Behind The Pixel: Closing The Animation Communication Gap

Open Pixel Studios
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This podcast helps bridge the knowledge gaps between marketing and creative teams. Episodes explore how to communicate creatively, production hacks that save time, and unique solutions to ongoing creative problems. Open Pixel Studios is a women-owned (WBENC) certified animation studio in Massachusetts that creates custom animated marketing content. Hosts Will Colón and Kathryn Taccone are co-founders of Open Pixel Studios with years of industry experience in sales, marketing, animation, design, and education. Submit a question to the pod! -> openpixelstudios.com/podquestion

  1. 08/01/2024

    054 - SLAE - Lindsay Knowler at Eat Your Peas

    Welcome to another SLAE episode. These episodes were recorded at The Salt Lake Animation Expo in March of 2024. We interviewed Expo Speakers and others who were involved with the expo. A special thanks to Jordyn Curly for allowing us to do this. In this episode, Kathryn and Will welcome Lindsay Knowler at Eat Your Peas, a collaborative effort among passionate artists aimed at mentoring and giving back to the community. Lindsay shares her journey from working as an animator to becoming a Senior Trainer at Toon Boom and eventually starting her own initiative. She highlights the challenges and intricacies of Rigging in animation and the lack of standardized practices across different studios and regions. Lindsay emphasizes the need for clear standards and efficient pipelines to help both small studios and emerging artists. The conversation also touches on the impact of style on animation workflows and the importance of good leadership in creative environments. Learn more about Eat Your Peas here:https://www.lindsayknowler.ca/eat-your-peas-home

    23 min

  2. 07/17/2024

    053 - Jennie & Kaci at Mothers of Mograph

    In this episode, we're joined by Kaci Smith and Jennie Davis, co-founders of the Mothers of Mograph community, to discuss the unique challenges and triumphs of balancing motherhood and a career in the creative industry. They share insights into their organization's aim to helpi mothers navigate the complexities of the creative industry. The episode delves into the specific challenges faced by creative mothers, such as the mental load of balancing work and parenting responsibilities, and the need for more empathy and understanding from employers. Kaci and Jennie advocate for policy changes to create more flexible and supportive work environments, sharing examples from their own experiences. If you have a topic or question you’d like us to cover, ⁠you can submit it to www.openpixelstudios.com/podquestion⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ Learn more about this podcast here⁠⁠: https://www.openpixelstudios.com/behindthepixel ⁠⁠EMedia⁠⁠ produces the podcast in Easthampton, MA.  Produced by Jackson Foote and Will Colón Written and Created by: Will Colón: https://www.linkedin.com/in/willmcolon/ Kathryn Taccone: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryntaccone/

    39 min

  3. 07/10/2024

    052 - POVs - The Rules for Collaboration

    In this episode of Behind the Pixel, Will and Kathryn dive into a thought-provoking discussion inspired by a well-composed anonymous post on LinkedIn. The episode centers on key principles for improving collaboration and creativity between clients and creators. They both reflect on their own experiences at Open Pixel Studios, emphasizing the importance of mutual respect and effective communication in creative partnerships. They also discuss the dynamics of power within creative collaborations and how both clients and creators can navigate these challenges to achieve successful outcomes. If you have a topic or question you’d like us to cover, ⁠you can submit it to www.openpixelstudios.com/podquestion⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ Learn more about this podcast here⁠⁠: https://www.openpixelstudios.com/behindthepixel ⁠⁠EMedia⁠⁠ produces the podcast in Easthampton, MA.  Produced by Jackson Foote and Will Colón Written and Created by: Will Colón: https://www.linkedin.com/in/willmcolon/ Kathryn Taccone: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryntaccone/

    18 min

  4. 07/03/2024

    051 - SLAE - Julian Curi at Righteous Robot

    Welcome to another SLAE episode. These episodes were recorded at The Salt Lake Animation Expo in March of 2024. We interviewed Expo Speakers and others who were involved with the expo. A special thanks to Jordyn Curly for allowing us to do this. In this episode, Will and Kathryn sat down with, Julian Curi, also known as Righteous Robot, a filmmaker and animator specializing in a unique papercut animation style. Julian shares his story of how his short film "Gruff" came to life, from its inception to its completion over nearly three years. He discusses the challenges and benefits of working across various film departments, and the serendipitous birth of his animation style during the pandemic. Julian opens up about his experience with crowdfunding, detailing how a viral TikTok video in December 2022 led to an overwhelming response and support from viewers, enabling him to meet his $25,000 funding goal in just a month. He also touches on the importance of transparency in client work and how he navigates the complexities of budgeting and estimating time for his animation projects. Join us for an inspiring and informative discussion on creativity, the power of social media, and the journey of bringing a unique artistic vision to life. Learn more about Righteous Robot here: https://www.righteousrobot.com/Watch the Film Gruff: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5p4s4k3eB_I If you have a topic or question you’d like us to cover, ⁠you can submit it to http://www.openpixelstudios.com/podquestion⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ Learn more about this podcast here⁠⁠: https://www.openpixelstudios.com/behindthepixel ⁠⁠EMedia⁠⁠ produces the podcast in Easthampton, MA.  Produced by Jackson Foote and Will Colón Written and Created by: Will Colón: https://www.linkedin.com/in/willmcolon/ Kathryn Taccone: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryntaccone/

    26 min

  5. 06/27/2024

    050 - BYB - Using Templates in Your Work

    Will and Kathryn are back to celebrate their milestone 50th episode by diving into the topic of using templates in animation. They discuss the pros and cons of templates, highlighting their potential to save time and money while also pointing out their limitations, such as inflexibility and lack of originality.  This special episode combines valuable insights with the usual light-hearted banter, making it a must-listen for anyone involved in creating or buying creative content. If you have a topic or question you’d like us to cover, ⁠you can submit it to www.openpixelstudios.com/podquestion⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ Learn more about this podcast here⁠⁠: https://www.openpixelstudios.com/behindthepixel ⁠⁠EMedia⁠⁠ produces the podcast in Easthampton, MA.  Produced by Jackson Foote and Will Colón Written and Created by: Will Colón: https://www.linkedin.com/in/willmcolon/ Kathryn Taccone: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryntaccone/

    23 min

  6. 06/06/2024

    049 - SLAE - Matt Schultz at Mass FX Media

    Welcome to another SLAE episode. These episodes were recorded at The Salt Lake Animation Expo in March of 2024. We interviewed Expo Speakers and others who were involved with the expo. A special thanks to Jordyn Curly for allowing us to do this. In this episode, we sit down with Matt Schultz, Executive Creative Director and co-owner of Mass FX Media, a Denver-based full-service post house specializing in motion design, animation, and visual effects. Matt shares valuable insights on how businesses, particularly in the creative industry, must reinvent themselves. He discusses the evolution of Mass FX, the importance of complementary skills in business partnerships, and how to foster a collaborative and growth-oriented work environment. If you have a topic or question you’d like us to cover, ⁠you can submit it to http://www.openpixelstudios.com/podquestion⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ Learn more about this podcast here⁠⁠: https://www.openpixelstudios.com/behindthepixel ⁠⁠EMedia⁠⁠ produces the podcast in Easthampton, MA.  Produced by Jackson Foote and Will Colón Written and Created by: Will Colón: https://www.linkedin.com/in/willmcolon/ Kathryn Taccone: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryntaccone/

    23 min

  7. 05/29/2024

    Bonus - Updates May 2024

    Kathryn and Will give some updates as to what they've been up to and also answer a Pod Question from a special guest.

    19 min

  8. 05/02/2024

    048 - SLAE - Mike Morris at BlueOwl

    Welcome to another SLAE episode. These episodes were recorded at The Salt Lake Animation Expo in March of 2024. We interviewed Expo Speakers and others who were involved with the expo. A special thanks to Jordyn Curly for allowing us to do this. In this episode, Mike Morris, the Creative Director at BlueOwl, provides insider insights into the mind of corporate clients. He discusses client-side hesitations, shares tips on how to understand what they are thinking, and provides practical advice on navigating conversations with creative internal team leaders. Drawing from his experience as an ex-Amazon creative employee, Mike takes us on a journey through his personal learnings, providing valuable takeaways for all those in the creative industry. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to enhance their corporate creativity skills. If you want to connect with Mike, you can find him at https://mikemorris.tv/Or shoot him an email at mike@mikemorris.tv If you have a topic or question you’d like us to cover, ⁠you can submit it to http://www.openpixelstudios.com/podquestion⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ Learn more about this podcast here⁠⁠: https://www.openpixelstudios.com/behindthepixel ⁠⁠EMedia⁠⁠ produces the podcast in Easthampton, MA.  Produced by Jackson Foote and Will Colón Written and Created by: Will Colón: https://www.linkedin.com/in/willmcolon/ Kathryn Taccone: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryntaccone/

    21 min
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About

This podcast helps bridge the knowledge gaps between marketing and creative teams. Episodes explore how to communicate creatively, production hacks that save time, and unique solutions to ongoing creative problems. Open Pixel Studios is a women-owned (WBENC) certified animation studio in Massachusetts that creates custom animated marketing content. Hosts Will Colón and Kathryn Taccone are co-founders of Open Pixel Studios with years of industry experience in sales, marketing, animation, design, and education. Submit a question to the pod! -> openpixelstudios.com/podquestion

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