robert st. pierre

If you've ever imagined what it would be like to help produce animated films, or if you have a curiosity about being one, please take a listen to this engaging podcast episode with Associate Producer Romney Marino as she shares her experiences as an Associate Producer and outlines potential paths you can consider if you're interested in a management career in the animation industry! There's so much helpful information she shares in this episode!

Romney is credited as an Associate Producer for Disney Jr's “TOTS” and “Goldie and Bear”, Apple TV+ “Wolfboy and the Everything Factory”, “Mulligan” for Netflix. And she’s currently the Associate Producer for a Bento Box Studio special.
She has worked for world renowned studios including Pixar, DreamWorks Animation, Sony Pictures Animation and Sony Pictures Imageworks, Warner Brothers Animation, and Titmouse and Bento Box for their television series She's also a member of the Producers Guild,  a long standing member of Women in Animation and ASIFA.

Romney is a graduate of California State University Long Beach with a Bachelor’s of Art degree in Graphic Design and has advanced her studies through UCLA's Professional Program in Producing.

You can see a detailed list of Romney’s film projects through her IMDB site. Please be sure to check out the amazing films she's worked on.
 https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1599236/

Are you, or do you know anyone interested in breaking into the animation, game or entertainment industries? Securing an internship may well be the single most important link that can connect you to, and launch you into a lifelong career in animation... or any industry. They're really just that critical.

Come listen to this recent podcast Internships in Animation on AnimationU and become better informed on what an internship is, why you need to land one, and learn about valuable tips and tricks that can better assist you in securing one for yourself, from our guest Clarissa Corral.

Clarissa recently completed an internship as an artist intern at Warner Brothers Feature Animation on their unreleased project “Bye Bye Bunny”, and she was also a mentee with Netflix Animation Foundations as well as Women in Animation.

She studied at California Stated University Northridge where she recently received her BFA degree in Art with an emphasis on Animation. Congratulations Clarissa!!

If you're looking to hire an up and coming talent, or just interested in checking out Clarissa’s portfolio work, here's a link to her website and social media accounts: https://clarissacorral4.wixsite.com/clarissacorral and Instagram and Twitter @orange_eraser.

Have you ever been mesmerized by the background paintings that provide a stage for your favorite animation to come to life? Check out this engaging AnimationU episode that focuses on Background Painting with Andy Clark as he shares his thoughts and provides valuable insight and tips for anyone who has ever dared to imagine having a career as a background painter in the 2D animation industry.

Andy is a graduate of the prestigious Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California majoring in illustration with a minor in fine art and has since earned a reputation as a Background Painter, Visual Development Artist and an Art Director working for world renowned studios including Nickelodeon, Warner Bros., Fox Animation, Paramount Pictures, Disney TV, DreamWorks Television, Cartoon Network, HBO/ Max, Bento Box, Shadow Machine, and Hanna-Barbera Cartoons.

Andy’s multiple film credits include Fabulous Furry Freak Bros, Flintstones reboot, Cosmos a Space-Time Odyssey, the Sponge Bob Series and the Sponge Bob Movie, We Bare Bears, Fired on Mars, The Great North, The Angry Beavers, Chalk Zone, and Dexterʼs Lab.

Andy was nominated for an Academy Award for his Art Direction on an episode for Sponge Bob.

Please be sure to check out Andy's amazing work at his website.
 https://www.andyclark.us

Here are some additional helpful links where you can learn more about Andy as well as a link to the Animation Local 839 website providing information on union contract and wages.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-clark-544a446/
https://animationguild.org/contracts-wages/

The right preparation when looking for your next job can make or break the deal. Camille Eden, Vice President of Recruitment, Talent Development and Outreach at Nickelodeon Animation Studio offers her expertise and insight into how you can best prepare for landing your next job. Her advice applies to all jobs and all disciplines.

In this episode of AnimationU's "Career Preparedness", you'll learn how to make yourself more attractive to potential employers and gain tips that can help increase your visibility and hire-ability in the job market. What exactly do studios and employers look for when they're looking to hire the right candidate? What can you do to help you stand out from the competition? Come listen to Camille's valuable tips and...and be sure to take notes.

Camille has worked in a variety of positions ranging from Production Management, Recruitment and Artist Management for the world's most prestigious studios including  Industrial Light & Magic, DreamWorks, Sony, Nickelodeon, Disney Animation and Framestore located in the UK.

Some of her film credits include James Bond Quantum of Solace, the Harry Potter franchise, Wreck-It Ralph, Frozen and Frozen 2, Moana, Zootopia, Sponge Bob, Star Trek Prodigy, Surf's Up, Cloudy With a Chance, and more…

Please check out these links to learn more about Camille's impressive career, and be sure to check out the other valuable links she wanted me to share with you to help you in your search for or advancement in your career in animation.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/camille-eden-54343a1/
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0249078/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm12416699/?ref_=fn_al_nm_2

Important links Camille wanted to share:
https://womeninanimation.org/
https://www.riseupanimation.org/
https://latinxinanimation.org/
https://www.vesglobal.org/

Additional important links:
https://lightboxexpo.com/
https://ctn-events.com/
https://animationguild.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/2018-Studio-List-1109.pdf
https://www.awn.com/

In this episode of AnimationU we'll explore an informative and interesting conversation with animation veteran Vic Cook as he shares his experience and provides advice for anyone interested in  Directing 2D animated films.

Vic has been nominated for multiple Emmy’s including 2 Emmy Nominations for 101 Dalmatians the series, 1 Emmy Nomination for Buzz Lightyear of Star Command and an Emmy Nomination for The Legend of Tarzan.

Vic has worked for some of the most prestigious animation studios including Disney Television Animation, Warner Bros Animation, Sony, Titmouse, Film Roman and Cartoon Network Asia, as an Executive Producer, Supervising Producer, Director, Supervising Director and long-time Storyboard Artist.

In addition to a soon-to-be-released, new Disney Junior television series "Pupstruction" Vic's list of properties he's worked on include Disney Junior’s series TOTS,  Hasbro’s Stretch Armstrong and The Flex Fighters, the Spectacular Spider-Man, Scooby-Doo Mystery Incorporated, Lilo and Stitch, Buzz Lightyear of Star Command, 101 Dalmatians, Darkwing Duck, Gargoyles and Aladdin, and Return to Neverland starring Robin Williams and Walter Cronkite, which is part of the animation exhibit at Disneyland’s California Adventure.

Please check out these links to learn more about Vic Cook:
https://twitter.com/Victor_Cook1
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0177328/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/victor-cook-9148873?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F
https://www.comicsonline.com/2018/04/comicsonline-exclusive-the-spectacular-spider-man-10th-anniversary-reunion-interviews/
https://collider.com/stretch-armstrong-netflix-series-vic-cook-interview/
https://www.overlyanimated.com/2019/02/03/50-years-of-scooby-an-interview-with-victor-cook/

Iconic and memorable cartoon characters have touched most of us at some point in our lives. Adam Dix specializes in creating engaging and iconic characters that many of you are likely familiar with.

This weeks episode of AnimationU explores the role of a character designer. In addition to educating us on what a character designers role is, Adam dives deep into the psychology that goes into creating iconic and beautifully designed characters for film.

Adam studied at the Academy of Art San Francisco. He is a character design lead, character designer, prop and EFX designer as well as a character design instructor at Art Center College of Design and Los Angeles Academy of Figurative Arts.

Adam’s extensive list of studio experience includes Walt Disney TVA, DreamWorks Television,  Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, Warner Brothers, Wild Canary, Bento Box, Netflix, Big Idea Studios and others. Some of his projects include Cup Head, Central Park, Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Boss Baby, Sofia the First, and others.

Be sure to take the time to check out and explore Adams work and teaching through these links:
Website: https://adambdix.wixsite.com/adamdix
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adamdix/?hl=en
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-dix-96b7a922/
Art Center: https://www.artcenter.edu/about/get-to-know-artcenter/people/detail.html?accdID=0300194
Los Angeles Academy of Art: https://laafa.edu/adam-dix/

How does a student, or artist, successfully make the transition to work in one of animation's most world-renowned studios? It's the one question that's at the top of every student's or artist's mind when they're looking to find employment in animation. Jiyoung Choi, a recent CSUN graduate who successfully made the transition to work for DreamWorks studios, shares her journey and experience with you and offers tips that you can consider getting your own foot in the door.

Jiyoung is a visual development artist who has worked on TrollsTopia, Abominable and the Invisible City, and she’s currently working on an unannounced 2D DreamWorks show that’s in production.

You can check out Jiyoung's work through this links:

Jiyoung's website: https://www.jiyoung-choi.com
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm14403894/?ref_=fn_al_nm_3
Abominable and the Invisible City trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecSb3wMUPEQ
TrollsTopia trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPGeeh_oPhQ

If you've ever had a wondering about what it would be like to work on feature films as an film editor Lisa Linder Silver is here to provide a glimpse into this exciting career.  She has worked on award winning projects for iconic studios such as Disney, DreamWorks, Nickelodeon, Netflix, Hasbro and Apple TV, on beloved films including Emperor’s New Groove, Mulan II, Cinderella 3: A twist In Time, Tinkerbell and the Great Fairy Rescue, Winnie the Pooh, Paperman and the Tangled Ever After shorts. Lisa has also edited on Duck Duck Goose, A-Bomb-In-Able, My Little Pony: A New Generation, Snoopy Presents: For Auld Lang Syne and To Mom (and Dad) with Love, and she’s currently editing on an unannounced feature in the SpongeBob Universe.

Lisa offers valuable insight into her career and offers tips to anyone who has an interest in pursuing a career as a feature film editor.

Visit these links to learn more about Lisa's impressive career
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisasilvereditor/
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0511724/

Have you ever had an idea for a show that you wanted to pitch to an animation studio? Come take a listen to Rudi Bloss share tips and advice on how to pitch a show to studio development teams.

Rudi is an experienced industry artist who has pitched multiple shows to the studios. In addition to a show pitcher, Rudi is a show-runner, content creator, writer, supervisor, director, storyboard artist, Feature 2D and 3D animator, character designer and a lay-out artist.

He has worked internationally and domestically for iconic studios including Amblimation, Dream Works, Disney Paris, George Lucas's Industrial Light and Magic, Sony, Disney TV Animation, Warner Brothers, Nickelodeon, and Paramount Pictures.

Some of his film credits include "The Goofy Movie", "An American Tail", "We're Back", "Star Wars Episode1", Shrek2", "The Polar Express", "The Mummy", "The Mummy Returns", "The Proud Family", "DC Super Hero Girls", "The Penguins of Madagascar (TV-series)", "Fairly Odd Parents", "TUFF Puppy", "Lionguard",  and "Penn Zero"

Rudi is the recipient of several awards for his personal project "The Moving Pyramid" which was awarded for "Best Animated Short film in the "LA International Short Film Festival 2001, and "Hairy Scary" which received the award for best animated TV Series in the Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film.

You can find links to Rudi's work here:
Website: rudibloss.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rudibloss
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@RudiBloss
https://www.youtube.com/@worldofbloss4595
Article:
https://www.usms.org/fitness-and-training/articles-and-videos/articles/rudi-blosss-dreams-come-true-at-disney

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If you're curious to know what animation beat boards and pitch bibles are, which were discussed in this episode, check out these helpful Google page links:

Beat Boards:
https://www.google.com/search?q=Animation+beat+boards&client=firefox-b-1-d&sxsrf=APwXEdeClyq9pzstUOwVm-Ep9Vz8xwMgPw:1680197810988&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjUn7TNmIT-AhXTPkQIHco8BQYQ0pQJegQIBRAC&biw=1184&bih=668&dpr=1.33
Pitch Bibles:
https://www.google.com/search?q=Animation+Pitch+Bibles&client=firefox-b-1-d&sxsrf=APwXEddgEiuocAKZf5aWAaNULaa5d2i7Yg:1680197827008&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiYiYbVmIT-AhWOC0QIHR2LB4QQ0pQJegQIBhAC&biw=1184&bih=668&dpr=1.33#imgrc=uuU88H2LPgfEmM

This episode spotlights Game Design and VFX with our special guest Caleb Owens. Learn about these unique and dynamic roles and get some tips that can help guide you down a path to an exciting career in this amazing industry

Caleb is an accomplished  Visual Effects artist, Post-Vis animator, Compositor, Modeler, Lead digital artist and supervisor on film, television and video game projects. His impressive studio list includes Sony Imageworks, Digital Domain, Disney’s Dream Quest Images, and many more. His most recent projects include the Law & Order: SVU & Organized Crime series, Amazon’s The Underground Railroad, Netflix’s Extraction, The Greatest Showman, RoboCop, The Twilight Saga, Footloose, Extraordinary Measures, G.I.Joe, Inglorious Bastards, and dozens more.

Caleb earned his Bachelors of Fine Arts degree in animation and Illustration from Florida Atlantic University followed by his graduate studies in CG Animation at FAU. He’s also a college professor at California State University Northridge.


To learn more about Caleb and his work, please be sure to check out these links:

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1720984/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/caleb-owens-csun/
https://www.csun.edu/mike-curb-arts-media-communication/art/caleb-owens
http://crocustoms.com/

Nancy Ulene is an accomplished industry veteran in the filed of animation.  She has served in the industry in positions as an Art Director, Co-Art Director, Lead Color Designer, Visual Color Artist, Lecturer and Adjunct University Professor. Nancy is also a Life Coach and a two-time Cancer survivor.

Her experience in the industry is impressive having worked for world renowned studios including Walt Disney TV Animation, Disney Toon Studios, Netflix Animation, Warner Bros. TV Animation, Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, Dream Works TV Animation, 6 Point Harness, Sony TV Animation, Film Roman, DIC, Hanna-Barbera  and more…

Her film credits include the soon to be released Merry Little Batman, HBO's Harley Quinn, Bugs Bunny Builders, the Phineas and Ferb franchise, Woody Woodpecker Shorts, We Bare Bears, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, the Lion King, and Lady & The Tramp DVD's, and so many more…

Please check out these links where you can learn more about Nancy's extensive career:

https://www.nancyuleneart.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancy-ulene-1120905/
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1983732/

Christophe Vacher is a two-time Emmy Award winning artist for his work on Transformers. He is a highly accomplished Art Director, Background Painter, Layout Artist, and Visual Development Artist having worked for mega studios including Walt Disney, DreamWorks, Illumination Animation, Focus Features and more.

Some of his film projects include Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous, Transformers Prime, Enchanted, Treasure Planet, Fantasia 2000, Dinosaur, Tarzan, and The Hunchback Of Notre-Dame.

You can find links to his work and website here:
https://www.artstation.com/cvacher
https://www.vacherartspace.com
https://www.billwylandgalleries.com/artist/christophe-vacher

And a link to his published book can be found here:
https://www.amazon.com/Shadows-Dreams-Art-Christophe-Vacher/dp/0988901803

Nancy Beiman is a career animator, professor and published author with an incredibly rich animation background. She has worked domestically and internationally for some of the worlds most recognized and iconic animation studios. Throughout her impressive career experience she's worked beside animation giants and on many of the animated films you've all come to know and love.

Please join us as you listen to Nancy share her experiences, her observations about the industry and the helpful tips she offers to anyone interested in pursuing a lifelong career in animation.

You can learn more about Nancy by visiting these important links:

Website: https://nancybeiman.com/
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0067227/
AWN Articles: https://www.awn.com/users/nancy-beiman

This episode will explore what a background designer is in the field of animation. In addition to learning what they do, we'll teach you about the kind of drawing and design skills that you'll need to be a  professional artist designing backgrounds for animation studios, we'll touch on education, and we'll also share with you the salaries and benefits you can expect to receive as a studio artist.

AnimationU is a weekly podcast where we talk about the exciting animation industry. Each episode will address a variety of topics including detailed analysis of the different jobs and responsibilities of those employed in the studios, and we’ll share insider information on the steps you should take to help start your own career in this highly rewarding, fascinating field. If you’re curious about animation and the people who create your favorite shows or if you’ve often wondered what it would take to land a job at a studio this podcast, and AnimationU, is what you’ve been searching for.