nickanimationstudio:Artists in Action (NY Edition)! It’s our pleasure to introduce you to
nickanimationstudio: Artists in Action (NY Edition)! It’s our pleasure to introduce you to Linda Beck, the force behind Nick Jr.’s visual development projects. We caught up with her over in our East Coast digs, where she filled us in on what her day-to-day looks like and all that her job entails. We love her extensive background in the art of entertaining, theatre, dance, storyboarding…all the things that make her the BEST at finding and understanding our artists! ——————————————————————————————- 1. How did you get your start? One of my Continuing Education teachers at School of Visual Arts suggested I get involved with ASIFA-east (the east coast chapter of the International Animated Film Society) so I started going to animation events around the NYC. Then I saw a job listed on Animation World Network for an Office Manager at a small NYC studio. I interviewed and they hired me on the spot. They were more on the commercial and branding side, so when there was suddenly a need for character animators, I was able to hire some of my favorite local animators, whom I had met through ASIFA-East. Full Circle! Since then, I’ve had a part in hiring creative talent at every job I’ve had. 2. Favorite parts of the job? I love searching for and championing a great unknown artist, or introducing an established artist into the Nick family. I want to help remind artists, writers, and creators that Nickelodeon is the first destination for their great ideas and to reassure artists already working for us that here is exactly where they want to be. 3. Advice you’d give to aspiring artists in this industry? Establish your personal “brand” and make your brand professional and easy to find online. Put your REAL NAME and EMAIL ADDRESS in an easy to find place on your site. It seems ridiculous to even have to suggest this, but artists have missed out on work simply because I wasn’t able to find a way to contact them. 4. Spirit animal?The gryphon. Gryphons protect treasure. (Or the squirrel. Squirrels protect acorns.) 5. What tools have helped you get to where you are?Resourcefulness, a good work ethic, and a super positive attitude. 6. What inspires you?I love seeing people using their superpowers. I love seeing people excelling at what they do best. 7. What is your favorite ice cream/ dessert?Tiramisu. And I will TAKE YOU DOWN for the last piece in the pan. 8. Did you go to school for what you’re currently working in?I have a degree in Theatre and Dance. Performing taught me how important it is to really listen to the people around you. I use that skill in the workplace and in life every day. I also took classes for Production Budgeting and Scheduling, Animation, and Storyboarding. 9. What is your biggest responsibility?I supervise all of the visual development for new projects at Nick Jr. 10. What do your day-to-day tasks look like?I toggle between overseeing the visual side of development and artist and creative outreach. 11. What are some of your biggest challenges in doing your job?Writers and Background Artists aren’t as plentiful as you’d think and we have a lot of projects. Finding new talent in those areas can be a challenge. 12. Tell me about a project or accomplishment that you consider to be the most significant in your career.This current job is a culmination of all the things I love about this industry: Hiring and working with great artists and creatives, helping to establish the looks of new projects, cheerleading for individual people and for a company I believe in… I’m proud of the choices I made that led to the creation of this role, which was built just for me. 13. Where would you go in a time machine?1963 or 1964, where I’d have been SUCH A STAR at the Star Trek TOS auditions that they would have unanimously decided to hire me a as a Starfleet Yeoman on the NCC-1701. ——————————————————————————————- Follow Linda to find out more! Twitter: @lindajbeckTumblr: @lindajbeck -- source link