Michael Jantze

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

What is your name and your current occupation?
Michael Jantze, owner of Jantze Studios and professor at SCAD. Prior jobs include: Newspaper journalist. Syndicated cartoonist. Visual Effects Art Director at ILM.
What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?
Co-directed Joe Murray’s “Frog in a Suit” and directed the animation for a dream sequence in Lawrence Kasdan’s 2012 feature “Darling Companion”.

How did you become interested in animation?
I was born. I was interested in animation.

Where are you from and how did you get into the animation business?
Born in New York, grew up in Illinois, I’ve been in California on and off since 1981 (film school at Cal State Northridge). I got out of college, applied to Disney the week “Black Cauldron” came out. So I went into documentary filmmaking the following week. That lead to art directing, that led to Continue reading

Henrique Jardim

This slideshow requires JavaScript.


What is your name and your current occupation?
I am Henrique Jardim, currently a storyboard artist at Floyd County Productions on the upcoming animated series “Unsupervised” on FX. It’s a flash animated show made right here in the US of A.

 

What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?
I suppose you could say that what I am now is my crazier job because it’s my first ever ACTUAL job that isn’t freelance. But the oddest gig I’ve had is when an online gambling company from Crete contacted me out of nowhere offering me a freelance storyboard gig. I named a price and they went for it without haggling… that to me was the craziest part. I am part of a new generation of graduates who were released into a disappointing (and scary) job market. Even before graduating, I applied to many franchises like Coldstone, Home Depot, Target, etc. with no luck. With the way things were going, I’m surprised I have a steady animation job currently.

 

What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?
I was an intern at Titmouse over in Hollywood and had a chance to animate on “China, IL” and on “Black Dynamite”. But if I am to be truthful, it means I have to be the self-centered jerk that I am. So my absolute favorite project so far was a short pilot I made produced by Nickelodeon. They were such great people to work with and I was able to create something that was very “me”. The greatest part was that I was in charge of my own art and whatever decision I made mattered.
How did you become interested in animation? 
I always wanted to be a pro skateboarder, but I was a lousy skater. Come one summer when I was in 9th grade when all my friends were traveling, I started messing with Macromedia Flash 5 (I bet kids these days have never heard of such a thing). I found myself animating for days straight. The more I did it, Continue reading

Ron Yavnieli


What is your name and your current occupation?
Name: Ron Yavnieli. Occupation: Animator at Bento Box. I’m also a Voice Actor and Stand-Up Comedian.

What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?
When I was a teenager I worked for a birthday clown company as a character performer. I usually dressed up as Batman but once they sent me out as Barney the Dinosaur. The Barney costume didn’t fit me. I’m 6’2″ and the feet of the costume only came down to my shins. So I was walking around the mall that day with my feet sticking out. People kept saying to me “Nice Sandals Barney” or “You look like Barney on Crack!” At one point a group of mentally challenged adults came up and hugged me, then they tried to pull my mask off but their caretaker called them off before they could. I never did that character again.

What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?
Currently my favorite project is “The Sketchy Comedy Show” which I produce and perform in with several other multi- talented Comedians at Flappers Comedy Club in Burbank. It’s a show that blends stand-up comedy with Sketches: both the drawn and the performed variety, and music. We have a roster of great Comedians who all Continue reading

Trevor Wall


What is your name and your current occupation?
My name is Trevor Wall and currently I am the Director of “Sabrina- Secrects of a Teenage Witch” A CGI series Which will air on The Hub and Disney International in the fall.

What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?
Unfortunately my jobs previous to animation were pretty tame compared to working in the industry. I worked as a dishwasher and waiter when I was a teenager and I was driving a forklift and delivering warehouse supplies right before I started in the animation business. Pretty boring stuff compared to the insane, wacky world of cartoons.

What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?
It’s usually the one I’m working on at the time, but from the past I’d have to say “Jakers! The Adventures of Piggley Winks”.  I worked on the last season of the series as a Storyboard Director. I loved this project so much because I had Continue reading

Butch Hartman


What is your name and your current occupation?
Butch Hartman, Executive Producer/Creator of T.U.F.F. Puppy, The Fairly OddParents, and Danny Phantom
What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?
I worked at a Drive-In movie theatre, drew cartoons of people at local art fairs in Michigan, and painted faces on pumpkins
What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?
T.U.F.F. Puppy, The Fairly OddParents, and Danny Phantom
How did you become interested in animation?
I got started in animation when I was six. I drew a picture of my teacher and she just thought it was great. She hung it up on the wall in front of the whole class, and all the other kids had to listen to her rave about it. I realized Continue reading

Esteban Valdez

This slideshow requires JavaScript.


What is your name and your current occupation?
Hello, my name is Esteban (Steven) Valdez.  As for what I do… Anywhere from mail clerk to director jerk, janitor to animator… janimator?

 What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?
I plead the 5th.

 

What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of? 
None of them.  Loved the places and people I’ve worked with, but when it comes to my work I always feel like I could do better.

How did you become interested in animation?
Well… from graffiti-ing my mom’s womb as a fetus to the atrocities I do now, I’ve always been drawing.  Originally, I did not intend to get into animation; I was interested in Continue reading