Meet David Braun | Stargazers

We had the good fortune of connecting with David Braun and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi David, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
David Braun: Our biggest influences have always been independent creators who manage to continually work on what inspires them–everyone from Dr. Seuss and Shel Silverstein to Trey Parker and Matt Stone. Maintaining independence was a common thread in all of these creators, and considering how volatile the world of animation can be, starting our own studio in 2015 was an appealing path to creating a foundation that didn’t leave us at the whims of larger companies.

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.
David Braun: One of our collaborators recently described OTP as “polish meets chaos,” which resonated very strongly with me. We’re always looking to push the limits of what’s possible in animation, but excellence and quality are a must on every project. The animation community is full of chaos artists and polish artists (as well as Polish artists, but we unfortunately haven’t met any in our direct circle)–we help the community by providing a place where the top talents in both camps can flourish and be appreciated for their unique gifts and skills, rather than feeling like part of a machine. Our hope is that the good work we produce together can have a positive effect on the world by bringing some joy, beauty, and unexpected weirdness into the lives of strangers. One of our internal slogans with everything we produce is “the world can be a dark place, but there is hope.” We love to plumb the depths, but never leave you there.

Jason Milov: We blend old-school animation techniques with cutting-edge tools to make something that feels both timeless and radical. Hopefully, it reminds people that the strange and the beautiful often live side-by-side. As someone who spent most of my childhood as an outcast, animation and film were where I first found a sense of belonging. If our work can offer that same kind of home to even one person, it’s worth it. We’re not just here to entertain, we’re here to spark something deeper. A sense of meaning, connection, and wonder.

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.
David Braun: You can always feel the work-life balance has gone out of whack with a musical artist when every song starts to be about being “on the road.” I believe that earlier albums, films, books, et cetera tend to be more interesting because the authors are relaying relatable aspects of life and struggles they experienced before their passion became their career. But the thing is, you never have to stop doing and pursuing those things! For this reason, many personal reasons, and the simple fact that the number one thing you can do to extend the feeling of time you have in this world is to learn and experience new things, I find that continually checking in to make sure that your life is at the heart of your work and not the other way around is the key to staying inspired and refreshed. It’s been an ongoing battle of the course of my life and never feels like I’ve “arrived” at the proper balance, it’s something that fluctuates and needs constant attention, like staying healthy or keeping a car running smoothly.

Jason Milov: Early on, “balance” felt like a luxury we couldn’t afford. All of us were in the studio day and night trying to make it happen. Or pulling all nighters on projects that paid us nothing. Not because we had to be, but because we were obsessed with doing the best work possible. And in many ways, that was beautiful. But I’ve come to realize that creative fuel isn’t endless. You have to refill the tank.

Now, I think of balance less as a 50/50 split and more like a rhythm. There are intense seasons and quiet ones. I’ve learned to protect my solitude, to take walks without a phone, to hang out with people who have nothing to do with the industry. That’s where the best ideas sneak in, not in the grind, but in the stillness.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
David Braun: One of our collaborators recently described OTP as “polish meets chaos,” which resonated very strongly with me. We’re always looking to push the limits of what’s possible in animation, but excellence and quality are a must on every project. The animation community is full of chaos artists and polish artists (as well as Polish artists, but we unfortunately haven’t met any in our direct circle)–we help the community by providing a place where the top talents in both camps can flourish and be appreciated for their unique gifts and skills, rather than feeling like part of a machine. Our hope is that the good work we produce together can have a positive effect on the world by bringing some joy, beauty, and unexpected weirdness into the lives of strangers. One of our internal slogans with everything we produce is “the world can be a dark place, but there is hope.” We love to plumb the depths, but never leave you there.

Jason Milov: We blend old-school animation techniques with cutting-edge tools to make something that feels both timeless and radical. Hopefully, it reminds people that the strange and the beautiful often live side-by-side. As someone who spent most of my childhood as an outcast, animation and film were where I first found a sense of belonging. If our work can offer that same kind of home to even one person, it’s worth it. We’re not just here to entertain, we’re here to spark something deeper. A sense of meaning, connection, and wonder.

Website: https://opentheportal.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/opentheportal/

Twitter: https://x.com/OTPstudios

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OpenThePortalStudios

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@OpenthePortal

Other: https://vimeo.com/opentheportal