We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Eric Thompson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Eric below.

Hi Eric, thanks for joining us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

If we want to see changes in our life. Taking a risk. Is something we all have to do. It’s a scary feeling and doubt will happen. A million things will go through your mind. Wondering if will this work. Will I be able to provide? These were some of the questions that came to mind. On July, 26th, 2001. I decide to take that risk. I choose to leave my safe job. A safe job that gave many opportunities to be stable in life. I was blessed to have the opportunity to work on my first animation job in the industry. You may ask. How is this risk? That’s a good question. The risk I chose was to leave my safe job. To pursue a career that will make me happy. I have a quote from Jim Carey that I have saved on my phone. To remind me to never give up and to take risks. That quote is, “ You can fail at what you don’t want. So you might as well take a chance. On something that you love”. I have this quote saved as a reminder. That it’s ok to take risks in life. As long it’s positive and brings joy to you. Since 2021 through 2023. I was blessed to have worked on 6 projects. I’m glad I had taken that risk.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Hello everyone, my name is Eric Thompson. I was born and raised in San Francisco. Intel to this day, I’m still a native of San Francisco. Ever since a child. I had the passion to draw. I will say it’s a family gift. My father, my brother, and other family members on my dad’s side. Had the gift to draw. Every day I’m thankful for this gift. I’m able to escape any real-life problems that I might have been facing at the time. I will say it’s therapeutic. I was blessed to work on a few art projects throughout my early days. My first art job, I was hired as a youth artist in the early 2000s. As life continues, In 2020 I was hired as a digital artist to help create digital art illustrations for a client who was working on murals. I had many other small project jobs. I worked on creating logos for clients. I’ve made custom artwork for clients. My latest art project I was lucky e nough to work with my cousin. His name is Sidney Kerry, who is a great author and a great poet. I created the art illustrations for his latest two-book cover. I am thankful intel this day because he allowed me to push myself with my artwork.

Besides drawing, I fell in love with 3d Animation. In 2012, It felt like I was bitten by the animation Bug. It has been nonstop studying the craft of animation. I went to school to learn the skills to be a professional animator. I graduated and received my Character Animator certificate from Animation Mentor in 2017. I continue to study throughout the years. Taking other workshops to better my skills as an animator. I was lucky enough to land my first job in 2021. I was hired as a previs artist. My job and my fellow artists had created a 3D sequence of animation for the studio’s clients. Our goal was to create a vision that would help the director visualize what he or she needed to film. We had deadlines that needed to be fulfilled and we worked our butts off to make sure those goals were completed. After that project. I was lucky to land another animation job. This time I was able to work on AAA title games. I and my co-workers had the opportunity to create cinematic scenes for the game’s promotion trailers. We worked on gameplay animation as well. I’m thankful for the opportunity. I have learned so much throughout this project. Throughout 2021-2023, I was lucky enough to have worked on 6 projects. Which were all released in 2023. One feature Film (Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom) and 5 AAA games. My career is just getting started and I’m looking forward to the future.

Have you ever had to pivot?

I have two stories of when I had to pivot through two career choices. When I first started college in 2006. I thought about becoming an actor. My father was an actor. He majored in performance arts. He performed in plays. Had acting roles in movies and TV shows. His passion for acting inspired me to become an actor myself. I took acting courses while I attended college. Even though, the college only provided only two courses. I have learned enough information that was needed at the time. As I continue my studies in college. I decided to pivot out of a career in acting. The following year, my father suggested that I attend the Art Institute of San Francisco. To major in graphic design, since I enjoy drawing. We decided to check out the school in person. As we set down with a rep from the school. I was flipping through the pages of the curriculum. I’ve looked over the Graphic Design section. But then I stumbled on their Multimedia Animation package. Right at that moment, it grabbed my attention. I learned that animators are actors behind the camera. Which is one of the processes of animating a scene. You have to act out your scene on camera. Once you decide which recording is best. Then you’ll use that recording as a reference for your animation. Being able to bring the character to life and seeing your hard work pay off is an amazing feeling. Even though, I’ve pivoted from becoming an actor and graphic designer. I was able to combine both acting and art as one subject.

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

The most rewarding of being an Animator and digital artist. Is doing something that makes me happy. Where it feels like it’s not a job. The time seems to go by quickly when you’re staying busy and working on something you love to do. At some times, you wish you had more time to work on your craft. But, the body and mind need to rest and family time is important. I consider family, time, and rest as a reward as well. All factors must work as a unit. Once you find a balance. Things become at ease. But a reminder in life. There will be roadblocks in your path and that’s just how life is. Just to name a few things that are rewarding as an animator. Are you becoming better within yourself? The more you work on your craft. The advance you become with your skills. Another reward would be that you get to network with other great animators who are in the industry. Seeing their hard work is motivating. The community is supportive and if you need help. There is always helpful feedback to be given. If you need one-on-one feedback. You can reach out to a professional animator who’s working in the industry. To see if he or she can be your private mentor. There are animation workshops that you can take. To further your studies. All these factors are great and important. I’m thankful I’ve picked the right career. I enjoy what I do. Because it’s rewarding

The same goes for being a digital artist. Being able to draw is a blessing. Creating illustrations that you’re proud of. Using digital technologies like an iPad Wacom tablet or Wacom Cintiq to get the job done. Looking over the years on how far my skills have become better. It’s rewarding and I’m looking forward to the future. Reaching milestones as my artwork improves. Seeing the long journey. Supporting other digital artist as they upload their artwork on social media. Commenting on their Instagram post. Uplifting them to never give up and to keep pushing. It’s rewarding to give back and do what I love.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.eric-a-thompson.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/e.animated.arts/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-thompson-8509b456
• Other: https://vimeo.com/user15898086