What is your name and your current occupation?
Narina Sokolova
What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?
Hmm. Never really had a crazy job, worked as an art teacher in art school, if you can call dealing with 20 kids and make them draw crazy..
What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?
one of my very first animations jobs, Jonny Bravo(Hanna Barbera), was an awesome show! Rugrats (Klasky Gsupo) was a great one.My Gym partners is Monkey(Cartoon Network) . Most recently 1st season of the Looney tunes show was rally great gig, and turned out fantastic !..I mean i am really proud of most of projects i was on .. Got a chance to work with some incredibly talented people.
How did you become interested in animation?
Was always fascinated by animation. Just a magic seeing images come to life and tell a story through pictures… 🙂 And of course some animated films are such an amazing pieces of art ,It moves you in so many levels . Â IÂ always thought it is the future of visual arts, but now we are living in that future.
Where are you from and how did you get into the animation business?
I had a fine art training in Russia. But after moving to LA and attending drawing workshops, sort of naturally felt into that. of course being in the heart of film industry helped. Animation industry had a renaissance then, Pixar films, all new technologies , it was very exciting for artists to explore new medias.
What’s a typical day like for you with regards to your job?
Depends on the production flow. I usually have meeting with director /art director about particular mood and design of the scene i am working on. And the production coordinator about schedule 🙂 Always good to have some time for reference research. And then just do the art work.
What part of your job do you like best? Why?
Besides my love for making and art work, i really like working with team of creative people. Something about collaborating and bringing vision on screen together is very powerful and rewarding.
What part of your job do you like least? Why?
Unexpected layoffs .. 🙂 just kidding, well.. sort of kidding.
What kind of technology do you work with on a daily basis?
I work mostly on Mac now. Using Wacom Cintiq.
What is the most difficult part for you about being in the business?
Sometimes you stay on the show for couple of years and get very comfortable, and then its over. You have to start looking for work again and its not always easy. But every time in this process i learned something new.
Describe a tough situation you had in life.
Moving to States from Russia was tough but in a sense that it was complete cultural shock. And figuring out this new world , learning language , surviving as an artist.. But of course ,i believe then bigger challenge the better reward is .. 🙂
Any side projects or you’re working on or hobbies you’d like to share details of?
I am between projects now, and been using this time in my studio and getting back into fine art. Oil painting.
Any unusual talents or hobbies like tying a cherry stem with your tongue or metallurgy?
Not really , I am very usual 🙂
Is there any advice you can give for an aspiring animation student or artist trying to break into the business?
TV Animation is a hard work and production gets stressful sometimes. Just remember why you got into animation in the first place and keep it fun and playful !
