artist self portrait
You can listen to the interview HERE.
I recently interviewed Oregonian illustrator, animator, and director Ward Jenkins. Ward has worked on both coasts, from Primal Screen to LAIKA House.
Written By is a magazine published by the Writers Guild of America West. The Summer 2008 issue just came out and the theme is “Age of Animation”. The Cartoon Cover boy is Matt Groening, and you can read an except of his interview here. (One interesting tidbit that I didn’t know is that Bart’s name came from a bad novel that Groening wrote in high school. Bartholemew Simpson was the narrator who was “haunted by the fact that he looked like a beaver.”)
The issue is well worth purchasing: it includes interviews with Seth McFarlane (by Family Guy showrunner, David A. Goodman) and Brad Bird, an opinion piece by Mark Evanier, excerpts from unproduced animation scripts., and of course coverage of the history and present state of animation union organizing (by both the WGA and local 839). [Read more…]
Animation Mentor has posted a recent webinar with Carlos Baena, on the topic of how to make a great demo reel. While you first and foremost need to be talented, this guide also makes helpful suggestions for presenting your work, demo reel etiquette, and how to help you stand out from every other demo reel. Of course, if everyone watches the webinar and does the same thing, then you’re still stuck trying to stand out from everyone else, but you get the idea.
