We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Carmen Liang a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Carmen, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Do you take vacations? Why or why not?

When I first got my foot in the door in the animation industry, I didn’t take time off for vacations. I was worried that I would be replaced or significantly slow down production if I do even though I was legally allowed to take the time off. I did take short vacations like a 3-4 days getaway during hiatuses or when I was in between projects. But I didn’t feel I built enough rapport and experience to feel secure enough in my career to actually take a week or more time off while I was actively working on a production until 3 or so years later in the industry. Some colleagues I have known never taken time off. Being in a gig economy can be tough, there will be times when you won’t have another project lined up and you don’t know when you will. The animation industry in the past have seem more stable compared to other similar industries like acting and writing, but these days with the advancement of technology and globalization along with other factors has caused more unemployment than in the past. Even with these looming concerns, taking a small break like a staycation for the weekend is very important for your mental and physical health. You’re only human, you must nourish your mind and body. I have seen many people in the industry developing health problems from overworking like carpel tunnel, slipped disc from sitting too much, and permanent hunched backs. I myself developed lower back and hip problems. The industry can be very unforgiving to the injured. If you can’t produce they’ll find someone else who will, so please take yourself to Hawaii and enjoy some nice fresh poke. You’ve earned it!

Carmen, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Hi, I’m Carmen Liang I am an Asian American storyboard artist and writer in the animation industry with 7+ years experience and a CalArts alum with a BFA in Film/Video in the Character Animation Department. It was difficult to find stable work after college. I worked in a few indie films and commercials as a storyboard artist, animator, background artist, and character designer mainly in live action.

After applying to and testing for many different studios , I finally gained my foothold in the animation industry, starting as a storyboard revisionist on Cartoon Network Studios’ show “Clarence”. After that production wrapped, I became a storyboard artist for “Victor and Valentino” under the same studio. I also worked at Nickelodeon Animation Studio as a storyboard artist.

My time at CalArts holds a special place in my heart, particularly my student films, where I experimented with an array of mediums to bring unique visual narratives to life.

Beyond storyboarding in animation, I also create comics that delve into my current thoughts and concerns, aptly titled “Therapy for Me”.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I think my goal and mission driving my creative journey is a very simple one and that’s happiness. What I do makes me happy. Sometimes people and children will come up to me and tell me how my work has made their day or even better yet inspired them to create themselves. I can’t see myself doing anything else that can make me as happy and it’s great to know that my work have made others happy as well.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

One of the most important resources early in your creative journey is your peers. In college I was too insecure to share my art with anyone. I was one of the most talented artist in my high school. I was a big fish in a small pond, but once in college, I was a guppy in the ocean. I could’ve grown faster and be more skilled as an artist if I wasn’t so shy about my work and my ability as an artist. Don’t let imposter syndrome shrink yourself. Share your work, make long lasting friends because those same people will help you get your first and last job.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.carmenliang.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carmenlarts
• Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/carmenliangalang
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/carmenlarts
• Other: https://vimeo.com/carmenliang https://www.instagram.com/therapyforme_comics