How and why did your journey into animation begin?
I began my journey into animation while attending a live-action film school, the Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia. I had always drawn, so during COVID I combined those two passions and started animating small plasticine loops. I then began working in a studio as a post-production generalist, where I directed my first animated works. I fell in love with the possibilities animation offers: creating a world from your bedroom. However, there is a high price to pay, time.
What are your sources of inspiration?
I enjoy experimenting with different styles, and my sources of inspiration are very broad. I usually try to come up with something fun to animate and then bring it to life. My main job involves creating animations for clients, so when I have time for personal work, I explore the craziest ideas. I love dark sci-fi novels as well as playful comedies.
Tell us about your creative process.
When I work on a short film, the most important element for me is the story. I then plan the animation very precisely, starting with a storyboard and then creating an animatic, especially for short films and client projects. When I create short content for Instagram, the process is different: I start with a rough idea, usually a single drawing, and then animate without planning. It becomes an opportunity to experiment.
Is there a part of the process that bores you? And instead which part is the one that excites you?
I don’t always enjoy how long the animation process can take. I like it while I’m doing it, but I constantly try to work faster.
How would you define the animation scene not linked to big brands? Is there an audience? What channels do you use to post and reach as many viewers as possible?
I have made three short films since graduating, and they have been successful on the festival circuit. The second one, in particular, reached the semifinals of the Student Academy Awards, the finals at the Nastri d’Argento, and was selected for more than forty festivals, winning ten awards. However, I’m not sure how much new audience they have brought me. A few months ago, I started posting consistently on Instagram because I was quite afraid of AI and felt that being recognized online might be the only way to continue doing my job. It has worked far better than expected: I had just over a thousand followers three months ago, and now I have almost thirty thousand. I believe there is an audience online, because everyone is there. I’ve noticed that people like knowing that the animation they are watching is made by a person, that’s why behind-the-scenes content sometimes gets more views than the animation itself. I still don’t know how to make a living from online views, but I’m working on it.
New projects in the pipeline?
I have many new projects in the pipeline, probably too many. My girlfriend often criticizes me for taking on too much at once. The challenge with animation is that even simple projects require a lot of time. That’s why I’m also planning to experiment with live action. But who knows which of the many ideas I have will actually be completed!
