Cuquin, Lea & Pop, Bliparoos, Tito…
Original IPs from anima
Anima has always been a company that embraces digital media, and as a result, we've developed numerous brands and characters tailored for content creation on platforms such as YouTube and TikTok, as well as physical merchandise like plush toys, children's games, albums, and more. Anima also continued developing some of the most well-known brands in spanish animation history such as “La familia telerín”. The primary focus during my time at this company has revolved around contributing to the creation of these Intellectual Properties in a digital media, including but not limited to Cleo and Cuquin, Lea and Pop, Tito Lizzardo, and the Bliparoos. Each of these IPs is crafted with educational purposes.
Original song “Vamos a la cama” from 1965
Creative Direction Rodrigo Pineda and Sean Gabuat
Produced by Ánima Kitchent
Responsible for Set Dressing, Layout. Additionally, Lighting & TD [Occasionally]
Well, diving back into a more personal tone and imagining these texts aren't read by everyone, I have to say that my time at Anima has indeed been a phase where I've worked on numerous projects (and many overtimes). Despite facing certain series on my own at times, grappling with creative challenges within the team, I often found the frustration that many of my proposals or visions for episodes weren't entirely aligned with the creative direction for preschool-targeted projects. It's tough and disheartening not to be able to showcase or hone your skills to the level you'd like (but it’s important to not forget you’re working for a company to serve other’s people ideas).
So, many times, even if it wasn't explicitly asked of me, I'd come up with different, more personal or creative proposals just because I wanted to (sometimes on extra times not to affect the original ideas nor the production, just for the shake of being a better artist or test camera choreos). I really didn't mind closing the office and being the last one out if I felt my time was well-spent learning; sometimes it worked, and my ideas were accepted, but let's be real, most of the time no one wants to complicate preschool. I can admit now that I wish I had known all the things I gathered during the first years, specially on how to proceed with my dedication.
Either way, all these IPs have been a vast learning field—A starting point, learning technically, working solo and making decisions, collaborating with others, giving or receiving feedback… Even though they aren't exactly my cup of tea, not acknowledging the enormous learning I've gained from these years would mean missing out on a chance to collect all these lessons.
Three Insights:
Never bypass the hierarchy just because you've made a decision without consulting your team.
You can’t change working environments and group dynamics just by yourself (Also that doesn’t mean your voice shoudn’t be listened nor is pointless to indicate what you think, you cannot just be a victim of the situation), but of course you influence them.
Find ways in your life to keep cultivating the aspects you feel your job isn't providing (or search for another job elsewhere).
