Animation Mentor:
What inspired you to learn animation?
Gordana Fersini:
It was "Jenny, la Tennista!" ("Aim For the Ace!" - "Ace wo Nerae") When I was growing up, most of the animation on Italian TV was Japanese anime. Some of it was fantasy, but most of it was sports. Of course at the time I didn't want to be an animator, or didn't even think it was possible. Instead, I wanted to be Judo Boy, Speed Racer, or of course Jenny, la Tennista who could beat Bjorn Borg at Wimbledon in a flash. So I played tennis, learned karate, volleyball and so on. With the exception of Star Wars, I always thought that life was far more interesting when imitating animation. I spent all of those years imitating animated characters, so that something must have rubbed off to make me want to animate my own later in life.
Animation Mentor:
What would be your ultimate dream job?
Gordana Fersini:
A while ago I was reading a big technical book on Maya on the subway. The big color renderings from CG movies were far more interesting than the writing. A little boy was sitting next to me, looking at everything with big eyes. All of a sudden he pointed at my book and demanded "What's that?!" He was pointing at a picture of a gray character model with his miniature finger. While I was explaining about animated films, and how the characters are built and how they seem to move and the huge team of people that make an animated picture come together, I could see his eyes get bigger and bigger and his jaw dropping. And I was thinking to myself: that's how I feel too! That kid and I have the same dream job!
Animation Mentor:
How has your experience at Animation Mentor been so far?
Gordana Fersini:
Animation Mentor was just what I needed. Animation is a very difficult skill to master, a lot more difficult than I thought when I first told myself "I think I'll learn to be an animator!"
A lot of it is time, practice and more practice. You need to nail those basics principles all animation is based on, or you will build on sand. Animation Mentor has given me the solid foundation I really needed. You work with professional animators who can take time from their schedules to offer feedback about the 1000 things you're doing wrong, and the 0.2 things you're doing right. That is the hardest experience to find in a school environment, and that's what Animation Mentor provides, along with great lectures and tips. Working with people who really know their stuff is the thing I like the most about this school. Well, ok, also the free hamburgers at the annual BBQ!
Animation Mentor:
What's one of the most important and/or interesting lessons you've learned while at Animation Mentor?
Gordana Fersini:
Plan your shots from the beginning or you will get lost. Word! Don't be afraid of changing things if they don't work. If it doesn’t work, it doesn't work. (And exasperation gets you to some good shots sometimes.)
Animating is really a collective job. When you are working on your shot, in fact, you are never the only one. All the feedback, all the suggestions are a big part of what you end up with. Just like in math class, always show your work!
Animation Mentor:
Who is your favorite animator?
Gordana Fersini:
There is more than one for sure...
I'd say I like Eric Goldberg a lot, Tex Avery for his awesome work on things like "Senor Droopy". In the category of shorts I have a lot of admiration for Yuri Norstein. And there's more, but I went already over the limit of one, didn't I?
Animation Mentor:
What is your favorite animated/CG scene of all time?
Gordana Fersini:
I'm a big fan of the "Denied Claim" scene of The Incredibles, when Bob's talking to the tiny old lady in his office. I thought the acting was great for both characters. The old lady was so expressive and Bob's change of personality was great. But I really loved the way he got portrayed in the first part of the scene, when he's obviously bored with his job and his un-heroic life. It all comes through so flawlessly.
Animation Mentor:
Anything else you want to say to your fellow and prospective students of Animation Mentor?
Gordana Fersini:
To the prospective students: if you are thinking of joining but you're not really sure because you don't have drawing skills, leave all hesitations at the door. You can learn animation and be a good 3D animator even if you don't know how to hold a pencil. This is a great place to learn. Word!
To my fellow students: You are a great asset of this school. Your talent, energy, and willingness to help other people work through problems still surprise me. I never experienced that before with such a big spread-out group of people. Thank you all for helping out, whether I have had a chance to thank you by helping back or not. From this past year and a half, I have had a lifetime of memories.
What inspired you to learn animation?
Gordana Fersini:
It was "Jenny, la Tennista!" ("Aim For the Ace!" - "Ace wo Nerae") When I was growing up, most of the animation on Italian TV was Japanese anime. Some of it was fantasy, but most of it was sports. Of course at the time I didn't want to be an animator, or didn't even think it was possible. Instead, I wanted to be Judo Boy, Speed Racer, or of course Jenny, la Tennista who could beat Bjorn Borg at Wimbledon in a flash. So I played tennis, learned karate, volleyball and so on. With the exception of Star Wars, I always thought that life was far more interesting when imitating animation. I spent all of those years imitating animated characters, so that something must have rubbed off to make me want to animate my own later in life.
Animation Mentor:
What would be your ultimate dream job?
Gordana Fersini:
A while ago I was reading a big technical book on Maya on the subway. The big color renderings from CG movies were far more interesting than the writing. A little boy was sitting next to me, looking at everything with big eyes. All of a sudden he pointed at my book and demanded "What's that?!" He was pointing at a picture of a gray character model with his miniature finger. While I was explaining about animated films, and how the characters are built and how they seem to move and the huge team of people that make an animated picture come together, I could see his eyes get bigger and bigger and his jaw dropping. And I was thinking to myself: that's how I feel too! That kid and I have the same dream job!
Animation Mentor:
How has your experience at Animation Mentor been so far?
Gordana Fersini:
Animation Mentor was just what I needed. Animation is a very difficult skill to master, a lot more difficult than I thought when I first told myself "I think I'll learn to be an animator!"
A lot of it is time, practice and more practice. You need to nail those basics principles all animation is based on, or you will build on sand. Animation Mentor has given me the solid foundation I really needed. You work with professional animators who can take time from their schedules to offer feedback about the 1000 things you're doing wrong, and the 0.2 things you're doing right. That is the hardest experience to find in a school environment, and that's what Animation Mentor provides, along with great lectures and tips. Working with people who really know their stuff is the thing I like the most about this school. Well, ok, also the free hamburgers at the annual BBQ!
Animation Mentor:
What's one of the most important and/or interesting lessons you've learned while at Animation Mentor?
Gordana Fersini:
Plan your shots from the beginning or you will get lost. Word! Don't be afraid of changing things if they don't work. If it doesn’t work, it doesn't work. (And exasperation gets you to some good shots sometimes.)
Animating is really a collective job. When you are working on your shot, in fact, you are never the only one. All the feedback, all the suggestions are a big part of what you end up with. Just like in math class, always show your work!
Animation Mentor:
Who is your favorite animator?
Gordana Fersini:
There is more than one for sure...
I'd say I like Eric Goldberg a lot, Tex Avery for his awesome work on things like "Senor Droopy". In the category of shorts I have a lot of admiration for Yuri Norstein. And there's more, but I went already over the limit of one, didn't I?
Animation Mentor:
What is your favorite animated/CG scene of all time?
Gordana Fersini:
I'm a big fan of the "Denied Claim" scene of The Incredibles, when Bob's talking to the tiny old lady in his office. I thought the acting was great for both characters. The old lady was so expressive and Bob's change of personality was great. But I really loved the way he got portrayed in the first part of the scene, when he's obviously bored with his job and his un-heroic life. It all comes through so flawlessly.
Animation Mentor:
Anything else you want to say to your fellow and prospective students of Animation Mentor?
Gordana Fersini:
To the prospective students: if you are thinking of joining but you're not really sure because you don't have drawing skills, leave all hesitations at the door. You can learn animation and be a good 3D animator even if you don't know how to hold a pencil. This is a great place to learn. Word!
To my fellow students: You are a great asset of this school. Your talent, energy, and willingness to help other people work through problems still surprise me. I never experienced that before with such a big spread-out group of people. Thank you all for helping out, whether I have had a chance to thank you by helping back or not. From this past year and a half, I have had a lifetime of memories.