Keiko Murayama

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What is your name and your current occupation? 
My name is Keiko Murayama, my current occupation is a BG painter at Nickelodeon Animation Studios.

What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation? 
I used to work at a Motion Studio as a vis dev artist for TV commercials. One fun project I had there was for a sugar company where I had to design a set and props made only of sweet stuff, and then they actually had to build that.

What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of? 
I got to work on a couple pages for the Big Golden Book for Wreck-It-Ralph. A lot of my friends from school also worked on it I’d never seen my work as a published book form, so when I saw the actual product, I was very proud.

How did you become interested in animation? 
I grew up watching anime stuff, which I love, but it’s not my passion. Then, I came to the U.S after high school and saw Continue reading

Keika Yamaguchi

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What is your name and your current occupation?
My name is Keika Yamaguchi. I am a Children’s Book Illustrator and Freelance illustrator.

 

What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?
I wish I had a fun story to tell, but none of the jobs that I had before getting into animation were crazy.

What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?
While I was an art intern at Walt Disney Imagineering, I worked closely with the producers illustrating the very first concepts for the kids room for the New Disney Cruise Ship, and Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom Trading Card Game at Walt Disney World. I was blown away when I found out that the project is now real and the public can interact with them. I treasure the time I was working there to this day. I am also grateful to have been able to illustrate childrens’ books such as Sick of Being Sick, the big golden book for Wreck it Ralph, and The Tale of the Gingerbread Man. To see kids engaged in books that I worked on is a magical moment to me!

Where are you from and how did you get into the animation business?
I’m from a small town near Glendale, California. My first work I have done for Continue reading

Kris W. Patrick


What is your name and your current occupation? 
Kris W. Patrick, I’m a 3D animator/illustrator/editor at a advertising agency in Dallas

What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation? 
I was a security guard for awhile. I had beer poured on me and threatened with a gun.
What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of? 
I’m not proud of anything I do. I MUST DO BETTER!

How did you become interested in animation? 
According to my parents I watched Disney movies repetitively, up to Continue reading

Alberto Gomez

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What is your name and your current occupation?
My name’s Alberto Gomez. I’m a freelance illustrator and story artist based in Madrid.

 

What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?
Actually, my first job was at a small animation studio. I was 18. Years later, I had a gap of a few months outside any artistic job. I worked at the airport in Madrid, at the sales desk of an airline. I sold tickets, changed reservations and dealt with flight cancellations. That was when I found out that I could tame big groups of raging people with my bare hands.

 

What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?
My favorite project is always the one I’m working on right now. But I’d say that I learned more from the failed ones rather than the successful ones.

 

How did you become interested in animation?
I firstly became interested in comic books. Then, I discovered that my favorite one at that time had an animated version: Akira. What a visual blast. But I’ve always been in love with Continue reading

Betsy Baytos

 

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What is your name and your current occupation?
Betsy Baytos…..Illustrator/Animation Choreographer/Filmmaker & Eccentric Dance Historian.

 

What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?
Performed & created the ‘Betsy Bird’ & puppeteered on the Muppet Show…..trained over 250 clowns in a ‘character movement’ workshop for Ringling Bros. ‘Clown College Alumni’…..toured the country in a vaudeville/burlesque show ‘Baggy Pants & Co’ as the featured eccentric dance act.

 

What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?
Working as a Disney animator since 1976, then coming full circle as ‘animation choreographer’ for Disney’s ‘Princess and the Frog’…..Consulting for Cirque Du Soleil…..performing eccentric dance as the ‘Betsy Bird’ on the Muppet Show and performing physical comedy in the Broadway run of ‘Stardust’ in a featured eccentric dance act as ‘Maurice’, but most importantly, bringing this film, which I have researched & worked on for the past 20 years, ‘FUNNY FEET: The Art of Eccentric Dance’, to fruition for the next generation.
How did you become interested in animation?
I have always drawn and danced since I can remember. I discovered eccentric dance while working as an animator at Disney, then discovered Continue reading

Brynn Metheney

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What is your name and your current occupation? 
My name is Brynn Metheney and I am a freelance illustrator and Concept Artist.
What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation? 
I got my first job when I was 17 and I worked all kinds of jobs through college. I’d say my two craziest jobs were working at a make-up counter in a department store and being a waitress at a country club. I didn’t like them very much, haha!
What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of? 
I have a few that I’m very proud of! Last year, my work was included in The Sappi Standard 5. It’s a educational printing manual for designers and firms and it was designed by Studio Hinrichs. I also collaborated with artist and writer, Ethan Nicolle on the cover for Axe Cop – President of the World 2. Recently I’ve been involved with Paizo and Wizards of the Coast on some really fun and exciting projects I’m looking forward to sharing more about. Of course, I’ve always wanted to work in film and the two projects I’ve worked on are very exciting for me! Can’t say much now but I’m looking forward to sharing more about it in the future!
How did you become interested in animation? 
I grew up on a pretty steady diet of Disney cartoons and movies as well as Looney Tunes and Jim Henson. All of these really pushed me to appreciate animation and film at a young age. I remember being amazed that Continue reading