Tell us a little about yourself and your career.
Hi hi! My name is Lauren Sassen, and I’m a Story Artist living in Los Angeles. I started my career as a Storyboard Revisionist on Cartoon Network’s We Bare Bears—after some time, I was promoted to full-time Storyboard Artist, and eventually became a Creative Director on the show. After WBB was finished, I was hired at Sony Pictures Animation as a Story Artist. The first film I was assigned to work on was Vivo, followed by Hotel Transylvania 4 and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. I’m currently boarding on a new, unannounced project.
What challenges have you faced in navigating a career in animation?
I think the biggest challenge for me was the process of breaking into the animation industry. Getting your foot in the door can be a difficult and sometimes painfully long struggle. My advice is simple: the key is to keep trying, be kind, and whatever you do—don’t give up! I received a lot of rejection letters before I ever got my first gig. Don’t let the no’s deter you.
Who are your inspirations in the field of animation?
I’ve been obsessed with One Piece since I was in high school, and my art was and still is very heavily influenced by Eiichiro Oda’s work. I also draw a lot of inspiration from Masaaki Yuasa’s shows and films. From his amazing design sense and pushed animation to his wildly bizarre stories, his work is really fantastic and inspiring. I wish I could make anything as cool as the films he makes!
What do you hope to accomplish as an artist in the animation industry?
I would like to make more LGBTQIA+-centered films in animation. As a member of the community, I feel it’s important to try and push for more representation in animation and to tell stories that reflect those experiences.
What does being in the Union mean to you?
The Union means solidarity, unity, and community to me. It is a great thing to know that the Union has our backs. That plus the support of the animation community within it, as well as the ways that the Union is working to make our lives in the industry better, are deeply important to me.
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