Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Lauren Kuperman . We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Lauren , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?
The first time I knew I wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally was at the age of twelve. I remember watching a segment on Nickelodeon’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) with director Ciro Neili talking about being a showrunner. As a kid, I was mesmerized by all of the drawings. From that point forward, I knew exactly what my career was going to be. However, my passion for art began at a very young age when my parents gave me a crayon and a kid’s menu at a restaurant in Toronto, Canada and I used it to draw a smiley-face. It was like a “you’re a wizard Harry” moment.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
My name is Lauren Kuperman, and I’m a US based artist and animator. I currently hold two Bachelor’s Degrees from the University of South Carolina: Media Arts/Art Studio and German. I also just got accepted to Clemson University’s MFA in Digital Production Art (DPA) program to earn a master’s degree in animation; in addition to receiving a partial scholarship.
Back in 2015, I was introduced to Elite Animation Academy where I learned the core fundamentals of animation. Fast forward to the summer of 2022, I got the opportunity to be an intern animation instructor while working alongside a former Disney animator with over 30 years of experience. With all of the knowledge I obtained, I applied what I learned through those courses in order to improve upon my craft.
A work I am MOST proud of is a recent assignment I completed due to the scope and international involvement I garnered to produce a documentary on one of my favorite video games: Journey (2012). I met fellow with fellow players from Germany, Russia, Canada, and the USA in the official discord server to conduct an interview that discussed first-hand player experience.
Finally, I want my potential clients, followers, fans, etc. to know that greatness comes from within.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
My goal and mission is to become a professional animator and to pass on the knowledge I learned in my journey. With that said, this will be an inspiration for new minds to enter the industry and to embark on newer adventures along the way.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding aspect of being an artist, is being told you were an inspiration to others. As a result, a new generation of animators will follow in our footprints.
Contact Info:
Image Credits
My Neighbor Tortoro (1988), and StarWars were used for artworks.