Olu Alemoru

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What is your name and your current occupation? 
Olu Alemoru — Snr Staff Writer Wave Publications and Director of Nutmeg Animations Ltd.

What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?
Well, I’m not working in animation per se, but I do have a couple of animation projects that I am developing.  One is called “Nutmeg,” an adventure story with contemporary and imaginary elements that follows the life and times of gender-breaking Afro-Latina soccer star Louise Sage.  The other is entitled “The Adventures of Ant Dog,”  a satirical concept about a lovable loser (a black Homer Simpson, if you will) who wins a million dollar ride on the first commercial space flight and gets zapped into another world where he will battle a great evil.  In terms of crazy jobs, the Ant Dog character is based on a crazy cat I met while working as a roller skating stock clerk in a warehouse.

What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of? 
The above two.

How did you become interested in animation? 
I’ve been a long-time fan of cartoon characters like Bugs Bunny and the wonderful fourth-wall imagery of Tex Avery. Back in the day my favorite cartoons were ‘Boss Cat,’ ‘Wait Til Your Father Gets Home’ and Filmation’s ‘Tarzan Lord of the Jungle.’

Where are you from and how did you get into the animation business? 
I’m a relocated Brit and animated concepts seem to be a natural fit for my hyperactive imagination.

What’s a typical day like for you with regards to your job?
At the moment, in terms of building Nutmeg Animations Ltd, the company I formed with my sisters Comfort and Bunmi Alemoru — respectively a film accountant and entertainment lawyer — we’re in the development phase so there’s both creative decisions on the story/character development and financial conferences on readying our investment pitch.
What part of your job do you like best? Why? 
The writing; which I like to call a necessary evil.

What part of your job do you like least? Why? 
The writing; which I like to call a necessary evil (ha ha).

What kind of technology do you work with on a daily basis?
A laptop.

What is the most difficult part for you about being in the business?  
I’m kinda wired to move quickly, but the entertainment business can move at a leisurely pace.

In your travels, have you had any brushes with animation greatness?
Yes. I attended an animation symposium at the Academy of Arts & Motion Sciences on Wilshire where ‘The Incredibles’ writer/director Brad Bird was on the panel.

Describe a tough situation you had in life. 
Getting over Man United’s loss to Barcelona in last year’s UEFA Champions League Final.

Any side projects or you’re working on or hobbies you’d like to share details of?
Sure, I have a Brits-in-LA blog site, la banter wordpress.com, and like to replay the dialogue of my favorite films backwards, just because I’m that sad.

Any unusual talents or hobbies like tying a cherry stem with your tongue or metallurgy?
See above.

Is there any advice you can give for an aspiring animation student or artist trying to break into the business? 
Come up with something terrific and pour your heart into it!

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