In our next conversation with animation industry professionals, Alejandra sits down with Agora Animation Supervisor, Marco Foglia. Marco has been in the industry for over two decades and has worked on some hit franchises such as Transformers, Planet of the Apes and the Tomb Raider video game reboot. In this episode, Marco and Alejandra discuss leaving the VFX industry, how work from home and the internet completely changed the industry, and how his priorities changed when he became a parent.

The next guest of our podcast is Fernando Herrera. Fernando is an Annie Award winner and VES Award nominee, currently working as a Senior Animator at ILM.

In this conversation, Fernando give his perspective on the anti-VFX movement and shares his perspective on what its like to animate for films like Detective Pikachu, Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3, and the hit TV show His Dark Materials. As a first time father, he also talks about how work from home has affected his family.

In our conversation with Aaron Gilman, CEO of Steamroller Studios, the gang speak on some great topics like leadership in animation, not taking things to heart as an artist and answer some questions from the chat.

Also, check out Agora.Community for daily content, free rigs, and assets, and order an animation review from one of our industry experts:

https://www.agora.community

Thanks for listening!

The gang feels like we haven't quite found the right place for VR to be a part of our everyday lives. In their conversation with Daniel Gies, they touch on why, and where we are probably missing some opportunities.

Where does Daniel find his motivation to keep plowing through when things get overwhelming? Have a listen and find out!

It's always important to hear where other people find their sources of inspiration. It helps us think of new ways that we can inspire ourselves. This is where award-winning film maker, Daniel Gies finds his inspiration!

Physics at school was boring, right? Well, have a listen to David, Brent and Thomas as they discuss why knowing some of these basic principles are super important to know as an animator!

After his training at Dreamworks, Thomas went straight into crunch time! Davis asks him how he recognised his burnout. This is helpful if you think you might be going through the same thing.

Everyone feels the old Imposter Syndrome, even supervisors. David asks Thomas about his experience of imposter syndrome as a supervisor at Dreamworks.

Thomas was a supervisor on How To Train Your Dragon 3, and during our Q & A he gets asked how exactly DO you animate a four-winged dragon when there's no real reference?

In this clip, Thomas shares one of the things that helped him the most in becoming a better animator.

Thomas gets asked a big question of how do you keep your motivation after a big crunch and you don't get any time off after the project?

After watching J.F.'s crowdfunding campaign trailer of an elderly man experiencing a location he wished he'd always visited through VR, J.F. recalls how the gentleman was having a bad day, and how the V.R. experience impacted his few remaining days on earth.

In this episode of our ‘A Conversation With’ series, David and Brent catch up with video game actor, Amber Goldfarb. In this chat the gang cover topics such as recognizing predators in positions of power, overcoming self-doubt as an artist and what life is like as an actor in video games!

Also, check out Agora.Community for daily content, free rigs, and assets, and order an animation review from one of our industry experts:

https://www.agora.community

Thanks for listening!

J.F. recounts a very personal experience of when he left Ubisoft to find purpose in his life and career that didn't just revolve around a salary. Such an important thing to consider when things in life might seem off-balance.

In this clip, J.F. discusses an exhibit he created for the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. If you want some ideas on how to create immersive experiences for groups, have a listen to this!

In this clip, J.F. talks about how he was given a lot of responsibility at an early age and how it had an effect on his life. Have a listen if you find yourself in the same position and what you might need to adjust to make things a lot more manageable as a leader.

Salary isn't the most important thing when it comes to accepting a job offer. Brent gives his thoughts on what you should be really be looking for in a job when considering multiple offers.

J.F.'s career revolves around Virtual Reality and using it to aid in mental health practices for aged care. In our chat, J.F. gets asked where he sees the future of V.R. when it comes to more medical practices.

Starting a studio from scratch is a very difficult thing to do. It requires a lot of commitment and a lot of hours. Leo discusses his journey in starting a business and David also brings up some of his own discoveries when running a studio.

When Leo first started his career, he wanted to be an animator. However, his path took a turn into character artist. It isn't that he quit the idea, but he followed his interests, and ended up where he is now. He also gives his advice on what he takes from learning animation that helps him with his character design.

In this clip from our conversation with Leo, he gets asked if there's any advice he can give to animators to make the life of a character modeller a lot easier!

More insight from another pro about the pros and cons about working in a studio vs. working remotely!

Leo talks about his first project experience of being part of a studio that all of a sudden gets shut down!

In this 'A Conversation With', we’re catching up with Dony Permedi! Dony is currently Animation Director with Nickelodeon. HOWEVER, you most likely know Dony from the 2006 animated short film KIWI. (Yes, we are shedding a tear as well). Dony was the mastermind behind this touching short film that won Youtube’s ‘Most Adorable Film’ in their first Annual Youtube Video Awards, going on to receive widespread media attention.

In this conversation, we’ll talk to Dony about the short film, how it’s helped him grow his career to where he is today, and how creating personal projects could potentially do the same for you!

Also, check out Agora.Community for daily content, free rigs, and assets, and order an animation review from one of our industry experts:

https://www.agora.community

Thanks for listening!

It didn't take Leo long to get promoted within his studio. In this clip, Davis asks how it was possible, and Leo gives his answer...which might not be as complicated as you think!

Ravi was asked about what goes through his mind when he's planning a shot, and one of the first things he said is he thinks not so much about workflow, but mindset. He explains more in this clip!

Ravi is well known for creating for some amazingly cartoony animation. In this clip, Ravi talks about moving forward, breaking rigs, and cheating animation and causing possible issues in the rest of the pipeline, or do you adjust your planning?

The planning stage is one of the most important parts of animating. In this clip, Ravi breaks down his planning for animating his shots.

David asks Ravi if he ever gets unmotivated and what does he do to overcome this feeling? Yes, even dome of the greatest animators get unmotivated!

Have you ever watched the Annies and ever wondered how exactly someone gets their work recognised enough to be nominated? Ravi talks about his experience of being nominated and what it takes.

Ever wondered what an Animation Supervisor does? Ravi talks about his experiences of being an Anim Supe with Dreamworks and the different roles it entails.

Peter sure hopes that directors can direct their own stories! He's trying to do that at the moment. In this clip, Peter answers a question from the chat and gives insight on what you need to know if you want to tell stories and direct them.

Peter gets asked what some of his favorite books on learning Directing and Story Telling are. If you want to learn from where the masters learn, listen to this clip and get these books!

In this clip from our conversation with Into The Spiderverse director, Peter Ramsey, he talks about the experience of discovering just what exactly was possible when it came to creating the art style of the film.

Our next guest on our ‘A Conversation With’ series is Mary DeMarle. Mary is the Executive Narrative Director of Eidos Montreal. She's recently finished up on the Guardians Of The Galaxy Video Game and helped introduce a new generation of gamers to some of the industry's most amazing franchises.

We’ll be having a chat with Mary about her 20 years of experience working as a writer in video games, how to stay true to an already established franchise, and how to create games with a deep, engaging narrative that keep you playing for hours!

Also, check out Agora.Community for daily content, free rigs, and assets, and order an animation review from one of our industry experts:

https://www.agora.community

Thanks for listening!

Peter gets asked a question from the chat about how a lot of big-name directors seem to start in their early 20's. But is it possible for someone entering their 40's to do make it big as well?

Peter gets asked a question from the chat about how a lot of big-name directors seem to start in their early 20's. But is it possible for someone entering their 40's to do make it big as well?

Peter Ramsey has worked on many, many movies over his career. In this clip he talks about how to hook an audience to keep them engaged and wanting more.

In this clip, Peter talks about his experiences when it comes to directing animators, and how to create moments that would come naturally if directing live actors.

Working in stop motion can create a very different connection you have with the characters you move. In this clip, Justin talks about such an interesting concept and it could help you stand out among the rest of your peers!

The team talk with Justin Rasch about his ability to capture such physical reference footage and the benefits of maintaining some form of physical activity in your life.

In the Q&A section of our conversation with Justin Rasch, he was asked about the differences between planning for stop motion vs. CGI. He goes on to talk about how he approaches each style of animation.

In this clip, Justin Rasch gives some very honest advice for anyone aspiring to become a stop motion animator. This advice can be applied to all sorts of artistic disciplines!

Justin's life changed when he started posting his work across social media. In this clip, he talks about how in this day and age, artists don't need studios to make a living anymore! It may be a tougher road, but listening to Justin's enthusiasm, one can't help but wonder if this is the right path for them as well.

It's not uncommon for artists in the industry to be a lead one moment, and then go back to being an animator the next. If you've ever seen this happen, there's usually a good reason for it!

If you're considering kickstarting your career in animation and want to know more about animation schools, this is a stream not to miss! We'll be hanging out with industry veteran Wayne Gilbert, current Head Of Animation at VanArts, Vancouver BC. Even if you're in the industry, this is one not to miss! Wayne has worked on some amazing franchises throughout his career such as Star Wars, The Mummy, and Jurassic Park.

Also, check out Agora.Community for daily content, free rigs, and assets, and order an animation review from one of our industry experts:

https://www.agora.community

Thanks for listening!

It's important to always be open to new opportunities in your career, especially if what you're currently doing is feeling stagnant. listen to this clip if you need a boost of motivation to take a step in a new direction!

There is a certain toll, a certain cost, of being an ambassador of diversity. Osama is no stranger to this and discusses his experience in this clip from our conversation with him.

Brent and Osama discuss the way that games can be used as tools for teaching empathy and understanding across different cultures.