The Oatley Academy of Visual Storytelling

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

098-099-John-Necarez-ExtendedVersionPostArtTicket-1024x576

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

jbru2-bsppromo

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)

jbru1-bsppromo

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…]

Extended Interview: Eric Canete: Animation Storyboard Artist & Co-Creator of “Run Love Kill”

eric-canete-bsppromo

Eric Canete‘s unique drawing style demonstrates layer upon layer of artistic mastery: Anatomy, character, caricature, composition, storytelling…

After 20+ years of trend-setting work in story, games and comics, his style is as distinct and intense as ever. So you might find it hard to believe that such beautiful work was once rejected by industry gatekeepers.

This Extended Interview Contains fifteen Minutes Of Extra Audio:

  • Eric describes how his art was fostered by competition.
  • The key is healthy obsession.
  • The premonitions of professionalism.
  • Moving to the U.S. with the help of James Bond.
  • The Little Mermaid was a game-changer.
  • Uncanny X-Men to Aeon Flux.
  • Eric discusses Run, Love, Kill and working with friends.
  • Three fascinating things about storyboards…

[Read more…]

Extended Interview: Aliki Grafft :: Prolific Animation Writer/Director Story Artist & Show Creator

aliki-t-grafft-bsppromo-fixed

Aliki Theofilopoulos Grafft describes her career as “failing upward.”

She broke-in during the TV animation revolution and has since accumulated numerous impressive credits including: animated series creator, director, storyboard artist, writer, emmy-nominated songwriter and voice actor.

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

  • The artistry and emotional power of cartoons.
  • How Aliki practically applied her love for cartoons.
  • Her adventures as a PA at Hanna Barbera.
  • And the rest is history? No!
  • Growing (painfully) through character design.
  • The art and heartbreak of pitching.
  • Phineas and Ferb.
  • Being a mom in animation.
  • The road maps of storytelling.

[Read more…]

DELETED SCENE: When A Character’s Emotions Get In The Way :: With Justin Copeland

BSP-DeletedScene-JustinCopeland-PostArt

As you are building your portfolio, I believe that there is a nucleus that everything is derived from … and that nucleus, to me, is the story….

– Justin Copeland

Justin Copeland (Storyboard Artist for Marvel and Warner Bros.) talks about the challenge of finding truth in a character’s performance in this deleted Q&A segment from Chris Oatley’s ArtCast.

Inspiring Highlights:

  • The problem of phony emotions.
  • Understanding the true source of a character’s emotions.
  • Why “pencil mileage” matters.
  • Do I need to draw digitally?

[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.