CTN Animation Expo: The Challenges Animators Face in Their Careers

Animation Mentor recently hosted an animation roundtable at the first Creative Talent Network (CTN) Animation Expo in Burbank, California.

The CTN Expo is a three-day conference geared to animation artists, executive and industry leaders.

More than 225 animators and enthusiasts joined the roundtable "An Animation Career Snapshot", sponsored by Animation Mentor, where industry insiders addressed the challenges animators face in all areas of their careers. The team of experts included many members of the Animation Mentor family. Animation Mentor lecturer and animation veteran Eric Goldberg of Disney Animation Studios was joined by fellow Disney animator and Animation Mentor graduate Kira Lehtomaki. Professional animators and Animation Mentor mentors Chris Williams of Sony Pictures Imageworks and Sean Sexton of DreamWorks Animation SKG rounded out the panel.

Moderator Tenny Chonin, gallery owner and former director of artist development at Disney Animation Studios kicked off the event by asking panelists about the role that their original mentors played in their animation careers. Eric Goldberg talked about his first mentor Walter Lance, the creator of The Woody Woodpecker Show. Lance influenced Goldberg by showcasing drawing tips after each Woody Woodpecker episode. In addition, Chris Williams' referred to the lectures he once received by Eric Goldberg while attending Sheridan College as something that strongly affected his training and animation career.

Kira Lehtomaki's mentor, Eric Walls, played an important part in her career as Walls is both a 2D and CG animator who helped guide her at her traineeship at Disney Animation Studios. The conversation looped back to Animation Mentor as Sean Sexton talked about current Animation Mentor mentor, Kevin O'Hara of Pixar Animation Studios, as a strong and trusted influence.

"This is the first time I've seen a conference make the effort to bridge the gap between the panelists and the audience. After the event, both the panelists and the audience gathered together to continue the discussion," said Molly Wolfsehr, event manager at Animation Mentor. "I loved seeing Sean Sexton give demo reel reviews and Kria Lehtomaki answer questions about her animation career. I can't wait to go back next year!"

Throughout the discussion, the career of each panelist showed that despite different and varying experiences – from a 40-year veteran to a new professional of just three years – all have a love a passion for animating. Each continues to want to grow and learn and most importantly help others on their own animation journeys.