Featured Mentor: Sandy Christensen
Animation Mentor:
What inspired you to become an animator?
Sandy Christensen:
I was inspired to become an animator from childhood. Although I wasn't aware of a 'career' as an animator, I was fascinated by any and all animation (especially the old Christmas specials done in stop motion). I remember telling my big sister that I couldn't IMAGINE ever getting tired of cartoons and couldn't understand that most adults seemed indifferent to that magical Saturday morning cartoon watching experience! As far as being inspired to work with the computer as a tool, that would be after seeing "Toy Story," I knew that the age of computer animation had arrived. I'm still a big fan of stop motion, experimental and traditional animation.
Animation Mentor:
Who would you consider your mentor to be in animation?
Sandy Christensen:
My most effective mentor was Jan Pinkava, the director and creator of "Geri's Game." Jan was so patient with me and offered the most incredible and in depth critiques during the dailies of "Geri's Game." I felt it was a rare privilege to work on a project so near and dear to the director's heart.
Animation Mentor:
Who is your favorite character that you've animated and why?
Sandy Christensen:
Geri from "Geri's Game" was my favorite character to animate because of the subtlety involved with animating an old person. I learned so much working on that project.
Animation Mentor:
What was your first animation job?
Sandy Christensen:
My first animation job was working on Sega Genesis games back in the early 90's. The animators in 'those days' were mostly self taught, and we animated on a program called "Deluxe Animation"... the pixels were about as big as a dime, but that's where I was bit by the animation bug.
Animation Mentor:
If you could do one thing differently on your journey to becoming an animator, what would it be?
Sandy Christensen:
I would go back to Art Center, and take more classes in story boarding. I absolutely admire the work of good story board artists. These folks have so much ability and knowledge of layout, posing, figure drawing, perspective, and composition!! I also think I would have really benefited from some formal traditional animation training while in school...although it's never too late to take extra courses while working, I value my down time and I keep myself balanced exploring other endeavors outside of animation, namely dance!
Animation Mentor:
How has the Animation Mentor experience been for you so far?
Sandy Christensen:
Being a part of Animation Mentor has been fantastic! The love of animation and the intensity and dedication of the mentors and students is inspiring. I also REALLY love the variety of students participating in the program...almost every age and country is represented...how many classrooms have that kind of diversity?
Animation Mentor:
What is your favorite feature / tool on Animation Mentor?
Sandy Christensen:
There are so many valuable aspects to the way Animation Mentor is designed, and I am amazed at how much the program and the interface has evolved in such a short time. I feel truly honored to be a part of something so revolutionary and so successful at training a kick ass generation of new animators from all over the world. Aside from the Video Lectures, it's difficult to pick just one favorite thing about it.... I guess I'd have to say that one of my favorite 'features' is simply to have access to the e-critiques, and to cruise the campus... that alone is fun and inspiring.
What inspired you to become an animator?
Sandy Christensen:
I was inspired to become an animator from childhood. Although I wasn't aware of a 'career' as an animator, I was fascinated by any and all animation (especially the old Christmas specials done in stop motion). I remember telling my big sister that I couldn't IMAGINE ever getting tired of cartoons and couldn't understand that most adults seemed indifferent to that magical Saturday morning cartoon watching experience! As far as being inspired to work with the computer as a tool, that would be after seeing "Toy Story," I knew that the age of computer animation had arrived. I'm still a big fan of stop motion, experimental and traditional animation.
Animation Mentor:
Who would you consider your mentor to be in animation?
Sandy Christensen:
My most effective mentor was Jan Pinkava, the director and creator of "Geri's Game." Jan was so patient with me and offered the most incredible and in depth critiques during the dailies of "Geri's Game." I felt it was a rare privilege to work on a project so near and dear to the director's heart.
Animation Mentor:
Who is your favorite character that you've animated and why?
Sandy Christensen:
Geri from "Geri's Game" was my favorite character to animate because of the subtlety involved with animating an old person. I learned so much working on that project.
Animation Mentor:
What was your first animation job?
Sandy Christensen:
My first animation job was working on Sega Genesis games back in the early 90's. The animators in 'those days' were mostly self taught, and we animated on a program called "Deluxe Animation"... the pixels were about as big as a dime, but that's where I was bit by the animation bug.
Animation Mentor:
If you could do one thing differently on your journey to becoming an animator, what would it be?
Sandy Christensen:
I would go back to Art Center, and take more classes in story boarding. I absolutely admire the work of good story board artists. These folks have so much ability and knowledge of layout, posing, figure drawing, perspective, and composition!! I also think I would have really benefited from some formal traditional animation training while in school...although it's never too late to take extra courses while working, I value my down time and I keep myself balanced exploring other endeavors outside of animation, namely dance!
Animation Mentor:
How has the Animation Mentor experience been for you so far?
Sandy Christensen:
Being a part of Animation Mentor has been fantastic! The love of animation and the intensity and dedication of the mentors and students is inspiring. I also REALLY love the variety of students participating in the program...almost every age and country is represented...how many classrooms have that kind of diversity?
Animation Mentor:
What is your favorite feature / tool on Animation Mentor?
Sandy Christensen:
There are so many valuable aspects to the way Animation Mentor is designed, and I am amazed at how much the program and the interface has evolved in such a short time. I feel truly honored to be a part of something so revolutionary and so successful at training a kick ass generation of new animators from all over the world. Aside from the Video Lectures, it's difficult to pick just one favorite thing about it.... I guess I'd have to say that one of my favorite 'features' is simply to have access to the e-critiques, and to cruise the campus... that alone is fun and inspiring.