CTN Animation Expo, Amazing as always!

11/30/2017

Hello All,
I apologize I did not update this blog as I originally intended. I was so busy and I got home so late I was knocked out as soon as my head hit the pillow. I mean it was a whirlwind, but what an amazing event. There was never a dull moment and I am so glad I attended. I met so many people in the industry and had some really great conversations. Where do I begin?

The panels were wonderful I got to listen to some really insightful talks about specific films all the way to what the industry is looking for in talent. I attended one panel that was really exciting. Pixar had a super secret panel that was revealed to be production management, the unsung heroes. I was so excited to find this out because the same question everyone is asking you is what do you want to do? When you don’t say animate, illustrate or something along those lines you sometimes get a baffled look. I always answer that I am an artist but I love production and working with great artists to make something amazing. Attending this panel really supported what I am interested in doing and made it feel so supported.

The artist tent never fails to amaze me, with the talent within it. I got to meet great recruiters at Disney, PIXAR, DreamWorks and Nickelodeon. Not to mention the smaller studios as well. I also got to talk with artists at their own booths and made some really great connections. I also ran into people I met last year and they actually remembered me. This was huge for me in building my self-confidence. People were actually interested in my resume and I got two meetings through raise the bar recruiting! Those meeting were great and I really hope something comes out of them.

I hope the people I have met will keep in touch, as I know I will try on my end to reach out to them.

If you have never attended and you are interested in animation in some form I highly recommend it. Who knows you may see me next year with my own booth.

Till next time,

Jess Paz

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Jessica Paz, Jessie, or just Jess is fine.

I have spent the greater part of my life creatively designing. I was born into a family of artists who always saw the world differently and challenged life daily. I was taught how to live life the way my parents did, free with an artistic spirit, and it has shaped the designer I have become today. My family, culture, music, and life itself has been my greatest muse and it shows in all of my work.

I earned a Bachelor Degree in Fine Art from The Art Institute of Tampa, a branch of Miami International University of Art & Design, with a major in Media Art and Animation. I have had the privilege of working with such talented individuals such as Emmy Award winner Dax Bedell, Creative Director at WEDU/PBS Station, Bruce Barry, creative genius behind the Emmy Award winning reality show “The Wacky World of Bruce Barry,” and educating the talented students at Elite Animation Academy. As a Creative Production Manager, I orchestrated the design of two award-winning interactive touch screens, one award for the DSE Apex Awards and the other for the DSA Industry Awards. I have done everything from 3D video animation to designing interactive touch screens for the hospitality industry.

Being a multimedia designer, teaching, and directing design projects has allowed me the gift of being able to create beautiful works of art. I feel rewarded to have managed and directed others on how to do the same. I possess the organizational skills not found often in today’s designers, but I never stray from my initial roots of artistry.

Not only am I a skilled designer / production manager, but I am also a talented illustrator. A lot of inspiration comes to me as my graphite touches the paper and I can put those inspiring ideas dancing through my mind, onto paper for the world to see.

My Creative Life in Words