Author Archives: straightaheadap

Summary

Mellow out with Kristine Lee on today’s episode of Straight Ahead. An enlightening journey, Kristine had to get creative finding classes that would fit the budget of a freshly graduated Electrical Engineer. Learn about the spark that led to her switch to the field of Animation, and about her rocketing success at Warner Brothers Animation.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/picture_kris

Portfolio: https://www.leekristine.com/

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Summary

Phoning in from Sydney, Australia, it’s Brandon Jaisen Louie! Learn about his job as a 2D FX artist at Flying Bark Productions, what inspired him to become an effects animator, and maybe even inspire you! The industry will always be nomadic, but Brandon’s wanderlust took that literally, and he’s moved half a world away. Lots of good topics just jam packed into our little episode.

Portfolio: https://brandonjaisen.wixsite.com/jaisen

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaisendoodles/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jaisendoodles

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Summary

Animation isn’t always about art, there’s entire teams that keep the production moving! Giselle Grimaldo is a Department Manager at Tonko House. We chat about her experience working in live-action films, what inspired her to pursue animation production, and how her unique perspective as a Person of Color gives her the drive for diversity. P.S. Remember to thank your production team!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ggrimaldo/

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Summary

Today’s episode features Flora Rees-Arredondo, a bi-racial Latinx artist working as a Junior Art Director! The position may entail being less hands-on the art, and more hands-on communication. We talk about the many rewards and excitement that comes with leadership, a role Flora is all too familiar with from directing her capstone short film Malinchista, to being president of the Shrunken Headman Club, to now junior directing at FS studios. Check it out today!

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/florareesa

Malinchista: https://www.instagram.com/malinchistafilm/

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Summary

This week we are joined by the incredible Maya Mendonça, a black artist and freelance 3D animator. Previously she was the animation director for the Student Academy Award-winning short, “Hamsa”. We talk about very important things such as her internship on Infinity Train at Cartoon Network, her time at the School of Visual Arts in New York, and her horoscopic compatibility with Miles Morales.

Portfolio: https://mayamendonca.com/animation

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maya.animation/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/_mayamendonca

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Summary

This week we sit down with Justin Bruce Lee , a chinese-american artist working as an Associate Story Artist at Lucasfilm Animation. We talk about his experience on Star Wars: The Clone Wars, and the pre-vis style of boarding they used at Lucasfilm. This along with his passion for Kung Fu, his decision to come back to school instead of taking a job offer, and his love of all types of love. Give it a listen today!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justbleeve/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/justbleeve

Portfolio: https://justinbrucelee.wixsite.com/portfolio

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Summary

On this episode of Straight Ahead, we’re joined by the wonderful Maddie Julyk, an illustrator, concept artist, and worker-owner at Wild Blue Studios. We talk about the unique structure of the Wild Blue co-op, and Maddie’s journey to getting such an opportunity. Come for the tidbits of concept art advice, but stay for the mind-expanding ideas.

Wild Blue Studios portfolio review application: https://airtable.com/shrwV7BoM7jaB3Wxt

Twitter: https://twitter.com/milkybeverage

Wild Blue Studios streaming: https://www.twitch.tv/wildbluestudios

Portfolio: https://www.artstation.com/maddiejulyk

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Summary

Marvin Madrid is our guest on Straight Ahead this week! He is a filipino artist that also attended San José State University. We talk about many things, including his experiences popping between action and comedy storyboards in DreamWorks TV’s unique environment. We hope you enjoy hanging out with Marvin as much as we did!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marvinnator/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/marvinnator_

Portfolio: https://marvinmadrid.myportfolio.com/

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Summary

This week we’re joined by Latonya White, a 2D artist at Serenity Forge in Boulder, Colorado. Learn about their job at a small indie game company, their stories about running away, and about their experience being a black-korean artist. It’s incredibly insightful. Give it a listen and let us know what you think! 🙂

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lattedoodles/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LatteDraws

Tumblr: https://lattedraws.tumblr.com/

Portfolio: https://www.latonyawhiteart.com/

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Summary

In today’s episode we interview Gloria Carolina Felix Orozco, a Mexican artist from currently based in Guadalajara, Mexico. We talk about the differences between the industry in Mexico as opposed to Los Angeles, her experiences being featured in art galleries, and much more! 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gloriafelixart/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GloriaFelixArt

Portfolio: https://gloriafelix.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gloriafelixart/

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