Walt Disney Studios – Animation Insider

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What is your name and your current occupation?
My name is Andrew Chesworth, and I am an animator at Walt Disney Animations Studios.

What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?
Guidebook illustrator, Subway sandwich artist, bookstore clerk, and phonathon caller for my college’s alumni office.

What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?
My favorite project I’ve ever worked on was a traditionally animated film noir short entitled Palm Springs, which was used as a festival opener and promo for the Palm Springs International ShortFest in 2010 as well as 2011. It was a perfect storm of timing, directorial autonomy, an art style I thoroughly enjoyed, getting to write playful words for remarkably distinct voice actors to speak aloud, and working with a tight-knit team of artists and friends I’d known since college and developed a very familiar rapport with. Â I would rank Disney’s Get a Horse! as another high point for me, getting to animate the iconic Ub Iwerks Mickey Mouse in classically mischievous and outlandish scenarios. Working with veterans of the industry like Lauren MacMullan, Eric Goldberg, Dale Baer, Alex Kupershmidt and Mark Henn was a really privileged and rewarding experience.Â Wreck-It Ralph will have a special place in my heart for being the first Disney feature I got to animate on. It was interesting how much that experience encapsulated my nostalgia not only for the video game characters of my childhood, but for Disney as well. A tremendous first film to work on, with a strong and clear voice from Rich Moore. Â I’m proud of every project I’ve worked on at Disney, truly. Frozen, Big Hero 6, Feast. It’s such a healthy time to be at the Disney studio. The artists are young, hungry, and full of vitality. Something is in the air there these days.

How did you become interested in animation?
I was never not interested in it, to be honest. As soon as I was old enough to comprehend what I was watching, I was hooked and attempting to draw. I will say there were Continue reading

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What is your name and your current occupation?
My name is Justin Rodrigues. Iâ€™m currently a freelance character designer and visual development artist. Some of my clients include Fisher-Price, Starburns Industries, and Wonderverse Studios.

What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?
I spent quite a few years in retail, which can be torturous. It involves long, crazy hours and some horrible customers. I managed a comic book store for a couple years, which wasnâ€™t too bad. It was cool to see that side of the industry and I got to read all the comics I wanted to for free. I also spent a year moderating chat logs for an online MMORPG. There are some pretty crazy stories I could tell about that one!

What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?
I’d have to say Iâ€™m pretty proud of the project Iâ€™m currently working on. I’ve been on it since the very beginning and I’m really happy with how it’s coming along. I’ve had a hand in a lot of different roles â€“ from character design to backgrounds to prop design, so I’m really honored to be a part of it. I can’t say much more about it just yet, but I think it will be really cool once it’s released.

Where are you from and how did you get into the animation business?
I grew up in Fresno, California. I’ve had a passion for art and drawing for as long as I can remember. I moved to Los Angeles to go to college, thinking I would try and get into the music industry of all things. I very quickly failed a calculus class and realized business wasn’t for me. I remember walking past the Continue reading