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Meet OC alumni Ashlyn Schmautz

Hometown: Quesnel, BC 
Program: Animation Diploma - 2022

How did you become interested in animation? What inspired you?
This is definitely a multi part answer. Like many kids who grew up in the late 90s/early 2000s I was obsessed with Sailor Moon and drew the characters (and ones I made up) constantly. I also loved watching Disney animated films, with The Hunchback of Notre Dame being a personal favourite since I was four. But I didn’t realize that animation could be a career option until I saw one of those behind the scenes special featurettes that Disney would put at the end of the credits on their VHS tapes. It was a clip of Glen Keane explaining to a group of animators on how the Beast’s cape should move. He was wearing a cape and jumping around a room with storyboards pinned to walls. I was maybe nine or ten when I saw the clip and the thought of “Hey I can possibly do this for a job!” first popped into my head.

What are some of the reasons you choose 51Ʒ�� to pursue your studies? What year did you graduate from OC?
I graduated from 51Ʒ�� in 2022. I had been working retail for years at the point I decided to go back to school. I knew I wanted to work in animation but wasn’t sure about what exactly I wanted to do. Going to school for four years did not appeal to me along with the high tuition prices for said schools. I started doing some research and found 51Ʒ��’s Animation Diploma Program. I was impressed with the reviews I read online, the variety of courses that covered almost every part of the animation pipeline and the instructors all having experience within the industry whether past or current. The tuition price was also much easier to manage in comparison to the four year long programs.

What specific projects have you been a part of in the animation industry?
Since graduating I have worked as a storyboard artist and revisionist on Wonderoos (Netflix/Atomic Cartoons), Barbie Mysteries: The Great Horse Chase & Beach Detectives (Netflix/Kickstart Entertainment), Red Fish, Blue Fish (Netflix/Atomic Cartoons), The Day You Begin (PBS/Atomic Cartoons) and a unannounced project at Bardel Entertainment.

Can you share where you’re working now and your current role?
I’m currently working remotely as a storyboard revisionist at Bardel Entertainment.

How has your Animation Diploma from OC helped you in your career?
Taking the Animation Diploma program helped me to narrow down exactly what I wanted to do career wise. I originally entered the program thinking I would possibly major in animation while minoring in design. However, upon taking the storyboard classes I was encouraged by my professors to look further into becoming a board artist. Turns out I love planning the shots and acting for animations but not actually animating, and storyboarding was a natural fit for me. The program also prepared me for how busy the productions can be, and how to communicate effectively when problems arose that could possibly hinder the schedule. I can say confidently that I came out of the program prepared, whether that be for the turbulent nature of the animation industry or simply emailing a director about a deadline extension.

Looking back, what aspects of the Animation Diploma have been the most beneficial to your career?
I would say the professors and their current industry knowledge were super beneficial, and continue to be even a few years down the road. Also the variety of courses, even if you don’t end up specializing in that field, is great in helping to understand the animation pipeline and what exactly is happening in each stage.

Do you feel the program prepared you well for the demands of the animation industry?
The program definitely prepared me for the demands of the animation industry. Time management and being able to say “this is not working I need to ask for help” are key in surviving the fast-paced and sometimes incredibly busy nature of a pipeline. It was highlighted many times by instructors that the program was made to replicate that experience and it succeeded in preparing for my first production

Are there any specific tools or techniques you learned in the program that you use regularly?
Learning to separate myself from my art continues to be one of the biggest takeaways I have from the program. Once you decide that animation is the career path you want to pursue you have to learn how to differentiate “work”and “personal” really quickly. Critiques and feedback are a major part of the animation pipeline and at the end of the day the director/producer/supervisor is there to make sure your art fits the best way it can for the success of the production. They are not critiquing you as a person. Special shoutout to the communications course, everything I learned in second year in terms of portfolio and social media management, cover letter and resume writing and interviewing are all tools/techniques I use nearly daily.

Have there been any standout achievements in your career since completing the Animation Diploma?
I was one of the three finalists for the Atomic Shorts Program in its launch year, and got the opportunity to pitch an animated short idea on a studio wide zoom call. Though I did not win, the experience of working with directors, research and development teams, and producers was an amazing experience.

What’s been the most exciting or rewarding part of your career journey so far?
Seeing my name in the credits of my first show was incredibly rewarding, it was like finishing an emotional marathon. There were so many internal ups and downs when working on my first production, so much I learned, and to see the finished product was like a long awaited dessert. Meeting some of my former coworkers at Lightbox Expo in Los Angeles and at the Red Fish, Blue Fish wrap party in Vancouver was also incredibly exciting.

What advice would you give to someone considering the Animation Diploma at 51Ʒ��?
Go in with an open mind and a willingness to learn. Having an idea of what you want to do is great but you never know what might capture your interest instead. Storyboarding wasn’t even on my radar when I entered the program and it turned out super beneficial to pursue it.

What do you see as the next steps or goals in your career?
At the moment my two main goals for my career are getting a job in feature animation and working as a character designer for a project. Directing might also be up there.

Is there anything else you’d like to share about your journey since graduating from the Animation Diploma program at OC?
I have gotten to meet so many amazing people in my animation career, and it’s truly what makes the industry so great. No matter how hard the industry gets, having a network of like minded individuals who love expressing themselves is so inspiring and makes me want to continue to create art.

Where can we see some of your work?
Check out Ashlyn's , , and !