Another anim8or success story!An interview with Italian animator/digital artist Davide Maugeri the creator of the mini movie Ugly Dino, created with anim8or.
The Ugly Dino link below
http://vimeo.com/8579083THE INTERVIEW
-So how old were you, when you created the Ugly Dino movie?
Hmmm, I think it was around 2009-2010 so I was 20-21 years old.
-How did you get to hear about anim8or and was it your first 3d piece of software?
Well, I discovered it by chance one day, I was on vacation and I decided to buy this CG magazine back in 2005, in which I read about Anim8or for the first time. So I downloaded the software and started practicing immediately.
-How long did it take for you to create from start to finish?
About 8 months, actually. It was around March when I've had a flash of inspiration on turning the classic old Ugly Duckling fairy tale into a prehistoric revisitation of it. Then I started working on the project, I defined the personality and looks of the characters. They all were all great fun to make, especially Singe and Arnold (which has been a very tricky character and possibly one of the heaviest and most detailed rigs I've ever done in Anim8or). The whole thing came to an end during the Holiday season (December, if I'm not wrong).
-Did the Dino movie open up any doors for you?
It certainly did. I learned a lot about modeling-rigging-animation, in fact, 2009 was the year when I started studying Maya and created my very first animated short with it. Plus, I've had the chance to improve my screenplay-direction skills, which were a bit weak when I made Friend of Mine. I owe a lot to the Ugly Dino!
-What big projects are you working on now?
Well, I've been working at Rainbow CGI where I animated on an feature film called "Gladiators of Rome" (Gladiatori di Roma) and the 5th season of Winx Club. They both were a lot of fun to animate on. About personal projects, I've teamed up with some work mates and friends and worked on the pilot of a 3D animated serie called Befriend the Bull. After that, we started working on a brand new short which will be a big tribute to the genie of Jim Henson (and of course, Henson himself). It will feature two characters from one of his most famous series, Baby and Earl Sinclair from Dinosaurs, -completely rebuilt in CG- and some Muppets as well. It will be complete in a few months, and we really hope the Jim Henson Company will enjoy it!
-I noticed from your blog, that your Dad is the famous painter Stefano Maugeri, please tells us a little bit about your Father’s work and how it influenced you?
I consider myself lucky enough to have two parents who both have great artistic talent. None of them decided to work in the animation field, still I'm glad their artistic influences have combined and helped me create something new.
-What is your favourite all time animation movie, please tell us why you like it?
Heh, that's some question! I've tried many times to make a ranking out of my favorite animated film, but I just couldn't. It's like saying "Which of your brothers you love the most?" You love them all the same way. Of course, I'm particularly fond to all the Disney classics such as Brother Bear, Pocahontas, Tarzan, The Little Mermaid and so on. Their music, animations, characters and magic gave me a lot and made me the person I am today. As for the latest ones, I really loved Surf's Up, Kung Fu Panda, How to Train Your Dragon, Ice Age, Tangled, Toy Story, Shrek, Alpha and Omega, Niko & The Way to the Stars, etc.
-What do you hope to do in the future?
Well, I hope to improve my animation skills -I still have SO much to learn- and move abroad. I would love to take part of a big animation team and work on a great feature film.
Thank you Davide for the interview and I wish you well and more success in the future.
