Lucas Martell

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What is your name and your current occupation?
Lucas Martell. I’m a writer/director/producer currently developing my own projects through my company: Martell Animation (martellanimation.com) I also freelance occasionally as a Line producer or CG Supervisor.

 

What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?
For one summer I did school photography. You know the guys who go around and take pictures of high schoolers for the yearbook? Worst. Job. Ever.

 

What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?
A while back I did a short film called Pigeon: Impossible. It was a lot of fun, and I learned an immense amount by going through that and dealing with every single step of the animation process.

 

Where are you from and how did you get into the animation business?

I’m from a small town in central Illinois. In college I was a music major, but did a lot of technical work in the recording studio, as well as music videos. I moved to Austin TX after graduating in 2003 with

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Randall Kaplan

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What is your name and your current occupation?
Randall Kaplan. I’m a filmmaker, animator, freelance artist and designer.  I’m making an animated horror film called ‘Boxhead’.

What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation? 
I bar backed for a heavy metal bar (cleaning up vomit) and worked at Starbuck’s (cleaning up vomit). I also edited wedding videos for many years (not exactly true to my sensibility.)

What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?
Well, I’m very proud of my 5 original short films that were distributed in the anthology, ‘Beneath the Flesh’.  Aside from that, I worked as an editor on Beavis and Butt-head and also did some voices for the show. I’m very happy about that. I’m also very proud to have designed the creatures in an upcoming horror movie called ‘Crabs!’ Yes…that’s the title.  There was also this one wedding video I edited that was just gorgeous.

Where are you from and how did you get into the animation business? 
I’m from Brooklyn back when nobody wanted to go there. I grew up around animation. My mother is in the business and for many years I did my best to avoid it.  One day Continue reading

Johnny Ortiz

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What is your name and your current occupation?
My name is Juan Ortiz, but sometimes I go as Johnny Ortiz because I share the same name with a well known comic book artist from the ’80s that isn’t me. Right now I am freelancing as a designer/illustrator. Most of the work is either for Disney or Warner Bros., but when I have the time I am also creating and publishing my own comic books. I recently created 80 Star Trek posters of the original series for CBS.

What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?
My first job was working for Disney, so I really don’t have an answer for this question. Although at times we did get a little nuts.

What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?
In 1989, I was fortunate enough to illustrate covers for “Looney Tunes” and “Tiny Toons” magazines, published by DC Comics. The magazines were edited by Joey Cavaleiri and the late Joe Orlando. I did that for about four years before working for the WB Studio Store. The stores had just started up and WB was about to open their flagship store in NYC. That was an exciting and fun experience that I am proud to say I was a part of. At least during 1993 and 1994.

Where are you from and how did you get into the animation business?
I was born in Puerto Rico and raised in “Hell’s Kitchen” on the west side of NYC. I did take some animation courses and dabbled in story-boarding but I never Continue reading

Arthur de Pins

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What is your name and your current occupation?

My name is Arthur de Pins and I’m a french cartoonist.

What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?
I’ve been a waiter in a restaurant owned by a friend of mine. I was pretty good actually and I’m able to hold 4 plates at once, which is very useful.

What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?
In animation, I’ve co-directed and animated the flash part of an episode of the Drew Carey’s green screen show. Continue reading

Rosanna Lyons

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What is your name and your current occupation?
Rosanna Lyons visual effects animator on the Simpsons.
What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?
Before I got into animation I was a student in art college in Ireland so I hadn’t had any serious work before then other than summer jobs picking potatoes or selling shoes… but in between projects and companies I have waited tables and  bar tended ..not too crazy really! 

What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?
I loved working on The Prince Of Egypt for Dreamworks SKG. I also was lucky to have worked on The Simpsons Movie which was crazy hard work but had fun effects to animate.
How did you become interested in animation?
It just happened really…my first love is Continue reading