We had the good fortune of connecting with Noah Cutwright and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Noah, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
Growing up in Baltimore, Maryland, I lived of a healthy diet of cartoons. I would spend most of my days flipping between Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, and Disney to satisfy my cartoon fix, and whenever a new animated feature would come out I would beg my parents to take me. I truly can’t remember a time where I didn’t love the medium of animation. One summer, my mother took my sister and I to the library where I found the book, The Art of Walt Disney. The book detailed the evolution of the art of animation through the history of the studio. I kept returning to check out the book and read it front to back what felt like 100 times. As young as 8 or 9 years old I knew what I wanted to do. When I was 12 years old I asked my parents for the home version of an animation software called, Toon Boom (back when home versions and disks were more affordable and still a thing). I eventually bought myself my first drawing tablet and began teaching myself how to make my own cartoons.
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’m a cartoonist, animation director and creator of the weekly comic strip, “The Carsons”, which follows the exploits of a young, unemployed cartoonist and his family. So far, I’ve been able to release two comic book collections since I stared the series way back when. I’m also writing and directing a 22-minute animated mockumentary pilot based on the strip. I raised money on Kickstarter to produce the pilot back in 2021 and I’m working with a small team of artists to finish getting it made.
It definitely wasn’t easy finding my footing in this industry. When I started college at The Cleveland Institute of Art in 2014, I was coming off of years of being a self-taught animator, and basically had to relearn everything from the beginning once I finally received formal training. I had to unlearn bad technical habits I had developed while still maintaining my artist voice.
By the time I had graduated in 2018, I had come of an internship at Cartoon Network Studios and had written, directed, and animated the four-minute animated short, “Floyd”, which centered on a tennis ball who dreams of being a famous Wimbledon tennis ball, but instead finds himself the chew toy of a hyperactive puppy. The film won many awards on the film festival circuit and was even a semi-finalist in the 45th Student Academy Awards®.
Even though I felt like I was on top of the world, I was having a hard time finding work in the industry and it really took a toll on me mentally. Eventually I decided that as opposed to waiting around for someone to hand me an opportunity I had to go and make those opportunities for myself. I co-founded the animation production company, Imaginex Animation Studios, LLC., with my best friend, Demetrick McDonald, and began writing, directing and producing more original short films.
This allowed me re-center my focus on being an artist, rather than chasing a paycheck. The shorts got better, and my skills as an artist grew exponentially. The work caught the attention of other artists and people within the industry and allowed me to work with companies like, Adult Swim, Disney and Comedy Central. One of my favorite projects to work on had to be directing the 12 minute short, “The Opener” for Niles Abston back in 2022.
The whole experience has taught me that the journey of being an artist or creative is not a straightforward one. There really is no handbook or cheat code on how to navigate any of this. All you can really do is be passionate about your work, be eager to grow and learn and forge your own path. You’ll find yourself in places you couldn’t have even dreamed of.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Funny enough even though I’m an east coaster, I very rarely spent time going to beaches growing up, so one of the most fun things I’ve found about coming to LA is being able to drive along the coast and finding low-key beaches just about anywhere, so my absolute favorite thing to do is drive along PCH, and explore some hiking trails.
I’ve spent a lot of my life living in cities or suburbs, but I think a unique thing about LA is that you’re able to explore magnificent mountains and beaches and feel ‘remote’ while still living within the limits of a city. It’s something very unique to LA that I’ve appreciated since I moved here a little over two years ago. It’s fun to disconnect from the world and feel close with nature.
Whenever, I have friends out here I always try and take them to get KBBQ. One of my favorite places is Gangnam Station in Koreatown. Black Market Flea at The Beehive is also a good time. Being a “starving artist” I always appreciate the free shit, so the Getty Villa and the Getty Center are both gorgeous at sunset.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I think it’s be so hard to narrow it down to one. I’ve always chased after my dreams because no one told me I couldn’t. My parents really always encouraged me to go after the things I wanted, even when it seems difficult or impossible, and I don’t think that I could’ve achieved any of what I have been able to up to this point if it weren’t for them instilling that in me.
I have been fortunate to have had amazing and encouraging teachers throughout grade school and into college, as well as a supportive group of incredibly talented friends that inspire me everyday. Having good people around you is so important to your success as an individual, and for me, it’s been an embarrassment of riches.
Website: www.noahcutwright.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatcartoonistguy
Twitter: https://twitter.com/noah_cutwright
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/IMAGINEXANIMATIONSTUDIOS/videos