What is your name and your current occupation?
My name is Daniel Zettl and I’m currently senior animator at Weta Digital
What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?
To financially support my animation internship after high school, I worked in the halls of the biggest german provider for postal services and was sorting letters and packages every night for a couple hours. Met some pretty quirky people there 😉
What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?
Very proud to have been a part of James Cameron’s Avatar and currently of Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit.
How did you become interested in animation?
I started out with drawing a lot, doing design jobs and lots of graffiti. At some point the still image, or the single drawing wasnʼt enough anymore and I was searching for something that could unlock whatʼs hidden in me. It had to get it out and on that search I
stumbled over Continue reading
Author Archives: Laura
Arlyne Ramirez
What is your name and your current occupation?
Arlyne Ramirez: Clean Up artist and freelance storyboard revisionist at Rough Draft Studios.
What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?
I dressed up as the Easter Bunny at a mall. That was interesting.
What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?
Good Vibes Season 1, and The Ricky Gervais Show Season 3. And Currently proud to have worked on Futurama season 7.
How did you become interested in animation?
By watching a lot of cartoons as a young child. Ranging from Popeye to Ren and Stimpy.
Where are you from and how did you get into the animation business?
Born and raised in Southern California. I went to school to Continue reading
Gordon Bressack
What is your name and your current occupation?
Gordon Bressack. Writer.
What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?Â
I was an actor with an underground theater group.
What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?Â
Pinky & The Brain and Captain Simian & The Space Monkeys are my two favorite animated projects.
Eric Dapkewicz
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nV9Aos_Ezgc
What is your name and your current occupation?
My name is Eric Dapkewicz, and I am an Animation Film Editor. I just recently wrapped on the movie, “Puss In Boots” for DreamWorks Animation.
What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?
I worked in a parking garage at a Post Facility. That kind of sucked. But I got to know Mel Brooks this way.
What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?
I’ve been proud of a lot of different things I’ve worked on. In terms of animated movies, I’m most proud of “Lilo & Stitch” and “Puss In Boots”. I’ve made some independent movies and music I’m proud of as well.
How did you become interested in animation?
I’ve always loved animation since I was a kid. Watched all the Warner Brother Cartoon Classics and Disney Film Classics. I don’t think I’ve ever really Continue reading
Noel Saabye
What is your name and your current occupation?
My name is Noel Saabye and I’m currently the Owner/ Art Director of my own business ( Clown Pirate Productions, LLC). I specialize in 2D Animation (traditional & Flash), as well as Cartoon Illustration. I occasionally tackle some web design, and social media for local small businesses and I’ve recently started to learn to tattoo!
What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?
Hands down, the strangest job I’ve ever had was working at a Dental Lab. They had me doing metal finishing on crowns and bridges prior to them getting the porcelain finish. I have no idea why 19 year old me was trusted to make your teeth.
What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?

Although the show wasn’t the most popular, I will always look back on HISTERIA! from Kids WB as being the “Big Oneâ€. The characters were a lot of fun to work on. My second would be Directing Edd hosting Cartoon Cartoon Fridays for Cartoon Network. I also have several games on CartoonNetwork.com that I’m really proud of including TKO and Magnet Face.
How did you become interested in animation?
I’m the son of a high school art teacher, so I’ve been drawing all my life. Oddly enough, my mom had given me The Illusion of Life as a birthday gift when I was in Jr. High and I never really thought much of it other than it had cool pictures. It wasn’t until after high school that I started trying out different art related jobs and found an opportunity to learn animation.
Where are you from and how did you get into the animation business?

I’m a native Minnesotan. Back in the early 90s I was invited to attend a monthly meeting of comic and animation artists. Each month I would make it a point to learn something from someone new. My eagerness caught the attention of someone who had introduced me to an animator who was starting his own studio. I became his apprentice/ intern and the rest is history.
What’s a typical day like for you with regards to your job?
The majority of my day is spent working on the particular project I may have on my desk, but I also incorporate an hour or two keeping up with my networking on various sites and replying to potential clients. In the case that I’m between projects, I’m probably working on personal art which I sell at conventions or spending time at the tattoo shop.
What part of your job do you like best? Why?
My favorite part of the day is when you hit “the zone†and you’re just drawing as if there’s nothing else around you. I feel that’s when I do my best work.
What part of your job do you like least? Why?

Letting down would-be clients that don’t understand the cost of creative work. At this stage, I would often times really like to work on projects that people come to me with, but I just can’t pay my bills with barters, or portfolio pieces.
What kind of technology do you work with on a daily basis?

My weapons of choice are… Sketchook Pro and my Cintiq. From there I will use Photoshop, Illustrator or Flash.
What is the most difficult part for you about being in the business?
Staying in the business! If you don’t have a full time gig, you’re always networking and trying to secure that long-term project. I kind of like the challenge, but it can be difficult at times.
In your travels, have you had any brushes with animation greatness?

I’ve had the privilege to not only meet, but work with many great animators. Some of which were big inspirations to me including Star Toons owner Jon McClenahan. Also, working at Cartoon Network I was able to meet many of the show creators including Maxwell Adams, Genndy Tartakovsky, and Danny Antonucci.
Describe a tough situation you had in life.
Freelancing is always unpredictable. If you’re not good with your money, you can find yourself it a sticky situation during the down time. It happens to all us. That’s when you learn to save your punch cards from the coffee shop.
Any side projects or you’re working on or hobbies you’d like to share details of?
I have a few game apps in various stages, I’m creating art to sell at various conventions and art festivals and I’m also starting to tattoo.
Any unusual talents or hobbies like tying a cherry stem with your tongue or metallurgy?
I have this amazing talent of making people believe I’m much younger that I am. Maybe it’s because I act immature or I don’t dress the part… maybe it’s just taking the animation thing to far and refusing to stop laughing at everything?
Is there any advice you can give for an aspiring animation student or artist trying to break into the business? Draw, Draw, Draw! Draw your dog, your cat, a bird out the window… keep drawing. Stop with the Manga characters (unless you already live in Japan). Draw in different styles, and learn the old school methods of animation. I’ve seen too many portfolios from students that rely too much on flash and don’t understand the fundamentals of traditional animation. It’s not just knowing “how†but knowing “whyâ€.
http://noelsaabye.com
https://www.facebook.com/noelsaabyeart
https://instagram.com/noelsaabye/
http://nsaabye.deviantart.com
Chuck Maiden
What is your name and your current occupation?
Chuck Maiden—color designer on American Dad! at Fox Television Animation.
What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?
Crazy, huh? Well, I don’t know about crazy, but I’ve worked at a lamp factory, delivered Dreyer’s ice cream, worked at a 7-Eleven, delivered pizzas for a half of night, played in rock bands, colored comic books—I could go on, but you might fall asleep.
What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?
Well, definitely, this one, American Dad! and also King of the Hill, which I worked on for 12 years.
How did you become interested in animation?
When I was a kid, I watched Popeye, The Flintstones, Bugs Bunny, as well as a lot of others. There was one old cartoon, where it showed an artist’s hand drawing the character, which then came to life. It made me realize Continue reading