CTN INTERVIEW JENITH B. SHON (BUMSUK)

Jenith Bumsuk Shon

1. What term are you, or when did you graduate? Talk about your experience at CTN. How was getting ready, what did you expect, was it accomplished, what surprised you, what would do different or better next time?

1. I graduated spring 2013.
As an attendee, I was there twice. And this was my first participant experience. I really hadn't expected much from the event. But, later I thought this could be a good reason to rebuild my portfolio. So, I started drawing and painting. It was really fun for me just the process itself because after the graduation from Art Center, I didn't do anything. Anyway, after I finished (I thought I did....), found I missed some things like where to print or how many, or else. I was expecting i could find some relationships or connection related with job. But, luckily just few days before the CTN, a company offered a job test, and I passed it. They wanted have details for the job, but the day they wanted was the first day of CTN, I had to postpone it to next monday. Well, I accomplished what I wanted even before.... So, my goal had been changed a bit from connection to observing and learning.

2. Will you do it again? Was it good profit?
At the first day of CTN ..... All participants were so surprised because there were much many more people than we expected. It was like Saturday from previous CTN. I was so busy talking and watching people. I realised I wasn't fully ready for the show. Because on my table there were only my business card and portfolio. Not like the other table selling many prints such as their drawings and paintings. I had to be satisfied with just talking to people.
The time went so fast during the event. When I felt really tired, it was already the final day, final time.
Well, I know now what I did wrong, and what I can do better if I go again. (most likely I will.... I hope)

3. Did you learn anything new from doing this? Any tips for people that may want to have their own booth on the future?The Art Center people who did well, have their own style, which go with the industry. All my friends from the school agree current Art Center Illustration Entertainment Art Track is out of fashion, getting too old. The people I know who was the most popular star from the studio, did just whatever the person wanted on his/her portfolio not following teacher's direction.
I felt so lame when I found that at there watching them having nice opportunities. I was so busy just doing the homework and not facing myself enough when I was in Art Center.
Anyway, that was an expensive education for me to realize that SIMPLE fact.

I'll try to have fun and try to practice PROPERLY this time for the next year show. Yes, I want it again.

If there are people considering if going there, or not.... Just go. Just, shut up and go.... next year..... and I hope I see you there.


http://thebumsuk.com/

CTN INTERVIEW VANESSA FUNG

Vanessa Sinying Fung
7.5 Term


1. How was getting ready for CTN?

I think there are two parts to get ready for CTN. For the first part, my portfolio/ website/ printed book version are updated after every term is over. I also had my business card ready with necessary information. Even CTN was a show, I felt better and more professional to wear business causal. I know this is cruel to say but people are still human. They judge people by appearance first. Here comes the second part. I think having my mind set and ready for any criticism was very important because I was meeting so many people from different perspectives. My first impression at CTN was intimating and overwhelming since there were so many good and young artists there who are also looking for opportunity. I believe being open-minded and looking around seeing what’s out there is very helpful to me.


What did you expect from CTN? How did you like it?

Since I am still in school, my goal is to see what’s out there. I collected business cards from people and marked down what companies are in California. One of the most important thing is to practice talking to strangers. In this industry, communication is one of the most important skill. I liked how CTN allows me to take the courage and talk to different people either professionals or the peer. I gained courage and confidence in a conversation and knew how to present myself as an artist.

Did you show your portfolio? How was the crits? Was it helpful?

Yes. I am glad that I was selected to participate in the Raise the Bar interview where participants can have an one on one interview with different studios. For me, different studios are looking for different things from my portfolio. Of course I am not the best candidates every time but I tried to present my personalities and what I wanted to do most. Also, have questions at the end of the interview. My critique was very helpful. I found that my strengths are color and background design and I needed to show more finished paintings. Although my character design is not the strongest, it is still good to include as part of the projects in my portfolio.


What would you do better or different next time?

I will definitely print out the portfolio instead of showing on the computer because I had some technical problems in the middle of an interview which I felt shamed.


Any tips or funny stories?

If you are in upper term, I highly recommend you to go to CTN because you will be exposed to the public. I will get the early bird ticket which save money. In addition, we have more Art Center students as exhibitors this year where I felt our community is getting stronger! Please go support our alumni/peer, help each other, create a supportive atmosphere for Art Center Entertainment Arts! :)

http://vanessafungart.blogspot.com/

CTN INTERVIEW CHERRY MO

CHERRY MO

Which term are you? I'm 4.5th term.

1. How was getting ready for CTN? What did you expect from CTN? How did you like it? Did you show your portfolio?
1) I was a bit nervous about going to CTN, because I know I'll be meeting so many professionals and artists that I've been following for a long time. At first I did feel a bit overwhelmed, but when the third day came I was hoping it wouldn't end! It definitely gave me a better perspective on the whole industry and motivated me to make my own work. I did show my work, but it wasn't an entertainment portfolio, so I got some mixed reviews.

2. How was the crits? Was it helpful? What would you do better or different next time? Any tips or funny stories?
2) I only showed two companies my work, and the reviews helped me understand what each company's looking for. Next time I would definitely have an entertainment portfolio ready, and go to all the portfolio reviews.. I might even have different portfolios for different companies.

CTN Experiences: Dahye jung

 Hello Everybody! Here we have another CTN experience ready to go! This time we are interviewing Dahye Jung. She brought her portfolio to CTN, to show around as a first time.

1. Which term are you?
-7th

2. How was getting ready for CTN?

- It was my first time going to CTN, but pretty much what I did was preparing my portfolio for the studio portfolio checking, and applied for the Raise the Bar Recruiting opportunities, and I checked some valuable workshops and speaking schedule that I want to join.

3. What did you expect from CTN?

- Valuable portfolio reviews and tips which helping me to improve my art works.

4. How did you like it?

<For the portfolio Review>

- Honestly, a little disappointed.  The studio reviews were not precise and not straight-forward enough.  Pretty much all the reviews studio gave me were just sweet and very general.  Lots of cases were not professional and helpful critiques.  Or lots of case, the advice they gave me were I already knew.  Also Studio reviews were pretty different depends on studio's style.  It could be confused to lots of students.  For example, Laika and Disney gave me a really different review to me.          

- But in a good side, I can see people's reaction for my works and which pieces catch people's eyes and make people happy and surprised.  That was valuable.  Because it's kind of hard to get a chance to see professional artists' reaction for my art works out of school.  

- And individual artists gave me a better and helpful feedback.  But when they are busy, their review was not helpful.

       

 

5. Did you show your portfolio?

- Yes. I showed it to the Studios (Sony, Laika, Blue Sky, Disney)  And also to the individual artists (Pascal Campion, Steven Silver)  and Character Design Portfolio checking with 3 character designers.

6. How was the crits? Was it helpful?

 - I answered already on the Q 4.

7. what would you do better or different next time?

- I might checked if there's valuable speeches or my favorite artists next time or not on the schedule.  If there's no good speeches or my heros, I might not attend CTN next time.  Because studio portfolio critics were not either helpful enough or it was too general as much as I already knew about before.  Plus, it takes too long time for waiting.  It was crazy!! Disney, especially!

8. Any tips or funny stories?

- Check and research artists and speeches first before going.  In my case, since I didn't know many good artists' name, so i missed lots of good speeches and workshops.  Make your own schedule(plan) and spend valuable times in CTN.  Also for the portfolio review, sometimes individual artists give better helpful critiques than studio, which is helpful for improving my works.

Here is her Online Portfolio: http://www.behance.net/dahyejung
and blog: http://www.dahyejungart.blogspot.com/

Thanks for reading!

ENTERTAINMENT ARTS CALLIN FOR YA!

Turn in your work--we'd love to see it in the gallery!!!!

CTN Interview #3: BRYAN SIMS

Bryan Sims

Which term are you/ When did you graduate?
I graduated Fall 2012

1. How was getting ready for CTN?
This year was much different, I actually didn't know if I was going or not so I had very little preparation. In the past I did a lot before hand. I made business cards, put my portfolio together, printed it, and made sketchbooks to hand out.

What did you expect from CTN?
Well, it was my 3rd CTN so I kind of knew what to expect. I wanted to meet new people this time around, which really didn't happen. It was more of a reunion with Art Center friends.


How did you like it?
It was good. In the past I remember leaving very excited or very disappointed because of the feedback that I was given on my portfolio. I have to say though, every year I have left inspired and excited about creating new work and trying to become a better artist. Especially after seeing all the other amazing artists. It is a really good motivator.

Did you show your portfolio?
This year I did not show my work. I have a job I am happy at and it wasn't worth waiting in the long lines. I brought it just in case but I didn't end up having an opportunity to show it.

2. How was the crits? Was it helpful?
In the past the crits were good depending on who you talk to. I have found it, for me, unproductive to show my work to every possible person. If you show it to 20 people you are going to get 20 different opinions, and they will all contradict each other. It is important to know who you're showing your work to. Based on my experience, I would much rather show a recruiter or art director my work rather than one of many artist. If you are going to show someone wouldn't you rather it be someone who knows what the studio is looking for and could give you the best advice? If you do talk to an artist know which ones will give you the best possible crit rather than showing someone and all they say it, "awesome!" One of the best crits that I received was by Marcelo Vignali. He is an artist I'd recommend showing your work to. Chis Oatley and Stephen Silver are also really good people to talk to.

What would you do better or different next time?
I would like to talk to and meet more people. I like the idea of having a booth and promoting yourself that way. You stay put and people come to you. I think that is something I will do next time around.

Any tips or funny stories?
Everyone should go, network, show your work, and have an open mind. Know who you are showing your work to. Submit your work for the raising the bar. I was selected for my character designs last year for the personal reviews and I ended up getting a free pass because of it. I have also been selected to do the breakfast with the pros, which was a lot of fun.
Go to the panels, I have seen some amazing things at those and met some really legendary artist. Last year I saw Tyrus Wong, the year before during Andreas Deja's panel he brought out Richard Sherman who performed a lot of the old Disney songs that he and his brother wrote for Walt Disney. (I am a huge Disney nerd so I was very excited about that.)

I also got to meet my favorite artist one night, Peter DeSeve. I usually don't get nervous but with him I was extremely nervous. I saw he was kind of in a rush walking alone so I quickly introduced myself and geeked out for a second. I asked him if I could get a picture so he said yes. I have my friend take a picture of us. As we look at the camera Peter says,"so are we doing smiles with teeth, no teeth.." My friend says, " got it." Peter, "Oh already? Did it come out good? should we take one more?" My friend, "no its good. It's gestural." So Peter runs off. I'm excited to see the picture. This was my goal this weekend at ctn, meet Peter DeSeve, I did and now I have proof. So I look at the image and this is the "gestural" pic that my friend took.... He looks like he's about to sneeze, we should have taken another.

 http://bryansimsillustration.blogspot.com/

CTN experiences: Victoria Ying

Hello again!

Ready to share more CTN experiences!

 Today we have Victoria Ying! She graduated on Fall 2007, and after a bit she became a great Visual Development Artist at Disney Animation features. She has been attending to CTN many times sharing a booth that never stop growing and getting popular with the also Disney artist, and Art Center alumni Mike Yamada. They also Started a business called Extracurricular Activities Design Studio, where they sell their own products, great books and do Workshops. (You guys should check it out because there they are doing great things, are amazing teachers and their product is really pretty and they are really knowledgeable about conventions). They also teach often at CDA.

I hope this inspires you!

1.When did you graduate form Art Center?
FA 2007

2. How long have you been going to CTN?
4 years!

3.How you like it so far and why? 

We started doing CTN with PecknPaw our group Disney project, after that year I thought "Hey I could make my own book!" and I did, since then we have attended and exhibited every year.

4. What would you suggest for ACCD students to do when they go to CTN or conventions?
CTN for sure, SDCC, maybe Spectrum Live if they are fantasy artists.

5. Any tips or funny stories.

Learn to SELL! be a salesperson and you can make dem big bucks.

Give a look to Victoria Ying's work: http://www.victoriaying.net/

And their Extracurricular Activities Design Studio: http://eca-la.com/