We recently had the chance to chat with storyboard artist Denise Koyama, who received her third Annie Award nomination for her work in Sony Animation’s Surf’s Up in December. Denise’s impressive career highlights include Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron, Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas, The Tigger Movie and The Return of Jafar.
Animation Magazine Online: How did you get your start in the animation business?
Denise Koyama: I got a lucky break’I was studying Illustration at the time and Disney TV came to our school to view portfolios. I was so excited and signed up right away. I felt like I won the lottery when they picked me for a storyboard trainee test group. We were instructed by some of their best artists in an intensive three-month course. I LOVED it and have been storyboarding ever since!
AMO: What did you enjoy most about working on Surf’s Up?
DK: Being part of an amazing group of people! It was such a joyful process and I think you can tell by watching the film just how much fun we were having!
AMO: Please tell us a bit about what you’re working on next.
DK: I am currently finishing up work on Open Season 2. We are picking up where we left Boog and Elliot from the first movie. This film focuses more on Elliot’s emotional journey as the forest folk attempt to rescue their dognapped friend, Mr Weenie! It’s a wonderful romp of a movie that has everything’romance, action and lots of laughs. On the way, we meet several new characters and one delightfully evil bad guy. Sean Mullin was key in developing the personalities of these new characters and the first time he pitched his version I nearly fell off my chair I laughed so hard!
AMO: You have worked on several 2D traditionally animated projects as well as CG-animated movies–Do you approach them differently? Which one appeals to you more?
DK: The storyboarding process is the same for both traditional and CG animated movies. Sony has streamlined the process by giving all story artists the option of using computers and Cintiqs. I still rough out ideas on post-it notes and paper, but all final boarding is done digitally. I love this process and can’t imagine going back to paper and pencil.
AMO: What is your take on the animated feature scene in 2008? Do you see any trends? Any Reasons to celebrate and/or worry?
DK: It’s an exciting time in animation. Many new companies are opening and have released features this year. It’s always nice to see and more animation!
AMO: If you could only own five animated or live-action movies or TV series DVDs , which ones would you pick?
DK: That is an impossibly difficult question! There are so many wonderful movies and TV shows out there and I couldn’t pick just five! Among the live action list would definitely be Ikiru, Blade Runner, Fight Club, Edward Scissorhands and Amelie. Animated: Surf’s Up (of course!), Magnetic Rose, Tonari no Tottoro, Sleeping Beauty and Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas. And TV shows: The Colbert Report, almost any reality show, and some old Japanese series: Saiyuuki, Oshin, Haikarasan Ga Tooru and Yagyu Ichizoku no Imbo.
AMO: Who are your animation role models? Why?
DK: That is an even harder question’my list would be longer than I am tall! I would say everyone I have met has positively influenced and inspired me. The four artists that personally have been the biggest inspiration to me are Ronnie Del Carmen, Ash Brannon, Jen Yuh Nelson and Bob Logan. Wow ‘ to be able to work amongst giants is definitely a treat and I will cherish these experiences forever!
AMO: Did you have to work harder because you’re a woman working in a male-dominated field?
DK: You definitely have to work hard in animation, but fortunately, I have never experienced anything that made me feel like I had to work harder just because I was a woman.
AMO: What kind of advice would you give folks who’d like to get into the animation business?
DK: Follow your heart, don’t give up, work hard and enjoy the ride!
