Between the Keyframes

Listen in as we explore the creative world of Kelli Anderson. Kelli takes us on a journey through her artistic path, revealing how her interests in art and science led her to an unconventional approach to motion design. Our conversation explores this unique intersection, the importance of communication skills in the art and design industry, and the magic of trusting our own feelings in the creative process. The episode is a tribute to the power of art to transcend our physical limitations.  Discussion Points:  Motion design and creative exploration  Kelli’s education and background  Art, ideas, communication intersection  Balancing playfulness and accountability in work  The importance of joy in creativity  Craft and technology  Intersection of science, art, design  Workshop structure and the analog-digital mashup  Exploring typography and favorite artists  Zoom for international collaboration   Resources:  Kelli Anderson  Book: This Book is a Planetarium  Book: This Book is a Camera  Sarofsky   Austin Shaw 

Join us as we delve deep into a captivating conversation with the multi-talented designer and director, Peter Clark. From his humble beginnings of learning the ropes in high school Photoshop competitions, all the way to selling his first piece of art and taking the plunge into his dream career, Peter's journey is nothing short of inspirational. Discover how Peter transitioned from school to the professional realm, the significance of personal projects, and the courage it takes to chase your dreams.  Peter Clark is a multi-media artist and designer with an emphasis on graphic design brought to life via experimental animation techniques. His work is largely influenced by a life of skateboarding and drumming, which gave birth to his audio alias Enternull. Clark is often involved in both the audio and visual production of his projects -- which vary between experimental animations, light-based installation art and title design packages. He has been working as a freelance designer since 2014 with clients such as Fender Music, The Video Game Awards, Nike, Masterclass, Martin Garrix, and Nine Inch Nails. His visual approach often focuses on the process behind creation, attempting to use actions or materials as conceptual metaphors. By focusing on the errors often found in analog glitch or practical effects, Clark seeks to hint at the process behind the work and bring viewers closer to the act of making.  Discussion Points:  Early interests and education in design  Creating a unique aesthetic and brand  Transition from school to the professional world  Career paths and perspectives  Becoming a studio owner journey  Curating and mentoring talent  Practical effects and the creative process  Practical effects vs. digital  Pushing boundaries in lighting effects  Analog and digital art intersection  Taking time off and giving back   Resources:  Peter Clark  Peter’s Instagram  Sarofsky   Austin Shaw 

What if we told you that animation is no longer a male-dominated field? That's right! On today's podcast, we're joined by Bee Grandinetti and Dorca Musseb, the brains behind Panimation, a thriving community for women, trans, and non-binary individuals involved in animation and motion graphics. The pair share heartening anecdotes from their career journeys, their roles as educators, and shed light on the significant changes they're witnessing in the industry. They also reflect on Panimation's journey, from a humble Facebook group to a robust platform with a directory, Instagram handle, and an exclusive channel.  Staying true to their ethos, Bee and Dorca don't shy away from addressing the less glamorous aspects of the industry. Together, we dive headfirst into pressing topics like microaggressions, mentorship, the value of seasoned peers, and the need for ensuring fair treatment for all. They paint a vivid picture of the complexities of the animation world while emphasizing the importance of creating a safe space for discussions about worth and value. We also discuss the unique challenges that crop up when working with different studios, touching upon sensitive issues like health insurance and student debt.   Discussion Points:  Maintaining a nurturing Facebook group  The animation community in New York  Women directors and talent  The importance of inclusivity and representation  Gaining social power in the workplace  Importance of peers in career networking  Embracing knowledge and empowerment in education  Resources:  Panimation Dorca Musseb Bee Grandinetti Sarofsky  Austin Shaw 

We are thrilled to welcome the multifaceted Sofie Lee, a designer, illustrator, art director, and storyboard artist with an inspiring journey to share. We delve into her transition from South Korea to Vancouver, LA, to SCAD, and ultimately establishing herself in the world of freelancing. We'll discover how a visit to the digital media building at SCAD led her to switch her major to motion media design and how this transition opened up a new world of self-expression for her.  We also discuss the profound impact of parenthood on career and worldview. Through her own experiences, she underscores the importance of creating spaces for those who break from the mold, and the evolution of her communication techniques. We wrap our chat by reflecting on the creative industry's specialist and generalist roles, the unique opportunities they present, and the inherent challenges.   Discussion Points:  Sophie’s background and journey to finding community and inspiration  Exploring the power of motion design  Transition from school to the working world  Growth through learning  Parenting's impact on career and empathy  Challenges of aging parents and work  Creating space for diversity and inclusion  Cultural differences and workplace etiquette  Career skills and understanding growth  Impact of collaboration in art  Resources: Sofie Lee Sofie’s Instagram Sarofsky  Austin Shaw 

Imagine being a teenager who has to escape your homeland, learn a new language, and then you proceed to become a leader in the motion design industry. In another installment of our interview series, we welcome such a person - Hung Le - and his co-founder at BIEN Motion Design Studio, Ricardo Roberts. Both have unique, inspiring journeys that embody the spirit of determination and innovation. Hung recounts his incredible escape from Vietnam at 16 and his path to becoming a household name in motion design. Ricardo, on the other hand, was born in Ecuador and relates how a chance elective in grad school transformed his life, leading him from studio art to motion design.    Ricardo and Hung discuss their ‘Double the Line’ initiative, a mentorship program that aims to break down monoculture in design. Join us as we traverse this inspiring journey that encompasses not just the world of motion design, but also the larger issues of diversity, inclusion, and representation.   

In another episode of our interview series, you’ll hear from industry expert Carlo Vega, a motion design veteran with over two decades of experience. Carlo shares memories of his early career, his first professional job, and his journey to New York. The discussion covers Carlo's use of technology to create art and the topics he explores through his passion projects. The episode concludes with the importance of understanding the process and the value of failure when working on projects.   Carlo Vega was born in Lima, Peru, and grew up during a time of domestic terrorism and political turmoil. Vega approaches his art as a studied collection of thoughts and experiences, piecing together various realities. By combining simple, often geometric shapes with nebulous backgrounds and exploring abstract concepts through various mediums, Vega explores a tension between the logical and the inexplicable, the same tension he was surrounded with as a child in Lima. Carlo received his BA from the University of South Carolina in 2000 and currently resides in Brooklyn, New York.    Discussion Points:  Artistic personal work and career opportunities  Collaborative work on TV network rebranding   Building long-term client relationships  Evolution of creative careers   Art and design in motion   Exploring dialogue and creation with AI   Visual R&D and experimentation process   Exploring and evolving creative approaches   Workshops and learning in design   Balancing labor and enthusiasm in workshops   Resources:  Carlo Vega  Gray Keys  Sarofsky   Austin Shaw 

Your raw talent can get you in the door, but that door is going to be hitting you on the ass very quickly if you don’t have the necessary soft skills to work well in collaborative groups with clients, colleagues, team members, and leaders in our field. The definition of a ‘skill’ is something that is learned. In this episode, Erin and Austin discuss ‘soft skills’ like reliability, time management, communication, attitude, and more.  Most of these should be common sense, but to become a consummate professional, it pays to learn and practice soft skills and develop your emotional intelligence.  You’ll become a sought-after pro with a sterling reputation if you really work on observing, learning, and developing these skills.   Discussion Points: Our work only survives with collaboration, as in most creative mediums Definitions – Skill, Soft Skills, Hard Skills Austin and Erin admit their soft skills needed work when they first started in the business Time management –In the real world, there are repercussions to failing to do what you’ve been hired to do by the deadline Unreliability is not tolerated - and someone is always waiting to take your place Communication– if you’re not sure, or worried, just ask – sooner than later Missing assets you need for the job– how to best communicate  Attitude– you can still have your own style, but do the work and don’t be a bummer Giving Direction – clarify what you’re trying to solve, and give the person something to work toward The ripple effect of missed deadlines Follow-through - you can be organized but follow-through may need to be learned Learning to ‘read the room’ – give everyone space to speak, don’t hog the mic, and look for the spotlight. Everything affects everything – do your work on time, don’t be a bummer or a jerk, and communicate early if you’re having trouble We’ve received lots of your reels for Reel Time Reel Talk!   Resources: Sarofsky  Austin Shaw

If the hold system did not exist or was not respected by motion design studios and freelancers, there would probably be complete chaos.  Even with this system, finding and reserving talent can be a “challenge.” The hold system is a constantly moving puzzle that must be delicately managed by both studios and talent. Today Austin and Erin are delving into the basic tenets of the hold system and giving you the inside scoop on how you as a freelancer are able and encouraged to work within this tenuous network. You are in control of your time and your fees, so be proactive, fair, and flexible. Your reputation will thank you.   Discussion Points: Definition of a hold first and second holds How studios use holds to manage resources Building your reputation, being fair re: studio holds Studios and freelancers need to respect the system Holds vs. bookings What is a booking? Communication with studios – its okay to reach out as a hold approaches Juggling multiple holds– dos and donts What is a challenge? The etiquette around holds, bookings, and challenges Kill fees and canceled bookings Check out the 2019 Motionographer article on holds by Josh Van Praag Recap   Resources: Josh Van Praag Motionographer Article on Holds Sarofsky  Austin Shaw

  Welcome to Part II of all the things motion designers create. In this episode, we’ll discuss brand videos & documentaries, explainer videos, apps, future tech, video games, experiential design, live performances, and NFTs.   Some highlights include brand work that has been done for Apple, Marni, and Good Books, Apps like Google Home, video games including the breathtaking scenery in Red Dead Redemption II, live performance opportunities such as half-time shows or visuals for your favorite bands in concert, and we’ll even cover programming drones to create visuals in the sky and NFT’s digital assets being sold in the crypto world.  Let us know if we missed something and send us your favorite examples in any area we discussed!     Discussion Points: Brand videos  Brand documentary films Explainer videos  Apps  Future Tech  Video Games  Experiential Live Performance NFT’s  Resources: Sarofsky  Austin Shaw

We tried to squeeze everything a motion designer creates into one episode, but we touch so many things that we’re splitting it into two.   In Part I, we’ll discuss movie titles, TV titles, title cards, commercials, Network branding and promos, music videos, episodics, in-app branding, and award show packages (like MTV Video Music Awards and the Oscars), and logo animations. What comes to mind when you think of each of these areas of Motion Design? Austin and Erin will highlight some of their favorites – from Motion Design studios to individual designers, going back decades. From Ozark to the Brady Bunch, MTV’s moon and flag treatment, to Green Day, Led Zeppelin, Netflix, Microsoft, and Google – join us for a sometimes nostalgic and always inspiring look at all the work motion designers create.     Discussion Points: Movie Titles – Birds of Prey, Psycho & Saul Bass, Thomas Crown Affair, Se7en, Bond films TV Titles - Peacemaker, The Morning Show, True Detective, The Brady Bunch, Golden Girls  Title Cards - Ozark, The Killing Events - Oscars, Emmys, MTV, Independent Spirit Awards Conference Titles - Not often talked about, a chance to really experiment Commercials – Nike Air Max, the Kraken, Bombay Sapphire Network Promos and Branding - F/x American Horror Story, Simpsons Austin’s work for Pharrell, Anthropologie, Ralph Lauren Music Videos - A-Ha, White Stripes, They Might Be Giants Episodics - Another area not often talked about - Adult Swim, Julia Pott Motion Branding - TV networks, Netflix, Hulu In-App Branding - Microsoft, Stephen Kelleher  Award Show Packages – MTV, Studio Moross Logo Animation - MTV Moon Man Resources: Sarofsky  Austin Shaw

Welcome to the first episode in our “Professional Practices” series. Today we’ll cover some of the topline areas that you need to consider when you begin your job search. We’ve been around the block, and we’re here to share our hard-won knowledge about the Motion Design industry, how to find the perfect position for your skills and preferences and the many critical elements to being successful. From defining what you want to do, to where you might be interested in doing it, to the many moving parts of Motion Design teams and companies, we’ll help you navigate through some of the toughest stages of your career. Discussion Points: We love to start with definitions – what is a “Professional”? Austin’s personal dress code through the years Identifying what job you are most interested in  Generalists vs. specialists Future topic: the hierarchy of Motion Design teams Can you identify and communicate your “value proposition”? The three “stages of knowing” Future topic: interpreting a creative brief The soft skills necessary for being a professional Motion Design is highly collaborative - leave your ego at the door Future topic: Building a reel Identifying your employable skills Learn to be ‘of service’ We’re here to help!   Resources: Sarofsky  Austin Shaw

Back when we were job hunting early in our careers, no one mentioned company culture, and we didn’t look at company culture as a ‘thing.’ We looked for open jobs and took them when hired!  These days, a company’s culture ranks high on the wish list of many motion design job seekers.   Join us as we discuss what makes company culture toxic, or sustainable, and how to recognize aspects of each type.  Every company or classroom has a culture, it may be great in a giant corporation, and it could be horrible in a small, seemingly cool, boutique organization.  Don’t assume. Do you have some great culture-related work stories?  Send them to us, we would love to hear about them.   Discussion Points: Let’s first define what culture is in the dictionary It’s definitely challenging to foster culture in our current remote home-based zooms and slack etc.. Motion design work used to be only in NY/LA but now you can work anywhere Great motion design teams can be found in lots of unexpected places, like CashApp Company culture is always changing– and you can influence it when you’re inside Is the company culture “sustainable” or toxic? Some attributes that make for a toxic company environment: Discrimination of any kind: any of the ‘isms’ Unrealistic expectations for work deadlines Constantly in DefCon 1 Mode/putting out fires Burnout Some attributes of a sustainable culture Feeling like you want to be there Anyone can speak up at any time without repercussions Communal spaces to talk, eat, hang out Clear HR policies/regular reviews Clarity of reporting structure– who can you talk to about issues? Ability to manage your personal obligations without repercussions Accessibility to leadership People/leadership saying thank you for all your hard work Do you have some interesting culture

This episode is the second half of our Interrogation series with Michelle McDonald, a senior at Western Washington University and one of Austin’s students. Michelle has been grilling us on what she wants to know about the industry, lessons we learned through our experiences, and what she should anticipate after she graduates. Today we’re answering questions about overcoming obstacles, what activities lead us to our flow states, and what questions you should be asking your potential studios. Michelle also gives us feedback from her point of view and age group. We also talk about the importance of a mentorship program: why students don’t ask about mentorships more and why they are beneficial. Discussion Points: Things to overcome as designers The activities that make us feel most like ourselves Finding flow states The questions you should be asking Our weaknesses Feedback for our project Skills students “should” master and the importance of a mentorship program Resources Sarofsky  Austin Shaw  

Welcome to the first episode of our interview series featuring Ariel Costa, an Emmy-winning Creative / Animation (mixed-media) Director based in Los Angeles, CA. As the world constantly evolves, so does the motion design industry. Ariel gives his take on the emergence of new talent, the rise of AI and NFTs, and the impact of the pandemic on the industry. The conversation also covers the implications of AI on the industry, copyright infringement concerns, and the potential loss of the industry's 'soul.' Ariel lets us in on his creative process, the allure of 'blinking our brains,' and how the marriage of analog and digital elements creates harmony in design. Join us for this insightful and enthralling conversation about the challenges, triumphs, and evolution of our industry.   Ariel’s creative studio BlinkMyBrain™ is not a tool, it’s the attitude. Ariel helps studios, production companies, agencies, and all sorts of clients to solve creative and visual problems, bringing ideas to life and creating the message. With over 14 years of experience in the Motion Graphics industry, Ariel had the chance to collaborate with clients such as Marvel Animation, Spotify, Adidas, Warner, Focus Films, Netflix, The New York Times, Pinterest, and Facebook among many others. In the music industry, Ariel has done visual concepts for bands like Panic at the Disco, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, and 30 Seconds to Mars. He directed music videos for incredible bands like Led Zeppelin, Green Day, Mastodon, and Creedence Clearwater Revival.  Discussion Points:  Real and digital world inspirations  The importance of personal projects  Navigating time constraints in creative problem-solving  AI's role in the creative process  The importance of studio environment  Challenges of a creative director  The decline of traditional work structures  Social media's importance for artists  The feedback loop and iterative process  Collage and mixed media exploration Resources:  Ariel Costa - Blink My Brain  Blink My Brain – Green Day  Blink My Brain – Led Zeppelin  Blink My Brain - Mastodon  Sarofsky   Austin Shaw 

In this episode, Erin and Austin review and critique three more listener reel submissions for part two of their “Reel Time, Real Talk” mini-series.   You’ll hear tips and tricks for improving the reel content, feedback on which parts are strong and not so impressive, advice on changing perspective, simplifying, modifying the typography or camera pov, and other constructive feedback. Today’s reels are from Miles Fabishak, Seth Thomas, and Evan West.   Discussion Points: [00:17] Discussion and feedback for submission reel from Miles Fabishak [04:23] Discussion and feedback for submission reel from Seth Thomas [10:13] Discussion and feedback for submission reel from Evan West More Reel Time Reel Talk in our next episode   Resources: Miles Fabishak  Seth Thomas Evan West Jessica Hische Typography Sarofsky  Austin Shaw

In this episode, Erin and Austin review and critique three listener reel submissions for part one of their “Reel Time, Real Talk” mini-series.  You’ll hear tips and tricks for improving the reel content, feedback on which parts are strong and not so impressive, advice on changing perspective, simplifying, modifying the typography or camera pov, and other constructive feedback. Today’s reels are from Issy Muir, Etienne Buteau, and Thomas Collier. Discussion Points: [02:14] Discussion and feedback for submission reel from Issy Muir [09:11] Discussion and feedback for submission reel from Etienne Buteau [15:12] Discussion and feedback for submission reel from Thomas Collier Stay tuned for Part II in the coming weeks Resources: Issy Muir Portfolio Étienne Buteau Website Thomas Collier Website Sarofsky  Austin Shaw

In this episode, Erin and Austin welcome Justin Cone, Director of Communications Strategy at BUCK, a global creative company that brings brands, stories, and experiences to life through art, design, and technology. With offices around the world, BUCK’s 600 makers, doers, and dreamers create work that is experienced by literally billions of people every day. Justin’s experience with many different roles within the industry makes him a great listen for any motion design student or experienced designer. You’ll hear about the state of the motion design industry both in the early days and now, trends in employment and education, and new ideas and concepts on the horizon.   Discussion Points: Justin, Erin and Austin’s early days in the industry The state of education and employment in the industry today The “Cream of the Crop” list Big tech jobs The impact of Motionographer.com on the industry Internships/apprenticeships  BUCK business update An LGBTQIA ‘zine project at BUCK Remote work and its lack of network building Writing and motion design Producers, EPs, and their roles Company culture The IRL student experience Private vs. public art schools Obligations and responsibilities, managing time Pros and cons within the motion design industry Talent vs. hard work Taco preferences, worst client notes, early mistakes, and gripes about kids these days Resources: Starter Story “How to Say No” Justin Cone Website Justin Cone Instagram Justin Cone Twitter Justin Cone LinkedIn Sarofsky  Austin Shaw