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

Hi Janice, thanks for joining us today. What was the most important lesson/experience you had in a job that has helped you in your creative career?

Before I worked in TV Animation, I was a VFX artist working on films like Avengers: Infinity War and Mission: Impossible – Fallout. The hours were brutal but I was coming straight from college and had rose tinted glasses being able to see my name on the big screen. It was rough but I was willing to work those hours chasing big names and even bigger studios like South Park to Cartoon Network. I don’t regret any of my time at those studios or shows but now looking back, I’ve definitely learned that it’s not really the project or studio that makes work fun but the people around you. I’m really thankful to the coworkers and bosses that really encouraged and motivated me. There’s plenty of jerks out in Hollywood but when you come across those nice ones, keep them close and encourage each other – they’ll ground you in the bestest of ways.

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

I’m a Korean-American storyboard artist and writer by trade, working in TV Animation for about 5 years – mostly at studios like Cartoon Network, Netflix, Warner Bros, and Titmouse. I’m also a fellowship writer of the Sesame Workshop Writer’s Room and have had a host of professional work in commercial animation and VFX. Sometimes, I direct music videos but I mostly like to spend my free time playing guitar or skateboarding around the neighborhood.

There’s tons of crazy talented storyboard artists and writers out in the world – I don’t claim either title whatsoever. But I think the thing that helps me stand out is my background dabbling in both. Animation production can be a vigorous, nonstop machine that can chew artists up and burn them out. There’s many reasons for this and often it’s reasons that I can’t control like budget, scheduling, or leadership. So what I try to bring to the table whether it’s writing or boarding is the knowledge of how my work influences the other departments and find ways to make it easier on production. We work on fun cartoons – we shouldn’t have to die to make them.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Pay your artists! It sounds so simple but it really is that easy. Whether is a small doodle commission to a feature film, someone or a team of artists put their hard work and time to create something from nothing. The money you spend goes into the time it took to make it but also the years and YEARS of experience the artist took to hone their talent and craft. Sure, artists usually enjoy what they do but don’t take advantage of their passion to save a few bucks here and there. If you really want to support artists and appreciate/value their work, the best way is to pay them well – that way they can eat/sleep better and make even better art for the community.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

I think one of the hardest things about being a creative is not being able to put your work down. Work follows you even when you clock out or try to enjoy some down time. Those scripts and story ideas will bang around in your head until you can work out the solution. It’s super gratifying when you do but it can be torturous before then – almost like being haunted by your work. Sometimes I look back at my time in VFX when I could simply clock out and be done with work and wonder if it was better. Sure, I was exhausted but at least I had time at home to do my own projects. Now, it’s hard to even look at my cintiq – I’m so grateful for music and skateboarding. I can’t express how important it is to me to have hobbies that aren’t only drawing related. I don’t think I’ll ever give up writing or storyboarding – I’m so grateful to have a career in it. I just wish I had a healthier work life balance…but maybe the grass is always greener.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.janicechun.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janice.chun/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janicechun/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/janice__chun