The Spark Cast: Recent Episodes
The Spark podcast is a production of the Spark Computer Graphics Society.
The Spark podcast is a bi-weekly show exploring the creativity, technology, and business of CG.
The show is produced by the Spark Computer Graphics Society. Fore more about Spark, visit sparkcg.org
If Matthew Celestial has a life mantra, it’s likely “Focus on the wins.”
A shy kid who came out of his shell in public, Matthew often found himself at the centre of the group, uniting friends under a common love for tv and film, but it was his passion for the stars that led him to attend university to pursue astronomy. The cosmos had other plans for him.
An encounter while on a practicum led him to make a connection that changed his life and opened the door to a career in public relations, first for Paramount Canada before eventually striking out on his own.
We recently spoke with Matthew about his journey into the world of PR, the challenges of keeping up with the ever-changing media landscape, dealing with difficult clients, and he shares some tips and tricks for individuals looking to start marketing their brand.
Episode Links
- Statement Strategies
Host: Marina Antunes
Produced by: Michael Edlund
©2022 Spark CG Society · All Rights Reserved.
Thank you to our sponsors!
TERABYTE: Creative BC.
MEGABYTE: AMPD Technologies · Animal Logic · Capilano University · Netflix.
KILOBYTE: Atomic Cartoons · Bardel Entertainment Inc. · BRON Studios · DNEG · Mainframe Studios · Sony Pictures Imageworks · WildBrain Studios.
BYTE: AMD Canada · Animasia Animation · Centre for Digital Media · CMPA BC · DigiBC · Foundry · Ghost VFX · NGX Interactive · NOX VFX · Scanline VFX · The Little Dev Shop · Unreal Engine · Versatile Media · Wacom Store Canada.
PARTNERS: ACM SIGGRAPH.
ORGANIZERS: Spark CG Society · Vancouver ACM SIGGRAPH.
Growing up in Apartheid South Africa, Nosipho Maketo-van den Bragt recognized that there was something “off” about the world around her, but it wasn’t until her family moved to Zimbabwe at the age of 10 that she saw what life could be like.
Becoming a lawyer was an act of rebellion, a way of fighting for herself and for her community, but it was the creation of Chocolate Tribe, the studio she founded with her husband, that has fully visualized Nosipho’s vision of a better world, one that is equal, open, vibrant, and creative.
We recently had the opportunity to speak with Nosipho about being a child in a household of active rebellion, the pressure of being a woman in a role of authority, and the importance of making time for yourself.
Episode Links
- Chocolate Tribe
Host: Marina Antunes
Produced by: Michael Edlund
©2022 Spark CG Society · All Rights Reserved.
Thank you to our sponsors!
TERABYTE: Creative BC.
MEGABYTE: AMPD Technologies · Animal Logic · Capilano University · Netflix.
KILOBYTE: Atomic Cartoons · Bardel Entertainment Inc. · BRON Studios · DNEG · Mainframe Studios · Sony Pictures Imageworks · WildBrain Studios.
BYTE: AMD Canada · Animasia Animation · Centre for Digital Media · CMPA BC · DigiBC · Foundry · Ghost VFX · NGX Interactive · NOX VFX · Scanline VFX · The Little Dev Shop · Unreal Engine · Versatile Media · Wacom Store Canada.
PARTNERS: ACM SIGGRAPH.
ORGANIZERS: Spark CG Society · Vancouver ACM SIGGRAPH.
Mike Lasker always knew that he wanted to make things no one had ever seen before. Curious about early VFX and inspired by Jurassic Park, The Abyss and Terminator, Mike found himself at Syracuse University, studying computer graphics. He eventually landed in New York City, working on everything from medical animation and architectural previsualization to commercials before deciding that he wanted to make movies.
The need to expand his horizons eventually led him to LA and a job at Sony Pictures Imageworks, where Mike has spent 16 years honing his skills, and doing what he always wanted to do: make things no one has ever seen before.
We recently had the opportunity to speak with Mike about how his early days in New York prepared him for his move to Sony, working his way up the studio ranks, and how his passion for wowing audiences keeps him motivated.
Episode Links
- Mike Lasker
- Sony Pictures Imageworks
Host: Marina Antunes
Produced by: Michael Edlund
©2022 Spark CG Society · All Rights Reserved.
Thank you to our sponsors!
TERABYTE: Creative BC.
MEGABYTE: AMPD Technologies · Animal Logic · Capilano University · Netflix.
KILOBYTE: Atomic Cartoons · Bardel Entertainment Inc. · BRON Studios · DNEG · Mainframe Studios · Sony Pictures Imageworks · WildBrain Studios.
BYTE: AMD · Animasia Animation · Centre for Digital Media · CMPA BC · DigiBC · Foundry · Ghost VFX · NGX Interactive · NOX VFX · Scanline VFX · The Little Dev Shop · Unreal Engine · Versatile Media · Wacom Store Canada.
PARTNERS: ACM SIGGRAPH.
ORGANIZERS: Spark CG Society · Vancouver ACM SIGGRAPH.
At 14, Nagin Cox knew that she wanted to be a space explorer but being an astronaut was not her main goal. Keenly aware that the true early explorers were robots, Nagin focused her energy on becoming an engineer with a dream of working at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).
How does an Indian girl from Kansas City find her way to being a systems engineer at NASA? With a lot of hard work, perseverance, and a can-do attitude.
We recently had the opportunity to speak with Nagin about her road to JPL, working remotely on Mars, how technology is changing her work, and finding balance between her personal and professional life.
Episode Links
- Nagin Cox
Host: Marina Antunes
Produced by: Michael Edlund
©2022 Spark CG Society · All Rights Reserved.
Thank you to our sponsors!
TERABYTE: Creative BC.
MEGABYTE: AMPD Technologies · Animal Logic · Capilano University · Netflix.
KILOBYTE: Atomic Cartoons · Bardel Entertainment Inc. · BRON Studios · DNEG · Mainframe Studios · Sony Pictures Imageworks.
BYTE: Animasia Animation Studio · CMPA BC · Centre for Digital Media · DigiBC · Foundry · Scanline VFX · The Little Dev Shop · NOX VFX · Unreal Engine · Versatile Media · Wacom Store Canada.
PARTNERS: ACM SIGGRAPH.
ORGANIZERS: Spark CG Society · Vancouver ACM SIGGRAPH.
Isabel Bailin always knew she wanted to be a creator, but it wasn’t until she arrived at Barnard College, and had the opportunity to intern at various networks and studios that she discovered her passion for finding independent voices.
Now the Director of Development for Frederator Studios, the company responsible for such hit shows as Adventure Time and Castlevania, Isabel finds herself in a position to discover, nurture, and champion creatives.
We recently had the opportunity to speak with Isabel about the career advantage of internships, the changing landscape of adult animation, and how self-care is crucial to career development.
Episode Links * LinkedIn * Barnard College * Frederator Studios * Facebook * Twitter
Host: Marina Antunes
Produced by: Michael Edlund
©2022 Spark CG Society · All Rights Reserved.
Thank you to our sponsors!
TERABYTE: Creative BC.
MEGABYTE: AMPD Technologies · Animal Logic · Capilano University · Netflix.
KILOBYTE: Atomic Cartoons · Bardel Entertainment Inc. · BRON Studios · Mainframe Studios · Sony Pictures Imageworks.
BYTE: CMPA BC · Centre for Digital Media · DigiBC · Foundry · Scanline VFX · The Little Dev Shop · NOX VFX · Unreal Engine · Versatile Media · Wacom Store Canada.
PARTNERS: ACM SIGGRAPH.
ORGANIZERS: Spark CG Society · Vancouver ACM SIGGRAPH.
Like many animators, Ere Santos discovered his love for animation at a young age but rather than wait until he was “grown-up” to pursue his dream, he started on it immediately. With a copy of Blender, an animation school syllabus, and a dream to work at Pixar, eight-year-old Ere was on his way.
A decade later, Ere found himself standing at the gates of Pixar for his first day of work.
The journey to working in animation has been long and challenging but through it all, Ere has persevered, working through the challenges and rejection to make a career for himself and now he’s looking ahead to the next stage of his creative life.
We recently had a chance to speak with Ere about his self-guided journey to working in animation, inspiration, and his self-dubbed lofty goals for the future.
Episode Links * Twitter * Instagram * LinkedIn
Host: Marina Antunes
Produced by: Michael Edlund
©2022 Spark CG Society · All Rights Reserved.
If you were to ask David Burgess about being involved in two of the three films that are considered “game changers” in modern animation history, he’ll chalk it up to luck but in reality, it’s a combination of hard work and a willingness to take chances: moving to Toronto after college without a job lined up, moving to LA without a job lined up, leaving Disney for the new world of CG.
David has always worked and been motivated by the concept of loving what you do and his career is a testament to his love of creativity, energy, and new challenges.
A veteran of the industry with 30+ years of experience, David has worked on some of the biggest movies of our generation including Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Lion King, Shrek 2, and Trolls. We recently had a chance to speak with him about his career, taking chances, and how technology has changed how he works.
Episode Links * IMDb * David Burgess on LinkedIn * Animal Logic on LinkedIn * Instagram * Twitter * Facebook
Host: Marina Antunes
Sound & Music: Michael Edlund
©2021 Spark CG Society · All Rights Reserved.
Amir Nasrabadi’s love for animation grew out of watching cartoons as a child: Peanuts, Rocky & Bullwinkle, and pretty much anything else he could find on TV, but he never imagined that he’d one day find himself working in the industry that sparked his creative passion.
A career in finance seemed like a great idea; it was stable and as a career counselor told him, “there will always be a need for accountants,” but after years of working as an auditor, he followed an inner instinct to search for something new, and that search lead him to his first position in the film industry.
Now with 20+ years of experience, Amir is a veteran and leader of the industry, having worked at some of the largest and most respected companies in animation, including Pixar, Paramount Pictures Animation, Illumination Entertainment, and Disney.
We recently had a chance to speak with Amir about his career, taking risks, and how his curiosity has shaped his work as a leader.
Episode Links * Walt Disney Animation Studios * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * LinkedIn * Amir Nasrabadi
Host: Marina Antunes
Sound & Music: Michael Edlund
©2021 Spark CG Society · All Rights Reserved.
Growing up in Mongolia, Munkhtsetseg “Muunuu” Nandigjav, wanted to be a fashion designer or a lawyer. Though she didn’t ultimately pursue either career, they both influenced her career choice as an educator: she works in a field that mixes the creative and technical and she commands audiences.
Muunuu’s passion for learning and education led her to teach, preparing future creative professionals both as an educator but also as a leader with SIGGRAPH, an organization that she first discovered as a young student.
We recently had a chance to speak with Muunuu about growing up in Mongolia, how online learning is changing education, and her work as Conference Chair for SIGGRAPH 2022.
Episode Links * SIGGRAPH * Munkhtsetseg Nandigjav * Instagram * LinkedIn
Host: Marina Antunes
Sound & Music: Michael Edlund
©2021 Spark CG Society · All Rights Reserved.
Donald Mowat’s love for film started early, but it was seeing Stanley Kubrick’s Barry Lyndon at the age of 12 that sparked his love for make-up specifically.
Today, Donald is one of the industry’s most sought-after makeup artists working with some of the world’s most notable directors including John Carpenter, Guillermo del Toro, Martin Scorsese, Sam Mendes, and David Mamet among many others.
Over the past decade, Donald has worked closely with Denis Villeneuve. Their latest partnership Dune, a project in which Donald is make-up and hair department head as well as prosthetic designer, is the culmination of Donald’s vast experience and his working relationship with Villeneuve.
We recently had a chance to speak with Donald about his career, the challenges of making Dune, how technology is changing the industry, and he provides great insights for young people interested in starting their careers in film.
Episode Links * IMDb * Twitter * Instagram * LinkedIn
Host: Marina Antunes
Sound & Music: Michael Edlund
©2021 Spark CG Society · All Rights Reserved.
As a child growing up in Burnaby, British Columbia, Prem Gill knew she wanted to work in TV, but she never imagined she would be helping to shape the mass media industry in British Columbia and across the country.
As CEO of Creative BC, Prem leads the organization responsible for maintaining and growing BC’s diverse creative sector — from films and TV, to magazine and book publishing. It’s a huge mandate, but one that Prem and her team have successfully continued to grow and nurture; even through a worldwide health crisis.
We recently had a chance to speak with Prem about her career, navigating the constantly changing technology landscape, and how mentorship has been integral to her career.
Episode Links * Creative BC * Creative BC on Facebook * Creative BC on Twitter * Creative BC on Instagram * Creative BC on LinkedIn * Prem Gill on LinkedIn * Prem Gill on Twitter
Host: Marina Antunes
Sound & Music: Michael Edlund
©2021 Spark CG Society · All Rights Reserved.
Before stepping into the role of educator, Larry Bafia was an animator with a love for stop-motion. His passion for the form eventually landed him at Will Vinton Studios working on such iconic commercials as the California Raisins.
Larry eventually made the move to feature films and after his first project was cut short, he found himself at Pacific Data Images where he was at the forefront of a new era for animation: CG.
We recently spoke with Larry about his career in the animation industry, his second career in education, and his next film.
Episode Links * Centre for Digital Media * LinkedIn * IMDb * Twitter
Host: Marina Antunes
Sound & Music: Michael Edlund
©2021 Spark CG Society · All Rights Reserved.
Sharon Taylor is proof that passion, determination, and curiosity can take you anywhere.
Sharon’s career at Animal Logic started more than 15 years ago when she answered a newspaper ad for the position of assistant accountant. She eventually moved from accounting to production and today, she’s the studio’s Group Chief Operating Officer, a position that has included expanding the studio’s operation and setting up Animal Logic Vancouver in 2015.
We recently had a chance to speak with Sharon about her career, clearing the runway for creatives, and what makes Animal Logic such a special place to work.
Episode Links * Animal Logic * Instagram * Facebook * Twitter * YouTube * LinkedIn
Host: Marina Antunes
Sound & Music: Michael Edlund
©2021 Spark CG Society · All Rights Reserved.
Michael Fukushima spent the majority of his career fighting for improved diversity and inclusion behind the scenes of the National Film Board of Canada. This wasn’t an accidental role: Michael saw the advantage of working for change from inside an organization and dedicated much of his career to advancing minority voices within the NFB.
The road was not always easy but the fruits of his labour are evident in the legacy he left at the NFB after a 31 year career with the institution including new mandates for more inclusivity, as well as the ongoing Hothouse program.
We recently had a chance to speak with Michael about his career as a filmmaker, producer and champion for the under-represented.
Episode Links * IMDb.com * LinkedIn * Instagram * Facebook * Twitter * National Film Board of Canada
Host: Marina Antunes
Sound & Music: Michael Edlund
©2021 Spark CG Society · All Rights Reserved.
Jinko Gotoh’s love for animation began as a child in Japan. But as someone who didn’t draw, she could never have guessed that she would go on to produce some of the largest animated blockbusters of all time, from Finding Nemo and Fantasia 2000 to Mortal Kombat and Space Jam, among many, many others.
The realization that animation could be a career path didn’t come until she studied engineering at Columbia University, where she stumbled upon a programming course.
We recently spoke with Jinko about her career, straddling cultures, technology, and her advocacy work.
Episode Links * IMDb.com * LinkedIn * Instagram * Facebook * Netflix Animation * Women in Animation
Host: Marina Antunes
Sound & Music: Michael Edlund
©2021 Spark CG Society · All Rights Reserved.
Marv Newland didn’t plan to be an animator but after a career that spans over half a century, more than twenty films, and some of the industry’s most notable prizes, it’s safe to say that he’s done alright for himself. Especially when one considers that the film that launched his animation career almost didn’t happen.
From his first project Bambi Meets Godzilla, to last year’s Katalog of Flaws, Marv’s films blend his style, sensibility, and sense of humour, in a unique and instantly recognizable package.
We recently spoke with Marv about creativity, developing your style, and what keeps him inspired to continue making films.
Episode Links * Marv Newland on IMDb
Host: Marina Antunes
Sound & Music: Michael Edlund
©2021 Spark CG Society · All Rights Reserved.
Michelle Grady’s career in the CG industry started small: an unpaid job working in the equipment room of a post-production facility. Determined and in need of a paying job, she soon found herself as the receptionist.
Michelle has come a long way since that first receptionist job, all the way to Executive Vice-President and General Manager of Sony Pictures Imageworks, and her career has grown alongside Vancouver’s expanding production business.
We recently spoke with Michelle about her humble beginnings, the challenges of leadership, making mistakes, and how taking chances has shaped her career.
Episode Links * Sony Pictures Imageworks * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * YouTube * Michelle Grady on LinkedIn
Host: Marina Antunes
Sound & Music: Michael Edlund
©2021 Spark CG Society · All Rights Reserved.
In his dayjob, Tibo Charroppin is a director and video editor for the ACLU, but in his spare time, he’s a visual effects wiz who, with the help and support of his partner Olivia Boone, edits their beloved cat Lizzy into famous movie scenes.
With a passion for problem solving and learning, and maybe out of a little bit of boredom, Tibo posted the first video with Lizzy on Reddit. Eventually, that little video turned into OwlKitty, an Instagram and YouTube sensation that brings joy, laughter and technical marvel with each short clip.
We spoke with Tibo about how OwlKitty came to be, his process for creating movie magic, and his white whale.
Table of Content
00:00 — Welcome
00:41 — Introduction
01:37 — 1918
04:20 — Digital Artist
12:26 — ACLU
14:12 — OwlKitty is Born
22:24 — Monetization Considerations
24:52 — Planning a Video
29:08 — Filming Patience
33:12 — Post Production
37:20 — White Whale
39:46 — Hobby vs. Work
42:14 — Problem Solving Approaches
46:04 — Making People Smile
Episode Links * Website * YouTube Channel * Instagram * Facebook
Host: Marina Antunes
Sound & Music: Michael Edlund
©2021 Spark CG Society · All Rights Reserved.
Ann Marie Fleming is a prolific filmmaker, visual artist, and storyteller who has spent the bulk of her career exploring themes of history, family, and memory — both her own and others’.
Be it her powerful short film You Take Care Now, which explores the trauma she experienced as a young woman, or The Magical Life of Long Tack Sam which explores the life of her great grandfather, or the adventures of Stickgirl, Ann Marie has long shared personal stories with the world.
We recently spoke with the artist about inspiration, creativity and why she continues to tell and explore deeply personal stories in her art.
Table of Content
00:00 — Welcome
00:32 — Introduction
01:22 — Adjusting to a New Culture
07:08 — Entranced by Animation
11:26 — You Take Care Now
22:26 — New Shoes
28:07 — Sources of Inspiration
30:57 — Stickgirl
36:57 — Compulsion to Share
40:58 — Sources of Motivation
47:18 — Advice to my Younger Self
Episode Links * Sleepy Dog Films * Ann Marie Fleming on Vimeo * Ann Marie Fleming on IMDb
Host: Marina Antunes
Sound & Music: Michael Edlund
©2021 Spark CG Society · All Rights Reserved.
Denver Jackson has always wanted to be a storyteller. In 2012, he began his journey by creating a 9-minute short film titled Cloudrise. Nine years later, Cloudrise is an independent studio, and Denver has made three short films, a webseries, and now an upcoming feature film titled Esluna: The Crown of Babylon.
We recently spoke with Denver about his creative process, working as a solo animator, and how he overcame the challenges of making a feature film on his own.
Table of Content
00:00 – Welcome
00:30 – Introduction
01:12 – Learning by Doing
08:59 – Visual & Storytelling Style
20:53 – One-Person Ensemble
30:20 – Getting the Job Done
41:30 – Upcoming Projects
Episode Links * Cloudrise Pictures * Denver Jackson on IMDb * Cloudrise (Short) * ESLUNA: The First Monolith (Web Series) * Esluna: The Crown of Babylon (Feature)
Host: Marina Antunes
Sound & Music: Michael Edlund
©2021 Spark CG Society · All Rights Reserved.
One might assume that as a three-time Oscar nominee and one of the co-founders of the celebrated Cartoon Saloon, Tomm Moore might be an aloof figure. Instead, he’s warm and fathery wth a rebel streak and a spirit that bucks popular trends.
It’s this outsider spirit and willingness to follow their hearts that has put Cartoon Saloon on the map, and though it hasn’t always been easy, the studio has flourished into a collaborative enterprise that feels more like a family than a studio.
We recently caught up with Tomm to talk about the early days of the studio, his passion for history, his compulsive need to draw and his next project.
Table of Content
00:00 - Welcome
00:26 - Introduction
01:10 - Compulsive Drawing
08:12 - Cartoon Saloon
13:19 - The Rich Folklore Well
16:32 - Cultivating Studio Culture
24:59 - Developing Concepts
32:31 - Connected to Nature
38:40 - Next Generation Animators
Episode Links * Cartoon Saloon * Tomm Moore on IMDb * The Secret of Kells * Song of the Sea * WolfWalkers * WolfWalkers on Apple TV+
Host: Marina Antunes
Sound & Music: Michael Edlund
©2021 Spark CG Society · All Rights Reserved.
Mindy Johnson is an award-winning author, historian, educator, and filmmaker. She is a leading expert in women’s roles in animation and film history. Her work in the field has garnered her a number of prestigious awards, including the 2020 ASIFA-Hollywood Animation Educators Forum Faculty Grant and the 2019 Academy Film Scholar Award. But, did you know that Mindy is also a Grammy-nominated musician?
We recently caught up with Mindy to discuss her varied interests, multiple careers, and how a passion for life-long learning has made her a leading and essential voice in the study of women’s roles in Hollywood history.
Table of Content
00:00 - Welcome
00:28 - Introduction
01:11 — From Minnesota to Neverland
20:31 — Familiar Waters
27:50 — Teaching and Learning
37:46 — Tinker Bell
40:12 — Ink & Paint
47:38 — Pencils, Pens & Brushes
51:54 — Current Projects
54:26 — Getting Women’s History Right
Episode Links * Mindy Johnson Creative * Mindy Johnson on IMDb * Tinker Bell — An Evolution * Ink & Paint * Pencils, Pens & Brushes * Sounds of Blackness — Familiar Waters * Mindy Johnson Playing the Harp
Host: Marina Antunes
Sound & Music: Michael Edlund
©2021 Spark CG Society · All Rights Reserved.
If you attended a Spark festival in years past, chances are that you’ve seen DaCosta Bayley’s work. A self-taught, award-winning illustrator, DaCosta has been creating professionally since 1995. Working under the studio name CHOCOLATE SOOP®, DaCosta has produced designs across various media, has launched the popular “MARCH of ROBOTS” drawing challenge on Instagram, collaborated with artists around the world, and has worked with major brands like Nintendo, Sony, Hasbro, Wacom, and Google.
We recently caught up with DaCosta to talk about how he broke into the industry, how his passion for robots developed, and what he’s working on now.
Chocolate Soop * Chocolate Soop Website * Chocolate Soop on Instagram
A number of years ago, Taylor K. Shaw was looking to staff her project with black animators, people who looked like the characters that she was creating, but the task proved to be more difficult than she anticipated. Eventually, she did find one black female animator, but the search led her to think that there had to be a better way to find these creative individuals, and to create a space for black women to collaborate, inspire each other, and raise each other up. What started as the Black Girl Animators Collective led to Black Women Animate, a mission-driven animation studio that is changing the landscape and pushing boundaries in the animation industry.
We recently caught up with Taylor to discuss the catalyst of how BWA came to be, the accomplishments and challenges of the studio’s first four years, and what’s next for both the studio and Taylor.
Table of Content
00:00 - Welcome
00:16 - Introduction
01:18 - Born to express
03:32 - Power to control narrative
09:02 - Building an animation community
14:38 - JLove — Creative accomplice
19:58 - The world is waking up
24:01 - Family encouragement
27:55 - Pursuing purpose
32:12 - Pandemic driven shift
36:21 - Fueling one's creativity
41:10 - Closing
Joseph Hodges’ first passion was flight, but after a failed attempt at the pilot’s exam, he opted for his second passion: architecture. His designs were always seen as too big and ambitious for real buildings, but when Joseph found himself working on the set of Hook, his passion for design found an outlet, and over his career he has worked on everything from period dramas, and sci-fi, to contemporary dramas.
We recently caught up with Joseph to talk about his experiences working on Hook, his long run on 24, and how he’s staying creative outside of the Hollywood system.
Episode Links * Joseph Hodges on IMDb
Table of Content
00:00 - Welcome
00:16 - Introduction
01:07 - The Desire to Create
03:25 - The Architecture of Movies
07:22 - Beamed to Hollywood
13:06 - Hook and Dracula Workmanship
18:55 - Refreshing Star Trek
25:01 - Keeper of the Look of 24
34:29 - Ongoing Learning
39:49 - Regrets Would Feel Fake
How do a Broadway star and a VFX executive come together to create an animated short film? The story behind how Cops and Robbers, a new short film from Timothy Ware-Hill and Arnon Manor, came to be, is inspiring and speaks to the power of Ware-Hill’s writing, performance and conviction.
We recently spoke with Ware-Hill and Manor about the inspiration for the film, the challenges of working with over 30 artists to create a six-minute project, and how answering an Instagram DM started the ball rolling on the project.
Episode Links * Cops and Robbers — Official Trailer * Timothy Ware-Hill on IMDb * Arnon Manor on IMDb
Table of Content
00:00 - Introduction
00:55 - Coming together
07:53 - A Taste of Chocolate
13:22 - Tipping points
19:25 - Animation collaboration
25:20 - Quilt of experiences
33:08 - Equity and inclusivity
40:26 - What's next
48:24 - Closing
Jennifer Twiner McCarron has always known that she wanted to create safe spaces for artists and creators to create, innovate and excel, and in her tenure at the helm of Thunderbird Entertainment, she has done just that, growing Atomic Cartoons from 25 to more than 450 artists, and leading the company into a new era of award-winning original works and content.
We spoke with Jennifer about discovering her passion at an early age, taking the big leap into the role of CEO, and her leadership during a pandemic.
Jennifer Twiner McCarron * Jennifer Twiner McCarron on IMDb
Atomic Cartoons * Atomic Cartoons Website * Atomic Cartoons on Instagram * Atomic Cartoons on Twiter
Thunderbird * Thunderbird Website * Thunderbird on Instagram * Thunderbird on Twitter * Thunderbird on Facebook
Table of Content
00:00 - Welcome
00:17 - Introduction
01:19 - Sources of Inspiration
04:06 - Creator/Leadership Crossroads
07:06 - Trusting Ones Skills
11:58 - Diversity and Authenticity
17:56 - Pandemic Work/Life Balance
24:10 - Supporting Remote Workers
27:07 - COVID-19 Aftermath
29:14 - Lessons Learned and Future Goals
32:38 - Parting Advice
In part two of our conversation, Nilo talks candidly about that time he quit the business. We take a deep-dive into Johnny Mnemonic, his career shift into video games, and how he stays creative, motivated, and inspired.
Nilo Rodis’ career spans such iconic franchises as Star Wars, Raiders and Star Trek. In fact, his career is so epic, we couldn’t fit it all in onto one episode! In part one of our exclusive conversation, Rodis discusses his early career working in Detroit’s once-booming car industry, how he came to work with George Lucas, and his unlikely friendship and colaboration with John Hughes.