Tell us a little about yourself and your career.
My name is Raha, and I’m an Iranian Storyboard Artist from Laguna Niguel, California. I attended California State University, Fullerton. I’ve been in the industry for about five years now, and what a wonderful time it’s been! I am currently working on The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder at Disney TVA. I previously worked on Iwájú at Disney Feature Animation and Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous and Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts at DreamWorks TVA. I love pizza, street tacos, dogs, and café sketching!
What challenges have you faced in navigating a career in animation?
Some challenges I have faced are learning to stay consistent, persistent, and always keep going! The industry has its waves, so I keep reminding myself to go with the flow. My Imposter Sydrome can consume my mindset sometimes, and when work is in a lull, it’s difficult not to get in my head about things. I try very hard to stay curious, polish my story and draftsmanship skills, and reach out to friends and previous co-workers for advice and feedback on how to keep growing and be better. I try to stay optimistic, ambitious, and constant with my work. Everything will always work out! 😀
Who are your inspirations in the field of animation?
I have so many inspirations in animation and the film industry! I’ve been into animation and cartoons since I was a little girl, so studios like Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, and Disney were all huge for me. I am a MEGA Studio Ghibli/Hayao Miyazaki fan, and have always enjoyed studying his style and his storyboards. I’m constantly inspired by my fellow co-workers. Working alongside artists with such skill and talent is truly incredible! What’s better than working with people you look up to and who have the same interests as you? Throughout college, I was greatly influenced by industry artists like Norm Lemay, Natalie Nourigat, Toby Shelton, Genndy Tartakovsky, Ian Abando, TAG Executive Board Member Carrie Liao, Fawn Veerasunthorn, and Mark Kennedy (Temple of the Seven Golden Camels taught me so so much! THANK YOU).
I’ve also been VERY inspired by some character designers like Shiyoon Kim, Jackie Droujko, Dan Holland, and Anthony Holden. I love film directors like Brad Bird, Martin Scorsese, Quentin Tarantino, Shinichirō Watanabe, and of course, Hayao Miyazaki. I also have a passion for shows like Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo, Fullmetal Alchemist, Steven Universe, and Over the Garden Wall. Side note: if you haven’t watched Mob Psycho 100 yet, you 1000% should watch it ASAP! One of my favorite anime shows out right now.
What do you hope to accomplish as an artist in the animation industry?
I would love to accomplish being a Showrunner and Film Director in the animation industry. Sharing the knowledge and beauty of Iranian culture would be a dream come true. I also hope to open my own digital shop of goodies, art books, and prints, highlighting Iranian culture, cuisine, and traditions. Having my storyboards be an “Art Of” book would be pretty amazing, too. I would also love to be a beacon of hope for anyone who is in the industry or trying to break in. Stay positive, everything will work out, you got this, and your success is inevitable!
What does being in the Union mean to you?
The Union has been such a welcoming community of artists. I appreciate the Guild for being so inclusive, promoting diversity, and paving the way for representation, and for providing solutions for fair wages and better quality of living. Being in The Animation Guild, I feel a sense of security, support, and camaraderie. It is incredibly reassuring to know TAG is doing everything they can to benefit its artists.
Learn more about Raha at her website.
Follow her on Instagram.
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