We all might have received emails where pencil made cartoons are embedded. Let meet the person behind the magic of pencilmation cartoons, Ross Bollinger who is not only a multi talented personality, but also one of the most promising young artists. We at okiedoks are thrilled to have his personal interview. Visit www.pencilmation.com to enjoy more such cartoons
Let’s know more about Ross
1) Kindly tell us something about your personal life and initial days.
I love in Brooklyn New York and am 21 years old. I do freelance animation to pay the bills and on the side, I make Pencilmation and write songs.
2) Do you see a change as in when you were struggling and now when you are successful?
Well, I still feel like I am struggling! It is nice to feel my success growing every day, bit by bit, but for me it has not been an overnight process.
3) What is the concept about staying in the woods? Do you believe in the almighty?
I do not actually live in the woods, but I particularly like the idea of being able to do my work from anywhere in the world as a result of modern computer technology. The woods would be a particularly desirable place for me, as I love to be close to nature and in turn close to the almighty, which in a sense, I do believe in.
4) What is more important for a successful artist? Talent, perseverance or Goodwill (destiny and luck combined)
All three are very important but I think that perseverance is the most important of all because if you persevere at your occupation you will become talented and most likely you will eventually get lucky too.
5) How do you define happiness? (Mark Twain defines happiness when he has control over his life)
I think that true happiness is found when you are living in the world, conscious but not self-conscious and realize that you are a part of something great and eternal.
6) Any regrets in life?
I can't really think of any big ones off the top of my head.
7) What is pencilmation all about? How do you get ideas?
I get the ideas from everywhere, books, conversation, observing the world, and thinking. Usually I come up with ideas when I am traveling by myself. Pencilmation isn't about anything in particular but is more a format for expressing my ideas in a style that is simple and accessible to the public.
8) In India, most animators term you as a overnight star bypassing your struggle. One of the animators I know who works in the Indian film industry said, 'Ross would eventually end up being in the list of 'Accidental Millionaires' . Any comments.
The internet is a curious thing because I have never tried to become popular among any particular audience, yet I have grown a fan base in India.
That was certainly an accident but a very happy one! In response to the accidental millionaire comment, how could I disagree? Sounds good to me.
9) What would be if you weren’t an animator?
A rock star.
10) Animators normally do not write songs. Does writing songs come naturally to you, or do you keep it as a hobby? It must be great when people older than you take you or your work as inspiration, right?
I have never thought of songwriting as something that animators normally do, but I certainly feel that the two are related for me. Songwriting does naturally come to me, but only because I have been doing it for years; the same is true for animation. Both skills I have been pursuing for most of my life. I am honored when anybody young or old can take inspiration from my work. One of the greatest successes for me artistically is for my work to inspire more people to create their own artistic works.
11) Do your parents, siblings, cousins and friends react differently now when you are successful. I am sure at least someone might have opposed your idea of being an animator?
I was very lucky that my parents were always supportive of my creative endeavors. When I wanted to write songs, they sent me to a songwriting workshop. When I wanted to do animation, they let me go to college for art. My mother is a songwriter, and there has always been an emphasis on the arts in my family. Does anyone treat me different? Nope, my friends and family are happy that I can pursue my passion.
12) What are your plans in the animation field and song writing? Any new areas which you would venture?
I want to start doing more collaboration. One guy can only do so much himself. I want to build a team of skilled artists to help me make more and more films that can be seen by more and more people. The same is true for my music; I would like to surround myself with skilled musicians, so that I can enhance the music that I create. I suppose I just want to grow my artistic projects. Later in life I would be interested in pursuing either something scientific or something related to education.
13 ) Three things which very few or no one knows about Ross Bollinger?
1) I absolutely love riding bikes.
2) I meditate every other day.
3) I almost never watch television and rarely watch movies. Books are my primary leisure.
14 ) Any message to fellow animators?
Be sure to get outside every once in a while. It is easy to spend all your time doing drawing and improving your skills but I think that true passion and inspiration comes from interpreting the world outside. And of course, don't give up!.
If you have any queries related to animation or songwriting, kindly email him directly at pencilmation@gmail.com