Meet Maarten Lemmens | Animator

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

Hi Maarten, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
I don’t believe success is measured by wealth or income. I think success is based off two separate worlds. One world starts when you enter your job and workplace, of how happy you are living in that world. I believe a job should feel like a hobby, have it feel like something you do because you love doing it, and not because you’re waiting for it to be over to get the paycheck and go home. This job is half of your day, every day, I would make it a place that you enjoy spending time in. And the second world being when you step out of that job, and look at how much you enjoy the life entirely away from work, that might be family, pets, hobbies, etc.

I am now a full-time DreamWorks animator, a dream job that I never thought I would obtain this quickly in my animation career. I was born and raised in Europe, so moving overseas to follow my dreams wasn’t an easy decision. I think the biggest factor in success is drive with a little risk taking and positivity sprinkled in. I have learned to always try to keep your head high, one bad moment won’t define your career, it’s a process and every step is a step closer to learning what works and what doesn’t. Hard work will always prevail.

And last but not least, always radiate positive energy, connections with other people in your industry get you places you can’t even imagine were possible!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
as I said previously, I am an animator at DreamWorks. I had just yesterday received the news that my first animated film ‘Puss in Boots: The Last Wish’ was nominated for the Oscars for Best Animated Film. This is probably my proudest moment in my career so far, maybe because it is still so fresh.

Moving across the world at 18 years old never is easy I think. You have to remind yourself why you made the move and where you want to be after you graduate. My senior year of college, covid-19 hit the world by storm, we had no graduation and half our class couldn’t find jobs in the film industry. I was lucky enough to get a job at a company in Florida. But because it became fully remote I decided to go back to my family in Europe and work odd timezone hours across the globe. I tried my best catching dinner together with my family as other meals were difficult to coordinate, this lasted for a year and a half. But at least I was with them, and not living alone isolating on the other side of the world. The work I did in that time helped me get back to the US and start my job at DreamWorks. It is all about hard work and reminding yourself why you’re doing what you’re doing.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love taking a quick drive up the Angeles Crest Highway, as there are multiple stops along the way with perfect views at sunset or at night with a clear sky full of stars over the city. I would say the Hollywood sign hike is a must, but only once. Unless your parents come and visit the week after you already did the hike with your friends (thanks mom & dad)
I recently had an early release visit to Nintendo World at Universal, it is a great experience, especially for the kids in a family visit. I can imagine it being super busy when it comes out in February though!
Round1 is a size-able and eventful arcade place, I like going to the one in Burbank.

Food wise:
– Castaway,Burbank – it’s a great place on a hill with a view over the hills and city!
– Cheesecake factory makes it in here, they have an insane Spicy Vodka dish on their special menu
– Cento Pasta Bar – amazing homemade pasta to die for, small place but always fully booked!
and you can’t go wrong with Portos! Such affordable pastries to die for. (especially the cheese balls and guava pastries)

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There is a good few people that come to mind. Firstly, I’d like to thank my family for supporting me in countless ways for me to pursue my dreams away from them across the pond. I’d like to thank Shir Baron for always being supportive and available for anything. In addition I’d like to thank Liron Topaz for vouching for my abilities when I wasn’t so sure anymore. Jalil Sadool, the owner of SteamRoller Studios, my first job out of college, for being a fantastic company owner with the best intensions for his employees.

I’d also like to thank Andrew Gray, my middle and high school art teacher who went out of his way to help me with my college art portfolio, and encourage me to apply and go to college in America. He set up figure drawing classes when I needed figure drawings for my portfolio, encouraged me to experiment with digital art and purchased drawing tablets for our class after seeing my interest in it. The best teacher I’ve ever had, and a very big reason why I am in LA writing this now.

Website: https://www.maartenlemmens.art

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maarten-lemmens