What is your name and your current occupation?
My name is Wei-Chuan Hsu (people call me Wei, pronounced “way”). My current occupation is a freelance animator / generalist.
What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation? I worked as a receptionist at the president’s office at my College and I would play WarCraft III at the desk.
What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?It’s almost impossible for me to work on a project I’m not excited about. So if you see me working on a project, most likely I’m at least 90% excited about it. Some of my favorites are TRON: Legacy, Star Wars: The Clone Wars (TV), FXGURU and Mythic Journey Documentary.
Where are you from and how did you get into the animation business?
I am originally from Taiwan. When I was 8, my family and I moved to Malaysia. I went to a British high school there and that’s where I learned Continue reading
What is your name and your current occupation?
Flash Animator, Digital Photographer, 3D Modeler.
What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation? FIFA certified soccer official
What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?Safety Training Animations for LAX, Sony Picture Studios and Etihad Towers in the UAE.
Where are you from and how did you get into the animation business?
I am from Iowa, and always wanted Continue reading
What is your name and your current occupation?
I am Jeremy Steiner, freelance designer, illustrator, and concept artist and designer for Sony Pictures Interactive.
What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?
I don’t actually work in the animation industry currently, but have some experience in the past with color key painting. The craziest job was when I worked as a caricature artist at Bar Mitzvahs.
What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of? In July, I launched the game Hotel Transylvania, which is a social game for Facebook. I have been fortunate enough to work on other great projects including the Smurfs Website, God Of War: Betrayal mobile game, Jeopardy and Wheel Of Fortune for the PlayStation Network, and Legends Of Norrath MMO Game for Sony Online Entertainment.
How did you become interested in animation?
I have had an interest in animation since I took a film class while I attended Art Center. At Art Center, I met talented instructors that worked in animation, and they inspired me. While working at Sony, Continue reading
What is your name and your current occupation? I am a freelance CG artist. I am also on the crew for the upcoming animated shorts “Hullabaloo”.
What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation? One time I was a security guard in a middle school. There had been great tension between two large groups in the school that culminated in a pretty large standoff. Imagine two crowds of about 250 people each about ten feet from each other ready to go to war. It looked like a scene out of Braveheart or something. Â The only thing between them for about thirty seconds was me. Luckily they didn’t charge. I have also been a dish washer ,gardener, and a lot of other things.
What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?
Certainly the project I have been most proud to be a part of is Hullabaloo. I have been lucky enough to know the creator, James Lopez, for several years now and have watch  it grow from sketches on the wall to a full on successful indigogo campaign. I have loved the Disney style of animation since I was a child so to be invited to be part of that team is a privilege and an honor. It’s not everyday you get to work with animation greats.
Where are you from and how did you get into the animation business?
Well I was born in Buenos Aires Argentina but moved to Los Angeles when I was seven years old. Â I guess you could say I’m just starting out in the animation business with Hullabaloo as it is going to be the first animation project I will be a part of. Â Up to this point I have only worked on tv shows, games, and toys. How I got to this point is what I’m guessing aspiring artist would want to know. Most people would say hard work,determination, and luck. Although that last statement is true it doesn’t say much so I will tell my story. I took a job as a souvenir photo booth attendant at a special even at the Walt Disney Studio. Â The only reason I took the job was to get through the gates, which to me always felt like the hardest step in the process. In the soundstage we were set up across from where some Disney animators were giving drawing lessons to attendees. I was determined to speak to one of the animators and show them my work. Once I mustered up the courage I walked up and introduced myself to to to man behind the desk. The crowd had cleared but he was still doodling on the page (this is where the luck part comes in). The man behind the desk was James Lopez. Well to make a long story short he became my mentor and over a period of a couple of years he helped me improve my drawing skills dramatically. Around this time I also decided I would go back to school to learn the CG workflow for animated films. I enrolled at Gnomon School of Visual Effects. As one of my projects I decided to model the car from Jame’s personal animated project (Hullabaloo). It was, I think, at that point when he decided to let me help him with his project. Fast forward about a year and a half and here we are. So needles to say it does take time, hard work, determination, and luck.
What’s a typical day like for you with regards to your job?
Well my day usually consist of exercise in the morning. Then I get right to work. As I do freelance as a cg artist the jobs can always range from modeling, sculpting, texturing, and sometime design. I might be working at home in which case I crank up the tunes and work all day till my wife gets home. Or I might be working in an office. A work day can range from 1 hour to 18 hours long. If I have time I like to work on personal projects in the evening and on the weekends. Also I’m constantly looking for new techniques on how to create cool stuff. During my free time recently I have been working mostly on Hullabaloo. Continue reading
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
 What is your name and your current occupation? My name is Sarah Jargstorf and I’m a 3d artist and animator. Currently I’m working as a 3D modelor at Arc Productions in Toronto.What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation? I really don’t think any of my part-time gigs during high school and college can compare to animation. They were just your typical retail, amusement park and factory work. Though I’ll never forget the day I was working at the Toronto Islands and I witnessed a seagull swallow a WHOLE footlong hotdog, in one gulp. Shocking. Little bugger was determined.
What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of? I’ve had the pleasure of animating on My Little Pony. I’ve been fortunate to work on a lot of fun tv shows but My Little Pony was a real treat.
How did you become interested in animation?Growing up on Bugs Bunny, Batman, TMNT, Disney Classics and Sailor Moon definitely contributed. I’ve always loved to draw and when I found out Continue reading
