The Oatley Academy of Visual Storytelling

The ArtCast:

Artistic insight and career advice from the most inspiring voices in animation, games, vfx, comics and new media. Hosted by Chris Oatley and The Oatley Academy Team.

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.

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Q&A With Chris Oatley At The Ringling College Of Art & Design

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Almost everybody is wandering around at the base of the mountain, bumping into each other wondering why they’re not on the mountain. The majority of good artists are running up the mountain. Just the decision to start climbing the mountain sets you apart.

– Chris Oatley

Hosted by Nick Burch at the Ringling College of Art & Design in 2012, Chris answers student questions about breaking into animation.

Inspiring Highlights:

  • The best way to build an online following.
  • How Chris kind of accidentally became a Visual Development Artist.
  • How to curate a more professional portfolio.
  • The animation industry’s “back door.”

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Q&A With Chris Oatley At Huntington University

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Versatility is making a comeback.

– Chris Oatley

Chris Oatley & Jenn Cooper are hosted by Bryan “Breadwig” Ballinger at Huntington University in Spring 2015.

Inspiring Highlights:

  • Inspiration vs. overwhelm.
  • When specialization is a distraction.
  • Productivity tips for collaborative projects.
  • What will studios look like in the future?
  • What Cloverfield can teach us about creating big projects on small budgets.
  • What LOST can teach us about character and Theme.
  • Why painting matters.

[Read more…]

Extended Interview: Claire Keane

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Claire Keane is a brilliant illustrator and visual development artist, who has helped to develop numerous immersive worlds, including Tangled and Duet.

After leaving Disney, she released her first illustrated children’s book: Once Upon A Cloud. It’s a beautifully rendered, heartwarming story about family and following your dreams.

This Extended Interview Contains 15 Minutes Of Extra Audio:

  • When characters start writing themselves.
  • Revealing characters through moments.
  • The big question in developing Rapunzel.
  • Once Upon A Cloud.
  • Getting lost in the illusion of a story.
  • Making the kind of marks you want to make.

[Read more…]

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

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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…

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

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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: 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.

[Read more…]

Extended Interview: Jimmy Gownley :: From Self-Publishing to Scholastic

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Since he was 15 years old, Jimmy Gownley has never stopped breaking the rules of self-publishing.

He went from selling self-published comics in the hallways of his high school to huge publishing deals with both Simon & Schuster AND Scholastic.

This Extended Interview Contains 40 Minutes Of Extra Audio:

  • It all started with Peanuts.
  • The Dumbest Idea Ever.
  • The rise of independent comics in the 80’s.
  • Jimmy shares about getting Amelia Rules published.
  • Understanding how story works.
  • Challenges of being a writer who draws.

[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.