Category Archives: Artists Interviews

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Xavier Ramonède

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What is your name and your current occupation?
My name is Xavier Ramonède, I’m mostly a 2D animator but I’m also an illustrator and character designer.

What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?
I have made a lot of little jobs when I was a student : I worked in an hotel, then I worked in a supermaket called Monoprix where i sold fishes and sea food, bread, cheese…

What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?
It’s hard to tell because there can be a lot of differences between the mood on a production and the film itself. Working on The Illusionnist was very long and hard but the movie has been nominated for the Oscars and won a Cesar (the french Oscars), but my favorite movie I’ve been working on was Nocturna. It’s a very small budget feature film from Spain but it’s a very beautiful movie.

How did you become interested in animation?
First I wanted to make films like Toy Story but I absolutly didn’t know how they did it, so I was aiming for a computer school. But then Continue reading

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Peter Donnelly

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What is your name and your current occupation?
Peter Donnelly. I am a freelance illustrator and animation professional. I develop visual concepts/storyboards for advertising agencies, animation studios and illustrate childrens books.  I also teach film pre-production to 3rd level students and direct animation.

 

 What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?
Most of my previous jobs were art related although I did work cleaning shopping malls as a Summer job after school…operating one of those big floor buffers dreaming of escaping..

 

 What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?  
The Land before Time, Titan AE, The Thief and the Cobbler, Prince of Egypt to name a few and some short form films and TV projects that have picked up some nice awards along the way.  In total I’ve been credited on around 15 feature films to date.
How did you become interested in animation? 
I was always a fan of the ‘Art’ of animation, the design and mood that could be achieved with shape, line and colour. Although I never had a desire to be an animator , I loved to draw and wanted to be an illustrator and in time realized Continue reading

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Tad Stones

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What is your name and your current occupation?
My name is Tad Stones and what I do pretty much depends on the hour of the day. Currently I’m a storyboard artist at Bento Box Entertainment. I just finished an episode of the new Fox series, ALLEN GREGORY, and will soon be returning to board on the second season of the wonderful BOB’S BURGERS.
However, I’m also in written development on a new series for Disney Junior. I’m past the written pitch and am waiting for word on which of my premises will move into outline so you can call me a writer. The series is based on a Disney property and if it makes it into production I’ll be the Executive Producer.
But catch me between drafts and I’m finishing the board on my own pilot for Cartoon Network. Hope to move it into animatic soon. That will give me the triple crown of EP, Story Editor and Creator.
What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?
I started three days after college graduation so I hadn’t had many jobs. I was a scooper then an unofficial assistant manager at a Baskin Robbins 31 Flavors. I was there during the moon landing (with instructions to pull Lunar Cheesecake if anything went wrong at Tranquility Base). For two summers in college I was a camp counselor for WoodCraft Rangers at Lake Arrowhead. Then, for the summer of my Junior year, the last year before “real life”, I worked eight hours a day trying to sell gag cartoons to magazines. The closest I got was that the Saturday Evening Post held one for further consideration. The brainstorming I did that summer paid off in spades when I moved into story at Disney Feature Animation.
What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?
I’ll say that my favorites were DARKWING DUCK and HELLBOY ANIMATED for completely different reasons. With Darkwing I was able to chase the funny more and play with all the comic book tropes I loved. With Hellboy I was trying to create true suspense. Mike Mignola and I wrote a third picture which would easily be the best of what we did. That’s definitely a project I’d like to return to.

How did you become interested in animation?
I always loved it. I remember an animation exhibit at Disneyland and bought Bob Thomas’s book, THE ART OF ANIMATION. My dad had wanted to be a cartoonist but didn’t pursue it after graduating. He did, however, Continue reading

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Ely Dagher

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What is your name and your current occupation?
Ely Dagher. I run BeaverAndBeaver studio and work as a freelance director.

What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?
No interesting stories there I’m afraid!

What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?
That would have to be my short film “waves ’98”.

Where are you from and how did you get into the animation business?
I am from Beirut, Lebanon and I actually got into animation sort of by Continue reading

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Alisa Harris

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What is your name and your current occupation?
My name is Alisa Harris and I’m a freelance character designer and traditional Flash animator in New York City.

What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?
One summer during college, I painted carousel horses in Canarsie, Brooklyn. It was pretty awesome.  Some of the carousels I worked on are at the Willow Grove Mall in PA, Bryant Park in NYC and overseas.  When I first graduated from art school, the animation industry had tanked.  I ended up doing data entry for two years at an insurance company specializing in mental health and substance abuse.  I like to joke that it prepared me for working in the animation industry.

What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?
One of my favorite projects was my first lead design position at Flickerlab in NYC.  It was a web series for Ritz/Nabisco on how to have cheap family fun in the summer.  It was the first commercial project that I designed characters and props in my own style.  There was a lot of freedom in designing the families and I enjoyed creating a more diverse cast.  Because it was a small studio, I also boarded half of the episodes and did some of the Flash puppet setup.  It was really cool to see my own designs and staging come through to the final episodes.

How did you become interested in animation?
As a kid, I loved Looney Tunes, classic Disney films, The Muppet Show and Rankin Bass Christmas Specials.  In the ’80s, my family would watch The Disney Sunday Night Movie and I was riveted to the Continue reading

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Jobs: Paint/Composite Artist -Stereo D

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StereoD

Paint/Composite Artist

 

About this position:

As part of our Finaling Department, the Paint/Composite Artist is responsible for delivering the final shots after stereo conversion. Along with the essential Clean Plate and Paint skills, an eye for detail is a must. Quality Control is the name of the game!

Working with a team, including a lead artist and supervisors, the Paint/Compositing Artist must creatively interpret and apply artistic concepts. We’re looking for individuals with a good “stereo eye,” a strong understanding of 3-dimensional space (be it from previous stereo experience or from an artistic background), a working knowledge of Nuke/ After Effects & Photoshop, and a healthy dose of team spirit. Taking direction/critiques, interpreting notes and learning/applying new skills are key parts of everyday life in our studio..

Requirements & Preferences:

  • Knowledge and Experience with software packages such as Nuke, After Effects & Photoshop – Required
  • Proficiency in Compositing & Clean Plate Preparation – Required
  • Knowledge and Experience with Widows (PC) Production Environment – Required
  • Knowledge of Practical Filmmaking Techniques – Required
  • Excellent Artistic Ability/Aptitude – Required
  • Knowledge of Stereo-related Terminology – Preferred (but we’ll teach you OUR lingo!)
  • Previous Professional Experience in Stereoscopy – Preferred
  • Accredited Post-Secondary Degree or Related Coursework – Preferred

We’re looking for the best in the business. If this sounds like you, please apply with your resume and reel using the link below!

https://stereod.catsone.com/careers/index.php?m=portal&a=apply&jobOrderID=4466231&portalID=38845

About Stereo D

Stereo D is the recognized leader in high-quality conversions of 2D theatrical content into stereoscopic 3D imagery. Formed in 2009 and acquired by Deluxe Entertainment Services Group Inc. in 2011, the company works with major motion picture studios, directors, cinematographers, and VFX supervisors to bring their vision of 3D storytelling to the screen. Stereo D has completed work for such films as GODZILLA, CAPTAIN AMERICA, NEED FOR SPEED, PACIFIC RIM, THE AVENGERS, JURASSIC PARK and TITANIC in 3D to name a few

Stereo D is a business run by filmmakers, valuing artistic excellence and speaking the language of film. Our production teams and artists are among the best in the business, driven by an innate passion for all things film. Our unique artist-centric environment enables our people the creative freedom to conceptually support the creative visions of directors, delivering the finest, most dynamic 3D imagery in entertainment.

Deluxe Entertainment Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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