Animation Mentor:
What inspired you to become an animator?

Mike Belzer:
I had a very unique opportunity to take an animation class in my 8th grade class where a teacher by the name Dave Master taught the basics of stop motion and 2-D animation.  Once I figured out that things like Mighty Joe Young, the chess pieces in Star Wars and even the California Raisins were done with Stop motion animation I was hooked in.  Not only was I able to cut a class one day a semester to shoot a film, I was able to bring my clay sculptures to life. 

Mike Belzer:
July 7th 1987 I started my first day at Premivison studios that were doing a revival series of Gumby.  This was the perfect first job.  I got to practice all day long and unless the film came back black, it would be used in the show.  Because of the high quota that we had to hit each week, you would learn really fast.  It was a great training ground for many of us who went onto films like Nightmare.  I feel so lucky to have had an experience like that.  Quality was as good as you can make it in the short time you had.  It was like going to school... but getting paid for it.

Mike Belzer on the set of Nightmare Before Christmas

Mike Belzer:
Learn to draw better!  I guess where my mind was, back in the day of stop motion animation when I was only playing with puppets, I would not need to know how to draw... EHHRRRR!!... wrong answer.  Sure, I don't need to be as proficient as some of my peers who do the amazing 2-D process but it is such an essential part of communicating ideas.  To be able to thumbnail or communicate ideas, poses or actions, or to be able to help with concept art of facial designs is something I constantly struggle with.  Drawing is so necessary.  Anybody reading this (all 3 of you) please learn from my mistake and learn how to draw.  You will be glad you did.

Mike Belzer:
I would have to say my animation teacher Dave Master.  He didn't necessarily teach me how to be a better animator by reviewing my work or teaching me the principles, but he taught me the most important lesson in this line of work which was to never give up on your dreams.  When I was at a cross roads in my life at the age of 20, I didn't know what I wanted to do with my life.  The one thing I knew is that I really loved stop motion animation.  But remember, this was in a period of time when computer animation wasn't even on the map and stop motion animation was hardly ever used.  2-D animation was king and I knew my talents would not lead me to being any great 2-D animator.  It was because of the encouragement of this teacher that I set out on a quest to fulfill my dream of becoming an animator.  He was also the guy who kept pushing me even when reels of my "crappy" work were being sent back to me even unopened.  How harsh is that... not even a rejection letter.  So to me this all adds up to an incredible mentor in my book.  Someone who gave hope to a kid who had a little talent and a big dream.

Mike Belzer:
I feel so lucky to have had the chance to animate some pretty great characters.  I don't think I can single one out as my favorite.  But to give you an answer to the question I'll take the safe road and say that I loved working on "Carl" the robot from Meet the Robinsons .  Being that he is a robot, it offered an endless array of ways I can handle a situation.  Things could pop out of his chest or head and there were no questions asked.  I can stretch out limbs to help a situation and nobody complained that he's off model.  He was also voiced by Harland Williams who is hysterical.  I wish we could have put a tenth of some of the stuff that he would improve with in the film... funny... but perhaps not very Disney. 

Mike Belzer:
It seems like yesterday when I was just getting into this world of animation and I remember how exciting, nervous, curious and passionate I was to it all.  Today I still have that drive but being around the students of Animation Mentor is such a thrill because they have all those feelings I remember and it offers up a certain spark that can't be faked.  I'm so excited for the students today who are apart of Animation Mentor because they have so many professionals that explain concepts but they also get hands on help to make their work better.  I would have screamed to have any professional help me with my art when I was stating out, and these students seem to have an endless amount of talent there to help better their work.  From top to bottom, the way that Animation Mentor is set up has to be a dream for a student serious about wanting to learn about animation.  I'm constantly amazed at how intelligent the students’ questions are and how quickly these students grow.  It's an exciting time when you are just starting out in animation.  Being part of Animation Mentor is like I'm staring fresh again and that electric energy is what I find contagious.