In today’s world of technology and innovation, not every animator sits and draws to make characters come to life. Some animators aren’t even that good at drawing! Stop-Motion animation doesn’t need the skill of illustration but it does need creativity, imagination and an innate knowledge of physical space, weight and balance. Alex Kamer, Animation Supervisor at Stoopid Buddy Stoodios taught a wonderful hands-on workshop at the museum this last Saturday and gave participants the opportunity to bring to life some puppets from Robot Chicken! He graciously agreed to share his unique story of making it in the animation world.
Alex Kamer, in his own words: I work as a stop motion character animator, mainly for television. I've worked on shows such as Robot Chicken, Moral Orel, Frankenhole, Titan Maximum and various other content for the internet and some television spots. Currently I'm associated with Stoopid Buddy Stoodios in Burbank California. There I am the active animation director on many of their projects but I also animate, direct and I'm currently teaching a class in stop motion character animation.
WDFM: Did you draw doodle as a child?
Alex: I did doodle as a child. More than I doodle now. I miss it mainly from the creativity that brings out. By no means am I good at drawing, which is why I'm glad stop-motion animation exists. When animating a character I still have to think about their pose having weight, depth and balance but moving a puppet around is something my brain understands. I could not translate my animation skills to a pencil and paper if I wanted to.
Did you know from an early age that you wanted to pursue a career in the arts?
Yes. I always knew I wanted to be an artist of some kind, particularly a story teller. I gravitated towards movies and cartoons very quickly. By the time I was in middle school I was making my first claymation movies with a camcorder.
When did you decide to study animation?
I never formally studied animation. I went to film school but when I graduated I started to think I might work on more fun, more interesting projects if I got into animation. As it turns out I was right. I've had the chance to work on many unique projects and work with really great people. I'm quite happy with my decision.
What were the steps you took to pursue a career in animation?
I moved out to Los Angeles in 2005 and got an internship at Shadow Animation. At that time they were shooting the 2nd season of robot chicken. I started out helping in the art department, basically as a pack mule. I got hired as a PA and gravitated towards the animation department where a few of the animators took me under their wing. I started animating shots and getting critiqued by the more experienced animators until I was hired as an assistant animator and eventually a full time animator, and then on the 6th season of Robot Chicken I was hired as the animation director. I can't stress enough how important it is for aspiring animators to get their work critiqued. You may not know what is wrong with your animation until someone more experienced points it out. Finding out how to improve your animation is critical if you want to work professionally in the industry.
What is your favorite part of being an animator?
That’s hard. I love the creativity. The challenge. The absurdity. With stop motion specifically, there is something satisfying about bringing a real life puppet to life. Giving life to a 3d object in our universe is quite a unique experience.
My favorite Walt Disney quote: "I hope we'll never lose sight of one thing- that it was all started by a mouse". I also like Hitchcock's quote about Disney "Walt Disney has the best casting. If he doesn't like an actor he just tears him up."
What advice would you give to anyone who wants to pursue a career in Animation?
Sharpen your skills. Work hard to be as good an animator as you can. Leave your ego behind you and accept that there is a lot for you to learn. If you work at it hard enough, things will work out.
Hillary Lyden
Interpretative Coordinator
at The Walt Disney Family Museum