If you would like to meet Bucky Smiles and listen to him pitch “A Great Deal on your next animation project…” Animotion has provided the link below:

http://www.animotioninc.com/Bucky_Deal_TV_2.html

Here is a link to the aforementioned YouTube Channel for those who not Flash enabled:

http://www.youtube.com/user/AnimotionInc/featured

And if you like, there are other opportunities to interact with Bucky Smiles on Animotion’s Website.

What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?
 I worked at a shop called “Too Cool”, where we sold Korean knockoffs of anime toys and really cheap candy. Then an antique store.

What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?
 Teaming up with the folks at Yo Gabba Gabba! And helping develop some pilots at Disney TV Animation.

How did you become interested in animation?
Trying to make my own cartoons during class in the 6th grade, using a stack of 500 index cards or post it notes to make flip books about little karate people fighting each other.

Where are you from and how did you get into the animation business?
 I’m from Chicago. I got into the animation business by having a website and making chit chat with other friendly folks online.

What’s a typical day like for you with regards to your job?
Wake up early, work on comics all day. Break for grilled cheese.

What part of your job do you like best? Why?
Creative problem solving and prep planning is very soothing.

What part of your job do you like least? Why?
Clicking refresh in my inbox every 20 seconds.

What kind of technology do you work with on a daily basis?
A 5 year old lap top and a tablet that’s ready to electrocute me. I keep it humble.

What is the most difficult part for you about being in the business?
Living in the mid west.

In your travels, have you had any brushes with animation greatness?
I met a robot once who works in animation. I wish I could say his name, but he wants to keep it a secret!!

Describe a tough situation you had in life.
Having to share French fries.

Any side projects or you’re working on that you’d like to share details of?
I’m currently working on several comics. Called “Big Cheese Club”, “Lucha Lizards”, and “Go Go Hero!”. All should be out later this year.

Any unusual talents or hobbies like tying a cherry stem with your tongue or metallurgy?
I have the ability to worry about anything!

Is there any advice you can give for an aspiring animation student or artist trying to break into the business?
Draw until your mitts fall off.

http://www.eliohouse.com

What is your name and your current occupation?
My name is Rob Feldman and I am a designer and animator of several web series along with working for Fangoria Entertainment.

How did you become interested in animation?
It was really by default.  In 2000, I had a comic book version of Dr. Shroud and friends turned me onto Flash.  I was addicted (and still am).  I am not formally trained in animation—I found it to be a tool to get an idea across.

 
Where are you from and how did you get into the animation business?
I’m originally from Central New Jersey and now living in Doylestown, PA.  The dot com era was a huge way to get into animation and promote your own work.  I saw it as a huge vehicle to gain fans and traction for my properties.  This is even truer today with the Youtube generation, only the competition is much more fierce.

 
What’s a typical day like for you with regards to your job?
I started out with a big bottle of champagne, ala Larry Hagman.  I then talk non-stop about myself to people around me as I drive my Segue around town.  Haha!  I suppose it’s like everyone else—drink coffee, answer> emails, complain a lot and then start working.  But once I start working, it’s hard to stop.  Maybe that’s the big difference.

Click here to view the embedded video.

 
What part of your job do you like least? Why?
Well, I would say deadlines, but I actually like a good deadline.  I’d say waiting for checks—for obvious reasons.  Aside from that, slow computers are a big pain in my ass.

 
What kind of technology do you work with on a daily basis?
I use the full Adobe Creative Suite a PC.  Being a Flash guy, Flash is my weapon of choice. I have a kick ass Wacom tablet (no, not a Cintiq, gloaters!) that is invaluable.

What is the most difficult part for you about being in the business?
Waiting!  Getting people to cough up money for a project: right now getting the remaining financing for a feature and trying to sell another optioned property.  The rate that people move is very slow unless there is a complete sense of urgency.  I find that coming from the indie world, waiting is not a factor as I can make it fast and good.  So right now my focus is on doing that, those things that are within my control.

 
In your travels, have you had any brushes with animation greatness?
Oh yes!  Too many to name, but my favorite was when I met Stan Lee in a completely random chance meeting on my way to Comic-Con.  I know he may not be “an animation great”, but it did it for me.

 
Describe a tough situation you had in life.
How much time do we have?  I tend to look differently at those in that they were there to teach me something.  I’d say toughest was when my father died in 2007.  He was a good guy, miss him a lot.

Any side projects or you’re working on or hobbies you’d like to share details of?
I always have something going, but my favorite, in addition to new episodes of Dr. Shroud, is this social media game I am proud to be a part of.  They asked me to develop a zombie theme and I created Man-Ghoul, a mafia zombie character that is man by day, ghoul by night!  I also have this new Dr. Shroud Flash drive that is pretty cool…

Any unusual talents or hobbies like tying a cherry stem with your tongue or metallurgy?
Again, how much time do we have?  Haha!  Yes, I can juggle (not a big feat), ride a unicycle (not bs’ing) and sing in a classic radio, barbershop-like style.  All of these are skills that I would say are pretty embarrassing.  So no….I don’t have any unusual talents or skills.  Ha!

 
Is there any advice you can give for an aspiring animation student or artist trying to break into the business?
Yes, do your own thing.  Now is the time to do it, there is no reason to wait for a deal to get your work out there.  If you are interested in service work and not creating new ideas, go work for someone. But if you want to make your own stuff, go indie and put it out there.  There is no difference as long as it is good and the technology is there to do it.  If people like it, you’ll know.  If they hate it, you’ll know that too.  But don’t wait for someone else—the tools are all right in front of you.

http://www.drshroud.com

http://www.cykoko.com

Shinichi Watanabe (aka “Nabeshin”) is known to anime fans as a larger-than-life, iconic figure with an outrageous sense of humor. He directed the comedy anime series Excel Saga, Nerima Daikon Brothers, and Puni Puni Poemy, which feature frenetic pacing and appearances by his animated alter ego, a mysterious, recurring character with an afro and distinctive outfit who is tangential to the story. Nabeshin has also served as series director for The Wallflower and Tenchi Muyo! GXP, and he can be found in these series as well, in cameo or supporting roles.

Nabeshin has been quoted as saying that he places great importance in making viewers laugh. Stating that he values laughter as much as tears, his preference is to motivate viewers to have fun and enjoy a show. He reasons that his success stems from provoking the same, strong emotional investment—in a humorous way—as a traditional, sentimental story does.

Nabeshin has also written lyrics for the opening songs of Excel Saga and Tenchi Muyo! GXP, and has served as storyboarder and episode director for a variety of other anime series.

Nabeshin will be doing numerous panels at the convention, including “Q&A with Nabeshin’s Afro,” a couple 18+ panels, and more!

Shinichi Watanabe / Nabeshin joins numerous other stars at this midwest anime convention. Previously announced stars include the English cast of Panty & Stocking, Jamie Marchi (Panty), Ian Sinclair (Chuck), and Joel McDonald (Brief), in addition to LittleKuriboh of Yu-Gi-Oh abridged. The convention also features performances by the sensational Random aka MegaRan, The Pillowcases, V is for Villains, FanService Renji, and the Level Boys. All the convention’s guests will be available in various panels, interview sesions, Q&A sessions, and more. The complete guest list can be found online athttp://animemidwest.com/guests

There will be over 60 different events packed into one weekend at Anime Midwest. Featured special events at Anime Midwest include a cosplay masquerade contest, anime screenings, autographs, fan panels, workshops, a date auction, a formal dance, and two rave dances in addition to many other events.

Anime Midwest will be held July 6-8, 2012, at the Wyndham Hotel & Convention Center in Lisle, Illinois, about twenty minutes from downtown Chicago. Anime fans can get rooms for the convention online at http://animemidwest.com/location for only $99.99 per night. Weekend registration is online for only $30 until June 10th, or $35 at the door for a weekend pass. Online registration can be found at http://animemidwest.com/register

Registration for the convention includes unlimited free Mt. Dew and Pepsi products all weekend for all attendees.

More information about Anime Midwest’s events, guests, and more, can be found athttp://animemidwest.com

###

Contact Name: Molly Blue
Contact Email: molly@animemidwest.com

Event dates: July 6-8, 2012
Expected attendance: 2,000+
Cost: $30 weekend pass

What is your name and your current occupation?
I’m Jez Hall and I’m currently series director on Fleabag Monkeyface.

What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?
I haven’t really had any proper jobs, let alone crazy….. I was an illegal wine waiter once. Illegal as in I was only 16. I wasn’t some kind on Pinot Grigio gangster. Drive by cork popping… I then drew comics before getting in to animation.  Animation is crazier than pouring wine.

What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?
Theres lots. I’ve been doing it over twenty years so it would be a big list. The list of projects I’m not proud of would be way bigger.

How did you become interested in animation?
People paid me money.

Where are you from and how did you get into the animation business?
Im from a small town in the countryside in the UK. I live and work in Manchester. I was freelancing comic and illustration work and I saw an ad in a magazine called Creative Review. For work as a story artist at Cosgrove Hall of Danger Mouse fame. I had no idea what it was to be a storyboard artist. I got the job anyway and worked with my animation hero Vincent James as his assistant. It was a shock, from drawing 5 pages a week of comics to 30 pages a day as a story artist.

 
What’s a typical day like for you with regards to your job?
Coffee first. It takes me an hour to get to the studio. I check email and spend the day talking to people, typing, doodling in meetings and drawing. I share an office assistant director Mr Chris Wayles. We ho and hum our way through the day then have a yawning race late afternoon. Chris usually wins. That boy can yawn!  Through production the work changes. From thumbnailing boards for our board team at Cartoon Saloon in Ireland, to Colour keys for the design team. Later it morphs into lots note making. Notes on blocking, animation, render….music. We are at the back end of the show now so its mostly picking up render issues for the last shows and audio stuff. Music and Sound effects.

 
What part of your job do you like best? Why?
The drawing part. and talking. Getting the latest render through can be a thrill. Or not.

 
What part of your job do you like least? Why?
My work PC. Its rubbish! I want a new one! Also typing into excel trackers. ExHELL!

 
What kind of technology do you work with on a daily basis?
A computer and a telephone. A motor vehicle also.

 
What is the most difficult part for you about being in the business?
If Im freelancing its clients and money. Mostly getting clients to give me money. If I’m directing, it’s communicating what you want to an overseas studio.

 
In your travels, have you had any brushes with animation greatness?
As in someone famous I’ve met? Are animators famous even? I’ve worked with a few very respected people. Mostly its was great. Once or twice it wasn’t. Some people actually did think they were famous. If my mum never heard of them they aren’t. Thats my gauge.

Describe a tough situation you had in life.
Work related, I’d say almost really starving was tough. I had a couple of potatoes to eat and no money. I lived in a roof in Leeds when I was a young chap starting out. I did illustration work and comics. It didn’t pay too well. Not enough to sustain a young mans lifestyle anyway. Thanksfully my girlfriend came back early from a holiday. She had a normal job. We had pizza and beer. Obviously I married her.

Any side projects or you’re working on or hobbies you’d like to share details of?
I’ve always lots of things going on. My own shows and a live action movie idea. Im also working on an in-house more serious project. I’d like to learn Z-brush but never will. I’d also like to know more cocktails off by heart.

Any unusual talents or hobbies like tying a cherry stem with your tongue or metallurgy?
Actually nothing. This is the only thing in the world I can do. Im pretty much an idiot at anything else. I play the guitar badly. Loudly and badly.

Is there any advice you can give for an aspiring animation student or artist trying to break into the business?
Draw and be great at it. Be bloody minded and hungry. You may think you want it. How bad? I hear people say how much they want to work in animation but aren’t prepared to make a sacrifice. Take a risk, go all out.

What is your name and your current occupation?
Jorden Oliwa Aka Johnny Gonzo, Freelance animator/Illustrator/comic artist.

What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?
Building scaffolds in the ashtrays of coal power plants. Managing a kitchen, cooking fulltime.

What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?
Massive Swerve/ Ren and Stimpy APC/ Mucha Lucha/ Motorcity/ Roy/ Angry Beavers/ Mission Hill.

How did you become interested in animation?
I was into comic books first and a teacher recommended that I get my drawing chops up in animation. So I enrolled at VFS in the classical animation program.

Where are you from and how did you get into the animation business?
Edmonton, Alberta and I started doing layouts on a TV show at Studio B productions on a series called ’Ned’s Newt’. My layout teacher at VFS offered me a job in the middle of my final film.

What’s a typical day like for you with regards to your job?
Wake up, coffee, fruit juice, maybe toast or a protein shake….internet, emails etc, drawing, computing, scanning, colouring, designing, thumb-nailing, prototyping, creating, and anything else, who knows, every week is different. But lots of drawing and working on my cintiq.

Click here to view the embedded video.

What part of your job do you like least? Why?
When it all gets bastardized for money.

What kind of technology do you work with on a daily basis?
Cintiq 21ux on a macbook pro, scanner, canon s-90 camera, scanner, exacto knife, ink pens, lightbox, spray paint, markers, etc…..

What is the most difficult part for you about being in the business?
Merging business with creative passion. The inconsistency of work and declining wages with the expectation of more knowledge and more responsibility. My first layout job was the best per dollar/responsibility I have had in 14 years. For a wage at a studio in the same city, now I would now be expected to supervise and teach a fresh crew how to the job as well as a quota at the same time. Oh yeah, and no benefits. In your travels, have you had any brushes with animation greatness? Robert Valley on numerous
occasions. Worked on a John Kricfalusi directed cartoon.

Describe a tough situation you had in life.
Working in the animation industry and expecting the wages to go up with the cost of living.

Any side projects or you’re working on that you’d like to share details of?
I have 2 graphic novelprojects. The Rink Rat chronicles https://vimeo.com/20039242 a slightly off-side comedy for the whole family is a story of couple of knuckleheaded friends growing up in the deep freeze of edmonton alberta playing hockey. The Rick and P-Air get jobs for the local junior team as the ‘Stick’ and ‘ Puck’ boys. PAirs 6 hockey loving sisters provide the 2 boys with plenty of entertainment and fun. We are developing it into an animated feature, with 2 drafts of the script completed and a teaser going into
animation this summer. The Sinz of a Gonzo Nation is the other project http://nodicestudios.ca/wp/?page_id=4 . It is a modern
retelling of the Labours of Hercules…instead of a greek god he is a gangster rapper. Ehch4Oh( the herculean Hip hop hero) travels the world doing the deeds of his evil producer in his quest for godhood.  Of course ever hero needs heralds, and Ehch4oh has, 12 and they are all named after the deadly sins.. Vanity is his photographer, lust his Arms dealer, Gluttony Dj/drug dealer, envy is the mechanic etc…..It’s a 2 volume graphic novel.

Any unusual talents or hobbies like tying a cherry stem with your tongue or metallurgy?
Cooking. Boring I know.

Is there any advice you can give for an aspiring animation student or artist trying to break into the business? Make your own films/shorts/ music videos, the technology is your friend you only need motivation and dedication, it will get you further and will be more rewarded than doing in-betweens for 15 years at a huge studio.

http://johnnygonzo.blogspot.com

http://www.nodicestudios.ca

http://www.youtube.com/FrankieBachvagio

http://twitter.com/joliwa

What is your name and your current occupation?
Martyn Gutteridge, animator
What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?
I used to work in a department store as a visual merchandiser so had to dress up mannequins which was a bit weird, the room where all the body parts were stored could get a bit creepy

.

What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?
Working with well know properties is always enjoyable so working on Make way for Noddy, also really enjoyed working at the BBC it was a great environment.
How did you become interested in animation?
Cartoons as a kid as well as comics led me towards art in general. I remember being strongly affected by.

the first Ghibli film I saw which was ‘Laputa Castle in the Sky’. I also remember seeing various different types of animation on a channel 4 slot called 4mations which included Nick Park’s Creature Comforts. These influences stayed with me until I started an Art and Design degree course which offered an animation course.

 
Where are you from and how did you get into the animation business?
I’m from Scotland. I studied art at Dundee and eventually joined the animation degree course there. Following on from that I interned at a studio in Glasgow which led to my first industry job.

What’s a typical day like for you with regards to your job?
My day usually consists of a couple smallish meetings or discussions about where we are in the current project, a few emails, a solid amount animation and bug fixing work and hopefully a few good games of table tennis.

 
What part of your job do you like best? Why?
Its great seeing some of you animations being applied as designed within the software we’re developing at my company.

What part of your job do you like least? Why?
There is a fair bit of bug fixing and solving technical issues with animation networks which is necessary but quite tedious.

What kind of technology do you work with on a daily basis?
I work entirely on a PC using mainly maya to generate the animations for work, occasionally I do some video editing or compositing as well.

What is the most difficult part for you about being in the business?
When I was a freelancer it could be a bit nerve wracking not knowing when the next job would come along but you got used to it. I’m lucky enough to have a full time job at the moment.

In your travels, have you had any brushes with animation greatness?
I was at a dinner with Sylvain Chomet once which was fun.

Describe a tough situation you had in life.
Starting out as an intern and having to commute between cities while holding on to a part-time job wasn’t easy but it led to a career.

Any side projects or you’re working on or hobbies you’d like to share details of?
Nothing at the moment.

Any unusual talents or hobbies like tying a cherry stem with your tongue or metallurgy?
Afraid not, although I do enjoy a spot of archery.

Is there any advice you can give for an aspiring animation student or artist trying to break into the business?
Yeah, be prepared to start out interning or working unpaid even if you have degree, unless you’ve been lucky enough to land a placement, then it is the best way to get your foot in the door and see how the industry works.

What is your name and your current occupation?
My name is Robert Valley, currently I am working as character designer on the new Tron TV series.  I also publish my own books (Massive Swerve) and make independent short films.

What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?
I have had all sorts of wonderful jobs, washing dishes, planting trees, driving taxi, I was even a licensed  realtor in Calgary Alberta for a while.

What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?
Aeon Flux, with Peter Chung, and Gorillaz, Beatles Rock band with Pete Candeland. This last Tron project with  Charlie Bean was quite a good one too.

How did you become interested in animation?
Actually I always wanted to be a comic book artist, but the nearest thing my art college was offering was animation.

Where are you from and how did you get into the animation business?
I am from Vancouver BC. As I mentioned in that last question, I just happened into the animation industry.

What’s a typical day like for you with regards to your job?
Typically I get up pretty early, I do most of my work in the mornings before other people get to work.

Click here to view the embedded video.

What kind of technology do you work with on a daily basis?
These days its all about My Cintiq and Photoshop. I still draw a bit on paper.

Click here to view the embedded video.

What is the most difficult part for you about being in the business?
Lately I have been trying to promote my own projects using my blog and facebook, I suppose I am trying to be self employed. Trying to figure out this puzzle is very difficult, I do enjoy it however.

In your travels, have you had any brushes with animation greatness?
Is there such a thing as animation greatness ?

Describe a tough situation you had in life.
Ups and downs, going broke, then making money. it never ends.

Any side projects or you’re working on that you’d like to share details of?
My 4th book, Massive Swerve Vol 4 – featuring the story “Pear Cider and Cigarettes’ which I am also developing into an animated short. All this can be seen on my website.

Any unusual talents or hobbies like tying a cherry stem with your tongue or metallurgy?
No time for stuff like that i’m afraid.

Is there any advice you can give for an aspiring animation student or artist trying to break into the business?
Damn, not really…everyone has to figure out their own thing.
www.robertvalley.com

LittleKuriboh (AKA Martin Billany) is the creator of Yu-Gi-Oh!: The Abridged series and the godfather of the abridged age. He has thus far produced no less than 52 episodes, a spinoff, a prequel, a christmas special and two movies, creating a cultural phenomenon in the anime world. In addition to playing nearly every character in his own series, he has made cameos in the Death Note, Naruto, Sonic X, Trinity Blood, Pokemon, Fullmetal Alchemist and Sailor Moon abridged series. With a mission to revitalize interest in the Yu-Gi-Oh franchise and make it more accessible to Joe Public, LittleKuriboh will continue the original abridged series providing us with priceless entertainment for many years to come. All-round nice guy and community fan-favourite, he is also associated with TeamFourStar (the group behind Dragon Ball Z Abridged, for which he also supplies voices) and has made guest appearances on comic-book video review series Atop the Fourth Wall.

LittleKuriboh joins numerous other stars at this midwest anime convention. Previously announced stars include the English cast of Panty & Stocking, Jamie Marchi (Panty, Ian Sinclair (Chuck), and Joel McDonald (Brief). The convention also features performances by the sensational Random aka MegaRan, The Pillowcases, V is for Villains, FanService Renji, and the Level Boys. All the convention’s guests will be available in various panels, interview sesions, Q&A sessions, and more. The complete guest list can be found online at http://animemidwest.com/guests

There are over 50 different events packed into one weekend at Anime Midwest. Featured special events at Anime Midwest include a cosplay masquerade contest, anime screenings, autographs, fan panels, workshops, a formal dance, two rave dances, and many many others.

Anime Midwest will be held July 6-8, 2012, at the Wyndham Hotel & Convention Center in Lisle, Illinois, about twenty minutes from downtown Chicago. Anime fans can get rooms for the convention online at http://animemidwest.com/location for only $99.99 per night. Registration is online for only $30 until June 10th, or $35 at the door for a weekend pass. Online registration can be found athttp://animemidwest.com/register

Registration for the convention includes free Mt. Dew and Pepsi products all weekend for all attendees.

More information about Anime Midwest’s events, guests, and more, can be found athttp://animemidwest.com

###

Contact Name: Molly Blue
Contact Email: molly@animemidwest.com

Event dates: July 6-8, 2012
Expected attendance: 2,000+
Cost: $30 weekend pass