Tag Archives: Character Animator

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Will Kistler

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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

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Pablo Navarro

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What is your name and your current occupation?
My name is Pablo Navarro; I’m an Animation Director and Senior Character Animator.  Right now I’m animating for the movie titled “The Congress”, the next project from Ari Foldman, director of Waltz with Bashir.  Besides that I teach animation as a part time job, and I do tutoring to students here in Barcelona and other cities of Spain.  Also I give lectures and conferences about animation and acting around the globe.

 

What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?
Well, I work since I’m 8 years old, I used to work on orange and watermelon plantations helping loading the trucks, after that I was a waiter for many years in the family restaurant……although I am a formerly electro-mechanic technician, I never worked as such, I jump into animation right after finishing my studies.I wasn’t fond of those other activities to continue with them 😉  Don’t know if they’re crazy enough jobs…..but surely they don’t have anything to do with animation.

 

What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?
The project I am most proud it is a movie called Nocturna. That is my favorite project so far.  I really enjoy working with the same Directors of that movie (Adria Garcia and Victor Maldonado plus Alfredo Torres), they create a studio called Headless and I collaborate with them often for new projects and development.

How did you become interested in animation?
Well, I think that all my life I was interested in animation, but when you’re a kid it is difficult to find out, or to put it into words like say “I want to be an animator!!”  My mother found out that the only way to keep me quiet and not doing too much trouble around the house was giving me a paper and a pencil and I could Continue reading

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Alex Zemke

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What is your name and your current occupation?
Alex Zemke, character animator.

 

What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?
I spent 4 years as a DJ on a Top 40 radio station in Minnesota.

 

What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?
The Uncharted series, for certain. I worked on both 2 and 3, in two separate studios, doing cinematics. I also loved being on the Killzone 3 team.

How did you become interested in animation?
I was always interested in animation, since I was a kid. Unfortunately, when I was younger I was extremely good at convincing myself I would Continue reading

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Justin Rasch

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WS0o5oPwvdo&list=FLcC0ur62FUrRzIC5twgRfBA&index=4&feature=plpp_video

What is your name and your current occupation?
My name is justin rasch – and I am a character Animator in the Games and Film industry at the same time right now…ha!
I have a day job animating in Video Games and also work the Night shift on a Feature stopmotion Animated film at Shadow Machine in Hollywood Ca .

What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?
 hmmmm….I was a Tree climber-cutter as a Youngster. I was a sign painter or wandering artist as a teenager. I had my first son as a teen so I pretty much did anything available to make money. – usually busboy- dishwasher type stuff….any art based work i could get my hands on.
What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?
PARANORMAN – From LAIKA- Hands down -The single most amazing artistic experience of my Life. A DREAM come True !!!!
I was part of an OLD school Miniature , Special FX , animated Film. It was like walking into Willy Wonkas Magic Factory Every single day.  I …… on the very hardest days of the production would part the curtain and walk into my set and feel the breath just escape my chest in pure little kid excitement and awe!!  WOW!! I am surrounded by this incredible ART and I get to the opportunity bring these amazing characters to Life…Goosebumps !!  LAIKA was a DREAM JOB in every way . The Animation Medium I love most is Stopmotion Animation…..so …. as far as studios LAIKA is The Number 1 studio out there. It has a very clear goal of telling awesome story’s at the highest animated quality in this Medium.  It is constantly PUSHING to do more with Puppets than has ever done before. That building so full of talent its sick.  While working on a LAIKA film everyone involved is given the support and opportunity to do the best work of our lives…..in fact…. its expected!!  So…Dailys and weeklies were PURE Jaw dropping awesomeness and a magic show every morning.  Every week or two I wouldl have my NEW BESTEST SHOT EVER!! As an animator that is As good as it gets!!……The film also was sooooo fun to work on…. JOY!! I also recently worked on a Spongebob Christmas special which was incredibly fun to be a part of.  It was a great honor to work on the Iconic character and the guys at Screen Novelties are the coolest  to work with in the BIZ….those guys are a Very special group of artist-animators and they kick arse on everything they are a part of.

How did you become interested in animation?
DON BLUTH Was a MASSIVE influence and Inspiration . I was always an artist and when I saw the {Secret of Nihm} and the {Dragons Lair- Space Ace}- Arcade classics. I was HYPNOTIZED…These awesome characters animating so fantastically. I am still Continue reading

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Mattias Gordon

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What is your name and your current occupation?
My name is Mattias Gordon and I work as animator ( handdrawn, 2D & motion graphics ), illustrator, comic artist and writer as freelancer in my own little studio.

What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?
Crazyness is part of the job but I cant remember any crazy jobs.

What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?
My first animationjob was when I 1986 – 88 worked on a Swedish feature called Voyage to Melonia.  It was fun to work on the two first CD-games with the Swedish famous characters Pettson and Findus ( same in english I think ) becuase so many have played these games.  In 2009 my shortfilm the Jaguar had premiere on the Cinemas. Don´t think it was a huge success but it was very nice.  My musicvideos for Kathryn Williams, Hazmat Modine and now lately Fanfare Ciocarlia.

Where are you from and how did you get into the animation business?
I am from Sweden and have been living most of time here. I have been in the business for some years. I will be 50 this year. When I was small I was very interested in animation but Continue reading

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Jorge Vigara

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What is your name and your current occupation?
My name is Jorge Vigara and I´m working as senior character animator at Sony Pictures.
What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?
Definitely when I worked as clown and social entertainer. I did it when a I was a young student for getting some money and I remember that I did so many crazy things as juggling or fire spitting. There was nice, and I learnt then so many stuff that I can use now on my current job.
What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?
I’m very proud of working in Despicable Me , 3 years ago, when I did some of the most memorial shots of the show as the ” It´s so fluffy!!” one. Never though that shot could become so famous.  Also, to work in “Alma”, the short film directed by Rodrigo Blaas ( currently director in Dreamworks ) . It was my very first project working very closely to high talented and old school artists. Such and amazing project that I’ve like a treasure in my memories… simply wonderful.
How did you become interested in animation?
I always been interested in animation. Since I was a child I’ve been drawing and loving movies, so it’s always been Continue reading