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Artist Spotlight
It’s a pleasure to introduce Don Dixon, a talented visual artist, who wears many creative hats. With over 20 years of experience in art, design, and animation. HIs impressive portfolio includes work on feature films such as ‘The Book of Life’, ‘Free Birds’, ‘Rock Dog’, ‘Sherlock Gnomes’, ‘Ugly Dolls’, and ‘SCOOB!’. Additionally, he has contributed to television and video games animation and even illustrated for Rolling Stone.
Tell us a about yourself, growing up and your passions.
I’m a Senior Animator, illustrator, motion graphics designer, and children’s book author. I love to paint – both on canvas and digitally. I love to watch movies and love to make my wife laugh.
Did you have any specific influences growing up that lead you towards the film industry?
My father had a creative job doing robotics and toy design, so growing up I was always surrounded by creativity.
What were your main responsibilities on this project?
My main responsibilities on Darwin the Dreamer were writer, director, animator.
Can you tell us about your experience in working with your team in this film?
I definitely could not have got this project done if not for my wife. She gave me the feedback and encouragement that got me on the right track. I also loved the voice talent I found in Peter Baker who took my direction perfectly and gave my story new life! I also want to give props to Nela Ruiz for her sound design and her fantastic musical score for the film. Nela really captured the feeling I was going for.
What was the most important thing for this project to achieve from a narrative and character standpoint?
The most important thing I wanted to achieve was to reach people on that childlike level, that level when all dreams are possible and innocence drives creativity. I want people to walk away from this short film thinking they can do anything!
What makes a film interesting for you? What are three qualities that you look for in a movie?
What makes a film ls if it meant something to the creator. I gravitate toward stories that are rooted in personal experience. In animation I ask; does it have heart? Is it appealing to look at?
What project helped you launch your career?
Free Birds was the very first feature film I had the pleasure of working on. After that film, it led to a lot of work on a ton of films that I am also so grateful to have been a part of.
What criteria do you use when building your team?
I think merging the vision of an idea is important. If everyone can see that vision then they are someone I want to work with.
What are you most proud of? Describe your biggest accomplishment to date.
I am most proud of taking the leap and making my own content and entering it in festivals. It is such a big deal to put yourself out there and I am proud that I took this step and am finally saying out loud that I want to be a director. I want to be a storyteller! I am excited and scared to see where it all leads, but so grateful for taking the step to say here is a new voice!
As an animator, what is the most important aspect of building a character? (either artistically or narratively)
Make it based on reality. You can always got to the extraordinary, but a character based on reality whether it is someone you know or even yourself; having that foundation makes it that much easier to connect with an audience.
What are your ambitions for the future?
I would love to continue to tell stories and make films. I would love for Darwin the Dreamer to win an Oscar! I would love for this story to become the bedtime film that children play over and over. I would love to be at the level of Dr. Seuss, Jim Henson, and Levar Burton. I want to connect with young audiences to help make them ‘imagine, dream, and believe!’
What are you currently working on?
I am writing a new story called ‘The Fountain’ which is a love story about a black man and a white woman who met at a segregated drinking fountain in the 1950s.
What advice would you give to someone who is aspiring to enter the film industry, especially as an animator?
Always draw! Even if you can’t draw well, the practice helps you later when trying to create interesting compositions that help with visual storytelling. Also; reach out to the people who are in the positions you want to be in.
Who else in your field do you look to for inspiration? Are there any other animators that you think deserve more attention than they are getting?
I actually find inspiration in the artists who are just beginning their journey. They have an energy and enthusiasm that is contagious and serves as a reminder to where I used to be at the start of my journey.
Where can everyone keep up with you to learn more?
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/darwinthedreamermovie/
Instagram: @ScribCreative
TikTok: @Scrib_creative_dondixon
Thanks so much for joining us for this conversation. We appreciate your participation and wish you the very best on May 20th at the live event! We hope to see some of the team there. Best of luck with everything.