Draw Me A Robot

Krishna Sadasivam was kind enough to interview me for his DRAW ME A ROBOT site. In exchange, I drew him a robot. See below for the interview...also check out http://drawmearobot.tumblr.com/ for more creator interviews!.

1. Who are you and what do you do?
My name is Jim Lujan and I’m an independent animator. I do the art, music, and voices (most of ‘em) for my over 50 (and counting) animated films. My art style is similar to Mike Judge’s but I think I’ve developed my own brand of art. I take a very cinematic approach and embrace ridiculousness. This year I was the recipient of the Bill Plympton Award for Indie Animation (thrilled!). Currently, I’m working on “Sanjourno Must Die” series for Titmouse/Six Point Harness’ Rug Burn YouTube Channel and am also working on “Forever-Land” (animated film with hip hop group Kounterclockwise). Later this year, I plan to make another original long form cartoon movie and so on and so on.

2. What’s your hardware setup?

• iMac
• CanoScan LiDE 100 scanner (love that its USB powered)
• Bamboo Splash digital tablet (picked it up today!)
• 3 TB external hard drive
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3. What’s your workspace look like?
Basic Ikea style desk, not too many trinkets (not much of a toy collector). Pictures of loved ones here and there. Some art books stashed in my drawers (yes, the really are ART books, you pervs!) I recently splurged on Etsy for some Alfred Hitchcock drink coasters. I always have some ice tea or another beverage on my desk. Thought, why not splurge? I see these coasters everyday! I picked up Vertigo, Psycho, North by Northwest, and Rear Window drink coasters. I am styling.

4. What tools do you use to make your cartoons?
Well, as a matter of fact, I just picked up a Bamboo tablet/pen today. Let’s see how the digital age works out for old Jimbo. Too soon to make that call. Primarily, I use pens and sketchbook, scan the line art, then color in Photoshop and animate with Flash. I do all of my audio recording in Garage Band (use a Snowball mic for vocals) and a free program called Audacity. I edit everything in iMovie. While I love the tactile feel of pen and paper, I’ve been “cheating” and using a mouse to draw in Photoshop (for certain shots) for so long that I thought- Just buy a tablet already. So I did. I will always use a sketchbook to some degree, though. I can take it with me….but I can take an iPad too….hmmmm