still don’t believe that happened.
Describe a tough situation you had in life.Â
This one time when I injured my hand and was unable to draw for a short amount of time. Just kidding, that never happened, but it’s one of my biggest fears.
Any side projects you’re working on that you’d like to share details of?
As a lover of film, I own wayyyyy too many movies, nearly 500. I decided to do something about that and since January 1st of 2013, I’ve been drawing ONE sketch a day from EVERY movie I own in alphabetical order. You can check it out at sketchbookmovies .tumbler.com. You can also check out a webcomic that I’m going to start in 2014.
Any unusual talents or hobbies like tying a cherry stem with your tongue or metallurgy?
Maybe, I just haven’t discovered any yet.
Is there any advice you can give for an aspiring animation student or artist trying to break into the business?Â
Keep working, working working. Never stop. Never WAIT for inspiration to come to you. Keep working until inspiration hits you (and it will). If you continue to draw and create, you’ll be fine.
