Tell us a little about yourself and your career.
Hey! I’m Maaike, and I’m a mixed Filipino artist! I love reading, board games, and going on adventures with my fiancé. I worked in games at PlayStation for about a year before transitioning to animation. My first roles in animation were in prop/FX design and character design before I moved into story, but I love doing it all! I was most recently the Revisions Director on Bat-Family at Warner Bros.
What challenges have you faced in navigating a career in animation?
I think finding a great work-life balance took me a while, but taking care of yourself and making sure you don’t burn out is vital to making good work. I find that carving out time for interests and hobbies helps fuel my creativity.
Who are your inspirations in the field of animation?
Any time I need a dose of inspiration, I pop on a [Hayao] Miyazaki movie. They never fail to inspire me and remind me how magical animation is. I also love catching animation festivals, short film screenings, and the latest pilots and shorts. I am endlessly inspired by my peers, their unique visual styles, and the refreshing stories they have to tell!
What do you hope to accomplish as an artist in the animation industry?
As a mixed race person, I really hope to help make more projects from people with similar backgrounds! When I was a kid, it was hard to find any characters in the media that looked like me. Now, I have a sister who is 20 years younger than me, who is also mixed race, and I am so proud that she can turn on cartoons and feel seen on the screen. There are so many different voices and perspectives with incredible stories to tell. I am really thrilled at the strides we’ve made, and I hope to continue contributing to that!
What does being in the Union mean to you?
To me, being in the Union means knowing your worth and knowing when to fight for it; creating power and courage in a system that was designed to make us accept the minimum. I feel protected and seen, and I feel such a great sense of community. It’s incredible to me that total strangers have lent me their time and knowledge just because we’re Union kin; I am so thankful to be surrounded by such a creative and passionate group.
Maaike just wrapped up at Warner Bros. and is available for any story, prop/FX, or character design needs. She can be contacted at maaike.scherff@gmail.com.
Find out more about Maaike at her website.
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