Welcome to another SLAE episode. These episodes were recorded at The Salt Lake Animation Expo in March of 2024. We interviewed Expo Speakers and others who were involved with the expo. A special thanks to Jordyn Curly for allowing us to do this.In this episode, Kathryn and Will welcome Lindsay Knowler at Eat Your Peas, a collaborative effort among passionate artists aimed at mentoring and giving back to the community. Lindsay shares her journey from working as an animator to becoming a Senior Trainer at Toon Boom and eventually starting her own initiative.She highlights the challenges and intricacies of Rigging in animation and the lack of standardized practices across different studios and regions. Lindsay emphasizes the need for clear standards and efficient pipelines to help both small studios and emerging artists. The conversation also touches on the impact of style on animation workflows and the importance of good leadership in creative environments.Learn more about Eat Your Peas here:https://www.lindsayknowler.ca/eat-your-peas-home
In this episode, we're joined by Kaci Smith and Jennie Davis, co-founders of the Mothers of Mograph community, to discuss the unique challenges and triumphs of balancing motherhood and a career in the creative industry. They share insights into their organization's aim to helpi mothers navigate the complexities of the creative industry.The episode delves into the specific challenges faced by creative mothers, such as the mental load of balancing work and parenting responsibilities, and the need for more empathy and understanding from employers. Kaci and Jennie advocate for policy changes to create more flexible and supportive work environments, sharing examples from their own experiences.If you have a topic or question you’d like us to cover, you can submit it to www.openpixelstudios.com/podquestion Learn more about this podcast here: https://www.openpixelstudios.com/behindthepixelEMedia produces the podcast in Easthampton, MA. Produced by Jackson Foote and Will ColónWritten and Created by:Will Colón: https://www.linkedin.com/in/willmcolon/Kathryn Taccone: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryntaccone/
In this episode of Behind the Pixel, Will and Kathryn dive into a thought-provoking discussion inspired by a well-composed anonymous post on LinkedIn. The episode centers on key principles for improving collaboration and creativity between clients and creators. They both reflect on their own experiences at Open Pixel Studios, emphasizing the importance of mutual respect and effective communication in creative partnerships. They also discuss the dynamics of power within creative collaborations and how both clients and creators can navigate these challenges to achieve successful outcomes.If you have a topic or question you’d like us to cover, you can submit it to www.openpixelstudios.com/podquestion Learn more about this podcast here: https://www.openpixelstudios.com/behindthepixelEMedia produces the podcast in Easthampton, MA. Produced by Jackson Foote and Will ColónWritten and Created by:Will Colón: https://www.linkedin.com/in/willmcolon/Kathryn Taccone: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryntaccone/
Welcome to another SLAE episode. These episodes were recorded at The Salt Lake Animation Expo in March of 2024. We interviewed Expo Speakers and others who were involved with the expo. A special thanks to Jordyn Curly for allowing us to do this.In this episode, Will and Kathryn sat down with, Julian Curi, also known as Righteous Robot, a filmmaker and animator specializing in a unique papercut animation style. Julian shares his story of how his short film "Gruff" came to life, from its inception to its completion over nearly three years. He discusses the challenges and benefits of working across various film departments, and the serendipitous birth of his animation style during the pandemic. Julian opens up about his experience with crowdfunding, detailing how a viral TikTok video in December 2022 led to an overwhelming response and support from viewers, enabling him to meet his $25,000 funding goal in just a month. He also touches on the importance of transparency in client work and how he navigates the complexities of budgeting and estimating time for his animation projects.Join us for an inspiring and informative discussion on creativity, the power of social media, and the journey of bringing a unique artistic vision to life.Learn more about Righteous Robot here: https://www.righteousrobot.com/Watch the Film Gruff: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5p4s4k3eB_IIf you have a topic or question you’d like us to cover, you can submit it to http://www.openpixelstudios.com/podquestion Learn more about this podcast here: https://www.openpixelstudios.com/behindthepixelEMedia produces the podcast in Easthampton, MA. Produced by Jackson Foote and Will ColónWritten and Created by:Will Colón: https://www.linkedin.com/in/willmcolon/Kathryn Taccone: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryntaccone/
Will and Kathryn are back to celebrate their milestone 50th episode by diving into the topic of using templates in animation. They discuss the pros and cons of templates, highlighting their potential to save time and money while also pointing out their limitations, such as inflexibility and lack of originality. This special episode combines valuable insights with the usual light-hearted banter, making it a must-listen for anyone involved in creating or buying creative content.If you have a topic or question you’d like us to cover, you can submit it to www.openpixelstudios.com/podquestion Learn more about this podcast here: https://www.openpixelstudios.com/behindthepixelEMedia produces the podcast in Easthampton, MA. Produced by Jackson Foote and Will ColónWritten and Created by:Will Colón: https://www.linkedin.com/in/willmcolon/Kathryn Taccone: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryntaccone/
Welcome to another SLAE episode. These episodes were recorded at The Salt Lake Animation Expo in March of 2024. We interviewed Expo Speakers and others who were involved with the expo. A special thanks to Jordyn Curly for allowing us to do this.In this episode, we sit down with Matt Schultz, Executive Creative Director and co-owner of Mass FX Media, a Denver-based full-service post house specializing in motion design, animation, and visual effects. Matt shares valuable insights on how businesses, particularly in the creative industry, must reinvent themselves. He discusses the evolution of Mass FX, the importance of complementary skills in business partnerships, and how to foster a collaborative and growth-oriented work environment. If you have a topic or question you’d like us to cover, you can submit it to http://www.openpixelstudios.com/podquestion Learn more about this podcast here: https://www.openpixelstudios.com/behindthepixelEMedia produces the podcast in Easthampton, MA. Produced by Jackson Foote and Will ColónWritten and Created by:Will Colón: https://www.linkedin.com/in/willmcolon/Kathryn Taccone: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryntaccone/
Kathryn and Will give some updates as to what they've been up to and also answer a Pod Question from a special guest.
Welcome to another SLAE episode. These episodes were recorded at The Salt Lake Animation Expo in March of 2024. We interviewed Expo Speakers and others who were involved with the expo. A special thanks to Jordyn Curly for allowing us to do this.In this episode, Mike Morris, the Creative Director at BlueOwl, provides insider insights into the mind of corporate clients. He discusses client-side hesitations, shares tips on how to understand what they are thinking, and provides practical advice on navigating conversations with creative internal team leaders. Drawing from his experience as an ex-Amazon creative employee, Mike takes us on a journey through his personal learnings, providing valuable takeaways for all those in the creative industry. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to enhance their corporate creativity skills.If you want to connect with Mike, you can find him at https://mikemorris.tv/Or shoot him an email at mike@mikemorris.tvIf you have a topic or question you’d like us to cover, you can submit it to http://www.openpixelstudios.com/podquestion Learn more about this podcast here: https://www.openpixelstudios.com/behindthepixelEMedia produces the podcast in Easthampton, MA. Produced by Jackson Foote and Will ColónWritten and Created by:Will Colón: https://www.linkedin.com/in/willmcolon/Kathryn Taccone: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryntaccone/
Welcome to the SLAE episodes. These are podcasts we recorded at The Salt Lake Animation Expo in March of 2024. We interviewed Expo Speakers and others who were involved with the expo. A special thanks to Jordyn Curly for allowing us to do this.In this episode we chat with Chaz Walgamott, the owner of Digital Gravy in Salt Lake City, Utah. We chat about how the Animation Expo got started, what clients should think about when getting to the digital door, and how students starting their animation journey should think about smaller studio's hiring needs.If you have a topic or question you’d like us to cover, you can submit it to http://www.openpixelstudios.com/podquestion Learn more about this podcast here: https://www.openpixelstudios.com/behindthepixelEMedia produces the podcast in Easthampton, MA. Produced by Jackson Foote and Will ColónWritten and Created by:Will Colón: https://www.linkedin.com/in/willmcolon/Kathryn Taccone: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryntaccone/
Kathryn and Will sit with Mark Cernosia founder of Prøfanity Creative to have a no bullsh*t discussion on client-side communication, project budgets, what issues freelancers are facing today, and what his camp is all about.Camp Mograph Tickets drop this Saturday (4/20/24)! Learn more here: https://www.campmograph.com/More info on Monday Meeting: https://www.mondaymeeting.org/If you have a topic or question you’d like us to cover, you can submit it to http://www.openpixelstudios.com/podquestion Learn more about this podcast here: https://www.openpixelstudios.com/behindthepixelEMedia produces the podcast in Easthampton, MA. Produced by Jackson Foote and Will ColónWritten and Created by:Will Colón: https://www.linkedin.com/in/willmcolon/Kathryn Taccone: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryntaccone/
Open Pixel gets creative with Amy Scott, the founder of Wild Apple Design Group to discuss the relationship between websites and design. What motion can do to help create successful brands and campaigns online. We explore a little bit of A.I. and it's impact on the web as well as how everything is now on the cloud.Wild Apple is an award-winning and tech-savvy graphic design firm located in the Pioneer Valley. Check them out at https://www.wildappledesigngroup.com/ If you have a topic or question you’d like us to cover, you can submit it to http://www.openpixelstudios.com/podquestion Learn more about this podcast here: https://www.openpixelstudios.com/behindthepixelEMedia produces the podcast in Easthampton, MA. Produced by Jackson Foote and Will ColónWritten and Created by:Will Colón: https://www.linkedin.com/in/willmcolon/Kathryn Taccone: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryntaccone/
Kathryn and Will chat with former client Rachel Murray, the Co-CEO at She+ Geeks Out, to talk to us about how they utilize the medium of animation in different ways within their organization, how D.E.I. is changing, and how to best use long form and short form content.She+ Geeks Out offers a variety of services to support you in your journey to abolish inequity at work, whether it's through our training and consulting or through public programs. Learn more at https://www.shegeeksout.com/If you have a topic or question you’d like us to cover, you can submit it to http://www.openpixelstudios.com/podquestion Learn more about this podcast here: https://www.openpixelstudios.com/behindthepixelEMedia produces the podcast in Easthampton, MA. Produced by Jackson Foote and Will ColónWritten and Created by:Will Colón: https://www.linkedin.com/in/willmcolon/Kathryn Taccone: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryntaccone/
Quick updates from Will and Kathryn in Salt Lake City. They talk a little about what's to come and apologize for not having done enough. More episodes to drop soon.
Will and Kathryn discuss using Gen AI in creative sales pitching, how it can hurt your production and what questions to ask of us, (creative partners, artists, freelancers) when being presented with new creative direction that has utilized generative AI tools. Will also tries his best to give a very broad definition of how Generative AI works. Will mentions a talk in this episode and if you want to learn more about Gen AI some of the problems it poses, watch The A.I. Dilemma. This is a talk by Tristan Harris and Aza Raskin co-founders of Center for Humane Technology in a a private gathering in San Francisco on March 9th, 2023.If you have a topic or question you’d like us to cover, you can submit it to www.openpixelstudios.com/podquestion Learn more about this podcast here: https://www.openpixelstudios.com/behindthepixelEMedia produces the podcast in Easthampton, MA. Produced by Jackson Foote and Will ColónWritten and Created by:Will Colón: https://www.linkedin.com/in/willmcolon/Kathryn Taccone: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryntaccone/
Will and Kathryn discuss the act of pitching for free, through a petition, which they've signed. They talk about what creative pitching is and describe the different ways we circumvent the classic pitch process.If you want to check out the petition, click here.If you have a topic or question you’d like us to cover, you can submit it to: www.openpixelstudios.com/podquestion Learn more about this podcast here: https://www.openpixelstudios.com/behindthepixelEMedia produces the podcast in Easthampton, MA. Produced by Jackson Foote and Will ColónWritten and Created by:Will Colón: https://www.linkedin.com/in/willmcolon/Kathryn Taccone: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryntaccone/
Join us for a insightful conversation with Jeremy Brown, the Senior Instructor and Director of the Digital Animation Program at the University of Colorado Denver, as we delve into the captivating world of VFX. Uncover the realities behind visual effects – what it truly entails, its contemporary applications, and invaluable insights on gearing up for projects infused with VFX. Jeremy also talks to us about artificial intelligence, urging us to begin "critically seeing." Elevate your understanding of visual effects in this must-listen episode!Jeremy Brown on LinkedInJeremy Brown's WebsiteIf you have a topic or question you’d like us to cover, you can submit it to: www.openpixelstudios.com/podquestion Learn more about this podcast here: https://www.openpixelstudios.com/behindthepixelEMedia produces the podcast in Easthampton, MA. Produced by Jackson Foote and Will ColónWritten and Created by:Will Colón: https://www.linkedin.com/in/willmcolon/Kathryn Taccone: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryntaccone/
Will and Kathryn spend some time with the seniors from the College of Arts and Media at CU Denver. They chat about what it was like to land their first jobs and give their expert advice on how to get the most out of networking opportunities, what they look for in interviews as hiring managers, and they may expect as the economy shifts.If you have a topic or question you’d like us to cover, you can submit it to www.openpixelstudios.com/podquestion Learn more about this podcast here: https://www.openpixelstudios.com/behindthepixelEMedia produces the podcast in Easthampton, MA. Produced by Jackson Foote and Will ColónWritten and Created by:Will Colón: https://www.linkedin.com/in/willmcolon/Kathryn Taccone: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryntaccone/
Source Files. What the heck are they and why do they hold all of the superpowers? Will and Kathryn discuss problems surrounding source files of original artwork, why folks charge for releasing them and why marketers and communication professionals need to access them.If you have a topic or question you’d like us to cover, you can submit it to: www.openpixelstudios.com/podquestion Learn more about this podcast here: https://www.openpixelstudios.com/behindthepixelEMedia produces the podcast in Easthampton, MA. Produced by Jackson Foote and Will ColónWritten and Created by:Will Colón: https://www.linkedin.com/in/willmcolon/Kathryn Taccone: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryntaccone/
The Open Pixel Team is back with a new episode focused on financial transparency. They hit on multiple facets of finance, be it your personal year-end financial posts, a client's budgetary disclosure, or our own financial numbers. If you love talking about transparency, this one's for you.If you have a topic or question you’d like us to cover, you can submit it to www.openpixelstudios.com/podquestion Learn more about this podcast here: https://www.openpixelstudios.com/behindthepixelEMedia produces the podcast in Easthampton, MA. Produced by Jackson Foote and Will ColónWritten and Created by:Will Colón: https://www.linkedin.com/in/willmcolon/Kathryn Taccone: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryntaccone/
Will and Kathryn welcome the new year with a slightly new format. Opinions on LinkedIn fly in all sorts of directions. Instead of hate commenting on someone's post, we decided to breakdown an anonymous opinion on Contractor Expectations. If you're working with contractors directly, you should take a listen. We also share some of our plans for this season of the pod.If you have a topic or question you’d like us to cover, you can submit it to www.openpixelstudios.com/podquestion Learn more about this podcast here: https://www.openpixelstudios.com/behindthepixelEMedia produces the podcast in Easthampton, MA. Produced by Jackson Foote and Will ColónWritten and Created by:Will Colón: https://www.linkedin.com/in/willmcolon/Kathryn Taccone: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryntaccone/