Tell us a little about yourself and your career.
Throughout my childhood, all I did was draw, constantly. I was a very ambitious and, at times, obstinate child, and even though I often struggled in school, I knew at an extremely early age that I wanted to be a professional artist when I grew up, which meant I was going to have to work hard to get into art school and achieve my goals once I found myself out in the real world. Like so many young artists, I set my sights on animation, with Walt Disney being the pinnacle of my goals. I grew up in Texas in the late ’80s/early ’90s, and I was surrounded by a family that supported my artistic talents and professional aspirations wholeheartedly. My mom was a single parent who worked hard to support my younger sister and me, which meant I spent a lot of time alone after school each day. This gave me the freedom to draw and create as much as I could. It also solidified my love of animation, film, and television. I now work as a Lead Character Designer at Disney Television Animation, something I could not have achieved without the support of my loved ones and my own tenacity.
What challenges have you faced in navigating a career in animation?
Like so many character designers and professional artists within the entertainment industry, the number one challenge is stability. Freelancing can provide a certain sense of freedom, but going from job to job can be hard. The studio landscape is not what it once was. Studios are getting gobbled up by giant conglomerates left and right. IPs, cost-cutting, and shareholder profits are prioritized above all else. The cannibalistic “wild west” nature of late-stage capitalism has chipped away at what little security working artists once had in an industry that, despite being built on the backs of creative individuals, has often treated artists like an afterthought. It can be very hard not to become jaded and exhausted by trying to stay afloat, let alone make a name for yourself as an artist.
Who are your inspirations in the field of animation?
Growing up, I was heavily inspired by Tim Burton. Not only did his films like Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and so many others speak to me, but his career path from Disney animator to filmmaker was always something I truly admired as a developing Character Designer. He may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but his dedication to telling the stories he wants to tell in his visual style is something I hope to be able to do someday.
What do you hope to accomplish as an artist in the animation industry?
My goal has long been to transition from a Character Designer to an Art Director or Production Designer and eventually work my way toward the role of filmmaker/EP. The entertainment industry is often lacking in originality, and audiences have been asking for new artistic styles and complex, well-written stories. Cute and “marketable” animation has its place, but animation can be used to create truly interesting and unique films and series. My hope is that I can someday be a part of that.
What does being in the Union mean to you?
The day I joined the Union was a really proud moment in my life. It might sound silly or shallow, but even though I had been working within the industry for several years prior, it felt real in that moment, like I had actually made it—I could truly call myself a working professional artist, and I had the paperwork to prove it. It’s a nice feeling… and of course the benefits are a huge plus!
You can check out more of Chris’s work on his website.
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