"an artist first" interview with Mike Giaimo

(Mike Giaimo and Joe Ranft, 1983)

while wasting time looking at film credits on animation artists i've heard of but have not met, i came upon this great interview by Tee Bosustow from "Toonin to the World of Animation."  in his interview with art director/ designer Mike Giaimo, he sheds some great light on the philosophy of being an artist first before performing your "artistic" duties at your studio job.  as examples, he name drops some important figures in UPA 50's animation like Jules Engels and David Weidman (two artists i admire greatly), and how they pushed their own creative endeavors beyond work.  it's incredibly inspiring listening to Giaimo reveal the secrets behind the success of all animation by explaining the brilliance of these UPA men and their passion for creating good art even previous to working at a studio.  by being an artist first, a master of their craft, they've obtained the skills necessary to express what is aesthetically pleasing.  Giaimo mentions how the UPA men didn't see themselves as anything other than artist who fell into animation.  this to me is sexy talk to my ears, words of great encouragement.  i for one see myself as an animator.  but it's my hope to escape that mentality and lure that artist within.

to listen to this great interview with Mike Giaimo click HERE.