We recently connected with Angela Smaldone and have shared our conversation below.

Angela, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

I realized that I wanted to pursue an artistic career when I was very young, in high school and then started to do some research to make that happen. I left my small home town in southern Italy and built up my way in the animation cinema business, year after year, step by step.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am an animation cinema experienced professional, focused on bringing characters to life. Skilled in ZBrush and Maya, I specialize in vis dev sculpting and character modeling with a demonstrated history of working in the entertainment industry. Coming from a traditional sculpting background, I studied at CSC (Centro sperimentale di cinematografia) in Turin and Gobelins, Ecole de l`Image in Paris and I developed my international career collaborating with studios like Illumination , On Entertainment, Sony and Laika.

My film credits include The Lorax, Desplicable me 2, Kirikou 3, Mune (lead), The little Prince (lead), Smurfs and the lost village (lead), Hotel Transylvania 2, Angry birds, Storks, Missing Link (winner of 2019 Golden Globe).

I`ve been working as a freelance digital sculptor for clients such as – among others – Disney Imagineering, Roal Dahl, Netflix and Dreamworks.

I currently keep on developing my career as a lead character artist in the visual development department at Netflix.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist certainly is the chance to express myself. The most challenging journey of an artist is to find his/her own voice, so you spend your time trying to align your words and actions to what you really feel in the constant effort to translate into your art your authentic perception of the world, which is what makes you unique and alive.
Art is a privileged tool to express and share that with the rest of the world out there.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

As an artist, you always look for references and inspiration in what already exists in the world. Some books and movies are particularly meaningful and give you guidance and purpose to keep going in the right direction.
I feel like quoting a book and a movie:
“The servant“ by James C Hunter and “Someone like it hot“ by Billy Wilder.
The first one is about strengthening the bonds of respect, responsibility, and care with the people around you.
The second one is a comedy about survival and authenticity.
Principles that are neither new nor complex but are basic and universal in their simplicity.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.angypop.com
• Instagram: sma_ngy
• Linkedin: https://fr.linkedin.com/in/angelasmaldone
• Other: https://www.artstation.com/angypop

Image Credits
Issunboshi, design by Ryan Lang, 3d dev by Angela Smaldone Mermaid, design by Peter T. Brockhammer, 3d dev by Angela Smaldone Momo, design by Ryan Lang, 3d dev by Angela Smaldone Nephtali, design by Glen Keane, 3d dev by Angela Smaldone