Category Archives: Artists Interviews

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Cassandra Poulson

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What is your name and your current occupation?

My name is Cassandra Poulson and I am a visual development artist for animation.
What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?
I worked my way through art college in Savannah Georgia by bartending. I bartended at a fine dining restaurant and on a cruise boat. I was also able to make a little bit of money by doing fashion modeling for photographers and students.
What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?
“The Girl and The Fox” was the first film I ever worked on. I met Tyler Kupferer, a now friend and writer/director of the film, at “The Animation Show of Shows” at SCAD. It was the beginning of my sophomore year. I think I was 19- I did concept paintings, worked on color and environment design, designed the “Fox” character, and served as lead background painter. It was such a personal project for me, and has a lot of heart in it from everyone who contributed. It’s been a shock to all of us that it’s made it so far in the industry. It is now a proud nominee for an Annie award! And has been a true joy and honor for me.
How did you become interested in animation?
I used to watch “The Jungle Book” over and over again as a toddler. And I’ve always loved to Continue reading

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Tahmineh Sarbazzadeh

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What is your name and your current occupation?
Tahmineh Sarbazzadeh, freelance animator, character designer, illustrator, graphic/web designer.
What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?
I’m a Traditional based animator, and was lucky to get involve into an internship right after a few inking and drawing tests.
What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?
I love all of them, but the latest one, a 2D ad, is my new favourite.

How did you become interested in animation?
Since I remember I was in love with Continue reading

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Homer Simpson will broadcast live, with some motion-capture help

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simpsonsThe Wrap is reporting that Homer Simpson will broadcast live, with some motion-capture help!

In the episode, Marge, Lisa and Bart will turn the show over to the family’s patriarch, who will take a break from stuffing his face to comment on the events of the day live during both the East Coast and West Coast broadcasts, Fox revealed on Tuesday. Executive Producer Al Jean told us much more on a phone call immediately following the announcement — for example, how in the world they plan to pull this thing off.

You can read the whole article here.

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Ed Bell

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What is your name and your current occupation?
Ed Bell. I’m an animation artist and currently an affiliate director with Special Agent Animation, in the Bay Area. I’m building a short film at the moment. I also teach character design and mentor aspiring animation artists at CCA. Recently, I’ve started painting, and developing a gallery show.

What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?
None. My first real job was in animation.
What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?
“ Bring Me The Head Of Charlie Brown” was a short my classmate Jim Reardon made, that we took around to festivals with Spike & Mike. Awesome experience. Then there was the “Ed” trilogy by Richard Moore, also made at Cal Arts. I think of “Roger Rabbit” and “The New Adventures of Mighty Mouse” from the 80’s. But at Collosal Pictures, “The Big City” for Liquid Television because it was my first short as a director, and “King Tut,” with the great John Stevenson and Jerry Juehl with Quincy Jones helping us pitch, those are cherished memories, (even if Tut never made it to the screen). As a Warner Cartoons fan I’m amazed I got to contribute to some Warner Brothers cartoon shorts with animators I learned a great from.

How did you become interested in animation?
I’m a child of the “golden age” of T.V. or whatever, and grew up glued to the TV set, or glued to movie screens whenever and wherever I could. Every aspect of entertainment seemed to mesmerize me, nearly as much as it entertained me! Animation’s hand-crafted nature, and animation’s rich sense of Continue reading

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Rich Murray

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What is your name and your current occupation?

My name is Rich Murray – illustrator, animator, interactive designer and owner of RichToons.
What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?
Before becoming an animator I had a lot of jobs. I was a landscaper, stock boy, fence painter, library page, copy writer and graphic designer. I was a dishwasher for two weeks at a restaurant in a mall. One afternoon I was wheeling the garbage cart through the mall’s hidden hallway on the way to the dump. I burst through a set of doors to find a large room full of mostly naked very plus-sized models who were in the middle of a costume change for a live fashion show. I’m still not sure who was the victim in that situation.
What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?
There are several projects that RichToons is very proud of.  Among them – http://www.myteenlounge.com. This was a site created for Upper Canada Mall to help promote teen-related events happening around the mall – new stores, contests, etc. We developed an online web-osodic series about a group of teens and their experiences in the mall. We also developed the site around the personalities of the various teen characters and even developed their profiles on various social media sites such as Facebook and Blogger. The site and series garnered 4 marketing awards for Upper Canada Mall. Another project we’re very proud of is a campaign of spots written and animated by RichToons to promote a site where teens can socialize and share their acne horror stories http://www.youtube.com/user/stressometer.

How did you become interested in animation?
I became interested in animation at an early age. I remember always drawing cartoons. Usually I was trying to make perfect copies of the characters I would see in the Sunday paper. Comic books were next and I would often be drawing my own comics on lined binder paper. I was fascinated by the idea of Continue reading