51Æ·²è

Meet former OC student Isabelle Stuetz

Hometown: Prince George, BC and Taiwan
Program: Animation Diploma - 2021

How did you become interested in animation? What inspired you?
Growing up I had many creative interests, including acting, music, dance, and drawing. Animation felt like the perfect way to bring them together. I was especially inspired by the shows on Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network during the 2000s and 2010s.

What are some of the reasons you choose 51Æ·²è to pursue your studies? What year did you graduate from OC?
I choose 51Æ·²è because the program gives you a chance to learn about all the different aspects of the animation pipeline. I graduated in 2021.

What specific projects have you been a part of in the animation industry?
I have had the pleasure to be a part of the teams of Star Trek: Lower Decks and Digman for Paramount+, Summer Memories for Family Channel, and many other unannounced projects.

Can you share where you’re working now and your current role?
Most recently, I worked as a background layout artist for Titmouse Vancouver on an unannounced series for Amazon Prime, while also working as a freelance set designer for a stop-motion commercial with Loud Cloud Animation.

How has your Animation Diploma from OC helped you in your career?
The Animation Diploma program has taught me how to work in a production on top of the essential drawing skills you use day to day in the animation industry.

Looking back, what aspects of the Animation Diploma have been the most beneficial to your career?
What makes the Animation Diploma at OC special is learning both the 2D and 3D pipelines. They become transferable skills between the different programs used in the industry.

Learning how to create your own production schedule during the Demo Reel Production class was also very beneficial. Time management and knowing how long a task might take is extremely valuable in this industry.

Do you feel the program prepared you well for the demands of the animation industry?
Yes.

Are there any specific tools or techniques you learned in the program that you use regularly?
I use Photoshop daily for work, and the 3D skills I learned using Maya during Animation Diploma have translated to my current use of Blender, particularly for quick design and lighting solutions.

What’s been the most exciting or rewarding part of your career journey so far?
I have had the opportunity to be involved in several independent short film projects. It’s been rewarding to create original stories from scratch with a group of strangers; who often become friends. Seeing ideas come to life from start to finish is always an exciting experience.

What advice would you give to someone considering the Animation Diploma at 51Æ·²è?
Be open-minded to all the new skills you may come across, and learn as much as you can.

What do you see as the next steps or goals in your career?
I will continue to grow as an artist and expand my skills as the industry rapidly changes.