CTN Spotlight on ... Andee!
CTNX: Hello Andee, it's a pleasure to speak with you! Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
AK: I'm originally from central Pennsylvania but I moved here to Los Angeles when I decided to shift gears from studying film to studying animation.
CTNX: When and how did your relationship with CTN begin?
AK: CTN first came onto my radar when I started school in LA. I knew I wanted to attend but the opportunity to volunteer was presented to me and I took it immediately. I really enjoy being able to not just attend but contribute to events by helping in any way I can.
CTNX: What have your positions been with CTNX and what have you learned most from your experience working with CTN?
AK: I've been lucky enough to be a volunteer that got to hop on in various areas that needed it during CTNX 2016. I personally really enjoyed check-in because you can see how excited each guest is to attend. Their positive energy fuels my own and by the time my shift is over I'm doubly excited to go and see the expo myself.
CTNX: What are your ultimate career goals?
AK: My career focus is visual development and illustration. I've always loved getting lost in the worlds of movies, shows, and video games so being able to create environments that capture the next generation of artists would be a dream come true.
CTNX: How does working with CTN help you meet those goals?
AK: Working at CTNX is such a benefit because many young artists are able to get the content creation half down, but often we forget how important getting out there and talking to other artists is for our careers as well. I spent a lot of time being my biggest critic and bringing my portfolio to CTNX I actually expected some really harsh feedback. Instead, I got a lot of positive feedback and really helpful tips which was a boost of confidence for me. It made me realize how accessible the whole industry can be when you put yourself out there.
CTNX: What have you learned most from your experience working with CTN?
AK: I learned having a positive attitude and a good conversation can get you a lot farther than you think.
CTNX: What do you look forward to most in the coming years regarding your career?
AK: I look forward to being able to take my own experiences as I work my way up and sharing them with young artists. I'm a big believer in this being a collaborative industry and I'm excited to share the path I took with first timers. I help conduct portfolio reviews at my school and I'm already taking a lot of what I've learned from CTNX 2016 and using it to guide my peers towards their first time at the expo this year.
CTNX: It was a pleasure to talk with you Andee!