Welcome back to our Creator Spotlight!

We're pleased to bring you the insights and ideas of incredible animator Julia Pott, whose animation My First Crush was a top-ranking contender and audience favorite in our Aniboom Awards 2008.

(Julia Pott herself!)

Aniboom:  When did you first become interested in animation?

Julia Pott:  I have wanted to be an animator as far back as I can remember..except when I was three and went through a short phase of wanting to be a balloon. Whenever anyone asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up I would always say a cartoonist, or that I wanted to work for Disney. I think at the time I don't really know what that involved but I always pursued art in all forms and when it came to specializing at university I went down the animation route. I was always told it was very important  to choose a career that made you want to get out of bed in the morning and what better way to start the day then animating dancing animals.

A:  What do you like about animation?


JP:  When I was at University and everyone was trying to decide what path to go down, our tutor Martina said that it was simple, if you created an illustration and it didn't feel complete somehow without seeing it moving then you should be an animator. That is exactly how I feel about it. When I illustrate something it is just a jumping off point to create an animation and a narrative. I am a big fan of 2D animation because of all the wonderful accidents that can arise and the way people create movement. I think everyone sees the world slightly differently and this comes out in people's animations.

A:  How did you get started? What kind of training do you have?

I did a foundation course at Chelsea College of Art and then went to Kingston University for a BA in animation and illustration. It was great to do a course that combined both disciplines because it taught you the basics of drawing and composition and then taught you how to make it move. I am also going to the Royal College of Art in September for an MA in animation.

JP:  Who/What are your influences?

I like to look at other animator’s and illustrator’s work for inspiration. Some of my favourite illustrator’s at the moment are Luke Best, Le Gun Collective and Neckface. My friends are a greats source of humor and being fellow animators and illustrators themselves just spending an afternoon with them can make you want to go home and draw like a crazy person. With all these new online communities of artists aswell you can take great inspiration from your contemporaries.

A:  What techniques do you like to use?

JP:  My animation is all hand drawn and part hand coloured and part keyed through with found textures. I also like to use graphic symbols and typography and in quite a bit of my work, if you look very closely there’s a tiny photo of my mom as a kid.

(Cat and Dog Test)

A:  How long does it take to make an animation for you?

JP:  My First Crush was my biggest short film endeavour to date and from conception to completion it took about 5 months spending every waking moment on it. Even though it was pretty painful at the time I look back at the whole process fondly. It is usually the editing process that takes the longest because it was so difficult to choose the right dialogue and put it in an order that works best. There is such a sense of satisfaction when it is all finished though it is definitely worth the long sleepless nights.

A:  What’s your favorite animation work that inspires you?

JP:  I am a big fan of Igor Kovalyov, he is a great creator of storyline, characters and sound. I also love the work of David O'Reilly, SSSR, Pes, Neasden Control Centre,Jeremy Clapin and Don Hertzfeldt. Miranda July's film Me and You and Everyone We Know was great influence on my film My First Crush. 

A:  What’s your favorite video game and why?

JP:  When I was around 7, my sister and I held a carboot sale and sold all of our prize possessions to buy a Nintendo and we spent a good 5 hours of every day playing it. I would have to say it’s a toss up between Adam’s Family Values, Super Mario Bros, Tetris and Kirby’s World of Adventure. Really hardcore stuff.

A:  What is your ultimate dream?

JP:  In life? I just came back from a 3 month stint in New York and I fell in love, so I suppose my ultimate dream would be to live in a giant brownstone in Brooklyn with a big studio covered in my favourite illustrators work and to own a ridiculous dog of some kind. In addition I suppose it would be alright if I also had a small house by the beach somewhere where I could go swimming and have barbeques.

Thanks, Julia, for the awesome interview--we can't wait to see what you create next!  And don't forget to check out her website, subscribe to her Youtube Channel, and join her Facebook group!