What is your name and your current occupation?
My name is Nelson Recinos I am an animation producer, line producer, director, creative director, art director, and creator. I also clean my home office and take care of everything that’s needed on the projects I am working on.
What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?
One of my first jobs was painting motorcycle helmets. I thought that, because of my art background, I was going to be able to do the job, but it was not as easy as I thought. I got training and after a few days I started working on production…which didn’t go very well. I messed up a few helmets, paint spilled everywhere, and nothing was evenly painted. The manager was understandably pissed, but moved me to another department instead of firing me. What a nice guy!
What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?
I had the opportunity to work on some amazing shows such a Pinky and the Brain and Animaniacs. I also animated some of the Warner Bros. classic characters such as Bugs Bunny, Duffy Duck, Tweety, Sylvester, and many others.
How did you become interested in animation?
I always liked cartoons since I was a kid. I drew all the time. Back in my country, my brother Bill was the one who was really interested in animation and had books on how to make animated cartoons. He started animating at a young age, later working on a few commercials and attending an art school to hone his drawing skills. I would have to say that he was a big influence on me becoming an animator.
Where are you from and how did you get into the animation business?
I am from Central America. I got into the animation industry with the help of my brother Bill. He was working for Hanna Barbera at the time and had some good connections who brought me into the fold. I had to show samples of my work first, of course.
What’s a typical day like for you with regards to your job?
I get up around 9:00am, get something to drink like orange juice, then start my computer up and check e-mails. I usually answer as many e-mails as I can. After that, I work on revising storyboards, make notes as needed, make a few phone calls, and focus on anything that needs my attention relating to current projects I am working on. I then take lunch around 12:30 to 1:30.
The afternoon is pretty much the same, working on production. I finish around 7:00 and that’s the end of the day.
What part of your job do you like best? Why?
I like the brain storming sessions. It is amazing how you get ideas from different people.
What part of your job do you like least? Why?
I would say when I have a deadline and things are not ready yet.
What kind of technology do you work with on a daily basis?
I use the computer most of the day doing different things: checking emails, editing images on Photoshop, networking, and promoting a pilot I created and produced called Game Access on LinkedIn and other sites.
What is the most difficult part for you about being in the business?
Right now, business has been slow everywhere and one of the most difficult things about being in this industry is getting work on a consistent basis.
In your travels, have you had any brushes with animation greatness?
Yes, I went to Taiwan and found really talented artists over there.
Describe a tough situation you had in life.
Currently trying to find steady work like most people in the industry.
Any side projects you’re working on that you’d like to share details of?
I am working on two projects right now: Â The first one is called Game Access. Â I produced a 12 minute pilot for this project that was intended for a TV series, but was advised to do it as a movie by an animation company. This was the approach Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon took with Jimmy Neutron which first came out on theaters and then became a successful television series. The quality I am looking for in regards to this film would be a mix between How to Train your Dragon (DreamWorks), The Incredibles (Pixar), Kung Fu Panda (DreamWorks), and Wreck-it Ralph (Disney), but with a much lower budget. Â Game Access is a combination of 2D traditional animation and CG computer animation. It references well known video games and teaches children how to balance their time between game play and schoolwork. It combines action, adventure, humor and morals.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skL7P6GwaCM/
My other project is a preschool idea called The Magic of Discovery.  I am being sponsored by Angaelica, a nonprofit organization which is helping me raise funds to work on a web series for the project. The Magic of Discovery is a unique concept that teaches children and adults alike about the arts, music, culture, dance, history and languages of different regions around the world.  The series will center on four pre-school kids–Carl, Rosie, Antoine and Lin–who discover different people and cultures.  How? Courtesy of magical books they have in their classroom! When it’s time for a lesson or to learn about a famous person, country, city or place, they open a book for that day’s lesson.  Then, WHOOSH! The kids are magically transported to a new city, country or place where they will meet famous composers such as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, scientists like Albert Einstein, and painters such as Frida Kahlo….but not as adults. These famous people were once children who at the age of 7 or 8 were already something special. Our characters will learn a lot about these extraordinary masters.  They will travel to Germany, France, Italy, England, India, Spain, China, Japan, Korea, The Philippines, Mexico, Central America, Peru, Argentina, Colombia, Brazil and many other countries to learn about their people and cultures.  In the first online episode (webisode), our friends Carl, Rosie, Antoine and Lin travel to Coyoacán, Mexico. In Mexico, they visit the famous painter, Frida Kahlo, as a child. She lived in a blue house (La Casa Azul) in the city of Coyoacán where the kids learn about Frida’s family. Her father was an artist and photographer who taught her how to paint.
Everyone is welcome to contribute to this exciting project.
Any unusual talents or hobbies like tying a cherry stem with your tongue or metallurgy?
No, unfortunately I don’t have one.
Is there any advice you can give for an aspiring animation student or artist trying to break into the business?
Keep working on your drawing skills. There is a misconception that working on GC projects doesn’t require an understanding of drawing, but a solid foundation in figure drawing will help you create more believable, timeless work. Â Be passionate about what you do, do your best, keep on learning, and keep moving forward.
You can send your donations to:
Angaelica (The Magic of Discovery) PO BOX 2247, Venice, CA 90294
Or use PayPal. Here is the link:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=VZ8E76ASZU9CG
Cool Nelson! Best of luck with your projects!
Alex
Hey Nelson, congratulations for a successful career in the animation industry and the same goes for Edgar. I just saw you guys profile on line.
I’m happy for your accomplishment!
I also want to congratulate William, because he made it to the top. My respects for Willy Recinos!
No disrespect for saying “My respects for Willy Recinos” instead of My respects for Bill Recinos, is just that he used to sign his drawings as Willy.
I wish the best to you guys and your family.
I’m on facebook as Frank A Recinos,but instead of a picture a drawing I did with a pen non stop and without erasing a single line. I guess sometimes I still remember how to draw! Is the drawing of Malcolm X praying in Mecca!