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Animation Mentor:
What inspired you to become an animator?
Chris Chua:
Well, for as long as I can remember, I have always loved animated films. I would watch all the old classic Disney films like Pinocchio, Jungle Book, and 101 Dalmatians over and over again. This really instilled a love of art, drawing, and animation in me at an early age. By the time I got into high school, I realized that becoming an animator was something I was seriously considering as a career. One day my art teacher told me about CalArts and the rest, as they say, is history!
Animation Mentor:
What was your first animation job?
Chris Chua:
My first animation job was at Rough Draft Studios in Glendale doing character layout on Futurama. I still have very fond memories of meeting many great friends and learning the valuable lesson of prioritizing your work schedule to get everything done. There was always a TON of work to do!
Animation Mentor:
If you could do one thing differently on your journey to becoming an animator, what would it be?
Chris Chua:
Man, my journey to becoming an animator has been such a gratifying and surprising ride, I can't say I would really do anything differently. If there is one thing, I wish I could have started life drawing a little earlier. I never really did life drawings until I got to CalArts!
Animation Mentor:
Who would you consider your mentor to be in animation?
Chris Chua:
I've worked with many talented people throughout my career but someone who has definitely inspired me was my junior year animation teacher from Disney, Marc Smith. Not only did he help hone my animation skills, he was also very patient, humble, and constantly acknowledged the fact that being a great artist meant you were always learning. Now that I teach at Animation Mentor, it's really something I try to drive home to all my students.
Animation Mentor:
Who is your favorite character that you've animated and why?
Chris Chua:
My favorite character that I have animated so far would have to be the Toad in Flushed Away. Ian McKellen's line readings were such a blast to dive in and animate to. He could really go from big and theatrical to just plain menacing...plus, I can totally relate to his cheesy sense of humor.
Animation Mentor:
How has the Animation Mentor experience been for you so far?
Chris Chua:
Animation Mentor has been one of the most enjoyable and rewarding experiences for me! Being connected to such a talented group of teachers and students is really something that I wish I had when I was first getting into animation. And the wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm is also so infectious...it just makes you WANT to animate!
Animation Mentor:
What is your favorite Animation Mentor tool?
Chris Chua:
My favorite Animation Mentor tool would probably have to be the Q&A sessions. Being able to share my knowledge of animation with all my students and interacting with them is such an amazing experience.
Also, seeing their eagerness to learn and their development as artists in their own right is priceless!! |
