The Oatley Academy of Visual Storytelling

EXTENDED INTERVIEWS:

Enjoy hour-after-hour of extended interviews and deleted scenes featuring some of our favorite podcast guests. You'll also get early access to most of the new podcast episodes we release.

Extended Interview: Animation Layout & Visual Development Artist, John Nevarez

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In the podcast version of our interview with John Nevarez (Disney, Sony, Illumination, Pixar) he gave us a masterclass in gesture drawing technique and shared his secret to staying sane in this crazy business.

This Extended Interview Includes Over 50 Minutes Of Extra Audio:

  • When is a painting finished?
  • John’s creative influences.
  • Math as the “safer” career path.
  • Seizing opportunities.
  • When you’re afraid to pursue your dreams…
  • Outsourcing and the future of the animation industry.
  • Versatility.
  • Giving life to your drawings.
  • Why and how John left Pixar to be a full-time freelancer…

[Read more…]

Extended Interview: Creature Designer & Fantasy Illustrator Brynn Metheney

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Brynn Metheney puts the “dragons” in Dungeons & Dragons.

While many of her animals come from imaginary worlds, they look like they could exist in this one…

In part one of the podcast version of this interview, we talked about Brynn’s childhood in the desert, how her father’s job as an engineer helped her understand creature design, and how she makes her animals feel so real…

In part two, Brynn shared some nitty gritty drawing tips and practical ways to improve when your artistic growth seems slow.

This Extended Interview Includes Over 40 Minutes Of Extra Audio:

  • Drawing the human skull.
  • Horses!
  • Stylized animal anatomy in 101 Dalmatians.
  • Perfectionism & Introversion.
  • Being bullied as a kid.
  • Coping with social anxiety.
  • Why artists shouldn’t sacrifice sleep and food.
  • Creating an ideal home studio.
  • When artists take themselves too seriously.

[Read more…]

Extended Interview: ‘Korra’ and ‘Dreamworks’ Artist, Frederic William Stewart

BSP-FredStewartExtended-PostArt-1280Frederic William Stewart was the first Background Painter on Nickelodeon’s epic animated series The Legend of Korra and today he holds a coveted role as a Dreamworks Visual Development Artist.

In the podcast version of this interview, we talked about the early days on Korra, pushing the limits of digital media and why a diversity of influences will make your work stand out…

This Extended Interview Includes Over 20 Minutes Of Extra Audio:

  • The challenges Fred faced while working on Korra.
  • Tracing Lion King off the TV.
  • Jim Henson, Mister Rogers, and the beauty of stubborn optimism.
  • Sensory overload is an inspiration killer.
  • Being nerds in high school.
  • Why Fred ditched mechanical engineering to pursue art.
  • Learning art at the Shrunken Head Man Club.
  • The secret convenience of Voodoo dolls.

[Read more…]

Extended Interview: Novelist/ Screenwriter Abbey Cleland

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In our two-part interview for The Paper Wings Show, Abbey Cleland talked about the crazy way she made a career as a freelance writer.

She also shared some mind-blowing writing advice like:

  • Why you should think of your a novel as a house, your screenplay as a room, and your short story as a window.
  • How to work in Hollywood while living somewhere you actually like.
  • Why we should be “fiercely specific” in our pitches.
  • And how bad ideas can help you break through writer’s block.

In this extended interview – which features over 40 minutes of extra audio – you’ll hear even more surprising writing advice and some hilarious personal stories…

[Read more…]

Extended Interview: Armand Serrano (Part 2)

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In part one we heard the story of Armand’s long road to success in the animation industry…

Now, the conversation with Armand gets spiritual as we discuss “pure creativity,” the role of Armand’s faith in his career and creative process and how many aspiring artists are working backwards…

The conversation then spins around 180 degrees to focus on technique and workflow.

Jose-Luis Segura joins me as guest co-host.

This Extended Interview Contains 20 Minutes Of Extra Audio:

  • How Armand overcame his doubts about fitting into the animation industry.
  • How Armand got his job on Surf’s Up.
  • Being brave enough to let go of opportunities that don’t suit your path.
  • What would your career look like in an alternate reality?
  • Armand’s return to Disney and his reunion with Paul Felix.

[Read more…]

Extended Interview: Armand Serrano (Part 1)

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Armand Serrano‘s inventive compositions, visceral line work and story-rich environment designs have made him a living legend in the animation industry.

From humble beginnings as an illustrator for a telegram company, to creating iconic layouts for classics such as Disney’s Mulan, Tarzan, Lilo & Stitch, Big Hero 6 (and numerous other varying films and productions), Armand has a wealth of experience and knowledge to share.

This Extended Interview Contains 8 Minutes Of Extra Audio:

  • Armand’s lifelong determination.
  • How the amazing Paul Felix helped Armand break-in.
  • How Armand’s math and engineering background informs his art.
  • Would you move to the other side of the earth to pursue your dreams?

[Read more…]

Extended Interview: Jason Brubaker :: Dreamworks Visual Development Artist & Creator Of “reMIND” (Part 3)

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In the first two parts, Jason Brubaker told us the story of his unexpected success at DreamWorks Animation and provided fresh perspective on the power of persistence.

Now, in part three, we discuss his career-defining graphic novel reMIND, his record-breaking Kickstarter campaigns and the broad appeal of deeply personal work…

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

  • Jason explains the origins of his comic ReMind.
  • His list of “things comics should do,” but he didn’t see happening.
  • Jason’s transition from B&W to color.
  • He discusses his strengths and weaknesses in art vs. writing.
  • Jason explores his experience with Kickstarter, Patreon, and WebToons.
  • The financial pressures of doing an independent comic and how he navigated that.
  • How Jason’s faith drives him forward in making comics.
  • The soul search and evolution of his reasons for creating art.

[Read more…]

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…

[Read more…]

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.

[Read more…]

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.