We had the good fortune of connecting with Aprilyn Cunanan and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Aprilyn, what’s the end goal, career-wise?
I’ve thought about this a lot, where life would lead me or where I would want to lead it. I think, more than anything, I want to work towards making a meaningful impact on people with my art. Animation is a fulfilling craft for me, I get to work with the most skilled artists and create stories with them. But what about my desire for individuality and my drive to stand independently? I hope that if at the end of my career or my life and finding out if my paintings or drawings might have touched a single soul meaningfully than I will be the happiest person alive.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I think most artists might have a hard time with question because we’re so consistently critical of our work. I started out as a production intern and then a production assistant. If it weren’t for the kindness and faith that my various crew had in me, I would have had a much harder time breaking into the art side in the animation pipeline.
I have a hard time believing I’m talented or gifted — the skill level that I’m at is because of practice and hard-work. It’s because I would put more than 8+ hours in a drawing. Just like any craft, you put in the time and you’ll get better at it. I do believe in aptitude, I think some people can have a natural ability to pick things up faster. But I learn in this craft, we all do everyday! I am improving even now, I think artists are students for life.
Filipinos are a minority in animation, I could probably only tell you on two hands using my fingers how many other Filipinos I’ve worked with in this field. At least, in the Los Angeles and Hollywood side. I want other Filipino people to thrive in this environment, that it can be welcoming to you too.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
This is a great question!
I live in Burbank — it’s pretty studio-city, where all the major animation studios are at. But I will say there is a ton to do here! I recommend trying the food at Miracle Bakery for breakfast, they’re a nice mom and pop brunch place that is very affordable and the staff are kind and friendly. If you’re looking for entertainment, Magnolia Blvd is a place to walk around. A lot of thrift shops, a vinyl record store called Atomic Records. On that street, check out Tansy, an excellent local plant and home decor shop. Geeky Teas is a great board shop game they also make their own tea blends there! At Downtown Burbank, if you’re looking for a gym to work out, try getting a Touchstone Climbing membership at Verdigo Boulders. The climbing community is small and friendly and a lot of animation people climb, it’s a great way to network.
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Absolutely. I want to dedicate this shoutout to The Animation Guild, my local 839. TAG is a multi-craft union. They are the union that bargains and negotiates on our behalf to the AMPTP (Association of Motion Picture Producers) who represent the bigger studios you may have heard of such as Netflix, Amazon, Viacom/Paramount, Warner Bros., CBS, Disney, etc. Our local has production coordinators/assistants, writers, storyboard artists, directors, prop designers, color designers, background painters and painters, color supervisors, animators and more. They, we, all deserve to be paid the same as their live action peers.
We will be entering our negotiations again with the AMPTP next year.
Website: https://linktr.ee/aprilyncunanan
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sheeprilyn/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sheeprilyn