Oliver Morton-Evans

What is your name and your current occupation?
I am Oliver Morton-Evans and I am the founder and producer at Big Cookie Studios (www.bigcookiestudios.com), a CG animation studio in Sydney, Australia.
What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?
I worked for 7 years with Australia’s most successful children’s entertainers, The Wiggles producing their interactive digital content among other things.
What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?
I am very proud of our latest project, Little Darling – a story-based, animated music video for local Sydney band The Secret City. Check it out here www.littledarling.tv !
Where are you from and how did you get into the animation business?
I am born and bred in Sydney, Australia. I got into animation after completing a Diploma in Animation and Visual Effects from the Design Centre Enmore here in Sydney.

What’s a typical day like for you with regards to your job?
Each day is never the same and challenging in different ways!

What part of your job do you like best? Why?
I love seeing an artistic idea or concept be fully realized into a completed project.
What part of your job do you like least? Why?
Being a producer is like being the captain on a ship. If you are heading towards an iceberg it’s always the captain’s responsibility to find a way around 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?
As a producer I can’t live without access to email and telephone reception!

What is the most difficult part for you about being in the business?
That would be the biggest challenge for any producer – to be able to realize an elaborate creative vision within time and budget restrictions.

In your travels, have you had any brushes with animation greatness?
I have had the opportunity to meet and work with some amazingly talented artists that have worked on films such as Happy Feet, Happy Feet Two, Guardians of Ga’Hoole and The Lego Movie.

Describe a tough situation you had in life.
Starting my own studio has been a constantly rocky road but the challenge of it is what drives me to succeed. I also happen to have cerebral palsy and get around in an electric wheelchair which presents itself with it’s own unique set of hurdles but this doesn’t stop me from planning global animation domination!

Any side projects you’re working on that you’d like to share details of?
BCS is currently my side, front, back and top project! I look forward to the day that I have time for side projects!
Is there any advice you can give for an aspiring animation student or artist trying to break into the business?
The old analogy ‘it’s who you know, not what you know’ is so true in landing that first big break. While you still have to know your stuff, get out and network as much as possible. I think the value of work experience shouldn’t be overlooked for recent graduates. It is a great way to be exposed to people within the industry and serves as a good introduction to what it’s like working in a professional studio environment.