Episodes

Art Center alum and all around amazing person Victoria Orolfo is today’s guest on The Animated Journey Podcast! Victoria shares how she manages her time and creates fantastic art for clients ranging from BLT Communications to Riot Games, Cartoon Network and Honda! Hear about the importance of networking, exhibiting at conventions, working well with your classmates and more in today’s episode! Victoria Orolfo’s Websites Website www.victoriaorolfo.wixsite.com Etsy Shop https://www.etsy.com/shop...

In episode 075, part 2 of our interview with animator Alex Salsberg, Alex shares how he and several of his animation compatriots started Animatic Boston, the dos and don’ts of networking, taking care of your mental health, and what he would tell his younger self. And he shares one of his latest projects, his very own podcast Not Uncut! We also share what’s going on in the world of animation! Alex Salsberg’s Websites PokeGravy Studios www.pokegravy.com Instagram @lexsalsberg Twitter @lexsalsb...

As a kid Alex Salsberg created comics and dreamed of working in the animation industry. After attending Rochester Institute of Technology, teaching animation and freelancing for several years Alex created his own animation business, PokeGravy Studios, where he creates animated content for clients including MTV, Nickelodeon, Skype, KOA, Akamai and more. Hear the ins and outs of learning the craft, creating a business, contracts, finding clients, firing clients and keeping a healthy work/life bala...

Episode 073 features American Dad! storyboard artist Lila Martinez! Lila grew up in Mexico City, studied graphic design, attended Vancouver Film School to study animation, and created her own animation boutique studio BEFORE moving to the states to pursue storyboarding and working for some of the longest running animated shows in history. Find out how she did it and her advice for up-and-coming artists in today’s episode! Lila Martinez’s Websites Website http://www.lilastory.com/site/ IMDB ht...

Episode 072 of The Animated Journey features animator-designer-storyboard artist-shorts creator Andrea Gerstmann! Andrea journeyed from Canada to the U.S. to pursue her career in animation. Since arriving in the states she has worked on numerous shows including Pig Goat Banana Cricket, Pinky Malinky and Apple & Onion. She also created the fantastic Nickelodeon short Dog and Squirrel, and her Loop de Loop shorts are hilarious. Join us as Andrea shares her story! Andrea Gerstmann’s Websites Websi...

Episode 071 of the Animated Journey Podcast is here with part 2 of our Convention Roundtable! In this episode artists and convention exhibitors Casey Robin, Jeff Schuetze and Alina Chau share tips and tricks for getting all of your convention supplies, organizing for the convention, showcasing your work, providing a positive customer experience, creating clear boundaries between you and booth barnacles, how to prevent con crud and more! And check out these suppliers we’ve used for your conventi...

What’s happening in the world of animation? Well, we had so much fun talking about news, SoCal events and Disney/Marvel’s Avengers: Infinity War that we decided to turn it into an entire bonus episode. Enjoy! Southern California Animation Events Center Stage Gallery Life Drawing from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. every Monday and Wednesday $15 at the door / $12 online http://centerstagegallery.com/events/ ASIFA-Hollywood Members only screening of Big Fish & Begonia Thurs. May 10th, 2018 at 7:30 p.m. ht...

CTNX, Comic-Con, Emerald City, MoCCA…You’ve always dreamed of exhibiting at conventions, but where do you start? How do you decide which prints, art books, buttons or pins to sell? Which conventions do you tackle first? How do you differentiate yourself from the hundreds of professionals, amateurs and everyone in-between at the con? In episode 069 join animation professionals Alina Chau, Casey Robin and Jeff Schuetze for part one of our Convention Roundtable as they explore the dos and don’ts of...

Once you’ve earned your animation internship, what do you do? What’s the best way to work hard and interact with your coworkers? And what happens if you get the job? Or don’t? Join us for part two of the Animation Internship Roundtable with returning Animated Journey Podcast guests James Mosley, Jocelyn Liang, Lauren Krieger and Cassie Soliday to find out! James Mosley’s Websites Twitter @JamesMosleyII Jocelyn Liang’s Websites Website http://jocelynliang.com Instagram @JozDrawsInPrada Lauren...

How do you get an animation internship? What should you say during an internship interview? And once you land the job, how do you show your coworkers and supervisors that you would be a great addition to the team without coming across as creepy and weird? These are the questions we dealt with as interns and on episode 067 we tackle one of the toughest of all animation quests – the animation internship! Join us for part one of the Animation Internship Roundtable with returning Animated Journey Po...

Storyboard artist and The Animation Network Podcast creator and host Kris Wimberly joins us for episode 066! Kris dreamed of working in the animation industry and his pursuit of learning the fundamentals of art as well as networking with industry professionals enabled him to work on a plethora of shows including SpongeBob SquarePants, Teen Titans Go!, Family Guy, Puppy Dog Pals and many more. In today’s episode Kris discusses the differences between working in TV versus feature film animation, h...

Episode 065 of The Animated Journey Podcast features Titmouse production assistant Erik Perez! Growing up Perez spent his childhood watching shows on Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon and drawing cartoons. He soon discovered that there were people behind the magic and enrolled at Cal State Fullerton, where he majored in animation. Soon after he interned at Nickelodeon Studio, and later became a production assistant for Titmouse’s Emmy award winning show, Nico and the Sword of Light and then later ...

Storyboard revisionist for Nickelodeon’s hit preschool show Shimmer and Shine Lauren Krieger is today’s fabulous guest! In episode 64 Lauren shares her experience growing up in Minnesota, researching art schools to find the best fit for her future career path, and interning on numerous shows including China, IL; The Awesomes; and Wallykazam! before becoming a production assistant and then a storyboard revisionist. Along the way Lauren learned the importance of believing in yourself, continuing t...

In the final installment of our interview with Disney Feature Layout Assistant Andi Nakasone, Andi dives into the world of Disney Feature animation and working in layout. He discusses the importance of networking, treating everyone with respect whether you’re in the industry or not, and knowing your worth as a new or seasoned professional. It’s a fantastic wrap-up that you won’t want to miss! Andi Nakasone’s Websites Instagram @andinakasone Email andi.nakasone@gmail.com Southern California An...

Welcome to the first episode of 2018 featuring the amazingly talented Andi Nakasone! Andi grew up in Okinawa, Japan and moved to the states to study…archeology. But he soon discovered that storytelling was his life’s passion and began to pursue cinematography and editing at Baylor University. After interning in New York and learning more about 3D animation, he moved to San Francisco to pursue his new dream of working in the animation industry. His is an awesome story that you won’t want to miss!...

Background painter for Disney Publishing, Cartoon Network and Rough Draft Studios Nic Gregory joins us for episode 061 of The Animated Journey Podcast! In this last episode of 2017, Nic shares how his love for Fantasia and all things animation led him to venture from his native Australia to the United States in order for him to pursue a career in background painting and character design. For anyone who has ever wondered if they can make the leap from one career to another an ocean away, this epi...

Episode 060 features the talented Joseph Coleman! Joseph spent his formative years skateboarding, drawing, playing video games and winning art contests in Macon, Mississippi. After attending undergrad at Memphis College of Art and grad school at Academy of Art University he worked on various freelance projects before landing a job on StudioMDHR’s Cuphead. In today’s interview Joseph discusses the importance of learning various skills, how to work as both an artist and a business person, drawing ...

In today’s episode independent animator Anthony Gardea shares how his love for storytelling and animation inspired him and his wife Becky Gill to create the independent production company Nominous Animation. Together with a team of animators, designers and voice artists they are now embarking on creating the animated film World Destroyer. In this interview Anthony discusses art school, freelance jobs, leaving LA, the highs and lows of your work going viral and being willing to adapt as you creat...

Stephen Silver shares the rest of the story in part 2 of our interview! We discuss why it’s important to never stop learning, discovering your purpose, why failure can be good, life as a caricature artist and more. Stephen Silver’s Websites Website www.silvertoons.com Facebook https://www.facebook.com/stephen.silver.9 Twitter @StephenSilver7 YouTube SilverToons Channel Southern California Animation Events The Mid November Drawing Party II Presented by Model Collective and Silver Drawing Ac...

Character designer, instructor and author Stephen Silver began his career almost immediately out of high school, working at various theme parks as a caricature artist before becoming a character designer in the animation industry. His passion for learning, creating and teaching enabled him to work for studios such as Disney, Nickelodeon, Bento Box and Cartoon Network; create the Silver Drawing Academy; create weekly videos on his YouTube channel and write his character design book The Silver Way...

In today’s podcast 3D animator Nicole Ridgwell shares her experiences working as an animation intern at both Walt Disney Feature Animation and Pixar, and how those internships paved the way for her animation career at studios like Nickelodeon and The Third Floor. She also shares the importance of continuing your education after graduating from art school, finding mentors, and what it’s like pitching a show! Nicole Ridgwell’s Websites Website https://nicoleridgwell.blogspot.com Vimeo https://v...

Multi-faceted writer and artist Mia Resella shares her story on today’s podcast! From performing in plays in high school to attending UC Santa Barbara and UCLA to working for organizations such as Moonbot, DreamWorks and the Roald Dahl Estate to becoming a writer in the Nickelodeon Writing Program, Mia shares her love of creativity and how she achieved her dreams. Mia Resella’s Websites Website MiaResellaIsAGrownUp YouTube Channel 2 Broke Geeks Vimeo Channel Mia Resella Tumblr https://miare...

Ilana Schwartz aka Javadoodles is a 3D Animator at Nickelodeon Animation Studio whose work includes promos, animation and social media art for many of Nick’s shows including The Loud House, Paw Patrol, and Bunsen Is A Beast! In today’s episode she discusses her path from interning at Little Airplane Productions to working for Nickelodeon both in New York and in Burbank. Along the way Ilana channeled her love of collaboration and social media into creating her own unique brand and style. It’s a f...

Michigan’s own Sarah Johnson is today’s guest on The Animated Journey Podcast! Sarah shares her experiences growing up in a small town, her love for all things animation (especially Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) and how she survived her post-college years freelancing and working hard at pursuing her dream in order to become a storyboard artist, and then the Storyboard Supervisor, for The Fairly OddParents and now one of Nickelodeon’s newest shows, Bunsen Is A Beast. Tune in and hear how to survi...