In this episode, we dive deep into the life and career of a seasoned producer in the animation industry; Calum Hart. We start with an exploration of Calum's mission and purpose, which centres around nurturing creative ideas from their embryonic stages to fully realised projects. He emphasises the importance of collaboration, foresight, and creative problem-solving in his role.
Our guest shares his unique upbringing in the highlands of Scotland, where his isolated environment fostered a rich imagination and a love for various creative pursuits. From a young age, he dabbled in everything from magic and comedy to comic book writing, which eventually led him to a passion for film, music, and art during his teenage years.
He recounts his educational journey, including a filmmaking and screenwriting degree and a master's in scriptwriting, which provided him with numerous opportunities to intern and work in various roles within the creative industry. His career trajectory took him from live-action production roles to a pivotal moment when he discovered Axis Studios, where he transitioned into the animation industry.
Our guest discusses his time at Axis Studios, where he grew from a coordinator to a senior producer, and the challenges and triumphs he faced along the way. He also shares his experience during the COVID-19 pandemic, which, despite the global chaos, became a period of significant professional growth and achievement for him.
After several years at Axis Studios, he decided to spread his wings and moved to Sweden to work for Goodbye Kansas, a company known for its AAA animation cinematics and VFX. He reflects on the similarities and differences between the two companies and how this move allowed him to further hone his skills and take on new challenges.
Throughout the episode, our guest provides insights into the animation industry's current landscape, the explosion of adult animation, and the importance of taking creative risks. He also gives us a glimpse into his day-to-day responsibilities at Goodbye Kansas, where he juggles multiple projects, collaborates with creative teams, and navigates the complexities of project management.
In the end, he shares his excitement for future projects that offer new challenges, diverse creative approaches, and opportunities to learn new skills. This episode is a fascinating look into the mind of a creative producer who is passionate about pushing the boundaries of animation and storytelling.