Charles Brubaker

What is your name and your current occupation?

Charles Brubaker. Currently a student.

What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?

Camp counselor at a Japanese-language camp.

What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?

I assisted Jerry Beck on that “Pink Panther” book back when I was still in high school. I liked that.
Also have an animation project, a short film that I’m hoping to finish within a year.

How did you become interested in animation?

Growing up in Japan, I watched tons of anime on TV. The only American cartoons on air at the time were Disney and the endless Charlie Brown specials. Then I moved to the ‘States and discovered Looney Tunes and other stuff. The rest is history.

Where are you from and how did you get into the animation business?

I’m from Japan but live in Tennessee now. Can’t really say I’m inside in the animation business yet, although I have contacts.

What’s a typical day like for you with regards to your job?

I recently finished the storyboard for the short film I’m working on. I worked on it on various midnights the past month.

What part of your job do you like best? Why?

I enjoyed storyboarding because that’s when you get to throw crazy ideas and see what sticks.

What part of your job do you like least? Why?

The actual animating part. Usually it’s during this part when you’re forced to reconsider some of the ideas that you thought were great.

What is the most difficult part for you about being in the business?

From what I can see keeping up with the current technology is a hassle. I’m barely literate on ToonBoom and never used Flash before, which can set me back when I try to enter fulltime.

What kind of technology do you work with on a daily basis?

For my short film I’m sticking to the old fashioned pen and paper.

In your travels, have you had any brushes with animation greatness?

I have a friend who did work at Nicktoons Studio, so in summer 2010 he gave me a tour, where I met Vincent Waller and other great guys. During my trip there I bumped into Mark Kausler and Mike Kazaleh while waiting in line at a Gene Deitch screening in downtown LA. Enjoyed their works, so it was a pleasure. I eventually met Mr. Deitch himself there, which was wonderful.

Describe a tough situation you had in life.

When you have to balance your class work and your passion side by side.

Any side projects or you’re working on or hobbies you’d like to share details of?

I love to collect cartoons on 16mm film. Mostly ’50s and ’60s stuff, although I have little bit of something from every era.

Any unusual talents or hobbies like tying a cherry stem with your tongue or metallurgy?

How many 20-somethings do you know that can run a 16mm projector?

Is there any advice you can give for an aspiring animation student or artist trying to break into the business?

I’m hoping you can tell me!

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3 Comments

  1. Love the comic strips! I especially like the abductions of the people named Steve! Very random!

  2. Thanks for this. Nice to get noticed once in a while…

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