Yeah, I Interview Animators- here’s my latest Q&A w/ Tousek and Roy

Fantasmagorie, by Émile Cohl. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Everyone remembers the first cartoon they loved, or the animated film that they watched again… and again… and again. The Jetson’s sucked me into the world of animation, combining my fascination of future technologies with vibrant characters that hit much closer to home.

That’s why animators arguably contribute more joy to our world than most… and they do it for a living! Whether it’s a classic like Bambi, a Hannah-Barbera toon or the latest Pixar feature, animation has permanence that resonates with everyone. It fills our collective consciousness, giving us so many memories that bring laughter, comfort and amazement.

And unlike sport-drink guzzling athletes, toy dog-toting actresses or whoever else you might be tempted to put on that pedestal, the guys (and gals!) that bring us animation do it with the most humility you’ll be hard pressed to find elsewhere (for the most part). They’ve got a healthy grasp on the world and where they fit into it… if they didn’t, they couldn’t create the narratives that fill us with emotion, much less believable characters that compel us to watch.

I recently caught up with two animators, Czech 3D artist David Tousek and LA-based Kenny Roy, for a mean double Q&A. Both of these guys, like most of their brethren, are pretty cool cats to begin with. Despite balancing their own crazy production schedules, they find time to teach a new crop of emerging artists at ANOMALIA, a workshop that Tousek co-founded. What goes around, comes around! Check out my Q&A with Tousek and Roy on AnimationCareerReview. And drop me a line here or on Twitter w/ your all-time favorite animations.

A Day in the Life of a Pixar Animator: Q&A with Chris Chua

“How can I become a Pixar animator?” Those seven little words comprise one of the most commonly fielded questions at Pixar HQ. To be sure, they can be heard well beyond, mumbled from children’s lips in the theater to the hallways of college animation departments. While computer skills may be important, it’s the ability to bring life to a character that distinguishes a Pixar animator from others. And that’s no small task, as Pixar animator Chris Chua can tell you…

To read my interview with Chris Chua, visit this link on AnimationCareerReview.com.