Guys With Pencils

We had a request from a follower on Tumblr asking us if we could talk about our experiences back in our third year of college taking animation. Our animation program was 4 years long and 3rd year was unofficially known as the year that would make or break you as a student. So this week we talk about the things we did, the things we didnt do. Get ready for a bumpy ride down memory lane!

American born all around nice guy Brad Heitmeyer, has been working in the gaming industry for more than 18 years. We were lucky enough to have him sit down with us and talk about the journey he went through. From starting out back in the early days of video gaming and working throuh some big names in the business, Terminal Reality, INC., Silicon Knights, Rockstar Games Toronto, Ubisoft, Bedlam Games,  to his most recent and personal projects, Brad shares his words of wisdom along with a great story about his career to date!Learn more about Brad Heitmeyer through these links!http://bradheitmeyer.com/Brad's Twitter

The boys from Mighty Rabbit Studios have an game you can download for IOS, its called SATURDAY MORNING RPG!Saturday Morning RPG is an episodic role-playing game set in a world inspired by 1980s Saturday morning cartoons. Josh, Nic and Adric join us to talk about the debut of their awesome game! Check out the links below for info about Mighty Rabbit and Saturday Morning RPG!CLICK HERE TO GET IT NOW! INFO on SATURDAY MORNING RPG

WARNING: Listening to this episode may cause your creative juices to surge and intensify your desire to go off an make awesome stuff!!! Blending business and creative experience together, Jason Thompson is an accomplished animator who believes in the power of story. His background in children’s television, video gaming and advertising fuels his passion for meaningful visual communication.An accomplished freelance illustrator, he has worked as an animation director, animator and storyboard artist for Cuppa Coffee, The Cookie Jar Company, Radical Sheep and Mercury Filmworks among many other studios. As the President of JarT Studios he iscurrently adapting a children’s book he designed and illustrated to create an interactive storybook app.http://artofdad.wordpress.com/ http://thekidsguidetocancer.com/

Get ready to listen to two nerds bring themselves up to speed with the most current events in comics/video game and animation news. But don't think that it's just a recap of the top headlines. The boys also put their own spin on it relating everything back to how it affects the commercial artist for hire.

Our guest this week, Michel Gagné is renowned for his incredible abilities. He has lent his talent to several animation companies, such as Don Bluth Studios, Warner Bros., Disney, Pixar, Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, etc. His creative work can be seen in over twenty feature films including The Iron Giant, Osmosis Jones, and Ratatouille. Aside from his studio work, Michel is a determined entrepeneur who has created work in a wide range of media, from live performances to gallery exhibits. In 2007, he partnered with video game veteran, Joe Olson, and founded Shadow Planet Productions which released the critically acclaimed video game, Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet in 2011.Michel's Website

This week it's just a catch up episode between the boys. They suddenly realize that almost 2 years have passed since they have been working. Where has that time gone? So They start to discuss the possibilities of what is in store for the next 2 years? Have a listen and enjoy the work week!

What's the proper thing to do when a select few individuals try to derail the efforts put forward by the loyal fanbase? How much damage control is really necessary for a company to display over this type of issue?Who should the creators take side with? The fans? or the policies set in place by their employers? The answers to these questions, and more will be answered on this episode of Guys With Pencils! Enjoy!

Insanely talented.That's what comes to mind when you hear the name Garrett Hanna!Garrett works as an illustrator and has been trained as a concept artist and is a graduate of the Sheridan Animation program. After school, he worked in Toronto for a few years as a designer but Now Garrett works in Orange County, Cali. illustrating for a well known video game company.Listen to Garrett's thoughts on how he ended up on the west side of the continent.

Paul A. Teolis has been working in the industry for the past 25 years. Some of the studios he has worked for include Dreamworks Animation/Pixar Animation/ Hero Entertainment/ Nelvana. He has had a variety of jobs throughout his career and is also an award winning photographer. This week Paul provides an indepth chat about working abroad in the animation business and what it really takes for someone to survive in this unpredictable field.Paul's TwitterFacebook: Paul Teolis PhotographyWebsite:http://fieldandscreen.com

Adam and Andrew watch the Double Fine Kickstarter metre reach $1,000,000 ! Its a countdown of sorts, kinda like new years eve but for gaming nerds. This week they talk about the recent Double Fine announcement of a NEW point & click adventure game, along with an overall discussion about the video games that they know and love.Enjoy the nerdgasms as they watch the metre rise!DOUBLE FINE'S KICKSTARTER

Joinning us this week is Max Gilardi of Hotdiggedydemon.com.According to Max, he spends his time making stupid cartoons for the internet, including Jerry and Wacky Game Jokez 4 Kidz. He also works on a variety of parody shorts that have gained him massive attention online.Max has a real passion for TV shows and has a lot of thoughts on where the audience is going now for entertainment. So go grab some coffee and have a great work week! Enjoy!

If you worked at a fast food joint, and someone told you to flip some burgers for free. Would you? Hells NO! So why is it that people think it's ok to ask an artist to draw something for free? This week the boys ponder this exact question.Take it from Adam and Andrew, there's nothing more stressful for an artist than trying to maintain their identity and relevance working as a commerical arist. If you would like to hear more about freelance and client relations check out this site below.http://clientsfromhell.net/ 

Jessika Von Innerebner is the lead art director for Mathtoons Media. She has been working in the animation business for over 12 years, working on a variety of interactive education products. Jessika has a burning passion for creating really amazing art and possesses the savviest of skills when it comes to self promotion and maintaining her career in this business.Jessika didn't go to a post secondary arts program, but there is no lack of skills to be seen in her work. Check out her stuff if you want to see what true dedication and hard work look like when you have to learn as you go.Click here to follow Jessika on twitter Jessika's website - KARTOON KID MATHTOONS MEDIA

The Return of Katie Shanahan along with her brother Shaggy Shanahan ( that's his real name!) Katie and Shaggy just made a comic book called Silly Kingdom, and on this episode you're going to hear about how it was made! Along with the many obsticles that came up during its production. So if you've ever wanted to know how to make your own book and publish it yourself, then this is a must listen episode for you! This has to be one of the funniest chats we have had doing this podcast. And you should all go to and buy Silly Kingdom too! If you dont already own it! Support indie talent and help an artist out! CLICK HERE TO BUY 'SILLY KINGDOM'  KATIE SHANAHAN'S SITE SHAGGY SHANAHAN'S SITES:http://uberfriendship.com/http://www.youtube.com/user/ShaggyShan

Well it's been one of those weeks. Andrew is busy with long hours and tight deadlines for work, while Adam is busy keeping his apartment warm and dry.Now that they have been working for almost 2 years, new questions and concerns arise with the future and they realize that ambitions and dreams they once had have now changed.This episode deals with how they have been adjusting but still trying to reach those long term goals.Grab a coffee and warm up your computer! Have a great work week!

Ring in the New Year with our final episode of 2011.Adam and Andrew reflect on the the things that have passed since they started the podcast. A lot of talk regarding the future. Specifically the industry, how the structure has "changed" and what lies in store for the independent artist in 2012.Check out this rad article if you're an artist and you are trying to sustain yourself as an independent! http://gigaom.com/2011/12/29/why-2012-will-be-year-of-the-artist-entrepreneur/

Merry Christmas! This week we had the chance to catch up with Tradd Moore. Illustrator for the hit Image title The Strange Talent of Luther Strode! http://traddblog.blogspot.com/  - Tradd's Blog!http://tradd.deviantart.com/  - Tradd's Deviant Art!

Facing reality is never easy for these boys. Its been slowly coming up to 2 years since they finished school and have been working. Lots has happened and there's lots to talk about. This week we we get a year end wrap up for 2011 and the plans for 2012. New ideas and fond memories of things from the past.enjoy!

Deanna Marsigliese Has worked in TV/FEATURE and COMMERCIALS as a freelancer since she graduated from Sheridan college. For the past 6 years she has called Toronto her home while she's worked on some of the biggest projects for the biggest animation studios.Have a listen as she tells us what her process is when desgining and how to be a good designer! It takes more than just being able to draw a pretty picture. So much thought and passion is needed. And Deanna brings it all to the table!