John Kenn Mortensen

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

What is your name and your current occupation?
John Kenn Mortensen,artist,writer,director.
What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?
I worked in a boat repair-shop when I was 14.
What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?
not to sound like a dick, but my own projects has been the most interesting projects and the ones im most proud of
How did you become interested in animation?
from being a kid… Continue reading

Tuna Bora

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

What is your name and your current occupation?
I work as a visual development artist (sometimes only as a color stylist) and character designer for projects in games, animation and commercials.
What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?
I did an internship as a personal assistant for a fashion designer named Bahar Korcan. Since I moved to the States for college and stayed, I wasn’t able to pursue anything outside the limits of my degree.
What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?
It’s really more about the people I work with for me, but if I were to look back as individual projects I’d probably say the 30ft digital display on top of Target HQ in Minneapolis, the interactive Rome music video by Chris Milk, and anything I was a part of at Elastic.
Where are you from and how did you get into the animation business?
I’m originally from Turkey. I came to the States to study at Otis College Of Art And Design. I tried to venture out as much as possible and upon graduating I was Continue reading

Will Kistler


What is your name and your current occupation?
My name is Will Kistler and I’m currently a character animator.

 

What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?
For a while I was a tour guide at Mammoth Cave National Park, where I led tours through the cave.  I also did a brief stint as a substitute teacher.  Turns out, 9th and 10 graders are not especially keen to learn algebra.  After college I spent a year teaching English in Japan.  That was a great time, since it let me travel for an extended period.  I was doing animation school online at the time, and I hate to admit it, but my studies suffered.  When faced with the option of animating all day, or going to check out a temple I might never get to see again, I wasn’t going to NOT go see the temple.  I tried to do both, but the animation got ignored a little more than it should have.

 

What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?
My most recently released project was Life of Pi.  I was extremely happy with how that came out.  We spent a lot of time making sure the tiger moved as realistically as possible, which meant a big part of my day was getting to watch and study videos of tigers.  That makes for a pretty great work day.  I’ve also gotten to work on the Alvin and the Chipmunk movies.  Realistic tigers are great, but there’s a different kind of fun in getting to animate more anthropomorphic animals singing and dancing.

 

Where are you from and how did you get into the animation business?
I’m from Kentucky originally.  My break into animation was being accepted into Continue reading

Keika Yamaguchi

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

 

What is your name and your current occupation?
My name is Keika Yamaguchi. I am a Children’s Book Illustrator and Freelance illustrator.

 

What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?
I wish I had a fun story to tell, but none of the jobs that I had before getting into animation were crazy.

What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?
While I was an art intern at Walt Disney Imagineering, I worked closely with the producers illustrating the very first concepts for the kids room for the New Disney Cruise Ship, and Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom Trading Card Game at Walt Disney World. I was blown away when I found out that the project is now real and the public can interact with them. I treasure the time I was working there to this day. I am also grateful to have been able to illustrate childrens’ books such as Sick of Being Sick, the big golden book for Wreck it Ralph, and The Tale of the Gingerbread Man. To see kids engaged in books that I worked on is a magical moment to me!

Where are you from and how did you get into the animation business?
I’m from a small town near Glendale, California. My first work I have done for Continue reading

Kris W. Patrick


What is your name and your current occupation? 
Kris W. Patrick, I’m a 3D animator/illustrator/editor at a advertising agency in Dallas

What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation? 
I was a security guard for awhile. I had beer poured on me and threatened with a gun.
What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of? 
I’m not proud of anything I do. I MUST DO BETTER!

How did you become interested in animation? 
According to my parents I watched Disney movies repetitively, up to Continue reading