Hello DreamWorks Animation Studios

I am incredibly excited to share that I have accepted a position as an Animation Artist at DreamWorks Animation TV on Gabby's Dollhouse. If you're unaware, Gabby's Dollhouse is a TV show aimed at a preschool-level audience. The show is a live-action and CG animation blended to create what I consider to be this generation's blues clues.

Gabby's is a popular series that almost every kid knows about, including my goddaughter. It just so happens that this is her favorite show which makes me very proud that I can be a part of something she cares about so deeply. When I came on board to this project, we were getting close to wrapping up season three, with pre-production on season four just beginning.

The title of "Animation Artist" is fascinating; my job is to provide feedback to the animation team that works overseas and help bring the episodes of animation to their fullest potential. I will be communicating, noting, and critiquing animation from the storyboard animatic, to layout, to primary animation, until polished secondary animation. I will be working under the supervision of Gabrielle Ray and Jake Baker, who graciously decided to take me under their wing.

Luckily I got the opportunity to start working on campus, as they slowly but surely started welcoming more and more people back from working virtual. The campus is incredibly gorgeous, somehow still working out of Los Angeles, but the vibe it gives off is similar to maybe a college campus in the middle of the Carolinas. Luscious greenery and constant running water from their river, lagoon, and waterfalls. I've already met some incredible people I'll graciously have the chance to work with here. I can already sense through the atmosphere that I will learn and grow much during my time here. Everyone I talk to is so creative and inspiring. I find it hard to believe that I will ever find a lack of motivation with all the passion I see around me. It feels contagious.

One of the most exciting parts about accepting this role is that I'll join the Animation Guild. For those that don't know, The Animation Guild is Local 839 of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE).

Here is their description directly sourced from their website: https://animationguild.org/

"We are a labor organization that represents animation and visual effects artists. We do for our members what every labor organization does: negotiate wage minimums and working conditions, provide pension and health benefits (specifically through the Motion Picture Industry Pension and Health Plan) and act as an advocate for our members over disputes between employees and employers. Our goal is to provide a seamless cloak of benefits and the strength of a collective voice to our members across the animation industry. Our offices are located at 1105 N. Hollywood Way in Burbank, California."

Since starting my career, it's always been my long-term goal to one day join the Animation Guild, which makes me incredibly proud to join it early in my career. I look forward to sharing my experience with the guild in the future.

During my time at DreamWorks Animation, I want to be known as a sponge. Not only on this production but from anywhere I can potentially learn something. I want to learn from as many people as possible and from different roles and people. It is a dream come true, and every day I walk on that campus, I'm so grateful to be there. I've met such incredible people, and I can't wait to tell you more about it.

Please stay tuned for the season three premiere of Gabby's doll house on Netflix, and please look forward to seeing my name in the credits as an Animation Artist.