* Ever wondered what it takes to make it to Blizzard as a Senior Animator?* How about making it to Blue Sky and Sony for a feature?* Or what a pro that’s done all this – wishes he did differently as a student?Joseph Holmark shares it all in this episode.Joseph Holmark's Demo Reel:





How to Rapidly Overcome Your Animation Struggles this yearIf you really want to level up your animation skills over the next 90 days…Thanks for Listening!As always, thank you for taking the time to tune in! I hope it helps you with your animation journey.  If you have any tips, suggestions or questions about this episode, please be sure to leave them below in the comment section of this post.  I'd love to hear from you!Finally, please leave an honest review on iTunes! They are extremely helpful - both for new listeners to discover the podcast and ways I can improve future episodes. Hats off to you, it's greatly appreciated!I'm looking forward to the next session of The Rusty Animator Podcast and what it can help you with! Happy Animating!


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 In our last podcast, we spoke with Bobby Beck (CEO and Creative Crusader to both Artella and Animation Mentor) when the Artella short film “Duel” was about to open the CTN animation conference.In this episode, 5 Animators of Duel (Scott, Zee, Tomoyo, Sergey, and Zach) share what it was like to virtually collaborate together around the world on that short. They all have varied levels of animation experience and come from varied backgrounds. But all of them found common ground as Animation Mentor Alumni, and in the passion for great art.Check out the short, each animators reel from the podcast and what was mentioned in the episode below.Duel – Animated Short Film:https://vimeo.com/192507032Animators of Duel Reels and Websites:Scott BrittonAnimator – Animal Logic (Sydney, Australia)http://scottbritton.com.au/https://vimeo.com/85401761Tomoyo MatsudaAnimator – Cinesite (Montreal, Canada)http://www.tomoyomatsuda.com/https://vimeo.com/136479614 Zach BaharovLead Animator – Double Fine Productions (San Francisco, US)http://www.zachbaharov.com/https://vimeo.com/157211426https://vimeo.com/155638979Sergey BerengardAnimator – Bardel Entertainment (Vancouver, Canada)http://www.berengard.com/https://vimeo.com/143401687 Zee MyersAnimator – Iloura (Melbourne, Australia)http://www.junzeemyers.com/work/https://vimeo.com/171185429Mentioned in The Episode:Ted-Ed Lesson – Passcode Riddlehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Vd1dTBVbFgTed Ed Lesson – Benjamin Bannekerhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKnwyVR4P88Thanks for Listening!As always, thank you for taking the time to tune in! I hope it helps you with your animation journey.  If you have any tips, suggestions or questions about this episode, please be sure to leave them below in the comment section of this post.  I’d love to hear from you!Finally, please leave an honest review on iTunes! They are extremely helpful – both for new listeners to discover the podcast and ways I can improve future episodes. Hats off to you, it’s greatly appreciated!I’m looking forward to the next session of The Rusty Animator Podcast and what it can help you with! Happy Animating!

Bobby Beck is CEO and Creative Crusader to both Artella and Animation Mentor.Together with fellow Cofounders, Shawn Kelly, and Carlos Baena, Bobby revolutionized Animation education  in 2005 with Animation Mentor.Now in 2016, Bobby Beck, Shawn Kelly, and Carlos Baena are again on track with Artella to change the Animation Industry - this time with virtual studios, animation projects, and creative teammates from all over the world.





Mentioned in The Episode:





Circus JamThis is the first animated short film completed with Artella. Directed by Bobby Beck, it was created with a team of 120 artists from 23 countries that we're all Animation Mentor Students and alumni. From models, texturing and lighting they covered it all in 10 months.





La NoriaWritten and Directed by Carlos Baena (Pixar Animator and Artella/Animation Mentor Cofounder) - La Noria is an animated short film that was created with an online team of international artists. The project started outside Artella and then Artella was built around the battle tested necessities of this film. Currently, it's in its final stages with maybe a year left in production.





Thistle OneThistle One is the project Bobby Beck is working on right now. There seeking artists and sharing their progress at CTN - check out the Artella project  page here: Thistle One





DuelDuel was mentioned several times throughout the episode. It's making its debut kicking off at the 2016 CTN Animation conference on Nov 18th. Directed by Tim Rudder with several Artella artists bringing it to life - Duel will also be CTN's first original short film. Can't wait to see it!





Thanks for Listening!Thanks for taking the time to tune in! I hope it helps you with your animation journey.  If you have any tips, suggestions or questions about this episode, please be sure to leave them below in the comment section of this post.  Id love to hear from you!Finally, please leave an honest review on iTunes! They are extremely helpful - both for new listeners to discover the podcast and ways I can improve future episodes. Hats off to you, its greatly appreciated!I'm looking forward to the next session of The Rusty Animator Podcast and what it can help you with! Happy Animating!

Dana Boadway Masson is a Veteran Animator, Senior Mentor at Animation Mentor, Critiquer on 11 Second Club and Director of  a short film called ‘The Cafe’. She’s covered it all – from TV, feature, and games in studio  to freelancing, and teaching.  Inside the episode she shares how she had to claw her way to a career as an Animator through passion and persistence. Having  also pursued acting before animation – Dana  always dishes bountiful wisdom you don’t want to miss.From the very beginning of the Rusty Animator Podcast I was looking forward to having Dana on. She was my mentor just 4 years ago and radically changed my life because of it.  Not only did Dana push me past my own limitations as an artist but she gave me the tools that I still use today in every studio. If you have the chance to learn from, hire, or work with this rockstar – do so!Mentioned in The Episode:Everyones Hero ( Directed By Christopher Reeve)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FB4rJ0qn250Halo 3 Cinematicshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NUMiHDbqAUhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8e1No_Oo8f8Dana’s Filmography: IMDB11 Second Club Critique:Occasionally, Dana even critiques at 11 Second Club. Whether your participating in this monthly competition or not these crits are invaluable. Check out all the great acting tips she lays out to this already well done scene.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aT89vUlSmBMThanks for Listening!Thanks for taking the time to tune in! I hope it helps you with your animation journey.  If you have any tips, suggestions or questions about this episode, please be sure to leave them below in the comment section of this post.  Id love to hear from you!Finally, please leave an honest review on iTunes! They are extremely helpful – both for new listeners to discover the podcast and ways I can improve future episodes. Hats off to you, its greatly appreciated!I’m looking forward to the next session of The Rusty Animator Podcast and what it can help you with! Happy Animating!

Daniel Pozo is a Lead Animator at Sony Imageworks on Angry Birds. He shares his rise from TV to VFX to Feature Animation throughout his time in Australia, London, and Canada. If your wondering how to make that leap from one area of animation to the next - Dan lays out some hard earned wisdom. In the episode he describes the challenges faced in each type of studio and with specific movies. Some of which are - Legend of the Guardians, Gravity, Hotel Transylvania, and the Little Prince.

Martin Bell is a freelance animator in the UK who works from home for various clients all over. His Studio is called Yes Commissioner? and in this episode he shares his journey on accidentally becoming a freelancer and turning it into a successful way to live with nothing but even more opportunities for the future. If you've sought another way to animate for a living and wondered how to get started this chat will get you started.

Lukas Niklaus is a Swiss Animator currently at MPC Montreal on Pan. He's also worked on Edge of Tomorrow, Paddington, Robocop, Spiderman at Framestore, Pixomondo, and Soho. Lukas dives into the emotions of hearing an audience react to his Animation in the theater, layering workflow, the power of passionate persistence, and strong mindsets.

What can you expect about relocating? What are the /worst parts about it? And what should you be prepared for?

I’m going to cover it all. As I’ve spent my entire career now outside of my home country there’s a lot to share.

This episode changes gears a bit with a talk from an Industry Veteran. Dimos Vrysellas started animating professionally at the age of 17 and its been the only trade hes ever known. Its been 25 years of making magic from pencils, seeing the rise of software, learning from some of best, and now starting passionate projects fueled mainly by willpower.

Couple weeks ago I was thinking it might be beneficial to not only have guests on podcasts but to do separate short topic based podcasts – where I answer questions on animation or discuss animation techniques quickly. This is the first of many and it covers the age old ‘where do I even begin?’ so many aspiring animators don’t get solved until they’re turned in a million directions.

Michael Amos shares his tale on following a passion for animation. From desperately searching for a means to animate, starting his own company, making the leap from 2d to 3d, and then landing a gig at Dreamworks - there is a huge wealth of advice. Pushing past your struggles with constant tenacity makes dreams real and Mike is proof.

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Its really fitting Nic is one of the first guests of the podcast. We both ‘discovered’ the world of animation together.
Forming a peer group, visiting animation conferences, crafting standout reels, first interviews, and first relocation’s – we really covered it all at the same time. And I couldn’t of pulled any of it off without him or any of my friends for that matter.
Personally, this episode really highlights the importance of the person next to you. “Networking” really means “friendships” that will greatly change your life – now and for many years to come.
Only after being in the trenches do you realize – the work is just a small part of the picture – your buddies add the color to the canvas. The inside jokes, the wacky visits to Disneyland, the wrap parties, and even the shared fatigue of harsh deadlines – its all them.  And when your searching for the first, second, or third job – it will them again – getting you through the door.
So when you finally start learning animation, take your next class, or have your first day on the job – Team Up. Give critiques, give pep talks, share all you know because your out to help. Have their back and they’ll have yours. You wont regret it.
For all you aspiring animators out there, I hope Nic’s story sends the message loud and clear, along with much more. Student to Sony Pictures Imageworks didnt happen overnight. The search for proper instruction, the inspiration from attending events like CTN, and even the despair of waiting for a job while running out of rent money – ALL played its part in this journey of ‘luck.’
What You’ll Learn In This Episode:

* The Shortcomings of Traditional University’s
* Wolfpacks and how they are a game changer
* The strength of getting to know others
* CTN and its massive inspirational impact
* The importance of appeal in animation, rigs & lighting
* The scary truth about landing and waiting for that first gig
* How you adapt and creature workflow

Once you’ve soaked up these tips. Check out Nic’s Animation Progression, links, and a few photos from the journey below.
Nics Brand New VFX Reel

Nics Animation Mentor Demo Reel

(notice the appeal in the kid rigs and lighting)
Mentioned in the Episode:

CTN Expo
For artists by artists, this is the best animation conference out there. Workshops, Demo Reel Critiques, Chance Meetups with legends in the hallway and much much more. It kicks off every November – so you can make it this year! If you’ve never been – dont think it over – just go! As mentioned in the episode we have had so many experiences and stories that have made a huge difference to our lives.

Animation Mentor Blog – Nic’s Post
The Interview with Nic back when he was at Sony with 30 other AM graduates. The blog itself is also a great source of news and tips.
Animation Mentor
Andreas Deja
Master Animator of Scar, Jafar and so many other great characters. Andreas learned from the old masters at Disney and shares advice on his blog Deja View. He also frequently attends CTN to help aspiring animators with talks and demonstrations.

Here it finally is!The Rusty Animator Podcast is now live. Not long ago the podcast was just one of the many ideas I had for the website. Ever since I’ve been itching to kick things off. Joseph Holmark made that happen by being our first guest.Joseph is a awesome animator (who would never admit so) that recently wrapped up on Rio 2 at Blue Sky Studios. He’s been on the fast track chasing down dreams – as a really young guy that was a student only a few years ago.Actually, together we graduated Animation Mentor class #23 and got our first animation jobs together in Singapore at One Animation. Today Joseph’s aiming for Disney and knowing him – its only a matter of time.There’s more than a few things you can learn from him -so without further delay – hit play!Listen on itunes, download or just stream below: If you enjoyed the show and you found it helpful –Please leave a review on iTunesI will read ALL the feedback – it will keep this alive.Show NotesHighlights from the show.* 03:30 – Hindsight on your art* 04:00 – How Animation came into Josephs life* 10:20 – Most difficult thing to learn* 15:12 –  The ideal mindset of Experimentation* 19:00 – Demotivation vs Staying Hungry* 24:36 – Current Student Problems* 32:30 – Transitioning from School to First Job* 36:00 – Surprising yourself* 36:30 – OnAnimation to Blue Sky Story* 40:00 – Courageously adjusting to Rio 2* 49:46 – 2 Hr Anim Challenge* 51:37 – Using the challenge to develop your story telling faster* 53:30 – Animation Quicksand – Polishing a Turd* 54:39 – Workflow and Shot Progression* 1:01:20 – Full Circle back to MotivationLinks from the Episode * Josephs Site and Demo Reel: Holmark Animation* Animation Challenge: 2 Hr Animation Challenge* On Animation Blog: On Animation & the Artist Ability GraphWhat would you like covered in the next episode? Anything we should try out and let you know? Just leave a comment below!