Alumni Interview with ILM Senior Animator Filippo Dattola
"ILM Senior Animator and iAnimate Alumni Filippo Dattola share his stories and inspirations and how he achieved success in his animation journey."
Filippo Dattola took Advanced Character animation at iAnimate last 2010-2012 and was hired right after he completed the program. He then continued his passion for the industry and has worked in several blockbuster movies. He is now working as a Senior Animator at Industrial Light and Magic. Filippo is an Animator who's happy to talk about animation and share his little experience in the Industry.
Alumni Interview
Animation Journey and Inspiration
iAnimate: Tell us a bit about your animation journey and throughout your time with us. Who or What inspired you to become an animator? How did you become an animator, and when did iAnimate become part of your journey?
Filippo: Like many of us, I fell in love with animation because I love movies, and films like Jurassic Park and Star Wars pushed me toward it. Having worked twice in both movies is definitely a dream! Before joining iAnimate, I was already working in the industry as a modeller and freelance animator, but I needed a stronger showreel to try to join some big studio, so as soon as iAnimate started, its program, I joined it, probably in their first term! Right after completing the whole program, I was able to join MPC and work in The Guardians of the Galaxy, and after it, I went to ILM, where I am so far.
iAnimate: What's it like working at your studio?
Filippo: Working in a Studio is a great experience, I'm lucky enough to be in ILM and surrounded by the best talents in the Industry! It is a constant learning experience while working in such iconic movies as Star Wars and Jurassic World.
iAnimate: What kinds of projects are you working on, and what’s your favorite part so far?
Filippo: Working in ILM means being always involved in great movies, my favorite so far is the new Star Wars trilogy, the Jurassic World movies, but also Aladdin, where we were able to do something more stylized, and one of the latest was Abba voyage which is revolutionary in the way it looks!
Animation Lessons and Growth
iAnimate: How did iAnimate help prepare you for the industry? What were the most important things you learned at iAnimate?
Filippo: iAnimate helped me find my workflow and build a strong showreel. iAnimate.net helped me find my own workflow. By following the online classes, I saw instructors and classmates approaching their shots differently. This way, I learned the best way for every situation. Relationship with instructors was fantastic even because at the time I followed the course, there were not so many instructors, so I ended up having the same mentor for 2 or 3 workshops, Ted Ty was one of them who really helped me push my skills. I'm still in contact with many of them. iAnimate.net was also important for building this vital relationship.
iAnimate: What is the most challenging shot you’ve ever animated, and why did you succeed at the shot?
Filippo: Every shot is a challenge. Nothing is easy and straightforward. My favorite is probably all the shots I did for BB8 in Star Wars 7 and 8 because the simplest the model, the harder the breathing life on it, but at the same time, it is very rewarding once you achieve it. I also loved animating Abu where we had to get realistic behavior while pushing some other aspect.
https://vimeo.com/52370382
Fillipo's Current Animation Reel
iAnimate: Do you have any demo reel or interview advice you can share with animators on the job hunt?
Filippo: Believe in your dream and work hard to achieve it. Demo reel tips are always the same, put your best work first and keep updating it with new material. You need to create an 'ad hoc' reel for feature or VFX studios you want to apply. You can have the best creature / VFX reel, but it's unlikely you will get a job at Pixar and vice versa! Build your relationship with guys already in the field, LinkedIn is the best choice for this.
iAnimate: What other advice do you have for current or future iAnimate students?
Filippo: Passion and perseverance always pay!
Animation Career Advice & Tips
iAnimate: If there’s one animation tip or technique you’d share with someone wanting to animate in a feature film, what would it be?
Filippo: After having a strong reel, you need a strong connection with guys already in the industry. Just try to simplify your idea and grab just the main poses from your reference and try to push it even more and make the message super clear and simple. There is always time to add details and secondary animation, but you first need a strong foundation!
iAnimate: Given that there’s so much to learn, how would you recommend a brand new animator start their training?
Filippo: Be open to change and suggestions, especially if you already have some experience. The best thing to do for me is to follow an online class like iAnimate as soon as possible so you can start the right way without the hassle of fixing some old problems coming mostly from a self-taught approach.
iAnimate: What makes a great animator or an animator a studio would hire?
Filippo: Good attitude and will to help others. It's teamwork in the end ;) All suggestions are good. For a reel, probably, I would ask a trusted professional. For a shot, I probably would ask my mom: if it works for her, it will work for everyone!
Want to learn what Disney, Pixar, and Blizzard do in their animations?
Be mentored by industry professionals from the leading studios in the industry. Start your animation career and get the dream animation job you want! Learn more about iAnimate and the Workshops that are made just for you.
Fillipo's Current Animation Reel
iAnimate: Do you have any demo reel or interview advice you can share with animators on the job hunt?
Filippo: Believe in your dream and work hard to achieve it. Demo reel tips are always the same, put your best work first and keep updating it with new material. You need to create an 'ad hoc' reel for feature or VFX studios you want to apply. You can have the best creature / VFX reel, but it's unlikely you will get a job at Pixar and vice versa! Build your relationship with guys already in the field, LinkedIn is the best choice for this.
iAnimate: What other advice do you have for current or future iAnimate students?
Filippo: Passion and perseverance always pay!
Animation Career Advice & Tips
iAnimate: If there’s one animation tip or technique you’d share with someone wanting to animate in a feature film, what would it be?
Filippo: After having a strong reel, you need a strong connection with guys already in the industry. Just try to simplify your idea and grab just the main poses from your reference and try to push it even more and make the message super clear and simple. There is always time to add details and secondary animation, but you first need a strong foundation!
iAnimate: Given that there’s so much to learn, how would you recommend a brand new animator start their training?
Filippo: Be open to change and suggestions, especially if you already have some experience. The best thing to do for me is to follow an online class like iAnimate as soon as possible so you can start the right way without the hassle of fixing some old problems coming mostly from a self-taught approach.
iAnimate: What makes a great animator or an animator a studio would hire?
Filippo: Good attitude and will to help others. It's teamwork in the end ;) All suggestions are good. For a reel, probably, I would ask a trusted professional. For a shot, I probably would ask my mom: if it works for her, it will work for everyone!
Want to learn what Disney, Pixar, and Blizzard do in their animations?
Be mentored by industry professionals from the leading studios in the industry. Start your animation career and get the dream animation job you want! Learn more about iAnimate and the Workshops that are made just for you.
