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Meet Episodic Director Shane Collins #Interview





Meet our super cool Episodic Director Shane Collins! When he's not busy with animation, you'll find him surfing, not just the Internet, but actual waves. We chilled out with him for a few minutes to find out what his role involves and what he loves about animation.

How did you get into animation?

I suppose I drifted towards animation while in my foundation art course. Drawing, watching films (live-action and animated) and playing video games has been my passion from a young age. I was always drawing (even in maths class, tut tut).

I was mad about Batman, Robocop, Asterix, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and The secret of Monkey Island. I spent hours playing those games! ‘Please mum a little longer! I’ve nearly found how to feed the dogs to get into the mansion!’ Haha!

How long have you worked in the animation industry?

I’ve worked in animation ever since I was in college. I worked part-time in Brown Bag Films the Summer after my 3rd Diploma year in 2003. I started modelling props for Lebanese orange juice ads, I felt great being part of a team creating CGI animation.

I was then able to work in Brown Bag Films part-time again as part of my degree year in 2004, it was (and still is) great! So I’ve been working in Brown Bag Films for over 10 years now, minus a 6 month break I took in 2006 to travel.

What’s your current role and what does it involve?

My current role in Brown Bag Films is Episodic Director.

My role involves:

- Being involved in some brainstorm sessions to come up with ideas for new episodes in the show.

- Sitting in on script read-throughs along with the Supervising Director, Creator and Head Writer to iron out any last kinks story/script.

- Directing the storyboard artists through their boarding process.

- Sitting in with the editors along with the Supervising Director & Creator to create the Animatics. For those of you outside the industry, an ‘Animatic’ is a series of drawings done by a storyboard artist that an editor puts together along with the recorded dialogue. They do this for each episode to create a rough version of each episode before we go into creating it in 3D.

- Working with the Technical Director, Art Director, Animation Director and Layout Artists and various other artists to define how the episode will look in 3D.

- I would then review the different stages of the 3D production along with the other supervisors to fix/refine areas such as the cinematography, acting, comedy/action timing etc. 

What are your biggest influences/inspirations?

On a personal level I have to say my friends and family have been a big inspiration to me through my career, especially my parents.

I would also never have learnt what I have done without the help from my teachers in college, my fellow workmates in Brown Bag Films who are amazing artists technically and creatively, but most importantly I have learnt hugely from the talented directors I’ve worked with over the years.

What’s your favourite tool to use and why?

My Wacom, an illustration says 1000 words, or is it 100, probably depends how good the illustration is ha!

What advice would you give someone considering getting into animation?

Go for it!

I love working in animation, I couldn’t see myself in any other industry! The industry might seem vast and daunting at first but stick with it and you’ll be rewarded with knowledge and skill.

Also remember there is never only one correct way to do something, so don’t be disheartened by feedback, learn why and never say no!

What do you like most about working in animation?

I get to decide if spaghetti falls on a characters head or if pie should be thrown in their face!

What’s been the most challenging thing about working in animation?

Trying not to hum silly cartoon songs all day. I enjoy being challenged through my working day, being presented puzzles and issues, there’s a certain buzz you get from solving a film-making conundrum and seeing it on screen working. Being challenged is a bonus I feel.

Outside of animation what are you most passionate about?

My passions would be surfing and mostly adventurous outdoors stuff, football (soccer for our friends across the pond), films, computer games and animals. I like all animals but dogs mainly, I also like crows, crows are like the dogs of the bird world, they’ve so much personality and a sense of humour too.

Check out Shane's graduate short film 'Trouble In Paradise' below and watch this space for more exciting news on Trouble In Paradise VERY soon!

Are you interested in getting into animation? Keep an eye on our Behind-the-Scenes and Tutorials pages for more interviews, #TopTips and #AMAs!


Anahita Tabarsi

Anahita is Brown Bag Films' Marketing Director, Digital & Social and drinks more than five coffees a day...

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