Tag Archives: Maya

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Rob Davies

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What is your name?

Rob Davies

What would you say has been your primary job in animation?

I don’t know that I’ve had a ‘primary’ job in animation to be honest. My longest stint is as one of the founders/owners of Atomic Cartoons in Vancouver. However, I’ve worn many hats in and out of Atomic.
I started as a traditional animation layout artist. Anyone who’s been around for awhile (pre-digital) knows what that is…
Other titles include character designer, art director, storyboard artist, storyboard supervisor, director, producer, series creator, and presently VP of Development at Atomic Cartoons.

What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?

Before I broke into the ‘toon biz, I worked as a sign painter, dishwasher (lasted one night), construction laborer, duty-free store clerk, T-Shirt designer, political cartoonist, silk screen printer, art supplies store clerk, even worked the camera counter at Kmart…
Can’t say there was anything that was particularly ‘crazy’ (like juggling flaming chain saws at kids’ parties) although the duty-free store at the BC-Washington State boarder was strange. It required I run down the highway to just past the nearest exit to the boarder crossing and then hand customers their shopping bags. This was to prevent Canadians from loading up on smokes and rye whiskey at the duty-free and then hanging a quick right just before customs. I ran in all sorts of weather. It is Canada after all. Eventually they just closed off the street. Easier.

What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?

I’m grateful to have been a part of anything, to be honest. But I’m most proud of Beetlejuice the Animated Series, Asterix Conquers America, Eek The Cat, Pinky and The Brain, The Zeta Project, Captain Flamingo, and Atomic Betty.

How did you become interested in animation?

It was pretty obvious, especially in math class, that I was destined to do something with a Continue reading

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Frank Abney

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http://vimeo.com/41565987
What is your name and your current occupation?
Frank Abney, Animator at Crystal Dynamics.

What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?
I actually haven’t had any crazy jobs before Animation, lol. I worked at a few retail places, but nothing out of the ordinary.

What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?
My favorite projects so far has been a tv show pilot I worked on called “Miles Across the Sea” at Lightstream Animation Studios, and “Tomb Raider”, at Crystal Dynamics which I just finished work on. “Miles” really stands out to me because we were a small intimate team that felt like a creative family all driving towards the same goal. It was a lot of fun!

Where are you from and how did you get into the animation business?
I was born in Alameda, Ca and grew up mainly in a city called Suisun City. I got into the animation business shortly after Continue reading
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Syed Waqar Alam

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What is your name and your current occupation?

My name is Syed Waqar Alam. I’m doing the best job in the world, Animation!

What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?

None. My first job is animation.

What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?

I’ve worked on the upcoming hollywood movie “Mega Spider”, It was so much fun to animate 8 legged, freakishly big spider. Recently, I’m working on an Abu Dhabi cartoon TV series “The Adventures of Mansour”.

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

I’m from Pakistan. My childhood is full of Chuck Jones cartoons and Disney movies. I’m a big fan of Pixar movies! Once, I saw the making of Aladdin, Glen Keane flipping his Continue reading
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Tim Birks

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What is your name and your current occupation?
Tim Birks, I’ve recently finished working on Wizart Animation’s Snow Queen animated feature due for theatrical release on 31st December 2012.

What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?
I was lucky enough to get my first animation gig whilst still in my 3rd year of university, however whilst studying at college and university I like to consider my dues to have been paid by stacking shelves at 5am and grafting throughout the summer breaks at various colleges, jobs included cutting down trees with a blunt saw and sweeping gutters!
What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?
I was proud to have been a part of production on the CG animated TV series, Jellikins (or Jellabies as it was renamed for American TV), not only was this my first animation gig in the late 90’s but it was also the first CG animated TV series to be produced in the UK, seems like such a long time ago now!  More recently I’m proud to have been apart of animation production on ‘The Snow Queen’ feature, the Russian CG industry is still developing and they have overcome so many obstacles to get this film made on such a limited budget, the finished product is outstanding and I’m glad I was given the opportunity to help out.

Where are you from and how did you get into the animation business?
I’m from Birmingham, UK.  I’ve always worked in the West Midlands, UK throughout my entire career so far, apart for a brief stint in London. The industry is very Continue reading
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Kenn McDonald

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http://vimeo.com/32092877

What is your name and your current occupation?
Kenn McDonald. I’m an animation supervisor for Dreamworks on the Dragons tv series.

What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?
I don’t know if I’ve had a truly crazy job. I’ve made pizza, served ice-cream and taught English in Japan. The coolest job outside animation I had was working at a fine art foundry that cast bronze statues. That was a gas.

 

What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?
Going way back to my 2d days I’d say Cat’s Don’t Dance. I love that movie and it was one of the best times I’ve had on a production. Some other high points would be Stuart Little 2, Beowulf, which was my first gig as a supervisor and Watchmen. I’m having a great time on Dragons now.

How did you become interested in animation?
That would go all the way back to sitting on my Dad’s lap while he drew for me. He’d draw a lot of superheroes and stuff like that. He still paints. From there I was Continue reading

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Guillaume Herent

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http://vimeo.com/47481510

 

What is your name and your current occupation?
My name’s Guillaume Herent, I’m a CG character animator at Illumination|McGuff in Paris.

What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?
I need to choose between two jobs…Maybe my first day as a prosthetic technician ? When a guy entered the waiting room, removed his leg, handed it over to me saying “I need you to fix it.”  Or this summer job in a nappies factory ? I was on the night shift, and the very first night, a nappy got stuck in the gears, the machines started to tremble, smoke, I’ve had to push the emergency stop button with the guy yelling at me “What the f*** did you do ?”

What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?
Well, I’d say I’m proud of my job in general. Working on feature animations and have your name displayed on the big screen is something so rewarding.  But to name a few, I liked working on “Valiant” ; although it was not a box office hit, I liked it because it was my first job in animation, in London, on a feature film !  I’m also very proud to have been part of the success of movies like “Despicable Me” and “The Lorax”.

How did you become interested in animation?
I was around 14 and, like every kid this age, I had no idea what to do in the future.  The father of a good friend of mine once told me “there’s an open day at this CG school, Supinfocom, maybe you should go and have a look”. When I saw Continue reading