 What is your name and your current occupation?
Rémi Crosasso, I’m a Storyboard Artist since 2010.
What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?
Well, I haven’t had any crazy job before animation but maybe the crazy thing is I managed to get into Architecture agency before getting into Achitecture school. So yes, Architecture drawghtsman mainly.
What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?
The TV show The Crumpets definitely. Fun, original, speed, and a total mayhem!! But I also loved working on TV show Groove High, the first show I worked on! Sorry, emotional moment… and of course proud of what I’m doing now, working and living in Finland, storyboarding on Angrybirds Stella (and an other secret project… tataaaa).
Where are you from and how did you get into the animation business?
I’m from France. After one year studying animation at Volda, Norway, I got into animation meeting Fabienne Lievant, production director, at an Animation show. She made me wait one entire year before hiring me! And here I am.
What’s a typical day like for you with regards to your job?
Coffee first, for sure. Not original but yes, coffee! When worked home alone (usually the typical way to work as Story artist), I just turn the computer and music on, mainly jazz music, and continue storyboarding from where I was the previous day. And nowadays, as I work in a company, I start with same thing, but at 12.01pm, colleagues catch me to go to eat!! Same “restaurant”, and go back to storyboard. People plays a lot with plastic gun, a story meeting here and there, and go back to town in a quiet, silent and boring Finnish bus. Sounds more like a routine than a typical day.
What part of your job do you like best? Why?
I love make the character act, move and gets feelings. I love running the story from beginning to end. It’s a creative part of animation, different staging creates different feeling. And of course, I love drawing. Recently I noticed that I also love telling story, by drawing. It’s my writing!
What part of your job do you like least? Why?
When scripts are not clear, that mean a lot of extra work for me. And when deadline are not realistic!
What kind of technology do you work with on a daily basis, how has technology changed in the last few years in your field and how has that impacted you in your job?
I started working directly with ToonBoom Storyboard pro. I didn’t had the chance (or not) to start on paper, before software gets intrusive in our life. So Technology evolves but I’m still on the same page. Recently I learned to storyboard on Photoshop, For me it’s slower to work on it than TB, but the rendering quality can be much better.
What is the most difficult part for you about being in the business?
Stay challenged. As long as I am, I grew up and progress a lot. But once I’ve reached my goal, I feel bored quite quickly.
If you could change the way the business works and is run how would you do it?
Avoid the test before being hired, and maybe have a test-period instead?
In your travels, have you had any brushes with animation greatness?
No, I haven’t, but I work everyday with a bunch of talented people who will be the next animation greatness for sure!
I met humble people who worked on some of my favorite show, like Futurama. Btw, I’m a big fan of Toby Shelton the story artist, he’s my mentor but he doesn’t know it. Yet.
Describe a tough situation you had in life.
I’m a lucky guy so. But working aboard, you have to do some sacrifices, like being far from people you use to live with. This is tough!
Any side projects you’re working on that you’d like to share details of?
Sure, I’ve started two main project since I’m the business, one is a TV series named Trapped’O’Bu and the second one is quite recent, a feature film project named Scale story for now. I’m still developing both on side. And need to pitch them!
Any unusual talents or hobbies like tying a cherry stem with your tongue or metallurgy?
Not a talent but I love extreme sensation like bungee jumping, parachute, via ferrata, everything really high giving you freedom feeling.
Is there any advice you can give for an aspiring animation student or artist trying to break into the business?
Animation is an amazing job, no doubt about that, but it takes a lot from you. So don’t forget that life is outside your computer! And Enjoy it!
