The Oatley Academy of Visual Storytelling

Extended Interview: Jason Brubaker :: Dreamworks Visual Development Artist & Creator Of “reMIND” (Part 2)

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In part one of this interview, my good friend Jason Brubaker and I discussed his first big break, midlife crises, the brevity of life and the desire to create work with meaning.

Now, in part 2, he tells the story of his unexpected success at DreamWorks Animation and provides fresh perspective on the power of persistence.

This Extended Interview Includes 12 Minutes Of Extra Audio:

  • Jason’s secret to completing projects.
  • How his construction job motivated him to pursue his career in art.
  • Jason regales his various car mishaps as he worked freelance all over California.
  • We realize how fast of a storyboard artist Jason really is!
  • Personal projects only happen when…

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Extended Interview: Jason Brubaker :: Dreamworks Visual Development Artist & Creator Of “reMIND” (Part 1)

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My friend Jason Brubaker has achieved impressive success in both the mainstream entertainment industry and as an independent creator.

He held a coveted Visual Development position at DreamWorks Feature Animation, broke Kickstarter records with his original graphic novel reMIND and now makes his living entirely from personal projects.

This Extended Interview Includes Half An Hour Of Extra Audio:

  • The consequences of getting too attached to your work.
  • How Jason’s early influences informed his art at Dreamworks.
  • How John K’s failure led to the birth of Ren & Stimpy.
  • Jason’s obsession with weird cartoon cats.
  • The Moose-Bird.
  • Jason’s first impression of The Matrix script (before it was cool).
  • Chris and Jason’s earliest memories.

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Visual Development Portfolios: Original Or Reimagined Story? (Part 1) :: EAJ #1

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The term “Visual Development” is typically associated with the animation industry.

…but whether you’re a visual development artist, concept artist, illustrator, comics or children’s book creator, your job is to develop stories visually.

…and one of the best ways to demonstrate that you can develop a story visually is to… …well, um… Develop a story visually!

Most aspiring Visual Development Artists base their portfolios on fairy tales or popular novels.

…but would it be better to write your own original story and develop that?

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DELETED SCENE: The Power Of A Focused Concept Art Portfolio :: With Paul Scott Canavan

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Being a concept artist is like being a five-year-old kid. You need to constantly be asking ‘Why?’

– Paul Scott Canavan

Paul Scott Canavan, Lead Concept Artist for Blazing Griffin, talks about how to know when you’re “good enough” to get hired as a concept artist.

Inspiring Highlights:

  • A common (but often invisible) barrier to becoming a “hirable” concept artist.
  • A surprisingly effective way to track your artistic growth.
  • How to check your art for clarity.
  • The value of a focused portfolio.
  • The cost of pursuing too many goals at once.

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Extended Interview: Jenn Ely :: The Winding Road To Laika (Part 2)

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In part one, Jenn Ely regaled us with tales of alligators, emu burgers and art school…

Now, Jenn talks about her time at The Savannah College Of Art & Design (SCAD) as well as her mentorship with Dreamworks Production Designer Kathy Altieri.

…but most of the episode is, as promised, about her time at Laika.

This Extended Interview Contains Almost Half An Hour Of Extra Audio:

  • What drew Jenn to animated film rather than games.
  • How she connected with OA and Visual Development..
  • Jenn explains her need for a mentor who would not hold back..
  • It’s important to recognize the roadblocks, not just the “good parts.”.
  • Look for people who understand you and want to invest in you.
  • Is your fear bigger than your desire?
  • Consider what others need from you, rather than what they can do for you.
  • Jenn gives detail of the creative process she experienced at Laika.
  • Life comes full circle as she joins OA to teach!

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Extended Interview: Jenn Ely :: The Winding Road To Laika (Part 1)

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Like the design of the world of The BoxTrolls, Jenn Ely‘s life is full of quirky twists and turns.

With stories like these, it’s no wonder she eventually got a job at Laika.

This Extended Interview Contains Almost One Hour Of Extra Audio:

  • More memories from the Emu farm.
  • Chris and Jenn’s tell stories of their weirdest and most ridiculously ambitious childhood art projects.
  • How Jenn transcended the discouragement from a bad teacher with the help of a good one.
  • How Jenn found sweet salvation in the world of illustration.
  • How Jenn created her own concept art curriculum at SCAD.
  • More ranting about the pointlessness of degrees.
  • How collaboration is vital to good Commercial Art.
  • Showing your artistic process within the art itself.
  • Why commercial viability is not always a compromise.

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Connect With Us:

Whether you’re pursuing concept art, illustration, character design, storyboarding, comics, animation or children’s books, The Oatley Academy will help you become a professional Visual Storyteller. Please reach out! We would love to connect with you.