Animation Mentor:
What inspired you to learn animation?

Llorens Borras:
For as long as I can remember I've always liked animation. I grew up with Disney classics and can still remember how I felt when they took me to see Star Wars for the first time.  In those days these kinds of movies were quite unusual, and it began a huge 'revolution' for my generation.  It was then that they started doing the first 'making of's' and I began to see documentaries about the animation process in 2D (3D was at it's very beginning). I used to see them all and began to realize that I would be happy having the chance to participate in this process some day. From then on I've followed that dream. I think it's really fascinating to bring life and feelings to a character.  It's a pity that some DVDs from great movies don't give enough attention to the 'making of.’  Examples such as The Lord of the Rings (awesome extras) or The Incredibles can inspire a lot of people like me.

Llorens Borras:
It has been an incredible experience. I've learned a lot from my mentors and companions (and I still have much to learn from them...). I've made some good friends with whom I'd love to work with some day, who knows.
I had never animated before, and I'm very happy with the progress I've made.  What's even more important, each day I enjoy doing it more.  Thanks to Carlos, Bobby and Shawn for giving us the chance to access this level of education.  Any other way it wouldn't have been possible for many of us.  My only regret is that I wished I had been able to participate more in the forums and the community in general.  But just as some others, I have children, I work, and spent all my free time (what was left...) exclusively animating.

Llorens Borras:
Many...observation, planning, polishing, sincerity...but maybe what helped me more was an overall critique from Mike Makarevicz. He came to say something like, “If you're stuck and something doesn't happen, don't get nervous, take a break, relax and come back to the problem later.”  He wanted us to 'enjoy it.’  And it is easy to say, but when you have a deadline and it's getting close it is also easy to forget it.  We must always have a positive attitude, since we are lucky enough to do what we like best.  And if you put all your interest in something, it will surely come out fine.

Llorens Borras:
Some day I would like to be part of an animated feature film project. One in which the script, animation and 'honesty' of the characters are treated with great care.
I'd like to work in a creative environment, where the company can help me achieve my interests in learning how to become a better professional, even if it's in other areas such as sculpture or paint.
That was only a wish, a desire, but what I would like to do right now is to find full time work as an animator.  This would help me to improve my skills much faster.

Llorens Borras:
I've never had any favorite animators, but there are so many good animators. I've just watched carefully the scenes which I like, but I have no idea who has animated them. I remember those animators who share their knowledge by books, internet or teaching at Animation Mentor.

Llorens Borras:
There are many, but just to mention a few:
- Gollum talking to his alter-ego Smeagol in The Two Towers. The acting and the use of the camera make it look as if it were two different characters, and I love it.
- Bob Par talking to his boss, and the way he puts the pens in their place, his whole attitude, tics, etc... there is no need to listen to anything to realize how the character is in this scene.
- From the 9 minutes I've seen on Ratatouille, there is a scene where Remy wants to escape through the window, then he slows down and turns around waving his finger like saying, “Wait, wait, I have to give the soup the final touch,” which is simply genius. When I saw it I was amazed to see how with a subtle movement you can see what's going on in his head. How hard it is to achieve this!!

Llorens Borras:
For my fellow companions, I would like to say that you should always follow your dreams and I really hope we can have the chance of working together sometime. To those who are not in Animation Mentor yet, don't give it any more thoughts and book yourself in now, you won't regret it!!