Character Design Bi-Weekly

INTERVIEW WITH ANGELO LIBUTTI

2011-09-28T06:06:00.000-07:00

Angelo's website

1.) Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I grow up most of my life in Rome, Italy, and was happy to be exposed to Michelangelo paintings and Caravaggio exhibits everywhere… so in the free times I was going to copy these masterpieces in Sistine chapel to in the street of Rome. Soccer and swimming was my second passion.. If I wasn't drawing I was playing one of these sports…

When I was 16 years old, ( as I was study architecture) a friend of mine discovered an article that mentioned that Disney in Milan was looking for new talent and had invited anybody to submit some drawings. From that moment I started to draw Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck every day, literally from morning until night. I sent in my artwork and just few weeks later I received a letter from them asking me if I was interested in visiting their studio, which I framed and have kept hanging in my parents’ house. The day that I read that letter, and the day when I entered the Disney studio, will be forever sealed in my heart. The director, a really charming gentleman, showed me the studio and alleys where there were framed pictures of himself with Walt Disney. He brought me to a room where all the comic artists were drawing and introduced me: This is Angelo, he will be the youngest comic-strip artist working for us.“Words that recharged me and motivated me then and still today, pushing me more and more to improve this God-given gift.”

In the meantime, I started working as an illustrator for some magazines in Italy and other places throughout Europe, but my main objective was to go to the USA and graduate from CalArts. I had to go through a year of mandatory military service, but finally, with the consent of my parents, I left for the USA. I passed the language exam and was accepted to Calarts, but due to an accidental miscalcuation of dates, my entry would have to be for the following year. I decided not to wait and went to Sheridan College in Canada instead.

Dreamworks made me an offer right out of school, but they kept postponing my moving day, for more then 6 months, due to change of plans for the movie, go from 2D to 3D. I remained in Canada and, seven years later I gained citizenship. While in Canada, I had the opportunity of working on well-known movies one of them was "Triplets of Belleville"and after receiving citizenship I was hired by the California company Rhythm & Hues, that recently had won an Oscar for the movie “The Golden Compass” and had finished “Alvin”, a box-office hit around the world. Now I have started another adventure in Florida with Digital Domain's new animation studio.

2.) When did you realize that you wanted to pursue a career in art/animation?
I was 8…After I saw the movie Cinderella on the movie theater something hit me..particularly was the scene with Cinderella and the mouse and birds that helped her all together to make her dress… I loved the fact that Walt Disney was using this animated movies to give us this nice values of friendship values… back then I was quite advance on my drawing skills.. I was already drawing portrait when all my classmates were still doing the stick figure drawing…So I thought I want give back what Walt Disney give to me when I was big… hehehe... Since then my focus was to work in animation.. And I started to do research to how to do animation and how to get to work for Walt Disney.

3.) Can you list some of the films you've worked on?
Sure. I have worked on Everyone's Hero, Triplets of Belleville, Ice Princess, Tarzan 2, Alvin and the Chipmunks, 9, Kung Fu Panda, Dorothy of Oz, and most recently the Legend of Tembo at Digital Domain Tradition studios. I've also done a lot of TV and commercial work.

4.) You have a pretty impressive resume of films you've worked on. What was it like traveling to different countries to work on these projects? Is there a difference in the "studio culture" from country to country?
Yes there is a big difference… the style of life and culture effect drastically to how well or how bad a company is. For example.. In italy, it will be hard to have a good animation studio because, even if their artistic skills are way above the one I found here ( because since childhood we are expose to art , paint and sculptures in every corners) and same the one that people in french or spain has, there is no way that people will work that many hours since they are really attached to their siesta time and so to their walk to the main street at 6 pm with their friends and same to the dinner time with family. In canada I found lots great artist due for the multicultural society that brings a nice mix of styles but the country is too conservative and they are not investing to their product or them self as much American do… Here in the USA people really believe to their industry and so they are willing to take risk and that way the capital of movie is here… in this business you need to invest money to gain money…

5.) What inspires you as an artist?
I think I will be an ethereal kid…and I keep that enthusiasm I have on drawing since when I was little and I think is a positive energy and I ma fear that by acting like an adult I will lose it, and so loose the positive and happiness inside my self… I try to see everything like the first time I sow them …and look and learn as much I can from it

The sentence : "More you know and more you know that you don’t know", or the one "Think about your self like an empty glass" so every time someone teach you something you can fill it up to the max of your capacity are sentence carved on my believes… every time I see a new artist I want copy and learn from him… and doing that I realize how much I don’t know and how much there is to learn and so to grow.. And when I hear other artist or some my ex students acting like they know or that they are the best.. It make me laugh and give me the good bust cause I know that, even if they are good, they stopped to learn and I can soon reach them and get better then them... Just matter of time :)

6.) If you weren't making movies for a living, what would you be doing?
Probably make inventions.. I wish sometimes I was born in Leonardo da Vinci area so I could study anatomy…paint, building new cutting edge strucion/building or invention…I know it might sound silly but back then an artist was really respected and tread like a king…Art one at the same level or better then all the other discipline…medical, lawyer etc.. Back then there was not many school and the school system in art was simple.. One master take just one kid under his wing there for you were more unique.. Today there are thousand school and so thousand grays area and everybody thinks that is an artist, and that lower down your value as an artist… "so you are an artist? My daughter is an artist too "

7.) Do you have any tips for aspiring young artists in animation?
One thing I used say always to my students… learn from other artist the structure and keep your style…you can be who you want to be.. Its tough out there but if you work hard and you keep pushing and get up every time you feel down you will be able to make it and be the artist you want to be…
And its true.. It was extremely hard for me to be where I am now… move to a new country.. Be for more then 15 years away from my culture and family.. Had to start all alover over and over since no one knew the companies I worked in the previous country.. Learn a new language…be used from some company since they know they got you from the visa and you stock with them so they can ask you to do more work and get pay way lees… but it is all worth it when things coming along together. How many times I thought to quit… and just to go back and become a lawyer or a doctor like most my family are and have the safe job… you have no idea… but I am a fighter and I believe to make good heart can enrich people and make probably one kid look my animated movie one day and say.. I want give it back to other kids what Angelo gave to me with this movie…

Thanks, Angelo!

TO SEE MORE OF ANGELO'S WORK, VISIT HIS PERSONAL WEBSITE

Some Changes Around Here!

2011-09-28T01:44:00.001-07:00

Hi Everyone!

It has been a while since a post on this blog! Apologies for that. Since most of the participants of this blog are Ringling students, you understand how busy things can get during the school year! However, after now graduating and working full time at Digital Domain's Tradition Feature Animation studios, I now find myself with time and a desire to give back. Since most students are too busy to complete character design challenges during the school year, I thought of another way to revamp this blog--interviews with talented artists already working in the film industry.

So! In the coming weeks, expect a few small interviews with coworkers and friends--VERY TALENTED coworkers and friends!

thugly

2010-08-23T15:04:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the super late post, I don't have any internet right now.

This is Frankie

-james

2010-08-17T22:17:00.000-07:00

Not much time for this one... Yakuza leader and his body guards.

-yates

2010-08-11T20:44:00.000-07:00

Got a little carried away with this one, it was just so much fun! :)

I went in to school to help my mom set up her classroom. This is what I did between moving furniture and putting up alphabet charts.

The first dude was my favorite, so I ended up drawing him.

And this is the guy I had been waiting to do since morning. Cut him and he'll make you cry.

-Elizabeth

SPAM

2010-08-11T10:32:00.000-07:00

Sorry for all of the spam, everyone. I have deleted the two spam posts, and have been moderating the comments before they are posted so that we stop having links to viruses.

Hope you guys are having fun on the latest prompt!

-Betsy

2010-08-03T21:56:00.000-07:00

Cool work, everyone!

The new prompt is...
THUGS WITH UGLY MUGS

This will be due August 18, 2010. Since Ringling goes back to school the following Monday, this will sadly be the final prompt of the summer.

With that being said... GET TO DRAWING!

Ineffective Superhero

2010-07-31T23:41:00.000-07:00

Yikes, this is late! I got busy working for PreCollege. Feedback is welcomed.

Dehydration Girl absorbs water from vegetation. She was banished to roam the desert after her powers developed and she inadvertently destroyed the food crops and all surrounding plant life in her hometown. Her solitary life has led her to develop a bitter and petulant attitude... she always wears a dead flower in her hair.

-Bree

Captain Pirate

2010-07-19T08:19:00.003-07:00

Hooks and eye-patches aren't nearly as cool or useful as they once were.

Sorry for a late submission... and no color. I will be coloring it for fun but the theme got bigger than originally thought.

Please to enjoy

Muffin Lad

2010-07-09T22:45:00.000-07:00

After a horrifying baking accident, young Ian was given the ability to synthesize muffins with his bare hands.

-yates

Ineffective Superhero: Dr. Incredibly Old

2010-07-06T13:05:00.000-07:00

"No one at Shady Trees Retirement home knows exactly where Dr. Incredibly Old came from, just that he was THE HERO of his time (whenever that was). He patrols the dark empty halls at night bringing justice to security guards, reflective objects, and bedpans. While not an official resident of the Shady Trees facility, it is thought that he resides somewhere in the darkest depths of the pharmaceutical closet. He tends to leave a trail of rabbit droppings wherever he goes, this calling card evokes fear in the hearts of his adversaries and hope in the helpless elderly that depend on him most."

Had a lot of fun with this!

colored pencil and marker on computer paper.

-james.c

Character Re-Design: DINO :)

2010-07-01T20:56:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the lateness. I started this before the new topic was posted but wasn't able to finish it until I got back to my computer. Anyway, here's my version of Dino! Made in photoshop/painter from a sketch.

-Elizabeth

2010-06-28T22:38:00.000-07:00

Ack! Sorry for such a delay in posting the new prompt. I've been getting settled in at work.

The new assignment is...
INEFFECTIVE SUPERHEROES

This prompt will be due July 13. NOW GET DRAWING!

2010-06-27T21:27:00.000-07:00

2010-06-26T19:14:00.000-07:00

Character Re-Design

2010-06-25T18:25:00.000-07:00

I finished this prompt early but I didn't have access to a scanner until this week! It's ink and watercolor on watercolor board. I love the idea of redesigning classic video game characters, these were a lot of fun. Feedback appreciated.

-Bree

JOKER! Re-Design

2010-06-24T19:03:00.000-07:00

Hope you all enjoy! BAd scan for some reason... the real sketch looks much better :)

Character Re-Design

2010-06-19T19:47:00.001-07:00

Candyland!!!
I tried to keep them close to the old character designs :) Hope that's okay.
The Preview image is terribly small, but full views a charm.

Character Re-design

2010-06-19T15:26:00.000-07:00

Here's my contribution for the character re-design. Freddy Krueger done with pencil and marker.

- james. c

Character Re-Design

2010-06-16T17:45:00.000-07:00

I did Gogo Yubari from Kill Bill Vol.1

Crits appreciated!

-yates

Character Re-design

2010-06-12T00:31:00.000-07:00

I chose Roger Rabbit. This would be his stand in. He's been waiting around since the first movie and is rearing to go for the new 3-D one.

Enjoy!
Alex Q.
-alexquintas.blogspot.com

2010-06-05T07:54:00.000-07:00

Great work with the last prompt, everyone!

The new assignment is...
CHARACTER RE-DESIGN

(artwork is copyright Steven Silver)

For this assignment, you have 2 choices. You must either take a character from a live action film and turn it into a cartoon character, or you must take an already existing animated character and re-design it.

THIS ASSIGNMENT WILL BE DUE SATURDAY, JUNE 19

Now get drawing!!!

Read'em and Weep!

2010-06-01T09:59:00.001-07:00

Squids Mackenzie teaches Old Man Brummers a thing or two about poker. Crits/Thoughts appreciated :]

Walrusman

2010-05-27T14:32:00.000-07:00

Here is mine for people who look like their pets. Crits are appreciated!

Pet look alike prompt

2010-05-26T21:58:00.000-07:00

"People who look like their pets" prompt.. I don't have much experience working digitally so any feedback is appreciated! I'll try other ideas with this prompt if I have time.

2010-05-18T21:50:00.000-07:00

OK FOLKS! Long time no post! The summer months have hit, and you know what that means... Time for a new prompt!

This week's assignment is...
PEOPLE WHO LOOK LIKE THEIR PETS

This assignment will be due June 3rd, 2010.

NOW GET DRAWING!

tada!

2009-11-07T17:52:00.000-08:00

He's a rare speacies of hybrid between a honey bee and a swimming sea tortoise. Only discovered in select regions of the Mediterranean. :)

Nesslock

2009-08-21T00:41:00.001-07:00

Lockness' "special" half brother...? idk...

"Undiscoverd mythical beast"

-hooray-

Assignment Extensions

2009-07-29T13:29:00.001-07:00

Hey everybody! As you have noticed, there haven't been a lot of updates lately. That's okay; everyone is busy. Including myself! In light of the situation, I am just going to remind everyone about the previous assignments. Feel free to post work for any of them!

Here's a refresher:
ASSIGNMENT 1: COWBOYS WITH ALTERNATE MODES OF TRANSPORTATION
ASSIGNMENT 2: MONSTERS WITH MALADIES
ASSIGNMENT 3: CHARACTERS IN THEIR NATURAL HABITATS
ASSIGNMENT 4: UNDISCOVERED MYTHICAL BEASTS

Also... If there is an assignment you'd like to see here shoot an e-mail to ebauer@c.ringling.edu. If it sounds like something that's broad enough that everyone can come up with a very cool, different idea, I'll post it as the next prompt.

Keep designing!

Assignment 4: Undiscovered Mythical Beasts

2009-06-28T19:10:00.000-07:00

Assignment 4 will be...

UNDISCOVERED MYTHICAL BEASTS

This will be due July 11 by midnight!

Trailer Park

2009-06-28T19:07:00.000-07:00

Been busy lately, so just the linework for now. Hopefully color later this week! I did questionable human beings in a questionable environment... aka Trailer Park.

someone needs to buy groceries

2009-06-27T12:13:00.000-07:00

After playing with a few ideas I ended up focusing on the interaction between character and environment and the irony of home and less on the habitat as a direct reflection of personality but rather a corollary to aspects of the character's life. So here we have a girl from a quite well to do home, but it's just a cold empty place. Rather than eat the only things in the fridge, crackers and peanut butter, she makes a house out of them.

Assignment 2

2009-06-22T13:10:00.001-07:00

Sorry, this is really late. My monster's malady is depression.

-Bree

Monsters With Maladies

2009-06-21T12:16:00.000-07:00

He's grumpy, but also, he's a health hazard. Poor guy just can't get a break.

Really quickly done but I liked what Kristin did so I had to do somethin. :)

Assignment 3: Characters in their Natural Habitats

2009-06-14T19:43:00.001-07:00

Assignment 3 is...

CHARACTERS IN THEIR NATURAL HABITATS

We all know that the place someone lives can say a lot about their personality. These two weeks the assignment is to design a character in a habitat that speaks about who he or she really is.

This will be due June 27 by midnight.

2009-06-09T20:05:00.000-07:00

: ) hi guys! A sick dragon and a sick sea serpent for this weeks theme

Assignment 2: Monsters with Maladies

2009-05-31T21:36:00.001-07:00

Everyone's designs for assignment 1 were great! Assignment 2 will be...

MONSTERS WITH MALADIES

This will be due June 13 by midnight. And again, this is just a prompt to get you thinking! If this leads you to something even more interesting, still post your work!

Also, if there are any stragglers for Assignment 1, please don't hesitate to post!

Assignment 1: Cowboy

2009-05-30T20:44:00.000-07:00

Dinosaurs. :D

YEE-HAW!!!

2009-05-30T17:11:00.000-07:00

Thought I'd do a samurai trying to get his sleepy partner in crime awake to go on their next adventure. Maybe a good cup of coffee would due?

Take care folks!

-h.

Cowboys

2009-05-30T09:12:00.001-07:00

I decided to do 3 and play around with style a bit.

Retired cowboy.

Cowboy out for a ride on his big wheel.

Cowboy skating on his spurs.

Hope you guys like them!

#1: Cowboys!

2009-05-29T13:06:00.000-07:00

Assignment 1 Cowboy

2009-05-25T19:36:00.000-07:00

here is my cowboy. He is riding one of those toys you see outside of Wal-Mart. Sweet

I did not really feel like doing a background at the moment, but maybe later. We'll see.

Assignment 1

2009-05-23T14:54:00.000-07:00

Here's my cowboy, he's actually a bull and he rides a washer machine so he can keep his hat collection clean and shinny. He also stores them all in there when he's on the go. :D

enjoy!

Assignment 1 Cowboys

2009-05-16T20:15:00.000-07:00

Yo everybody....here's a kick off. This was a story sketch I did for a thesis idea that never made it. But I'll do a new one for this blog. Just wanted to get it rollin.

Assignment 1: Cowboys with Alternate Modes of Transportation

2009-05-15T19:52:00.000-07:00

Hey guys!

A friend and I were talking toward the end of the semester about starting up a character design challenge blog, so... here it is!

Assignment 1 will be:

COWBOYS WITH ALTERNATE MODES OF TRANSPORTATION

This will be due Saturday May 30 by midnight!

Remember that this is just something to get you thinking! If this idea leads you to something even cooler, great! Still post it! Keep creating! :)