Tag Archives: Sketchbook Pro

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Ron Brewer

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What is your name and your current occupation?
Ron Brewer. Director.

 

What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation? 
I was a drug runner. Or should I say a delivery boy and stock clerk in a class 1 drug vault for a completely legitimate pharmaceutical warehouse. We supplied all the pharmacies and hospitals in the San Diego area. I was involved in two armed robberies there. The first was a gang from LA that wore Halloween masks. They had shotguns and AR15s. We were made to lie on the floor and then locked in the vault. The second time was a gang from East LA. I was chased down the street by a guy with a handgun. There was no where to run to. We were tied up with duct tape. Curious that I would find the nerves needed to get through these trials to be a good tension test, to be a good prerequisite to my animation career. Cartoons is war!

 

What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of? 
I would have to say the Pink Panthers I was a part of. I directed 28 shorts for Pink Panther and Pals at Rubicon Studios LA. One of which won four 2011 KidScreen Awards including Best series, Best Series Viewers Choice, and viewers choice for Best Music –David Ricard and Best Directing –Me. Kerry Valentine produced, Ceci Aranovich did the design, Ryan Green and I did boards, Rob Sanders the sfx. Have a look!


The entire crew for the whole series was just awesome. The Pink Panthers are pure cartoons because of the absence of dialogue. Such a challenge to get the message across, stay true to the originals and hopefully be funny. You can find them on youtube or itunes.  Then I got to direct “A Very Pink Christmas” a Pink Panther special in the classic style. It’s the best thing I’ve done to date. Kerry Valentine producing, Ceci Aranovich design, David Ricard music, Rob Sanders sfx. A story that really came together thanks to so many talented people who I am very proud to have worked with. If you’re a Pink Panther fan or could just use a smile, go see it here.  I had the pleasure of traveling to the Philippines to meet the animation crew. Incredible the small army one of these things takes to complete. This show was also for Rubicon Studios LA., Manila and Amman. Unfortunately not many people saw it when it aired last year 2011. No publicity. You my insider friends know how that can go. But it really is a good little show and maybe it will pick up speed as the Christmas’s roll by. Look out Rudolph. 😉
How did you become interested in animation? 
I loved watching Saturday morning cartoons like the rest of you did. When I was a kid I had this idea to make Continue reading

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Jean Claude de La Ronde

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What is your name and your current occupation?

My name is Jean Claude de La Ronde and I’m currently a freelance storyboard artist offering my pre-production services in the entertainment industry.

What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?
Acutally that would be my last job back in december 2011. I did storyboards for a horror film and the producer wasn’t really organized and it was just a big amalgam of confusion.

 

What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?
My most favorite project was when I was working over at Makuta VFX in Hyderabad, India. I was contacted by one of the founders of the company back in 2010. They needed a freelance storyboard artist that could help them with their film project which was a film by SS Rajamouli. Rajamouli turns out that he’s the top Director in Hyderabad and I managed to go over there for a month and help him out with his vision for the “Eega” film. It was truly the best gig I had up to this day. The folks at Makuta were exceptionally welcoming and I made a bunch of friends when I was in charge of the Previz developpement.

How did you become interested in animation?
I’ve always been a cartoon fan since the day I discovered the

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David Stephan

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What is your name and your current occupation?
My name is David Stephan and I am currently a story artist for live action and animation. My real passion is writing and trying to get my own projects made. I started B Positive Fims with another writer/artist (after our blood type) We are working with producer Max Howard on a film project and have interest from the studios on a horror film.
What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?
Maybe not crazy but I washed dishes, pumped gas, worked construction just get by through college. Once I got started in the film business I haven’t had to look outside for work but the last couple of years have tempted me to seek other opportunities.
What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?
I am proud of my career at Disney. I was lucky enough to be part of Disney Feature Animation and the 14 year arc from Black Cauldron through Lion King.  I also was part of Sam Raimi’s first Spiderman. It was such an unknown. I credit that film’s success with the glut of super hero movies today. But I would have to say story boarding “Simple Plan” is my most rewarding. It was my first live action film and learned so much about film making.
How did you become interested in animation?
I kinda fell into it. I was graduating from highschool and I really wanted to be a painter and go to the Ontario College of Art in Toronto. My highschoolart teacher Ms Venebles was very encouraging me to go into art as a career. Coming from a working class family I was going against the grain. My Dad wanted me to get a “trade”.  On my way to OCA I stopped at Sheridan College outside Toronto to interview with the Illustration faculty but they were unavailable but the Animation course director agreed to see me. Knowing nothing about animation, he showed me a clip of student samples. I was blown away by the level of animation. I was hooked. I can make my drawing come alive. I never made it to OCA. I registered that day in the Sheridan College Classical Animation program. At the time it was a little know program, now Sherdian College Animation and its graduates are know all around the world equal to Cal Arts program.

Where are you from and how did you get into the animation business?
I am originally from London Ontario Canada. My goal from the beginning was to go and work at Disney in California. At the time in the early 80’s it was impossible to get a green card and almost impossible to get into Disney Feature. It didn’t stop my determination. My first job was with Steven Lisberger in Boston which was relocating to Venice California. It was a show for NBC called Animal Oymplics. It was my first professional experience as animators Bill Koyers assistant. I was thrilled. After that show ended I Continue reading

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Chris Bailey

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What is your name and your current occupation?
Chris Bailey, Animation Director.

What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?
Hah..great question. I have asked that of colleagues in the past. I think the craziest job, or furthest job from animation was working in a steel warehouse for my dad the summer before attending Cal Arts. I loaded steel I-beams onto trucks, drove a huge forklift, learned to weld and use a cutting torch. I caught myself on fire twice! In the warehouse were rows of 20′ and 40′ I-beams stacked to the ceiling. We’d leap from stack to stack looking for the right ones to fill orders and they’d sometimes rock back and forth threatening to fall. I felt like Daredevil.

What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?
I’ve been pretty lucky and worked on some great projects. It’s hard to pick, but if I were to list a few highlights, I would start with the Marvel Productions Logo. It featured a chrome Spider-Man doing a flip and landing on the big MP. I was at the beginning of my career and thrilled to animate Spider-Man, even if it was only for one little shot. Next up is The Little Mermaid. It was a great film and broke animation out of the animated film ghetto and into a mainstream audience. I was a little fish swimming in a big pond and trying to learn as much as I could… Runaway Brain with Mickey Mouse for letting me play with the corporate icon and the resulting Oscar nod, Disney’s Mighty Joe Young for it’s groundbreaking CG animation, X-Men II because it’s such a great movie I’m a huge Marvel Comics fan, Kim Possible because it was as much fun to make as it was to watch and finally, the Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem 3D Ride because the minions are so damned funny and I love theme park rides.  The Pepfar (President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) Shorts for WB were interesting too. The shorts were done to advertise an educational action videogame for Kenya’s youth centers. I got to travel to Washington and pitch the boards to the State Department. Unlike in Hollywood where the costume of a director is shorts and t-shirt, I was pitching cartoon storyboards in a formal conference room wearing a suit! Ha!  The Judy short in particular was a way to experiment with Kim Possible style animation and design in 3D. It was boarded by one of my favorite Kim board artists and Batman comics artist, Dave Bullock.
http://www.animationinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Judy-v2-112508.mov

Where are you from and how did you get into the animation business?
I grew up in Portland Oregon and went to Reynolds High School. I always liked comic books and wanted to draw them since I was 10 years old. Later in High School, I read an article in The Comics Journal that mentioned Continue reading

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Noel Saabye

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What is your name and your current occupation?

My name is Noel Saabye and I’m currently the Owner/ Art Director of my own business ( Clown Pirate Productions, LLC). I specialize in 2D Animation (traditional & Flash), as well as Cartoon Illustration. I occasionally tackle some web design, and social media for local small businesses and I’ve recently started to learn to tattoo!

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

Hands down, the strangest job I’ve ever had was working at a Dental Lab. They had me doing metal finishing on crowns and bridges prior to them getting the porcelain finish. I have no idea why 19 year old me was trusted to make your teeth.

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


Although the show wasn’t the most popular, I will always look back on HISTERIA! from Kids WB as being the “Big One”. The characters were a lot of fun to work on. My second would be Directing Edd hosting Cartoon Cartoon Fridays for Cartoon Network. I also have several games on CartoonNetwork.com that I’m really proud of including TKO and Magnet Face.

How did you become interested in animation?

I’m the son of a high school art teacher, so I’ve been drawing all my life. Oddly enough, my mom had given me The Illusion of Life as a birthday gift when I was in Jr. High and I never really thought much of it other than it had cool pictures. It wasn’t until after high school that I started trying out different art related jobs and found an opportunity to learn animation.

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


I’m a native Minnesotan. Back in the early 90s I was invited to attend a monthly meeting of comic and animation artists. Each month I would make it a point to learn something from someone new. My eagerness caught the attention of someone who had introduced me to an animator who was starting his own studio. I became his apprentice/ intern and the rest is history.

What’s a typical day like for you with regards to your job?

The majority of my day is spent working on the particular project I may have on my desk, but I also incorporate an hour or two keeping up with my networking on various sites and replying to potential clients. In the case that I’m between projects, I’m probably working on personal art which I sell at conventions or spending time at the tattoo shop.

What part of your job do you like best? Why?

My favorite part of the day is when you hit “the zone” and you’re just drawing as if there’s nothing else around you. I feel that’s when I do my best work.

What part of your job do you like least? Why?


Letting down would-be clients that don’t understand the cost of creative work. At this stage, I would often times really like to work on projects that people come to me with, but I just can’t pay my bills with barters, or portfolio pieces.

What kind of technology do you work with on a daily basis?


My weapons of choice are… Sketchook Pro and my Cintiq. From there I will use Photoshop, Illustrator or Flash.

What is the most difficult part for you about being in the business?

Staying in the business! If you don’t have a full time gig, you’re always networking and trying to secure that long-term project. I kind of like the challenge, but it can be difficult at times.

In your travels, have you had any brushes with animation greatness?


I’ve had the privilege to not only meet, but work with many great animators. Some of which were big inspirations to me including Star Toons owner Jon McClenahan. Also, working at Cartoon Network I was able to meet many of the show creators including Maxwell Adams, Genndy Tartakovsky, and Danny Antonucci.

Describe a tough situation you had in life.

Freelancing is always unpredictable. If you’re not good with your money, you can find yourself it a sticky situation during the down time. It happens to all us. That’s when you learn to save your punch cards from the coffee shop.

Any side projects or you’re working on or hobbies you’d like to share details of?

I have a few game apps in various stages, I’m creating art to sell at various conventions and art festivals and I’m also starting to tattoo.

 

Any unusual talents or hobbies like tying a cherry stem with your tongue or metallurgy?

I have this amazing talent of making people believe I’m much younger that I am. Maybe it’s because I act immature or I don’t dress the part… maybe it’s just taking the animation thing to far and refusing to stop laughing at everything?

 

Is there any advice you can give for an aspiring animation student or artist trying to break into the business? Draw, Draw, Draw! Draw your dog, your cat, a bird out the window… keep drawing. Stop with the Manga characters (unless you already live in Japan). Draw in different styles, and learn the old school methods of animation. I’ve seen too many portfolios from students that rely too much on flash and don’t understand the fundamentals of traditional animation. It’s not just knowing “how” but knowing “why”.

 

http://noelsaabye.com

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https://www.facebook.com/noelsaabyeart

https://instagram.com/noelsaabye/

http://nsaabye.deviantart.com

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Gordon Hammond

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What is your name and your current occupation?
Hello, my name is Gordon Hammond. I am a Character Designer at Nickelodeon where I have been since 2002. I have worked with Butch Hartman on all three of his shows, Fairly OddParents, Danny Phantom and now Tuff Puppy…it’s a blast! I have been in the industry since the fall of 1996.

 

What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?
Well like all of us I guess I have had some wacky jobs. My very fist job back in 9th grade was as a dish washer. All my buddies were working at this Italian restaurant and they got me in. They all made fun of me because I was slow, but I was persistent. I never gave up…sometimes I would be standing with stacks of dirty dishes up to my waist but I always finished, something that I realized would pay off later in life. To all my friends surprise out of the blue one day I was promoted to “Pizza Guy”. When the boss pulled me aside and told me I was so shocked, he said he liked me because I never  gave up!  I told him according to my friends I was slow, he said ” screw those guys, they’re losers…” (haa) Soon after all my friends realizing they had been left behind all applied for Bus Boy jobs. I only worked there for about another year and then quit to focus on School…but there were some great lessons learned.  In the years that followed I worked for a lawn service which was grueling, cut grass at a golf course which as grueling, and worst of all cleaned stables at the local horse track for a buck a stall…not fun and stinky!  After I started Junior college I landed my first Art job at a small studio as a key liner and graphic artist and have worked as Artist ever since, I was 19.

 

What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?
Hmm, actually I have enjoyed everything that I’ve worked on. But I’d probably have to say Fairly OddParents and now Tuff Puppy. Mainly because I know how happy it makes our fans and especially in the case of FOP (Fairly OddParents) how it’s almost a cultural phenomenon.  Above and beyond the work I do on the show I must say the most gratifying part for me is when Continue reading